The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response 1 MAY 2025BookmarkGeneral view of runners and supporters of the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon in Belfast city centre (Image: Kelvin Boyes/Press Eye)The countdown to the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 2025 thousands will take to the streets of Belfast to complete the 26.2 mile race you may be wondering how you are going to arrange your travel to or around the city on race day Read more: Belfast City Marathon 2025 LIVE tracker: Official results from this year's race - as it happens Read more: Full list of road closures for Belfast City Marathon 2025 All transport for the marathon is free for spectators and participants - excluding rail services Here is what you need to know about transport and travel ahead of the Belfast City Marathon 2025: Getting to the start line - a shuttle bus will be available from Belfast City Hall (outside SS Moore’s) 07:00am – 8:00am and Lanyon Place Train Station 7:30am – 8:00am to the Start Line Spectator Transport from Stormont - a shuttle bus will pick spectators from Massey Avenue to Ormeau Park after the start of the race at Stormont A shuttle bus service will run 8:00am – 10:00am from Annadale Embankment at Dunnes Stores to drop runners off at their designated relay changeover point: Getting back to Belfast City Centre - a shuttle bus will transport participants from Ormeau Embankment to Belfast City Centre This service will run from 11:45am – 4:00pm Getting back to Stormont – a complimentary Glider service is available from SS Moore’s Chichester Street or Wellington Street to Stormont Please note that Stormont car parks will close from 5:00pm To help people going to the Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 4 May 2025 there will be early morning trains from Derry~Londonderry These additional services cannot be booked in advance and standard fares will apply Parking will be available at the start line within the Stormont Complex for FREE Please note the Upper Newtownards Road from the Stormont Entrance will close from around 8.00am to facilitate traffic management solutions for the start of the event Access will be from the Dundonald side ONLY Parking around Ormeau Park/Finish Area/City Centre – parking will be available in Belfast City Council Car Park To source other suitable parking please follow this link https://visitbelfast.com/plan/car-parking-in-belfast/ Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right Foodservice Equipment Journal One of Northern Ireland’s leading auction houses has partnered with Ulster University to conduct an asset clearance auction at its Jordanstown campus with a large selection of high-end commercial catering equipment set to go under the hammer which celebrates 30 years in business this year will manage an extensive catalogue of lots from across 26 blocks on the campus It is estimated that some 10,000 lots will go under the hammer as part of the auction series which takes place between July and November Prior to the opening of Ulster University’s new Belfast campus in 2022 the Jordanstown campus was once home to the schools of computing the campus is known as the Ulster University Sports Village Jordanstown – the home of sport at Ulster University Lots featuring in the first phase of the auction series includes a wide selection of hospitality and catering equipment from brands including Lincat The catalogue of items includes combi ovens said: “This is a truly unique auction and we’re anticipating significant interest from a very broad range of interested parties from private buyers and small business owners right up to large enterprises It’s rare that such an expansive catalogue comes onto the market especially when the assets hail from one of the leading academic institutions on these islands “The auction series will help unlock capital for the university to reinvest in its facilities and it will deliver positively for the environment too Auctions are an example of the circular economy in action and reuse products to really extend their lifecycle and close the loop on waste.” MUA is one of Northern Ireland’s leading auction houses Independently owned and operated by the Lennon family it has decades of auctioneering experience covering a wide range of industries and sectors Additional phases of the auction are set to go live throughout the summer and autumn The auction will be online only and interested bidders are invited to register to bid online at midulsterauctions.com and website in this browser for the next time I comment 2024 at 11:35am BSTThousands of items from Ulster University’s Jordanstown campus will go under the hammer from next week An estimated 10,000 lots are up for auction online as part of the clearance of the site Mid Ulster Auctions (MUA) has been appointed to sell off the assets which go under the hammer from July 31 until November It comes two years after Ulster University officially relocated its main Belfast campus to the new York Street complex Jordanstown remains the centre for sport at the university The catalogue includes items from across 26 blocks on the old campus including hospitality and catering equipment “This is a truly unique auction and we’re anticipating significant interest from a very broad range of interested parties from private buyers and small business owners right up to large enterprises,” said MUA director Kehly Lennon “It’s rare that such an expansive catalogue comes onto the market “The auction series will help unlock capital for the university to reinvest in its facilities and it will deliver positively for the environment too.” The first online auction takes place from July 31 to August 6, with bidders asked to register at midulsterauctions.com. Facebook pageTwitter feedRSS feed@2025 The Irish News Ltd For best viewing experience of this website Please enter a place name in the search bar After provisionally the warmest May Day on record in the UK higher than average temperatures will subside over the weekend Any fog patches soon clearing this morning Then it will be a dry day with some bright or sunny intervals Then the rest of the night will be dry with variable amounts of cloud and some clear spells Another dry and settled day with some sunny intervals Feeling pleasantly warm in the afternoon sunshine Remaining dry and settled with sunny spells but some cloudier weather at times too Dry across the vast majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells but also some patchy cloud Cloud will likely thicken across the far north and northwest during the weekend with some outbreaks of rain for a time There is also a small risk of some heavy showers in the far south or southwest high pressure will be dominant across the UK This will bring predominantly fine and dry weather for the majority of places Temperatures are likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year although there is a chance of some cold nights Fairly typical weather for the time of year is most likely through this period fine and dry weather is more likely to dominate although this will be interspersed with occasional spells of rain and showers with a risk of heavy rain and thunderstorms in places temperatures will most likely be near to or slightly above average Neal – passed away 20th July 2024 at the Royal Victoria Hospital.Late of Jordanstown.Much-loved son of Stuart and Marie Dearly beloved brother to Julie and Peter Brother-in-law of Jono and sister-in-law Julie Proud uncle to Isabella and Orlaith.A Service of Thanksgiving for Neal’s life will be held in St BT37 0NT on Friday 26th July 2024 at 11.00 a.m and afterwards to Newtownabbey Crematorium for a private family committal.Family flowers only please (Cheques made payable to the above charity please; card donations via telephone on 028 9335 1540 Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m Cash donations also welcome.)Neal will be loved and remembered always by the entire family circle.Forever in our thoughts Share this sad news with friends and loved ones 31-35 Irish Quarter South Carrickfergus BT38 8BL,48 Rashee Rd Ballyclare BT39 9HJ,Co Visit Website [email protected] Link Stephanie Meadow endured a tough day's work in the Olympic Women's Golf Stephanie Meadow failed to hit the ground running on Day One of the Olympic Women’s Golf and finished with a six-over-par 78 to leave herself in an uphill battle for a medal The Jordanstown woman bogeyed at the second seventh and ninth in a difficult start with just one birdie at the 18th overall leaving the Team Ireland golfer some 13 shots off home favourite Celine Boutier at the summit who delivered a stunning seven-under-par 65 to set the pace and take a three-shot lead who also lost ground on the 10th and 12th holes at Le Golf National before a steady finish to the day’s proceedings Co Antrim’s Meadow has enjoyed playing on the Olympic stage and paid tribute to the large watching audience that turned up some Belgians and quite a few Irish were behind me,” she said “It was great to have the support behind me and really for women's golf to play in front of crowds like that “It’s one of those courses that you’ve got to be in the short stuff I can take those positives into the next three days “It was nice to finish on 18 there with a birdie It’s probably one of the most daunting second shots on a par-five I’ve ever had Meadow’s Ireland team-mate Leona Maguire likewise finds herself battling for position after also carding six-over on the first day The Cavan woman double-bogeyed the opening hole and struggled in the front nine which included a triple-bogey at the ninth but she steadied the ship to finish level with Meadow peacefully at her home.Late of Jordanstown Heights Newtownabbey.Beloved wife of the late Matthew Lyle Proud Great-Grandmother of Emily and Mollie.A Service of Thanksgiving for Margaret’s life will be held in St Patricks Church of Ireland Jordanstown Road on Friday 28th February 2025 at 11.00 a.m and afterwards to Carnmoney Main Cemetery.Family flowers only please Chest Heart and Stroke c/o S & J Irvine Funeral Directors 31-35 Irish Quarter South Carrickfergus BT38 8BL (cheques made payable to the above charity; card payments welcome via telephone on 028 9335 1540 Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m Cash donations also welcome.)Margaret will be sadly missed and always be loved and remembered by the entire family circle.Resting in heavenly love [email protected] This morning we had our annual “Kids Take Over” event where we love to celebrate the achievements of our Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers and let them take the reins of an alternative event that sees the grown ups give our 2km Junior parkrun course at Jordanstown Sports Village a run over the big kids were handed over to 2 of our Junior superstars and treated to a Gangnam Style warmup that left them with just enough left in their bottles to get off from the start line first finisher Nick Weston was kept in line by our funnel manager,Oliver and he received the number 1 token from another of our DofE heroes Matthew was surprised to be scanning this barcode so soon, and after cheerfully scanning 2nd place finisher Ian Thompson’s barcode, he may have been even more surprised to look up and find be was scanning his own dad’s barcode next, had it not been for this champs incredible turn of pace in the last few months of parkrun running and the rest of the running pack crossed the line all within 20 mins, just in time to have the junior event underway. Denis, still with energy levels that could power Jordanstown despite his run, delivered his notorious Zumba warmup and a crowd favourite, with The Blues Brother’s “Everybody Needs Somebody to Love” The whacky race of the Jordanstown junior parkrun OG saw 61 juniors set off, with Callum and Zac, our milestone runners, among the gang, celebrating their 100th and 11th runs respectively. 19 PB’s resulted from this fab lot and we had 5 first timers experience Jjp for the first time, we hope to see you back again soon First Over the line was Sinead, followed very closely by Henry with Jack hot on his heels soon after. The event came to a close once all had caught their breat and were suitably refuelled with cake. This event was delivered by an amazing 33 volunteers. A huge thanks goes out to our fab DOFE volunteers who this event was in recognition of. Thanks to all of our volunteers, those that have been with us from the earliest days, and those who have volunteered on any occasion, without you these events would simply not be possible © parkrun Limited (Company Number: 07289574) No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner. Frameworks, 2 Sheen Road, Richmond, TW9 1AE Plans to build £10m sports facility at Ulster University Jordanstown campus has been approved by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Planning Committee at a meeting on Monday evening The two-storey extension will be built beside the current sports centre on the Shore Road A council officer told the committee there would be "no loss to existing open space provision" on the site between the main campus and sports pitches currently used for parking and it would have "no significant impact on amenity of residents" before recommending the application for approval A report to the committee said: "The section of lands identified as existing open space within the application site are utilised for existing sports pitches and will remain unaltered and unaffected by the current proposal "It is noted that elements of the university buildings are currently not in use ongoing educational and leisure uses still continue to operate from the site including the use of adjacent sport pitches Additionally residential student accommodation is also located within the wider campus site." The facilities currently available within the existing centre gym and two squash courts with outdoor facilities including grass pitches Planning agent Tony Quinn told the meeting: "It is important to note that the university is determined to support facilities for the benefit of students The site offers unrivalled outdoor space." He went on to say the proposed development represents a £10m investment and will extend the sports centre as Ulster University is "committed to enhancing the site" He noted a free bus service for students so they can frequent facilities Threemilewater Alliance Alderman Tom Campbell asked about proposals for the rest of the Jordanstown site and if there are any plans to re-use an existing swimming pool He was advised there are "no definitive proposals" for the remainder of the site at this stage adding all relevant stakeholders and the public will be "fully consulted" on any future plans He indicated the university "did not consider it feasible" with regard to the swimming pool and it was "not considered a viable option for this proposal" having "to work within their budget" Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Cllr Stephen Cosgrove moved the proposal to accept the recommendation to approve His proposal was approved unanimously following a vote Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know Run report for Sunday 25th February Another fab morning at Jordanstown where after a few week’s hiatus we were visited by a fantastic 75 junior parkrunner’s Great to see such a turnout from Whiteabbey Primary School following our assembly visit on Friday familiar faces returning that we had missed for a while and some eager first timers ready to give it their best We hope you enjoyed your first visit and we hope to see you back again with us next week Norther Ireland junior parkruns were attended by 645 young superstars this morning Well done to all that are helping NI get moving on sunday mornings A big thank you to Mairead for providing the treats for the Juniors this morning and to Brown Shoes Triathlon for donating the Sandwiches for us a very kind gesture and they went down a treat too We are very grateful to the volunteers who made this event happen this morning led by Run Director Ciaran our amazing team where:: Terri Binding Strange goings on were witnessed at Jordanstown juniors 100th parkrun on Sunday 27th October a regular walker at the UUJ campus course said that things were not quite right from the start before she had even spotted the lurking Lurcherman The normal gang of volunteers that turn up at 9am every Sunday morning began arriving in unworldly outfits and ghastly gowns Unbe observed this queer bunch set-up the course direction… back-to-front Thankfully some young heroes also turned up to keep an eye on the proceedings on what was beginning to look like a Sunday school for the undead other than again some being in outstanding attire really did not differ greatly from the regular walking dead appearance that show up every other Sunday morning albeit there was indeed a winged arch angel that looked like maybe he had summoned the whole gathering as Denis the move maker delivers his shapes and bends to the beat instead ensued an unrighteousness ritual to the rhythm of the Timewarp a shame no-one told the blue haired zombie that had crawled out from an eccentric afterlife party with unhearing ears and the stiffness of a rigor mortified parliamentarian The gathering moved to the start of the run and as if they had done this 100 times It quite soon became apparent that this brainwashed bunch did not actually know where they were going as they laughably ran straight up the hill and carried on round the course in a reverse run It was then that Unbe watched the waiting werewolf stalk its prey As the young indecorous apprentices approached it looked like this hideous creature had to reconsider its selection The forlorn fleabitten  furbasket did get an opportunity to scare the living daylights out of many a minder as it leaped out at the unexpected encroachment Chaotic scenes were witness at the end of the run good and evil clashing as they ran into each other at the finish line an epic battle for finish tokens was underway Finally the little terrors were seen getting messy with a vile vomiting pumpkin in a spellbinding dedication to retrieve hidden treasures inside Thankfully all the strange activities were revealed and were accounted for Jordanstown junior parkrun`s special Halloween themed 100th run… that beast was never accounted for and some say it may still be lurking around the junior parkrun course! Welcome to the 7 first timers to our parkrun hope to see you back next week and progress through the junior club Well done to the 16 runners who managed to get PB’s in our reverse run it certainly seems more challenging doing it backwards so more credit to you lot! runners and parents for another fab Sunday run It certainly seemed that everyone had a howl of a time! Back to the regular direction next week folks so less organised chaos to look forward to! We had a new volunteer in place taking fab photos on Sunday Great to welcome back our volunteer extraordinaire  Mum and Daughter combo Karolyn and Olivia brill to have you back and glad to see you recovering well Karolyn A huge welcome back too to our marathon munching Anna-Marie who instead of following doctors orders on illness got herself out of bed and ran the Chicago marathon to finish off an outstanding charity fundraising campaign Finally a thank you to all other other regular volunteers Jim and Gerry keeping order round the course Mark as always ensuring a safe route for the children Sally making sure none of the frightening foes got left behind Judith and her DOE`s doing a fantastic job timekeeping and scanning Barry and Lesley and her possessed strong bear for carrying out the marshalling duties! A fantastically fun morning was had by all at the Jordanstown junior parkrun as Paul Hamill Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey blasted off another successful event at the Ulster University campus After our disappointment of having to cancel the previous week's event due to the presence of ice his attendance along with the universities sports mascott Elkman certainly made up for this After a few photo opportunities with the aforementioned our very own Sportacus soon had the kids warmed up and ready for the course Having had the all the ground work completed on the course we were able to revert to our original route and the results showed this is the favourable route around the course and functions exactly as planned A few unknown times at this run so please remember we run a strict no barcode no result policy that is concurrent with all parkrun events so please remember to print off and bring your barcode for a recorded run A big thanks to all who came along for the run and a huge thank you to all volunteers without whom this event would not be possible If you would be interested in getting involved with volunteering at this event from this early stage please use the volunteer link at the top of the page to get in touch any assistance at this stage is very much appreciated A big thank you again to the Ulster University for organising the attendance of the Mayor and Elkman and again for providing the course Looking forward to some more great events to bring us up to the Christmas holidays keep your eye open for any developments on our social media sites and the official page  Dont forget this is a weekly run and the run will only not go ahead if adverse weather conditions prevent this No part of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner Home / 2022 O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching Conference set for UU Jordanstown Ulster GAA Director of Coaching & Games The 18th annual O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference was officially launched this week with the event taking place on Saturday 12th November at the Ulster University The theme of this year’s conference will focus on ‘Playing Your Part in Player Development’ and will feature a host of practical workshops delivered by coaches from across the family of Gaelic Games with plenty of interesting takeaways for all involved Topics range from utilising video analysis coordinating handball sessions in your club and specialist skills coaching in both hurling and football The event is bookended by keynote addresses from National GAA Head of Coach & Player Development on the areas of coach education and player development and former Tipperary All Ireland winning hurling manager Liam Sheedy who will provide a fascinating insight into setting team and performance culture The cost of £25 per delegate includes attendance at the conference and lunch Book your place at the O’Neill’s Ulster GAA Coaching and Games Development Conference at https://bit.ly/3SLDolV For further information email webinars.ulster@gaa.ie Stay up to date and follow Ulster GAA on our social networks: The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City Find out more » Website by Club & County The railway line between Belfast’s Lanyon Place and Carrickfergus has been closed following a “tragic incident” the transport company said there would be delays and disruption to the services expected to run through the line Larne and Jordanstown have been cancelled for the rest of the evening however some services operating from Lanyon Place remain functional Railway operations to other lines including Lisburn Translink has said all cancelled or alerted journey information is available on their app Receive today's headlines directly to your inbox every morning and evening Please check your inbox to verify your details Oct 7, 2022 | , , , Ulster University is to invest £10 million (€11.4 million) in the Jordanstown Sports Village the new indoor facility will include the creation of a two-storey extension to the existing high-performance Sports Centre to include: a gym equipment stores and ancillary multipurpose rooms The expanded indoor facilities will support the expansive outdoor pitch provision in Jordanstown to support the training needs of students The decision to invest ends a degree of uncertainty about the great sports facilities after Ulster university moved its main Belfast Campus to a brand new facility in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast City one that was completed during the Covid lockdowns It is a real statement of intent that the strong tradition and success of Ulster university in delivering sport at the highest level will continue long into the future “Ulster University Jordanstown has a hard-earned reputation for being an all-encompassing hub for performance sport in Northern Ireland,” said Professor Paul Bartholomew “It has played a supporting role in the sporting lives of Olympic and Commonwealth athletes schools and teams competing at an international level and harboured a fitness network for staff students and the local community.” “The plans launched today combine innovative technology with world-class facilities to support our students alumni and the local community to reach their sporting potential.” “From research-backed sports education elite performance support and hosting of local national and international sports competitions the improved Jordanstown Sports Village will become the cornerstone for involved engaged and supported sports people.” The investment further strengthens the reputation of Ulster University as a high-achieving sporting institution across the island of Ireland Complementing the teaching facilities at the University’s new Belfast campus the Jordanstown Sports Village continues as the home of the Sports Institute of Northern Ireland the IFA UEFA Football Academy and the IFA Women and Girls Performance Centre and the Regional Centre of Excellence for Basketball Ireland It will further develop as an essential training base for hundreds of clubs and high-performance NI and Irish teams Commonwealth Games silver medallist and Masters student Kate O’Connor trains at the Jordanstown Sports Village and welcomed the plans launched The Jordanstown Sports Village has played a key role in my sports journey to date and I welcome the university’s continued investment in new facilities.” “Although Heptathlon is a solo sport the community at the Jordanstown Sports Village is united with a common goal and a common love for sport and the positive impact it has on the lives of students The Jordanstown Sports Village continues to support members of the local community through 55 group classes available each week alongside regular community events such as the well-attended weekly Junior Park run each Sunday at 9.30 am Performance sports programmes also continue to have access to the strength and conditions spaces Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress Jordanstown’s state-of-the-art facility to be decommissioned over ‘lack of demand’ Environmental chambers can mimic certain climate conditions A top university has been forced to shut a state-of-the-art sports facility designed to boost the performance of elite athletes after three people suddenly fell ill during training The drama unfolded in the environmental chamber at the Ulster University Jordanstown campus’s prestigious Sports Village Ulster University were just two points down against NUIG in the Sigerson Cup from the Galway university then suffered a worrying-looking knee injury With an ambulance taking more than half an hour to arrive it was agreed amongst the teams that NUIG would be awarded a two-point victory and the schedule for these university games are incredibly compact it was decided that this would be the best solution going forward Speaking to Jerome Quinn after the game praised University of Ulster for their sportsmanship “There is a lot of frost on the pitch now the lads have been hanging around there for about half an hour but it was a very unfortunate injury for Sean Mulkerrin “He’s been a great player for the club and he was supposed to be our captain this year as well but injury prevented him from taking part earlier in the year it's not about the game' – NUIG manager Maurice Sheridan after tonight's Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup game with Ulster University was abandoned NUIG were awarded the win as they were leading when Sean Mulkerrin suffered an injury. @nuigalwaysport pic.twitter.com/ZnJQSgl9FG — GAA Higher Education (@HigherEdGAA) January 12, 2022 “He played for us in the Sigerson final in 2018, so our thoughts are with are with Sean really at this stage, it’s not about the game. “Look it’s nice to be through to the next round but I would like to say with Jordanstown as well, with the sportsmanship that they’ve shown there was absolutely fantastic, and that’s what the competition is all about.” NUIG will now play Queen’s University in the second round. Families of 23 residents facing desperate search to find accommodation for loved ones Wood Green Nursing Home. Another facility, Wood Green Residential Home, is not affected. The families of at least 23 nursing home residents will have to find new accommodation for their loved ones when the facility closes ahead of Christmas. Wood Green Nursing Home in Jordanstown is due to close its doors on December 2, with the owners blaming “challenging trading conditions and sustained pressure” on the industry for the development. Wood Green Residential Home, which is located on the same site, is not affected and continues to function as normal. The scene of the crash. Picture: Kevin Scott for the Belfast Telegraph. Eimear McGovernTue 20 Jul 2021 at 08:46A motorcyclist has died after a crash on the A2 Shore Road at Jordanstown in County Antrim. The single-vehicle collision took place shortly after 11pm on Monday night and police were called to the scene along with the ambulance service. The male rider of a black Suzuki motorbike was pronounced dead at the scene. The route has now reopened after being closed in both directions between Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus due to the road traffic collision. Anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have captured it on their dash cam, is asked to call police on 101, quoting reference number 2383 of 19/07/21. LPGA Tour veteran and will represent her country in Tokyo Olympics. I always dreamed of having an LPGA Tour event at home. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephanie Meadow (@stephmeadow20) Noel Donnelly (1991) and Colin Harney (1986) By Gerry McLaughlinNovember 14 club members and officials gather on Saturday night to celebrate a half-century of Gaelic Games at Jordanstown it will be a chance for old friends to get together and recall the good – and not so good – old days Ulster University Jordanstown’s GAA club will mark 50 years with a gala ball at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran Long-time club president John ‘Tommy Joe’ Farrell has been working round the clock to make it a memorable night The friends that you make and our mantra is friends for life and it was not something that was dreamt up as a marketing ploy Although making friends at university is hardly a ground-breaking pulling together players from across Ulster ,and further afield and moulding in them into dedicated team-mates who would go the extra mile for each other when it matters it is just that approach which has been at root of success for the UUJ “When DJ Kane and Dermot McNicholl first came to Jordanstown they were not talking as there was fierce rivalry between Abbey CBS and St Pat’s Maghera,” Farrell says “So I took the two of them into a room and said ‘boys we can’t have players on this team who don’t talk so either make up or you won’t play’ Read more: UUJ at 50 - From Cherryvale to China: The humble beginnings of the globetrotting Gaels “They still recite that and are the best of buddies and we tell Freshers to turn to the person beside you whom you don’t know and in a few months’ time, you will be friends and they could even be at your wedding in later years and that is what it is all about.  “And yes, we have had great matches and about the great wins and scores but it is always about the people you meet.”  Although those bonds are what matter, ‘Tommy Joe’ still treasures memories of seminal victories as well.  “That first ever Sigerson victory in 1986 in Cork was special and Mick O’Dwyer was managing them and we beat them in the Mardyke and that was the end of the Sigerson Banquet as there was a hiccup,” he recalls. “We were staying in the Commodore Hotel and unlike now at Sigerson, everybody stayed over in those days.  “It was a great social thing and even though they were beaten at home, the entire Cork side went back to the Commodore and stayed in the hotel with us and I am still friendly with Barry Coffey and Des Cullinane.  “It was our first Sigerson victory and all the tables were filled with the various colleges and when you arrived at the hotel, you were clapped in and you went to the top table.  “Some of them had been knocked out on the Friday and were still there and a wee bit the worse for wear.  “We also won it in 1987 in Coleraine  and we beat UCC again and they were managed by Billy Morgan.  “The late Charlie Sweeney and Eamon Coleman were in charge of the team in both years.  “Eamon Coleman was a one off, knowledgeable in football and a great one to one manager and he was a master psychologist in that respect.  “He was so down to earth and could get the best out of players.”  Tommy Joe was chairman of the Higher Education Council (HEC) in those years which was no drawback.  Jordanstown became a university in 1986 which allowed them to play in Sigerson and he and the late Dr Mick Loftus, successfully proposed that the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon competitions should be made up of the Division One colleges after a bit of a battle.  “We proposed that in 1987 and all of the other universities walked out of the room and left Mick Loftus and I on our own, but we got there,” he said.  “There is no place in the GAA for elitism.”  Farrell has been involved in the HEC for almost 30 years and has been chairman and secretary at different times.  When asked why he enjoys the administrative side so much he said:  “I was one of those people who realised from a very early age that I was no good at the game, but I love it so much that I was determined to be involved in some capacity and I did not fancy refereeing.”  He is current chairman of the Ulster Colleges Council and was first elected to the Council in 1981.  When asked about the phenomenal spread of Jordanstown GAA, he points out that they are currently thinking of having four Freshers football teams.  He points to the legacy of Gaelic Games at Jordanstown which is evidenced in successful clubs and counties across Ulster and beyond. “More than two thirds of that Trillick team that won the [Tyrone] county championship are past pupils of Jordanstown.  “We have a great spread throughout Ulster in Donegal, Cavan and Monaghan as well as the six counties and nine of the 15 of the Monaghan county team have been in Jordanstown.  “We always have students from Mayo, Galway and Roscommon in the west.”  He stresses something that he feels county senior team managers have forgotten and that is that there is a direct correlation between winning Sigerson titles and winning the Anglo Celt and All-Ireland titles.  Those breakthrough successes of the early 1990s owe some of their origins to the Sigerson success of the then University of Ulster and their Belfast counterparts. “We won three Sigersons in 1986, 1987 and 1991 and Queen’s won one in 1990 and 1993 and there is a direct relationship between those wins and Ulster winning All-Irelands from 1991 to 1994.  “And that is not just obvious in terms of personnel but also in improved training methods in the universities. “Derry and Down were backboned by Sigerson players.  “And winning Sigersons gave players in Ulster the confidence that they were no longer the whipping boys down south and that transferred on to county teams in Ulster.  “They were playing against the best players in the land and winning.”  However, he is concerned that the counties of Ulster have forgotten that relationship and fears that the importance attached to playing Sigerson football has eroded over the years. He added: “We are not giving Sigerson a proper place.  “It needs a particular space but if we look at Dublin, Kerry and Cork, they still allow their Sigerson players the time to play Sigerson football.  “It does not happen up here. We have this idea in Ulster that more is best; even if we train eight times a week it’s better.  “I think the Sigerson should be held sometime after the exams in January as there is a space in late January and early February.  “And I think that the secondary competitions like the Dr McKenna Cup is on its last legs anyway.  “But we need to end this glut of fixtures in Ulster.”  Those early success will be celebrate on Saturday night, an event which has been many years in the planning. Farrell explained: “The planning started around three years ago and that came from the idea that when you go to book an hotel for a wedding you have to book well in advance.  “We had our 25th anniversary here and it was a fabulous night in 1998.  “That was a fabulous weekend and we were recommended a band called The Tumbling Paddies who have become hugely popular in the interim.  “They will be playing as well and we put together a big committee of 50 from all over the province and we have Teams meetings online.  “We had one a month for the last 18 months and we were integrated in all sports at the university, including handball.  “We have had a great response from our graduates and expect to have 500 plus there for this black tie event.  “We have a great response from the teams who are being honoured and a great response from our sponsors which include Randox and a lot of our graduates here and abroad have come on board.  “There will be very little formality and we have people coming from all over the world.  “We want everybody here for 6.30 pm and in the main ballroom for 7pm and Marian Fitzgerald will then sing the Amhrán na bhFiann.  “Our Director of Sport, Dr Nigel Dobson who played soccer with Cardiff City and Wales will give an opening address and then we will have dinner.  “The first speaker after dinner will be the Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Bartholomew and we are delighted to have him.”  Representatives of Ulster GAA, Ulster LGFA and Ulster Camogie will also speak and there will be presentations to winning captains and teams as well as some special awards to be handed out, which remain under wraps.