It’s Strictly Stephen

Get reaaaady to Rumba! Dublin GAA star Cluxton joins all-star line-up for charity dance challenge

JOGGING the length of Croke Park to attempt what could be an All-Ireland – winning point – amid the deafening silence, while 84,000 fans look on – is something Stephen Cluxton takes in his stride.

But ask him to step onto a stage to rumba for a charity Strictly Come Dancing and the legendary Dublin goalkeeper admits: ‘I am way out of my comfort zone here.’

Stephen – or Clucko to the Dub football fans who adore him – does not seek out the limelight but he is making the sacrifice for his beloved St David’s CBS, where he teaches physics and maths.

And after Kerry footballing rival Aidan O’Mahony came away with the top prize in RTÉ’s hit show Dancing With The Stars, who knows where this will end up?

So far, Stephen has kept it all very hushhush, with only a handful of his Dublin team-mates in the know. But today, the Irish Mail on Sunday reveals that he has signed up for a star-studded team that includes Eurovision winner Linda Martin as celebrity host, along with Louis Walsh, Rory Cowan of Mrs Brown’s Boys fame, and Panti Bliss all on the judging panel.

The event will see 24 teachers and staff dance their socks off at the Regency Hotel, Dublin on Saturday, May 6, as they raise funds for two charities, Dogs Aid in Finglas and St David’s CBS in Artane.

Stephen told the MoS: ‘While most of us were apprehensive of dancing, we realised we would never get an opportunity like this again. So teachers and special needs assistants put their name forward – or, like me, had their name put forward.’

For Stephen, it’s all about raising funds to get a school bus for St David’s. The famously shy keeper admits he ‘just wants to get through’ it with his dancing partner, fellow teacher Marian Rowan.

He said: ‘We realised that with the money raised we could buy a new bus to transport our teams and ensure that all our students get the opportunity to participate in all the extra-curricular activities.’

But that doesn’t mean the All-Ireland winning captain isn’t taking the dance-off seriously. So much so that he has been studying the moves on YouTube.

For the past few months he has been put through his paces.

He said: ‘I suppose it’s something different – I like a challenge.

‘My dance skills are pretty non-existent. But the two dance instructors Michelle and Ellen, and all the instructors, have been so good and patient with all of us, so hopefully we do them justice on the night.’

It has become an event that the whole school can participate in as pupils are also getting in on the fundraising act.

Stephen added: ‘I think we have a fairly tightly knit staff in St David’s. There are 24 teachers taking part and another 10 driving the fundraising. So it is very much a whole school effort.’

‘My dance skills are pretty non-existent’