LIFE PLAYING FOOTBALL for the Aran Islands throws up it’s own unique challenges. There’s the obvious travel considerations for away games but even home games can be tricky.
“We’ve two pitches,” says manager Ciarán Foley. “If a game is playing on Inisheer at this time of year, the lads from Inishmore must get a boat in to the mainland at Rossvaeal, then get one back out to Inisheer, go back into Rossaveal after the game and then finally return to Inishmore. That’s four boat journeys for a home game!”
They surmount those obstacles and keep powering forward. Today that journey takes them to Tuam Stadium for the AIB Connacht junior football championship final. Their opponents are Achill from Mayo and the ‘All-Island’ final is dripping in novelty and charm.
“It’s a funny one alright,” admits Foley. “They’d have the same challenges that we’d have in getting players back from all over the country. Our squad would be split 50-50 between lads at home in Inisheer and Inishmore, and then those working around the country as teachers and tradesmen.
“We’ve guys coming from Dublin, Cork and Galway. It’s a tight enough knit community. I don’t think anyone would really have much interest in transferring away. Lads are really focused on the club.
“There can be challenges at times with the boats, getting between the various islands for training, particularly during the summer. But these lads grew up by the sea and they’re used to it.”
The islands would at one stage have played sepearately but the three came together in 1996 to form CLG Oileáin Árann.
“I only remember it really as one team,” says Foley. “I started playing for the club as 16, we were Junior B at that stage. We lost the junior county final in 2002 and that was our best chance to get up to intermediate.
“Since then we’ve lost nine West Galway Board junior finals against teams like Clonbur, Headford and Spiddal. This year we finally got over the line in Galway.”
Foley’s own sporting career was more intertwined with soccer, his League of Ireland career encompassing spells with Limerick, Sligo Rovers and Galway United. He shattered his ankle ligaments four years ago and despite an operation, it was never right again.
He gave a hand in the Aran Islands coaching last year and this year stepped up to become manager. Their team has not been ravaged by emigration and Foley’s 26-man squad contains many options for selection.
“There’s no stragglers. Lads put in a serious effort. We train on the islands during the summer when lads are home but this time of year, we’re training midweek in the Galway county board’s facilities in Loughgeorge near Claregalway. That’s a big help for us. But after training, there’s no late boat back the lads coming in from the island will stay in Galway with friends and relatives for the night.”
They’ll rise early this morning to get the boat and head towards North Galway for a 12.15pm throw-in. There’ll be plenty Aran Islands support behind them.
“The three islands will be empty, everyone’s heading to Tuam,” says Foley. “We’ll have a huge crowd. I’m from Inisheer and to be honest people wouldn’t have much to do with each other on other islands but for the football. It brings everyone together. There’s a lot of excitement and hype about it. It should be a fantastic occasion.”
- This article was first published on 15 November at 10.00
