Club History

Cé muid féin?

Táimid lonnaithe i gceantar an ‘Triantáin’ cois Banna (Cúil Raithin, Port na Binne Uaine agus Port Rois) ar an teorainn idir Contae Dhoire agus Contae Aontroma, agus glacaimid páirt i gcomórtais idirchlub Chontae Dhoire. Is cumann measartha óg muid a bhfuil fás agus forbairt as cuimse tagtha orainn le blianta beaga anuas. Faoi láthair tá foirne againn i ngach aoisghrúpa ó Faoi 10 go dtí na Sinsir sa pheil, san iomáint agus sa chamógaíocht, agus glacaimid páirt in imeachtaí eile de chuid C.L.G. ar nós Scór agus Scór na nÓg. Tá súil againn go mbeidh an t-eolas ar an láithreán seo úsáideach ag baill an chlub agus ag daoine a bhfuil spéis acu sa chlub. Tá fáilte roimh thuairimí nó moltaí faoin láithreán, agus is féidir iad a sheoladh chuig info@eoghanrua.com.

Who are we?

Eoghan Rua was founded in 1957. Based in the ‘Triangle’ area of Coleraine, Portstewart and Portrush, straddling the Derry/Antrim border, and we participate in the county Derry club competitions. We are a relatively young club, and we have seen a huge increase in size and playing membership in recent years. We currently have teams competing in all age-groups from Under 10 to Senior in football, hurling and camogie, and we also participate in other G.A.A activities such as Scór and Scór na nÓg. We hope the information on this site will be of use to both club members and people who are interested in the club. We welcome comments and suggestions concerning this site, and they can be sent to info@eoghanrua.com.

Eoghan Rua Ó Néill (c. 1590–1649)

Eoghan Rua Ó Néill also known as “Red Owen” was one of the most celebrated of the O'Neill family of Ireland. As a young man, he left Ireland in the Flight of the Earls to escape the English conquest of his native Ulster. After 40 years abroad, and having served with distinction for many years in the Spanish army, he returned to Ireland to aid the Irish Rebellion of 1641. Because of his military experience, O'Neill was recognised on his return to Ireland, at Doe Castle in Donegal (July 1642), as the leading representative of the O'Neills and head of the Ulster Irish. Owen Roe’s real aim was the complete independence of Ireland as a Roman Catholic country. He died on 6 November 1649 as Oliver Cromwell unified the English command in Ireland, and it was believed that he had been poisoned. He is buried in the Franciscan Abbey in Cloughoughter in Cavan.

The O'Neill family of Ireland are the subject of the well-known ballad The Lament for Owen Roe.

Lament for the Death of Eoghan Rua O’Neill - By Thomas Davis

“DID they dare, did they dare, to slay Eoghan Rua O’Neill?”
“Yes, they slew with poison him they feared to meet with steel.”
“May God wither up their hearts! May their blood cease to flow,
May they walk in living death, who poisoned Eoghan Rua.”

“Though it break my heart to hear, say again the bitter words.
From Derry, against Cromwell, he marched to measure swords:
But the weapon of the Sassanach met him on his way.
And he died at Cloch Uachtar, upon St. Leonard’s day.

“Wail, wail ye for the Mighty One. Wail, wail ye for the Dead,
Quench the hearth, and hold the breath—with ashes strew the head.
How tenderly we loved him. How deeply we deplore!
Holy Saviour! but to think we shall never see him more!

“Sagest in the council was he, kindest in the hall,
Sure we never won a battle—’twas Eoghan won them all.
Had he lived—had he lived—our dear country had been free:
But he’s dead, but he’s dead, and ’tis slaves we’ll ever be.

“O’Farrell and Clanricarde, Preston and Red Hugh,
Audley and MacMahon—ye valiant, wise and true:
But—what are ye all to our darling who is gone?
The Rudder of our Ship was he, our Castle’s corner stone.

“Wail, wail him through the Island! Weep, weep for our pride!
Would that on the battlefield our gallant chief had died!
Weep the Victor of Beinn Burb—weep him, young and old:
Weep for him, ye women—your beautiful lies cold!

“We thought you would not die—we were sure you would not go,
And leave us in our utmost need to Cromwell’s cruel blow—
Sheep without a shepherd, when the snow shuts out the sky—
O! why did you leave us, Eoghan? Why did you die?

“Soft as woman’s was your voice, O’Neill! bright was your eye,
O! why did you leave us, Eoghan? Why did you die?
Your troubles are all over, you’re at rest with God on high,
But we’re slaves, and we’re orphans, Eoghan!—why did you die?”