Fergus Athletics Club

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our history

Fergus Athletic Club (Fergus AC) was founded in the early 1990’s in the parish of Lissycasey.

Since the club’s formation, over 400 of our juvenile and adult members have participated in a wide variety of athletic disciplines and contests including, but not limited to, Cross Country, Track and Field, Road Running and Racewalking, not only at a local level but also on the national stage.

Today, we continue to be a progressive and vibrant running club, as our community involvement and participation in numerous athletics events and competitions remain strong. We currently have over 160 members, catering from U 6s to Seniors. While serving the needs of all ages and standards within our own community, Fergus AC also facilitates athletes from the neighbouring parishes surrounding Lissycasey, such as Ballynacally and Ballyea.

A succession of triumphant athletes has been developed by Fergus Athletic Club. As a result of years of hard work and tireless efforts of our many dedicated mentors and coaches, and the relentless and unwavering commitment of our athletes, Fergus AC has enjoyed immense success at the County, Provincial and All-Ireland levels, often winning an abundance of silverware in Cross Country and Track. While it’s nearly impossible to mention all our athletes’ achievements, here is a brief outline of some of our athletes victories:

1991

  • Fergus AC won U 12 All-Ireland Club. Their good fortune continued in 1992/1993, as they won the U 13 and U 14 All-Ireland Club with Paddy Griffin, Michael O’Rourke and Kieran Donnlley.
  • Our U 11s won All Ireland Club in 1992 with John Barry Kelly, Donal Donnelly and Joe McNamara.
  • Aine Garry: 3rd in All-Ireland indoor track.

2019

  • Daire Culligan 1st in 800m indoor track All-Ireland.

2020

  • U 16 Boys Club Relay 3rd place: Daire Culligan, Dermot McMahon, Ewan Wragg and Michael Kelly.

2021

  • Alex Pelczar came 2nd in All-Ireland 600m outdoor track.

2022

  • Nicole Griffin placed 6th in All-Ireland Cross Country.

2023

  • U 13 Nicole Griffin came 11th place in the girls division. She was also on the Munster team that won 1st place.
  • Girls U 13 Club team placed 3rd Nicole Griffin, Aoibhinn Donnelly, Sadhbh Geary, Rowen Cahill, Aoife O’Rourke and Kara Lynch.
  • Girls U 11 Clare placed first with Orlaith O’Rourke on the team.
  • Boys U 11 Clare placed 3rd with Sean Hick and Ryan Lynch on the team.
  • Emma Haugh placed 4th in Munster U15. She advanced to the All-Ireland level where she placed 4th. In addition to that, she ran in the Munster U 16 competition coming 3rd place. She progressed to the All-Ireland finishing 10th in Cross Country.

Many of our Fergus AC athletes have represented our club on the Post-Primary and University competitions. Earlier this year Emma Haugh ran for her school, St Flannan’s college, placing 2nd in Schools All-Ireland. Emma then represented her country in The Schools International Athletic Board (SIAB) Cross Country coming 8th and her Irish Team placing 2nd.

A lot of our athletes play Gaelic football with our other local clubs, Fergus Rovers Ladies Gaelic Football Club and Lissycasey GAA.

Due to the steadfast and staunch promotion of athletics within our community by our club, athletics now garners a well-deserved recognition as a foundation for all sports. It has been highlighted by parents, coaches, members of the wider community, and even the athletes themselves, that being involved in athletics benefits them playing Gaelic football. Training and competing in races, irrespective of whether it’s Cross Country or Relay Races, has allowed them to develop their stamina, endurance and cardiovascular fitness, all of which are required to compete at a high intensity sport like Gaelic football.

During the winter months, members of Fergus Athletic Club must travel to West Clare Sports and Fitness for Cross Country training due to the insufficient and inefficient lighting available at the Lissycasey track facilities. It is also necessary to travel to Lees Road during the Track Season. We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to West Clare Sports and Fitness, and Lees Road, for the consistent support they have demonstrated to Fergus Athletics Club throughout the years. Without them making their amenities available to us on an ongoing basis, our members would find it next to impossible to train and partake in athletics. We are delighted to unite with Lissycasey GAA and Fergus Rovers Ladies Gaelic Football Club to raise much needed funds for the renovation and expansion of our sporting facilities.  Barring this collaborative, aspirational and formidable super draw fundraiser with Fergus Rovers LGFA and Lissycasey GAA, it would not be possible for Fergus AC, as a club, to raise the necessary funds required to develop our running/track facilities.

Fergus Athletic Club hope to continue providing coaching in all athletics disciplines in a constructive and fostering environment.

We aspire to prepare our athletes for competition, whilst always taking care of their physical welfare and mental health, embracing team spirit, morale and friendship, in success and adversity. Fergus AC wishes to inspire and motivate all members, regardless of age or ability, to develop skills of athleticism, whether for fun or to compete to their optimum level.