Now that Ireland has exited the World Cup, it’s time to focus on the biggest rugby show in town!
A half century since its foundation, Letterkenny Rugby Club will mark the occasion with a series of matches and entertainment – often they amount to the same! – at Dave Gallaher Park at The Glebe, this Saturday.
Events kick off at 9.a.m. with a mini rugby series followed by under-age games involving boys and girls teams, and then three matches when the Thirds, the Seconds, and the Firsts take to the field for respective clashes against Donegal Town, U.U.C. and Lurgan.
Guest of honour on the day will be the Six Nations Trophy which should attract much attention and plenty of photographs.
There’ll also be music, food and refreshments in the clubhouse on what promises to be a day to remember. And remember is what the old stalwarts of the club will do as they reflect back on fifty years of the club’s existence.
Dave Gallaher Park is, of course, a far cry from where some of those stalwarts would have togged out and played. Initial matches were staged at Robinson Field on the Port Road and it was while they were based there that they participated in the Ulster League.
After a handful of challenge games, Letterkenny R.F.C. travelled to Limavady to play their opening league
fixture on September 1st, 1973.
They lost but two men made their own piece of history on the day by scoring Letterkenny’s first competitive try and penalty, Sean Donnelly and Joe Winston respectively.
‘Dodo’, thanks to his expertise with the kicking boot, finished the season as top scorer for the club with a total of 64 points from nineteen played. Behind him on the points tally was Declan O’Carroll who grounded five tries on his way to scoring 27 points.
No doubt there’ll be plenty more statistics and stories floating around come Saturday – some of them maybe even accurate!
Get along and enjoy them and the occasion.
