On Saturday 17th May, the 40 year history of Clondalkin Rugby Club was celebrated in the City West Hotel with a black-tie ball with over 220 past and current members in attendance. The guests of honor on the night were Pat Fitzgerald, the president of the IRFU and Trevor Merry, Honorary Secretary of the Leinster Junior Branch. The highlight of the night was the unveiling of a dream team of the Clondalkin Legends – a roll call of 15 players in addition to substitutes who had played with distinction in the Club colours since 1973. A special welcome was reserved for John Irvine, the very first Club Captain from 1973 who, having played rugby in many different clubs around Ireland, said that the most enjoyable club he was every a part of was Clondalkin RFC.
In his address, President Tom Duffy outlined the Club’s achievements over the past year including the Men’s teams clean sweep of the Leinster senior midlands cups and the 5th place in Leinster League Division 1A, Clondalkin Women’s team winning the Paul Flood Cup and Kinsale 7’s Plate and the minis and youth rugby going from strength to strength. He spoke of the debt of gratitude that the Club owes to its founding members including Paddy Gordon, after whom the Club grounds are named. The contribution of the Marist Brothers in Moyle Park school was acknowledged for their important role in fostering and promoting rugby in the Clondalkin area and Tom also took the opportunity to thank the assistance of the many sponsors and supporters of the Club including Peter Byrne in the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
For his part, Trevor Merry said that the title of Leinster Junior Club of the Year for Clondalkin was richly deserved and also noted the that the Club was the first Junior Club in Ireland to receive an IRFU Excellence Award. President of the IRFU, Pat Fitzgerald was on hand to launch the newly published “From There to Here, Clondalkin Rugby Football Club, 40 years of Growing” which details the rich history of the Club over 4 decades in 216 pages and was edited by Chris McGlynn with Gerry Gilligan, Terry Woodhead, John Stapleton & Pat Cagney. A limited number of these books are available for €10 from the Club – contact Gerry Gilligan at gerrygag@eircom.net. On behalf of the IRFU, Pat congratulated the Club on it’s 40 year anniversary and its important contribution to junior rugby over that period. To conclude, Club stalwarts Ronnie McCann and Kevin Laide were each honoured with a special award for their contribution to refereeing in Leinster, long-time member Jim Sexton was declared an Official Club Legend for his support over the years and a further presentation went to Terry Woodhead for 25 years of unbroken service as Fixtures Secretary in the Club.
The Clondalkin Legends team as announced on the night:
Clondalkin Legends XV
- Tony Gallagher
- Dickie Kerr
- Ciaran Cullen
- Dan Fitzpatrick
- Aidan Delamere
- Marty O’Brien
- Jerry Mahon
- Robert Hayes
- Mark Molloy
- Chris Jebb
- Paul Fitzgerald
- Eamonn Stapelton
- Alan Hickey
- John Sexton
- Stephen Cunningham
Substitutes
Rory Cagney
John Irvine
Ciaran Collins
Brian Doyle
Conor Moloney
Kenny O Brien
Joe Carr
Brendan Coady
Stephen Lloyd
John Keane
