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Roscrea Rugby Club celebrated its diamond jubilee with a social evening at the clubhouse on Friday night.
Earlier this year the club was honoured by RCTLC at their annual Sports Awards Banquet on reaching this notable milestone .
Pictured at the Roscrea Rugby Club diamond jubilee celebrations on Friday last were Paddy Cody, Paul Rigney and Norman Carter.
At the Roscrea Rugby Club Diamond Jubilee celebrations on Friday last a special presentation was made to both Jeanette Feighery and Louise Austin who have represented the Roscrea Club with great distinction by winning
numerous caps for their country
L/R:
Paddy Cody, Jeanette Feighery, Louise Austin, Norman Carter
and Pat Bourke
Philip and Josie O’Rourke were delighted to be part of the Roscrea Rugby Club Diamond Jubilee celebrations which took place on Friday evening last.
Paul Rigney was the M.C. at Friday nights celebration, he thanked all who helped make the celebration possible, and the donorsof ticket prizes at the function.
Ray Dempsey gave a brief account of the early years of the club, recalling that there was a club from 1940-44, when competitive rugby was difficult. After that Eddie Guilmartin and Joe Dwyer got the Rossory Rangers going. They played at Shanboe in Borris in Ossory. It too only lasted a short time. The Roscrea players then joined up with Birr for a few years. In March 1950 the decision was taken to form a club in Roscrea. Harry Read was elected President, Dr.Wallace and Benny Woods vice Presidents, Eddie Guilmartin and C.T.Dougan Secretaries, with L.T.Maher as Treasurer.
Ollie Stapleton accepts the Midlands League 2nd’s trophy from Norman Carter at the Roscrea Rugby Club Diamond Jubilee celebrations on
Friday last
Pictured are the Roscrea Rugby Club Midlands League 2nds winners as well as club officers and supporters. The players were presented with their medals at the clubs Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Eddie, now in Tulla, Co.Clare, is the sole survivor of the founding officers. The first match was a friendly with Birr in October, which Roscrea won 12-0, three of the Roscrea tries coming from Seamus Power, later to win an All Ireland SH medal with Waterford. A pitch was found at Mountheathon, and the club affiliated to the Leinster branch, adopting maroon as the jersey colour.
Ray referred to the various developments over the years, two Provincial Towns Cups,1975-1980, the opening of the new clubhouse in1980, the successes of the youth section in the 1970s under Ken Henderson, the first trip to Wales in 1959, from which emerged the friendship with Hollybush, still as strong as ever after 50 years; and the establishment of the ladies section in 2003, bringing a new and very successful dimension to the club.
Maureen McCabe, Sandra O’Donnell and Siobhan Kirby enjoying the festivities at the Roscrea Rugby Club Diamond Jubilee celebrations which took place at the Club House on Friday evening last.
Mary and Michael Shanahan pictured at the Roscrea Rugby Club Diamond Jubilee celebrations which took place on Friday last
Norman Carter, outgoing President, presented the Midland League 2nds trophy and medals to the winning Roscrea side.There was also a special presentation to Louise Austin and Janette Feighery, who commenced their rugby in the ladies section, and who brought great honour to the club by going on to win Irish caps.
Paddy Cody , President, paid tribute to his predecessor for his work for the club, and as a referee. He congratulated the 2nds on their success, and Louise and Jeannette on their great achievement.
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