Upbeat mood at rugby club President's dinner
RUGBY CO. CARLOW PRESIDENT'S DINNER
Tuesday May 18 2010
THE atmosphere at a colourful Co. Carlow FC president's ( Tommy Doyle) dinner on Friday certainly did not reflect the previous sombre mood in the club after the loss of senior standing after 13 seasons. Scorer of the winning try in the ' 65 Towns Cup final ( against Athy) the Baltinglass business proprietor reflected an upbeat mood with a hint that high on the agenda was a return to the seniors.
We were reminded that the played for Lansdowne (' 57,' 58) in his early days – probably a blessing in that he missed Carlow's Towns win of '57 of which we are reminded almost on a daily basis by the heroes of that day.
And we learned that after he was pictured in both Carlow rugby and Baltinglass Gaelic football teams in one issue of a local newspaper he was promptly banned from the latter game.
Tommy gave thanks for the memories in Co. Carlow FC and the friends made within a club with family and community heart.
He welcomed news coach Johnny Burns, a former Tullamore player and until recently the Portarlington coach. He will be the fifth ' outside' coach in Carlow since Jim Lowry who steered the club into senior rugby in ' 97; he followed by Kim Thurbon, Ray Ward, David Hodge and Jason Jones.
Branch president Des Lamont headed the guest list of many senior club presidents who were toasted by Des Kavanagh the new branch honorary secretary and Carlow adding to the upper list with Stuart Bayley the incoming branch vice-president.
Kavanagh drew attention to the fine performances of the club 17s who reached the league and cup finals losing both by a point and the J2s who won their league. "They are all important for the future of the club - they are the fabric of this club."
Proposing the toast to the Union former club captain Padraig Brennan echoed the appreciation of Carlow players that the IRFU had taken the decision to permit promotion to the all-Ireland league and present juniors with the opportunity of playing against the leading clubs and at that time many leading players.
Tommy acknowledged the selection of Thomas Daly and Eoin Stynes on the Leinster under 18 clubs team and the former on the Irish team for the recent European championships in Italy.
Daly presented his Irish shirt to the club.
The president presented the Player of the Year award to Tommy Ratahi and the Member of the Year prize to Liz Fahy for her considerable work for the club on many fronts.
The club annual meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 25.
