Keeping Sport In The Family – Brenda & Angela Loughran: Happy Mother’s Day

In the lead up to Mother’s Day on Sunday 14th March, getactiveabc is interviewing three local female sporting talents and their daughters, the latter following in mum’s footsteps and emulating her sporting success. Our first mum and daughter sporting combo is Brenda Loughran and her daughter Angela, both players in local  football club Clan Na Gael.

MUM: Brenda Loughran

Sport: Gaelic Football

Club: Clan Na Gael

What sporting achievement are you most proud of? Winning the Armagh Junior Championship alongside my daughter. It was priceless for me playing with my daughter in the final for Clan na Gael against Clonmore and I felt exceptionally proud when Angela won Player of the Match. Watching my daughter picking up the award was just the icing on the cake.

How have you been involved with your daughter in their chosen sport? I have been really involved with Angela’s sport as I have been coaching at underage levels for many years. Another aspect of the Armagh Junior Championship that was very special was that I had coached at least ten of the team at underage level so it was amazing to be out there playing and winning with them at my advanced age!

What advice have you given them from your own sporting days? Always do your best and believe in yourself. Angela’s a girl who always gives 100 percent.

What support do you give them with their sporting activity?  I encourage Angela to keep up her fitness routine, especially now during lockdown.

Has participating in sport together or being involved with the same club helped your relationship? Do you have any arguments lol? There have been many unforgettable moments that I have shared with Angela in sport. We are both competitive with each other when it comes to training which I think is a good thing.

How have you coped during lockdown and have you been able to carry on with any sports activities? Yes, I have been cycling and running

How do you spend Mother’s Day and do you get to put your feet up and be pampered? I usually get brought out for dinner on Mother’s Day but unfortunately, due to the current circumstances, I will not be out this year.

DAUGHTER: Angela Loughran

Sport: Gaelic Football

Club: Clan na Gael, Armagh Ladies

How did you get involved with your sport? Through my mum

What sporting achievements are you most proud of ?  An achievement I am very proud of is getting a College All Star in 2019 and winning the Armagh Junior Championship title in 2019 with my club Clan na Gael. It was only our fifth season fielding an adult ladies side and it was incredible to be able to play with my 53 year old mum as corner forward in the team. It was amazing as my mum was already a Junior Championship winner with a combined Lurgan team way back in 1989! I’m really proud of her!

What influence has your mum been in your sports up until now? My mum has been very supportive throughout my sporting years and always pushes me to reach my full potential. I think it is the huge commitment from the adults at our club that encourages girls to put the effort in too and the hard work was central to our historic Junior Championship success.

Has participating in sport together or being involved with the same club helped your relationship? Do you any arguments lol? I personally think that this has strengthened our relationship as we are very close both in and out of sport.

How have you coped during lockdown and have you been able to carry on with any sports activities? During lockdown me and mum have been running and walking to keep our fitness levels up

How do you normally spend Mother’s Day and do you spoil and pamper your mum? What are the plans for this year or is that a surprise?  I have got a few surprises planned and looking forward to spending the day with my mum

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Getactiveabc would like to wish Brenda and all mums across the borough a very happy Mother’s Day ??? ???