Herbie McClelland

Herbie McClelland is one of those people whose story is woven into the fabric of TU Dublin. Full of character, energy and stories from more than four decades at the University, he played a remarkable role in shaping sport at what was then DIT, starting with just six hours a week and building from there.

Warm, funny and deeply committed to students, Herbie embodies so much of the TU Dublin spirit: practical, determined, inclusive and always willing to give something a go. His is a wonderful story of the people, friendships and moments that shaped 42 years at DIT, and of one very special character who left his mark on generations of students.

From six hours a week to 42 years: Herbie McClelland and the beginnings of sport at DIT

When Herbie McClelland first arrived at what was then the College of Commerce in Rathmines, there was no sports department, no organised sports programme and no university sports facilities. With a very small budget, he was given just six hours a week during term time to get something started. 

His brief from Jim Hickey was simple: help the students organise sporting activities and “show me what you can do with that”. 

What followed was a 42-year career and the beginning of organised sports development at DIT, now TU Dublin. 

Herbie's own sporting story had an unlikely beginning. Growing up in Clondalkin, he suffered badly from asthma and had problems with his legs, wearing leg braces, and undergoing regular physiotherapy. His mother even learned how to administer some of his physio at home. 

By the age of 11, his asthma had disappeared and at 17 he joined the Irish Army, graduating first in his class. It was there that sport began to play a much bigger part in his life. He trained as a fitness instructor, progressed through the Army, and discovered a talent for running. 

One of his earliest cross-country races came almost by chance. While in the Army, Herbie was asked to take part in a race in the Phoenix Park. He had never run cross-country before and didn't even know what running spikes were. He finished sixth. 

The race was significant for another reason. It was there that he met two men who would become lifelong friends, Gerry Kiernan and Eamonn Coghlan. Herbie went on to represent the Irish Army in cross-country running, and running would remain a constant throughout his life. 

An opportunity in Rathmines 

Herbie's move into education was another unexpected turn. 

As he prepared to leave the Army, Dr Kevin O'Shea, a lecturer at DIT Kevin Street who knew Herbie was looking for his next move, mentioned that there might be an opportunity for him. Herbie initially thought the role was in Aungier Street. Instead, he found himself at the College of Commerce in Rathmines. 

With no sports facilities available to the students, Herbie had to start by finding places for them to play. 

He arranged a block of hours at the swimming pool near Aungier Street. He discovered that the Catholic church in Rathmines had an old basketball court out the back and secured some hours there. At the other end of Rathmines, the Protestant church had squash courts, so he arranged access to those too. 

Then, walking along Aungier Street one day, he spotted a gym called Nautilus. 

Herbie went in, explained that he was working with the college up the road and asked whether the students might be able to come in and lift weights. The owner recognised him. 

“This is Gerry Kiernan's gym. This is where he trains.” 

He offered Herbie 20 off-peak hours for his students. 

Everything was paid for by the hour and the budget was small, but gradually Herbie was putting the pieces together. 

Herbie was also passionate about making sure these opportunities were open to staff as well as students. He believed strongly in the relationships that sport could create between them, and the role those relationships could play in helping young people reach their potential. For him, that reflected something of the original ethos of DIT and its history of creating opportunities for working-class Dubliners, many of whom came through apprenticeships. 

£1 to enter – and £300 to win 

As interest grew, so did Herbie's hours, eventually increasing from six to 16 a week, although he was still employed only during term time. Then, in 1998, more than two decades after he first began developing sport at DIT, Herbie finally became a full-time Sports Development Officer. 

GAA and soccer began to develop, with Herbie securing access to VEC pitches in Terenure with the support of the head grounds man there. 

He also established an annual 16-team class soccer tournament. 

The entry fee was £1 per player, with £300 for the winners, £200 for second place and £100 for the runners-up. 

The tournament finished with presentations, drinks, and celebrations. They were modest occasions compared with today's university sports ceremonies, sometimes little more than a gathering in a pub with some bar food, but they helped create a sporting community and laid the foundations for the awards and celebrations that would follow. 

What started as six hours a week was gradually becoming something much bigger. 

By 2005, the team had grown again, with three Sports Development Officers across what would eventually become TU Dublin 

Over four decades, he encountered generations of students and some exceptional athletes. Asked which two stand out most, he doesn't hesitate: David Gillick and Aidan O'Shea. 

It isn't their sporting achievements that he mentions first. 

“They were always respectful and grounded, regardless of their success, and very approachable. Just very decent fellows.” 

Those qualities clearly matter to Herbie. 

Still running 

After 42 years, Herbie retired three years ago, although retirement has not meant leaving university sport behind. He remains connected to TU Dublin and continues to be involved with the All-Ireland University Cricket team. 

And, of course, he still runs. 

His own times give some indication of just how serious a runner he became: a 1:59 800m, a 30:11 10K, a 66:40 half marathon and a 2:31 marathon among them. 

They are remarkable numbers for anyone, never mind someone who spent part of his childhood dealing with severe asthma and wearing leg braces. 

Ask him where he's happiest now, and the answer is out trail running in the Dublin Mountains on a sunny day, with beautiful views and silence. 

Running remains his first sporting love, with hurling a close second. Sonia O'Sullivan gets his vote as the most impressive athlete he has ever seen, while Jakob Ingebrigtsen is the runner who most impresses him today. And if he could meet one athlete from any era? Steve Ovett. 

More than four decades have passed since Herbie McClelland was given six hours a week and asked to see what he could do for sport at the College of Commerce. 

It turned out he could do quite a lot.