Glaslough Harriers AC Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Gala at Castle Leslie Estate

Glaslough Harriers AC, based in County Monaghan, marked its 80th anniversary with a vibrant gala celebration at the picturesque Castle Leslie Estate on Saturday. The event, which came together in just a few months, was organised by a dedicated subcommittee formed in August.

“In early August, we got our little subcommittee in place and just started delegating jobs out,” explained club chairperson McQuaid. “We had one team doing the corporate sponsorship end of it and then another team looking after the running of it and logistics on the night,”

The celebration drew a large crowd of past and present members, including former Irish rugby international and current TV presenter Tommy Bowe, who was once a member of the Harriers in his youth.

Despite a scheduling conflict with Ireland’s rugby match against New Zealand in Chicago, Bowe made it a priority to attend.

“He used to run with the Harriers back in the day and he has great time for Noel (Kennedy) who was inducted into the Hall of Fame. So once Noel’s name was mentioned, he said he’d be there no matter what was on he was there.

“Ireland were playing New Zealand. That might be some sort of conflict… But he got in his diary and he wasn’t changing it.”

The evening featured the induction of three club legends into the Glaslough Harriers Hall of Fame: Patsy Kelly, Vera Duffy, and Noel Kennedy. Each was presented with a framed club vest in recognition of their contributions.

“We just wanted to have the event to celebrate the club and to recognise those people that have given so much.”

Among the distinguished guests was Brid Golden, President of Athletics Ireland, who praised the club’s reputation for being welcoming, inclusive, and hard-working. Also in attendance were Bernard McAree, chairperson of the Ulster Athletics Council, and Teresa McDaid, Athletics Ireland team manager.

McQuaid reveals that Duffy, one of the biggest female stars in Irish middle-distance running in the 1970s, may fly under the radar because of her humble nature.

“Vera Duffy was one of the big names at our club back in the day, but she is so humble that nobody even would have known that she was even a runner. She competed in the World Cross Country five or six times.

“Her 3000m record still stands in the county.”

McQuaid also reflected on the club’s recent progress and future goals. Coming from a GAA background, he was surprised to learn that children were previously being turned away due to a lack of coaches, but with intentional change the club is now welcoming as many as they possibly can.

“We have six more level one coaches introduced this year and a couple of level two. So we’re on a big push to upscale our coaches.

“We’re not putting a big emphasis on performance. We really are putting the emphasis on participation and inclusivity and to keep people running.

“A few years ago we had fewer teenagers, but that has really increased… The policy at the time, at the club, was that we can’t take any more kids. It was almost a freeze on membership.

“That was kind of alien to me, coming from a GAA background… The goal is just to really keep the conveyor belt running. Let the kids keep coming in from 7 years old and then keep them there.”

The club is gearing up for a packed schedule that includes the NI and Ulster Uneven Age Groups in Stranorlar, the Omagh Half Marathon, as well as hosting their own 5k road race in March.

As for the club’s centenary in 20 years, McQuaid is confident Glaslough Harriers will reach the milestone, but joked he won’t be organising that gala.

You can view the Glaslough Harriers Facebook page HERE

Photo Credits: Rory Geary and Glaslough Harriers