This article first appeared in ‘The Andersontown News’.
Laochra Loch Lao, Belfast’s Irish language GAA club, made a little bit of history recently.
With many other club supporters I attended the Laochra’s first championship match at Woodlands pitches; they were up against North Belfast’s ‘Na Piarsaigh’.
In a bruising game, Laochra were subjected to a heavy defeat. A player from each side, both friends of mine, had to come off with injuries, continuing their analysis of the match for a number of hours in A&E that evening.
The County Antrim Junior Championship ain’t for wallflowers!
Laochra Loch Lao have been in existence sine 2006, a mostly sporadic affair, emerging with guaranteed zeal and vigor every year to take part in Ireland’s annual Gaeltacht tournament. They immediately gained the notice of other clubs and Gaeltacht area from across Ireland when they descended on the tournaments in their hoards, with songs, supporters, banners and even sometimes impressive performances, setting the competition alight.
Beyond this annual and for lots of Gaels, all too fleeting appearance, the club, despite huge support and tremendous goodwill, weren’t doing much else.
That all began to change a few years ago. At a meeting in the Cultúrlann Gaels from across Belfast came together to discuss the future vision for the club. Many there were “aul hands” who’d been invested in the club and what it could achieve since day one. They played and endured, they had the future development of the club in their hearts but inevitably had the arduous challenge of loyalty to their own local clubs. To establish Laochra proper, as something more than what had gone before, would need big, bold decisions for those taking part.
But then again, when have Belfast Gaels ever shied away from the next big challenge?
So the decision was made, the club would be formally constituted and affiliated within the County. Senior and underage teams, for men and women, boys and girls, would be established. If this was to be done, those driving it would ensure it would be done right.
It was clear, at a very early stage, given the caliber of those giving of themselves to this endeavour, that it had a good and sure footing for moving forward. Fair play to them. They know who they are.
The club are now based at the £18.5m Spórtlann on the Coláiste Feirste site. Their physical proximity and obvious spiritual connection to the school makes it a natural well from which Laochra will continue to draw water. But they aren’t confined to the Gaeltacht Quarter either, they’ve attracted participation and support from all over Belfast and beyond.
So while the club’s historic first championship match was sadly a defeat, Laochra will continue to live and grow by their all too fitting club motto, “Lean Ar Aghaidh”, which can be translated as “carry on”, “keep going”, “continue”, “advance”, “prevail”.
The Irish language community in Belfast live by this motto too, it’s why Laochra and the broader GAA family in the city have a bright, exciting and sure future; it’s why Laochra and your own club need your continued support and individual investment, it’s why we owe it to the Gaels of the present and the future players to ensure they they have a place to aspire to, to dream of playing in, a place of asserting, enjoying and participating in their culture and national identity.
It’s for Laochra and every other club in Belfast and throughout Ulster that we need to build Casement.
Lean Ar Aghaidh.
Seanad Scéal 