"Cumann Tachaiochta Ceilteach Gaolach"
Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs

Celtic have certainly had their fair share of famous number 7s down the years, so it was fitting that on the seventh day of the seventh month of 2007, seven very special guests attended the Annual Charity Dinner of the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters’ Clubs’ at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday last.

Now an established fixture on the social calendar of Celtic fans in Ireland and beyond, it was a memorable and colourful occasions with a superb atmosphere and, as always, the passionate Irish support welcomed its beloved club back to the land where the glorious Celtic story began.

In keeping with the charitable spirit in which Celtic was founded 120 years ago, proceeds from the event were donated to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Ireland and to the parish appeal of Saint Mary’s Church of the Calton in Glasgow. Celtic was founded in the Saint Mary’s parish by the Irish Marist Brother Walfrid to raise funds for the Poor Children’s table established by Walfrid with the St Vincent de Paul Society to feed the Irish immigrants in the East End of Glasgow. Both bodies shared a €7,000 charity fund and their representatives, who also partied the night away with the Hoops fans, were delighted at both the generosity of the donation and the exposure the event gave these very deserving causes.

This year, of course, also marks the 40th anniversary of Celtic’s greatest night, when the Lisbon Lions won the European Cup and the Irish support was delighted to welcome Joe McBride, who was part of that famous squad which won every domestic honour as well as Europe’s crown in that historic 1966-67 season, as well as Sean Fallon who was assistant to the great Jock Stein. Sean, a Sligo man like Brother Walfrid, also played in the famous Celtic team that beat Rangers 7-1 in the 1957 League Cup final, so he had two famous anniversaries to celebrate and, to cap it all, he was delighted to be offered the position of Honorary President of the association – a fitting honour to Ireland’s greatest Celt.

Also in attendance were Dixie Deans, a real Celtic hero of the 1970s, whose hat-tricks against Hibs in the 1972 Scottish Cup Final and the 1974 League Cup Final are among his most noteworthy achievements, and Evan Williams the ex-Celtic goalkeeper who played in the 1970 European Cup final against Feyenoord.

In keeping with the theme of the evening, “40 years on – still champions”, the SPL trophy raised some weeks ago by then captain Neil Lennon was proudly displayed before the Irish fans by midfielder Paul Hartley and Irish defender, Darren O’Dea. Indeed, Darren also walked away with the Young Player of the Year award and, in accepting it, promised to do his utmost to bring the League back to Celtic and Ireland next year.

The association committee and guests were also delighted to welcome Celtic director Michael McDonald, a great friend of the association down the years who also donated a fantastic prize of flights to the upcoming Celtic v. Parma match, accommodation at the Hilton hotel and directors’ box tickets to the match.

Speaking on behalf of the association, chairman Tom Maher paid tribute to the legacy of the Lisbon Lions and lead a poignant round of applause for those legends who have since departed including Jock Stein, Ronnie Simpson, Bobby Murdoch and Jimmy Johnstone.

The function also featured greetings via video from Billy McNeill, Jim Craig and John Fallon, who were unable to be there and who paid tribute to the loyalty, passion and warmth of the Irish Celtic supporters over the years.

After dinner, supporters partied into the wee, small hours to traditional Irish tunes and Celtic songs and, no doubt, drank enough to fill the European Cup countless times over. In that respect, it is probably a good thing that the event only takes place every year but it won’t be long until tired limbs are once more looking forward to next year’s event, which is sure to be a special one celebrating not only the 10th anniversary of the association but also 10 years since we put a stop to Rangers’ ten-in-a-row and 20 years since the famous Centenary year Double!

In the meantime, all supporters can look forward to the new season and, hopefully to three-in-a-row!

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