This article, that I wrote, has just appeared in the latest addition of the True Faith, Newcastle United supporters fanzine. www.true-faith.co.uk Isuue74
The article also appeared in the October issue of the Northern Cross and The Irish World newspaper.
In Gallowgate the Tyneside Irish Centre serves a reminder to this heritage and is a popular Mag watering hole. Bill Corcoran (TIC): “Anyone can join (TIC) and be welcome; and why the warrior traditions of hospitality, love and brotherhood that unite the ancient kingdoms of Bernicia and Ireland - the Land(s) of Saints and Scholars - continue in all of our hearts. Oh aye and we do karaoke in the lounge on Fridays and the Guinness is cheap.”
Irishmen have worn B&W with distinction. Shay Given, Aaron Hughes, Damien Duff, Andy and Liam O’Brien, Kevin Sheedy, Tommy Wright, Mick Martin, John Anderson, Tommy Cassidy, Iam McFaul, David Craig and many others. Belfast’s Bill McCracken was the Baresi of his day and with Geordie legend Colin Veitch was the bulwark upon which three Championships and an FA Cup win was built in the 1900s. In the 50s, Ulsterman, Alf McMichael racked up the club’s record number of appearances. It has all been one way either with the great Jackie Milburn remaining a revered and legendary figure from his time as Player-Manager with Belfast club, Linfield after he'd hung up his boots at SJP in the late 50s. Currently at the academy Callum Morris, Stephen Folan, Michael McCrudden, Patrick McLaughlin and Shane Ferguson hail from Ireland and during the Tyneside Irish festival there will be a NUSC talk- in at the TIC - NUFC the Irish Connection.
Shipbuilding areas such as Walker, Wallsend, Jarrow, Hebburn and Felling have strong Irish connections. Many immigrants brought their culture and music and Irish dancing remains popular. There is evidence of the Irish divide - the Orange Lodge in Hebburn is within walking distance the Iona Club; however sectarianism has been rare. This may be because on Tyneside the Irish were given a fair chance. The Irish brought Gaelic games; Gaelic Football and in 1885 a Gaelic Athletic Association was set up in Wallsend.
While most Irish immigrants strove to establish clubs promoting Gaelic games across the UK, geography made it difficult to develop on Tyneside with the cost of travelling making competition prohibitive as the Irish assimilated and took up English games.
On Tyneside Gaelic football is making a comeback and this is down to Irish students around the NE. Their team is the: Cú Chulainn's GAC.
The team is named after a warrior of ancient folklore, the Ulster Hound. They play in the Yorkshire League., Cú Chulainn's have actually won the championship. Home games are played at West Lane, Killingworth and was formed in 2007 by secretary Ciaran McPeake and his friends Eddie O’Gara and David O’Sullivan. Ciaran is keen to point out the help received from the TIC and sponsors Washington Developments. Cú Chulainn's play in Black, Red and White shirts - a deliberate mix of the region’s football colours.
Ciaran is planning a year’s world travel with his Ashington girlfriend but he hopes the club will continue growing by attracting Irish in the area but locals too . He has coached Gaelic football in schools and ran tournaments for children at his teams’ home ground in Killingworth. Competition from football, rugby, and cricket presents a challenge but Ciaran is assisted by ex-Sunderland trainee Finbar Lynch, who coaches Gaelic Football in South Tyneside.
Amongst the Irish lads at NUFC is 18 year old N. Ireland international Shane Ferguson. Back home in Derry, Shane has a cabinet full of county and Ulster championship medals from Gaelic Football. At 15 Shane chose Association football over Gaelic. Mags may be glad of his decision as Shane looks an accomplished left sided player.
For more information or to help with sponsorship contact club secretary Ciaran McPeake on 07791775626 or emailciaranmcpeake@hotmail.com or visit www.cuchulainnsgac.com
Coinnigh an Creideamh (Keep the Faith in Gaelic)
Tony Higgins
Thanks to Mark Hannen (NUFC), Shane Ferguson (NUFC), Bill Corcoran (TIC), Ciaran McPeake (Cú Chulainn's GAC) and Michael Martin of TF Fanzine
The legacy of the Irish on Tyneside is ingrained and approximately 40% of the population can claim Irish decent. Thousands of Irish immigrants came to work here during the industrial revolution attracted shipbuilding and coal mining jobs. They helped shape the Tyneside we know today. During WW1 thousands from the Tyneside Irish Brigade were slaughtered at the Somme and their banner still stands proudly in St. Mary’s RC Cathedral. The "Blaydon Races" (1862) gives a hint of the mood; "They called on me to sing a song, and I gave them "Paddy Fagan"" - he's referring to a society where being "Irish" or "English" was less important than being Geordie.
In Gallowgate the Tyneside Irish Centre serves a reminder to this heritage and is a popular Mag watering hole. Bill Corcoran (TIC): “Anyone can join (TIC) and be welcome; and why the warrior traditions of hospitality, love and brotherhood that unite the ancient kingdoms of Bernicia and Ireland - the Land(s) of Saints and Scholars - continue in all of our hearts. Oh aye and we do karaoke in the lounge on Fridays and the Guinness is cheap.”
Irishmen have worn B&W with distinction. Shay Given, Aaron Hughes, Damien Duff, Andy and Liam O’Brien, Kevin Sheedy, Tommy Wright, Mick Martin, John Anderson, Tommy Cassidy, Iam McFaul, David Craig and many others. Belfast’s Bill McCracken was the Baresi of his day and with Geordie legend Colin Veitch was the bulwark upon which three Championships and an FA Cup win was built in the 1900s. In the 50s, Ulsterman, Alf McMichael racked up the club’s record number of appearances. It has all been one way either with the great Jackie Milburn remaining a revered and legendary figure from his time as Player-Manager with Belfast club, Linfield after he'd hung up his boots at SJP in the late 50s. Currently at the academy Callum Morris, Stephen Folan, Michael McCrudden, Patrick McLaughlin and Shane Ferguson hail from Ireland and during the Tyneside Irish festival there will be a NUSC talk- in at the TIC - NUFC the Irish Connection.
Shipbuilding areas such as Walker, Wallsend, Jarrow, Hebburn and Felling have strong Irish connections. Many immigrants brought their culture and music and Irish dancing remains popular. There is evidence of the Irish divide - the Orange Lodge in Hebburn is within walking distance the Iona Club; however sectarianism has been rare. This may be because on Tyneside the Irish were given a fair chance. The Irish brought Gaelic games; Gaelic Football and in 1885 a Gaelic Athletic Association was set up in Wallsend.
While most Irish immigrants strove to establish clubs promoting Gaelic games across the UK, geography made it difficult to develop on Tyneside with the cost of travelling making competition prohibitive as the Irish assimilated and took up English games.
Gaelic football is described as a cross between association football and rugby but Gaelic came first. Like Rugby there are fifteen players but like football a round size 5 ball is used, but which heavier than a soccer ball. You are allowed to head the ball but you don’t see it much due to it’s weight! The goalposts are a cross between a football goal and rugby posts. In Ireland Gaelic football remains a huge sport attracting attendances of up to 80,000 for some matches. Croke Park in Dublin, the home of the GAA is one of the finest in Europe. There are over 2,500 GAA clubs and teams in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
On Tyneside Gaelic football is making a comeback and this is down to Irish students around the NE. Their team is the: Cú Chulainn's GAC.
The team is named after a warrior of ancient folklore, the Ulster Hound. They play in the Yorkshire League., Cú Chulainn's have actually won the championship. Home games are played at West Lane, Killingworth and was formed in 2007 by secretary Ciaran McPeake and his friends Eddie O’Gara and David O’Sullivan. Ciaran is keen to point out the help received from the TIC and sponsors Washington Developments. Cú Chulainn's play in Black, Red and White shirts - a deliberate mix of the region’s football colours.
Ciaran is planning a year’s world travel with his Ashington girlfriend but he hopes the club will continue growing by attracting Irish in the area but locals too . He has coached Gaelic football in schools and ran tournaments for children at his teams’ home ground in Killingworth. Competition from football, rugby, and cricket presents a challenge but Ciaran is assisted by ex-Sunderland trainee Finbar Lynch, who coaches Gaelic Football in South Tyneside.
Amongst the Irish lads at NUFC is 18 year old N. Ireland international Shane Ferguson. Back home in Derry, Shane has a cabinet full of county and Ulster championship medals from Gaelic Football. At 15 Shane chose Association football over Gaelic. Mags may be glad of his decision as Shane looks an accomplished left sided player.
Ciaran and I caught up with Shane and we asked about his “old” sport. Ciaran and Shane hold a deep passion for Gaelic Football and we were joined by another NUFC starlet Michael McCruudden who played Gaelic back in Derry. Although Shane is enjoying Newcastle, which is a “bit livelier” than Co. Derry, he still misses Gaelic football. Shane is kept up to date by his Dad and Satellite TV. Shane was aware there was a Gaelic team in Newcastle and glad we made contact with him. He intends to watch the Cú Chulainn's and is sure United’s Irish lads would too although playing is strictly off limits
For more information or to help with sponsorship contact club secretary Ciaran McPeake on 07791775626 or emailciaranmcpeake@hotmail.com or visit www.cuchulainnsgac.com
Coinnigh an Creideamh (Keep the Faith in Gaelic)
Tony Higgins
Thanks to Mark Hannen (NUFC), Shane Ferguson (NUFC), Bill Corcoran (TIC), Ciaran McPeake (Cú Chulainn's GAC) and Michael Martin of TF Fanzine
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