Ashbourne Rugby Club: The Early Days

Ashbourne Rugby Club was conceived by eight founding fathers, in the Local hall in Ashbourne, was nurtured at a subsequent gathering of approximately forty at THE HUNTER'S MOON and was delivered in Ned Nulty's stable, in September 1974.
 Ned kindly donated a pitch on his farm, on what is now the Crestwood Estate. The changing facilities were located at the aforementioned Ned's stable.

The founders were: Tom Higgins; Padraig O Broin; Fergus Duignan, Ken Mc Mullan, John Brennan, Peador O Kelly, Michael Duffy and a precocious kid called Jack Conlan. Tom as President, Padraig, Fergus, Ken and Jack served on the first Club Committee.
Fergus, Ken, and Jack were subsequently Presidents of the Club. Peader and Jack  served as Club Captains.

The Club competed during the first 2 seasons at Junior 5 and Junior 6 with Padraig O Broin as captain. His exhortation of an Ashbourne player on occasion as "you pixie, you little pixie" sometimes caused wonder about the personal proclivities of the players, in the newly formed Club.

Padraig also doubled as grounds-man and "Dub." that he is was very much taken by the idea driving Ned's tractor and heavy roller to level the pitch, in advance of the matches. This was fine until a certain Saturday in November, when he abandoned the job half completed, after days of rain and a heavy frost the night before. He returned later to complete the job. The frost had thawed and the tractor and heavy roller could not be moved from the centre of the pitch. Later, the D4 set showed up to play the match in the form of an Old Wesley J3 side. They were introduced to the stable to change, picked their way through the cow-shit in the yard, climbed the gate to get on to the pitch and were then informed that both packs must scrum down to remove the offending tractor and roller off the pitch. To add salt to the wound Ashbourne J5 then had the temerity to win the match, "going away".

The first match was for the Mc Dowell Shield with Suttonians, in Sutton. Ashbourne played in black and white and were beaten 19-6. The next match against Guinness the following Saturday preceded the official opening, on the Sunday. The match an Ashbourne Selection versus an Al Moroney International Selection, Guinness were generous with their sponsorship.
 Such notables as Al, Moss Keane, Kevin Flynn, Vinny Becker (injured by a pram on the sideline), Tony Ensor, Mick Doyle, Robbie Mc Grath and Terry Kingston graced the pitch in Ashbourne, that day. Ashbourne played in Amber and black, the official Club colours.
One Charles J Haughy sponsored both sets of jerseys.  Joe Kennedy reported that he inquired if the jerseys were gold lined, when presented with the Invoice.

Tim O Connor arrived as captain the following season together with a huge recruitment drive (almost a complete pack of forwards were delivered) and a deal to use St. Andrews Athletic Club for a home. He brought his Civil Service organisation and soon to be recognised -internationally, his enormous diplomatic skills. The Club competed at Junior 4 and were beaten by Terenure in the semi-final of the League and were most unfortunate to go down to Blackrock by a drop goal from 40 yards in extra time, in the Cup.

The pitch suffered as a result of continuous training and playing. Pat Bobbett came to our rescue when he kindly made 2 pitches (under the 110KV line) available to us on his farm. Like golf, local rules applied if the ball hit the overhead line. Pat Rooney made the same kind gesture when providing the use a pitch later, on his farm.

Ashbourne progressed to Junior 3 the following season under Mick Martin's leadership. It was first time competing in the Spencer Cup, We were unfortunate to be beaten by De La Salle in the semi-final by an intercept try in the last 10 minutes. This was accompanied by an indifferent league performance and we were "hockeyed" by St. Mary's in the first round of the cup. The later in spite of sterling performances by Paul Grimes and Alex Smith, when the chips were down. "When the going gets tough the tough get going"

The Club however was not lacking ambition. We were already committed to playing Junior 2 the following season and the omens were not good.
Jack Conlan was appointed Captain with Roy Smith as vice captain. A number of new players were recruited and for the first time a panel for the first team was put together. Amongst the new recruits was one T.A. Moroney holder of 2 Irish caps, loose-head prop and a coach " par excellance". Al organised the team and gave us belief. St. Mary's beat us in a close encounter in the semi-final of the League. Frank Mc Loughlin delayed his arrival on to the pitch in Greystones, to learn the result of another arrival in the Rotunda- the birth of his first daughter.
Ashbourne was triumphant in the O Connell Cup final courtesy of the left boot of Alex Smith, in Donnybrook. The first Junior Club to win the O Connell (Minor Cup) and the first one from outside Dublin.
We were beaten by a 3-point margin by our old adversaries De La Salle (including one Des Fitzgerald) in the semi-final of the Spencer, who easily demolished Aer Lingus in the final.

The following season Pat Mc Manus became our leader and Rank Xerox agreed to sponsor a try-scoring competition for all Clubs in Leinster. There were prizes at the different levels and also an overall prize for the best aggregate of tries scored in competition matches and in pre-selected "friendlies". Ashbourne were victorious at both Junior 2 and in the overall prize. The competition was never repeated! I can still see the look of satisfaction (surly not smugness) on the faces of Fergus Duignan -Club President that Season, Pat Bobbett and Pat O Shea, both future Presidents.

The Club was fielding four senior teams on a regular basis from the end of the seventies and this development brought about the emergence of some outstanding Captains and players at Thirds and Fourths level.
I mention Eamon Walsh, captain of the Thirds who on one occasion played St. Mary's in the league, in Pat Bobbett's field. One Paul Dean played at out-half for St. Mary's.
Mick Dagger and Donal Skeehan (RIP) were also outstanding Captains. Pat O Neill could produce a Fourth team to rival the First Team and indeed some of his recruits went on to play on the First Team.

The Under-age Section was set up in 1977, with Pat Bobbett, Tim O Connor and Fergus Duignan taking a lead part.
The Ladies Committee were also busy inter alia organising Christmas Bazaars and other fund raising ventures for the fledging Club.

The Club went on to Junior 1 competition in the 19881/82 Season, going down to Seapoint in the final of the Spencer Cup In Donnybrook. The next significant development in on - field activities involved a move to Provincial Rugby in 1998(?). The Club has also acquired it's own grounds in Milltown with facilities to compare with any Club in the Country and continues to go from strength to strength.

However, all of this in subsequent chapters!

There is a strong New Zealand influence in the club, who bring with them a wealth of rugby knowledge and experience. We welcome any new overseas players to the club. We are a young up-and-coming progressive club and this coupled with the interest created by players and non-players have been the roots to our success in recent years. Ashbourne RFC's goal and objective is to play rugby at all Ireland senior level, and to strengthen all playing teams - men's - ladies - youths - kids, whilst maintaining a great atmosphere and an envied club spirit.

The Residents Hotel are the main sponsor for Ashbourne RFC for 2009 / 2010 season and Ashbourne is privileged to have secured this sponsorship with such a prestigious establishment. We feel that it will be very beneficial for the Hotel to be attached with such a progressive local club and it will be a privilege for Ashbourne Rugby Football club to actively work to market your Hotel as our main sponsor for the duration of the sponsorship.