CARRICKFERGUS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

 

A Brief History

 

Carrickfergus RFC is one of the oldest, if not THE oldest Junior Club in
Ireland. Founded in 1865 probably by military personnel garrisoned in the
Castle, it has had a long and distinguished history. Between 1865 and the
turn of the century, the Club was disbanded and re-formed on three
occasions, but since 1904, with the exception of the war years, there has
been unbroken rugby played at Carrickfergus. The Woodlawn grounds were
purchased in 1961, and between that date and 1977, the social centre,
function hall and new changing accommodation were completed. Later the
grounds were levelled and match floodlights installed. The most famous year
in the Clubs long history was the 1981/1982 season, when the First XV won
their League Section, the Provincial Towns Cup at Ravenhill, and a few days
later became the first Junior Club to contest the final of the Ulster Senior
Cup, having beaten 4 senior clubs, before losing out to Bangor in the final
of the competition. The annual seven-a-sides, which were started back in
1973, are played on the first Saturday in May each year.

 

 

The development of Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club

 

The Club’s first major step forward came in the early 1930’s under the guidance of Johnny Hamilton, later to become Secretary of the Ulster Branch, who organised proper training and, with the help of voluntary labour organised the building of the first ‘proper’ pavilion at Woodlawn – with cold showers! Before this, players met and changed at the Boat Club, walking or cycling to the ground to play the game, and afterwards having a dip in the briny to get cleaned up.

 

Players from outside the town started to join, such as Herbie and Dick Rowan, and JJ Ryan, and a very strong team was built up under the captaincy of Harry Gorman – this team winning the league in 1934/35. Harry Gorman’s era was followed by the likes of Victor McAllister, whose side again won the Past Players Cup at Ravenhill in 1946/47

 

Over the next 20 years, captains and teams came and went without any great notable success, although one must remember that competition was becoming much harder as more and more clubs were being established and rules changed.

 

It was really in the mid-60’s that rugby in Ulster and further afield took off. Suddenly clubs with two or three teams found themselves with enough players for one, perhaps two, extra sides. It was probably the growth of the secondary and grammar schools, together with the innovation of mini rugby for the very young that caused this rugby explosion. Carrickfergus were no exception. From 3 sides in 1964; 4 in 1966; 5 in 1969; 6 in 1971; and a seventh in 1978, a colts team and nearly 50 youngsters taking part in rugby every Saturday morning. You can see how this rugby explosion affected our club.

 

Of course, to cope with this massive increase in player power, clubs then found their facilities totally inadequate. Carrickfergus led the way in Junior circles, and embarked in a major development at Woodlawn. First the Social Centre was built and opened in 1971 as part of our belated centenary celebrations, the addition of a function room with kitchen in 1974, and the new changing rooms and squash courts in 1977. A few years later the two pitches were levelled and, at the same time, the installation of match floodlights opened up a whole new era for Carrickfergus Rugby Club.

 

In 1978/9, the 1st XV won promotion to Section 3, twelve months later to Section 2, and yet again the next season promotion to Junior 1. That year they all but achieved Senior status, only losing their final “crunch” game at Armagh by 6-7, thus giving the Armagh club the final vacancy in the Senior league.

 

Our progress continued into the 1981/2 season, and what a year that turned out to be – the most successful year in the Clubs long and distinguished history. The Towns Cup coming to Carrick after an excellent final with Larne; the first Junior club ever to reach the final of the Senior Cup, beating four Senior outfits on the way; even worldwide recognition through being nominated as the Rugby World “Team of the Month”, and taking third place behind Bristol and Cardiff as the Teams of the Year.

 

In 1984 Carrick emerged as Junior Champions by virtue of again winning Section 1, a feat also repeated in the 1984/5 season. Carrickfergus, like every other Junior club, were barred for many years from progressing into the realms of Senior rugby – there being no automatic promotion and relegation from the Junior league. Many long years were spent in trying to have this rectified.

 

With the arrival of the All Ireland League this has all changed – if you are good enough now you can progress to the top. Teams like Ballynahinch, Banbridge and Omagh have all been successful.

 

The outcome is now firmly in the hands of the players on the field.

 

 

Some important dates in the development of the Club

 

1955

Ground partly purchased

1960

Prefabricated pavilion erected

1961

Remainder of ground purchased

1971

Social Centre opened

1973

First ‘Easter Sevens’ won by Instonians/Donaghadee

1974

Function hall completed

1977

New changing rooms/squash courts added

1986

First major overseas tour to Vancouver

1988

Major ground development, including levelling of both pitches and installation of floodlights

2002

Construction project to put a pitched roof over the Club premises completed.

 

 

Key successes of Carrickfergus Rugby Club and its players

 

In 1982 Carrickfergus became the first Junior club to reach the final of the Senior Cup. Other notable successes include:

 

Provincial Town’s Cup Winners

1911, 1913, 1982, 1992

Junior Cup

1914

Harden Cup

1909, 1912

Past Players Cup

1910, 1912, 1935, 1947, 1984

McCambley Cup

1969

Forster Cup

1972

Mall Trophy

1980

Halifax Trophy

1992

Carrick Sevens

1980, 1983, 1985

Under 19 Cup

1979

Under 18 Cup

1987

Under 16 Plate

2002

 

 

Many players from Carrickfergus have represented Ulster at Junior and Youth level over a considerable number of years, and in turn the Club has hosted Junior and Under 18 Ulster Inter-Provincial Games on several occasions.

 

Club players like Jim McConnell, Phil Thompson, Des McKee, Barton McCallan and Sam Hutton have gone on to wear the green jersey of Ireland at top level. More recently David Batch wore the Irish green jersey at Under 18 level.

 

 

Carrick and the Ulster Branch

 

The Club, down the many years, has had more than its fair share of administrators serving the wider rugby scene by occupying various posts at Rugby Headquarters at Ravenhill.

 

J E (Jack) Hamilton occupied the position of Secretary of the Ulster Branch (IRFU) from 1936 until 1960.

 

Alan Holmes occupied the position of Secretary of the Ulster Branch (IRFU) from 1985 until 1994.

 

John Boyd, previously Honorary Treasurer at Carrickfergus, currently holds the position of Competitions Honorary Secretary, and as such is an Officer of the Branch.

 

Wallace Luney was appointed Chief Steward at Ravenhill in 2001.

 

John Field represents Belfast High School Former Pupils on the Clubs Committee, and is a referees selector / assessor, as well as a member of the Referee’s Committee.

 

Ian Beggs represents Carrickfergus on the Clubs Committee, is a member of the Senior Ulster Branch Committee and currently is chairman of the Competitions Management Committee.

 

A list of those who have represented the Club as Junior Representative at Headquarters includes:

1936                C F Ingram

1937/39           F A Rowan

1944                R D Rowan

1945/58           F A Rowan

1959/66           A B Cox

1967/68           J J Ryan

1969                J Strange

1970/72           J J Ryan

1973/2002       I Beggs

 

 

OFFICE HOLDERS AT CARRICKFERGUS RFC

 

 

PRESIDENT

CAPTAIN

SECRETARY

TREASURER

2002/3

C Addley

J McDowell

P Luney

C Patterson

2001/2

W Crymble

B Craig

P Luney

I Johnston

2000/1

W Crymble

D P Wady

P Luney

I Johnston

1999/2000

J Everest

D P Wady

J Strange

W Crymble

1998/9

J Everest

L Kernoghan

D Adams

W Crymble

1997/8

A Ritchie

A Davidson

D Adams

W Crymble

1996/7

A Ritchie

A Davidson

S Scallon

W Crymble

1995/6

R Tate

G McCullough

J Strange

W Crymble

1994/5

J McTeggart

S Luney

J Strange

W Crymble

1993/4

G Armstrong

A Crooks

I Beggs

W Crymble

1992/3

W Luney

A Hunter

I Beggs

W Crymble

1991/2

W Luney

W Montgomery

I Beggs

Ms L Orchin

1990/1

J Simms

W McMahon

I Beggs

Ms L Orchin

1989/90

J Simms

J Warren

I Beggs

W Crymble

1988/9

L Luney

K Hanson

I Beggs

W Crymble

1987/8

L Luney

A Crymble

I Beggs

W Crymble

1986/7

R Price

J McTeggart

I Beggs

W Crymble

1985/6

B Logan

A Moore

I Beggs

J Boyd

1984/5

B Logan

E Brunt

I Beggs

J Boyd

1983/4

W Luney

K Hawkins

I Beggs

J Boyd

1982/3

W Luney

G Wallace

I Beggs

J Boyd

1981/2

B Robertson

R Tate

I Beggs

J Boyd

1980/1

B Montgomery

D Fitzsimons

I Beggs

B Schofield

1979/80

B Montgomery

A Phair

I Beggs

B Schofield

1978/9

J Kane

I McAlister

I Beggs

B Schofield

1977/8

J Kane

J Winning

I Beggs

B Schofield

1976/7

A Holmes

J Winning

I Beggs

A Holmes

1975/6

A Holmes

B Scoffield

I Beggs

A Holmes

1974/5

M O’Grady

J Pye

I Beggs

A Holmes

1973/4

M O’Grady

B Montgomery

I Beggs

A Holmes

1972/3

D Adams

S Rodgers

I Beggs

A Holmes

1971/2

D Adams

A Frazer

I Beggs

A Holmes

1970/1

H Kernoghan

G Wilkin

I Beggs

A Holmes

1969/70

H Kernoghan

J McGookin

I Beggs

A Holmes

1968/9

M Smyth

G Barlow

I Beggs

A Holmes

1967/8

J Gorman

E Leinster

I Beggs

A Holmes

1966/7

W F Green

M O’Grady

I Beggs

A Holmes

1965/6

T O’Hara

E Leinster

I Beggs

A Holmes

1964/5

T O’Hara

A Holmes

I Beggs

A Holmes

1963/4

J Hopper

J Gorman

I Beggs

A Holmes

1962/3

S Hamilton

W Green

I Beggs

A Holmes

1961/2

H Kernohan

R Atkinson

I Beggs

A Holmes

1960/1

W Robinson

R Beggs

I Beggs

A Holmes

1959/60

J Hopper

A Holmes

I Beggs

A Holmes

1958/9

H Milling

M Smyth

I Beggs

A Holmes

1957/8

JSV McAllister

G Robinson

I Beggs

A Holmes

1956/7

H Kernohan

A Calvert

I Beggs

A Holmes

1955/6

A E Holmes

H Watterson

P Troughton

A Holmes

1954/5

S Simms

A Holmes

H Milling

A Holmes

1953/4

JSV McAllister

J Morris

H Milling

A Holmes

1952/3

H Gorman

H Watterson

R Willis

D Ferguson

1951/2

A E Holmes

D Lisk

R Willis

D Ferguson

1950/1

Dr J Clarke

D Hutchnison

J McDowell

D Ferguson

1949/50

Dr J Clarke

T Jolly

J McDowell

H Millar

1948/9

Dr J Clarke

R Willis

J McDowell

H Millar

1947/8

Dr J Clarke

H S Rodgers

J McDowell

R Willis

1946/7

Dr J Clarke

V McAllister

J McDowell

R Willis

1945/6

Dr J Clarke

H S Hughes

J McDowell

R Willis

1944/5

Dr J Clarke

J S Rodgers

J McDowell

R Willis

1943/4

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1942/3

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1941/2

---

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1940/1

---

---

---

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1939/40

Dr J Clarke

V McAllister

J S Rodgers

J L McNeilly

 

 

The first Carrickfergus RFC match report?

 

This report appeared in the Carrickfergus Advertiser on 2nd January 1885.

 

“CARRICKFERGUS              V          SCHOOLBOYS

 

This match was played on Christmas Day in a field off Woodburn Road, Carrickfergus, Carrickfergus won by 3 goals to nil.

 

The tries were secured by J Carson, D Houston and H McFerran. The goals were kicked by J E Holmes.

 

The play was very good throughout on both sides.

 

TEAMS

 

CARRICKFERGUS                                                                SCHOOLBOYS

J E Holmes                              Full back                                 F Armstrong

 

J Jack (Captain)                     Half backs                               W Bathurst

D Houston                                                                               W J McMillan

 

J Carson                                  Quarter backs                         A K Hamilton

J Shearer                                                                                 J Sproull

 

H McFerran                            Forwards                                H Donald (Captain)

A Holmes                                                                                 W Meyers       

R Mackey                                                                                J Patrick

R Lattimore                                                                             W Gibson

W Carson                                                                                - McMaster

J Craig                                                                                    A Parker

J Logan                                                                                   D Gillespie

 

This was the first match of the season, and we hope it will not be the last of this invigorating game.”

 

 

Perhaps not up to the standard of our now resident match reporter, Tommy Stainer, however this is the earliest Carrickfergus RFC match report so far discovered. Unless you know differently?

 

 

The longest cup final ever?

 

The following is an extract from Armagh’s centenary book.

 

“What a Herculean struggle there was to be before the Cup was brought in triumph to the Primatial City.

 

The opponents in the final played at Ormeau were Carrick and the game finished in a scoreless draw. The gladiators returned to the same venue on the following Saturday to renew hostilities. The Ireland Saturday Night sets the scene.

 

The 1909/10 rugby season was brought to a close this afternoon when the final tie in connection with the Provincial Towns Cup took place at Ormeau.

 

The Competition was an unusually interesting one this season as the teams engaged were practically of uniform strength, and both of today’s finalists had a hard struggle to get into the final.

 

The atmospheric conditions had not been all that favourable during the afternoon, but fortunately, the weather had assumed a more propitious aspect at the time the game commenced. Notwithstanding the rain that fell overnight, the ground was in fine order. There was a large attendance of spectators, and each Club brought large numbers of supporters with them.

 

The game started at 3.45pm under the whistle of Mr J G Davidson. The first half was played at terrific pace, as the report of the game puts it, both ends being visited in turn. Percy Watson went close for Armagh but was caught on the line. Carrick attacked strongly, and only the keenest of Armagh tackling kept them at bay. The pattern on play in the second half was the same with both sides striving might and mane to get the vital score. But the final whistle went with both sides still locked in stalemate. It was decided to play extra time.

 

The report continues – The first ten minutes was contested with the greatest keenness, but neither side was able to claim any advantage. The next ten minutes also concluded with the teams on equal footing.

 

Two periods of 5 minutes each were then played, but there was no score, and the spectators began to leave the field, while the Carrick supporters commenced to sing “We won’t go home till morning, unless we get a score”.

 

Further extra time was played, and then at five past six, Binns scored for Armagh amid great enthusiasm. Watson scored a second try, and at 6.15 Whitsitt scored a third try which he also converted. Play continued for another five minutes, and then the final whistle blew.

 

The game was one of the most exciting, most keenly contested, and certainly the longest one witnessed this season.

 

ARMAGH 13 Points, CARRICK 0”

 

How Carrickfergus won the Junior Cup Final in 1914

Most Carrick Rugby Club members will know that prior to the 2001/2 1st XV making it to the final of the Junior Cup, Carrickfergus had not been in a Junior Cup Final for nearly 90 years. The Club’s minute books record that peculiar story of how Carrick won the Junior Cup that in 1914.

 

3rd March 1914

In the early rounds of Carrick had beaten Collegians 23-0; Cooke 6-0; and then Armagh in the semi-final 13-0, to reach the last stage. After a 3-3 draw against Dungannon in the Final, the replay had been fixed for 21st March, but the Secretary had reported that the Union had further postponed the replay to next Saturday, the 28th, at Balmoral.

 

30th March 1914

The Secretary reported that the Final had again been put back, and would probably now be played on 11th April. At this meeting the team was selected to play Larne in the final of the Towns Cup Competition next Saturday 4th April at Rosetta.

 

6th April 1914

The Secretary informed the meeting that he had received an intimation from the Secretary of the Northern Branch, asking that the captain (Mr W Saunders) and the Secretary should attend an Emergency Committee Meeting of the Branch at 12.15 on Tuesday, to enquire into the incidents arising out of the Towns Cup Final with Larne (Larne had won 9pts to 3).

Team was selected to meet Dungannon in the Final of the Junior Cup on Saturday next at Rosetta.

 

9th April 1914

The Secretary reported that the meeting had been called to deal with a letter which he had received that morning from the Northern Branch (IRFU) which stated that two Carrick players had been suspended for bad conduct during and after the Cup Final with Larne and “that the Carrick Club, before being again permitted to take part in any game under the auspices of the Branch, should send a written apology to the Touch Judge, Mr R Tyrell, and also the Secretary of the Branch, such apologies to meet with the approval of the President of the Branch.

After a long discussion, it was decided to send in the necessary apologies to prevent the Club from being suspended, and the Secretary, Mr Wilson Kerr, was instructed to forward two letters on the lines agreed at the meeting.

 

20th April 1914

The Secretary reported that he had received a communication from the Northern Branch stating that the Branch had decided to award the Junior Cup to Carrick, as Dungannon had failed to put in an appearance at the Cup Final, but if Carrick preferred to play Dungannon for the Trophy, then the match would take place at Rosetta on Saturday next.

 

The Secretary was instructed to reply stating that “owing to sickness and suspensions” it would be impossible for Carrick to raise a team.

 

This is how Carrick’s name came to be inscribed on the Ulster Junior Cup.

 

The 1887 – 1888 Season

 

The Club, founded in 1865, had many difficulties in the early years, being wound up and re-established at least twice, before being again re-established in 1904, from which date the Club has (with the exception of the War years) been in continual existence.

 

Recently when researching some old history of the club, Ian Beggs (thanks to the late Mrs Maureen McNeill, widow of the late Iain McNeill, a former captain of the Club) received some details of Annual Meetings way back in 1887-8-9.

 

MEETING OF 20th SEPTEMBER 1887

The Club had obviously been folded up at this time, when –

 

“In pursuance of a notice in the Carrickfergus Advertiser of the Friday 16th day of September 1887, convening a meeting of those interested in the inauguration of a Rugby Football Club, a meeting was held in the Union Hall on the 20th September 87, when the following Gentlemen attended, and signified their intention of becoming members.

JB Sproull, S Evans, W Evans, AJ Gorman, J Gorman, J Patrick, R Shiels, J Shearer, Jas Holmes, J McMillan, H Donald, T McFarlane, W McCartney, R Gillespie, D Alexander.

 

On the motion of J Patrick, seconded by R Shiels, Mr S Evans occupied the Chair.

 

The following resolutions were then passed:

1.         That the Club be called the Carrickfergus Rugby Football Club;

2.         That the colours thereof be dark blue jersey , with scarlet maltese cross on left breast.

3.         That JB Sproull be elected captain, H Donald Secretary, and AJ Gorman Treasurer.

4.         That the following Gentlemen act as committee with power to add to their number in case of anyone retiring – captain, secretary and treasurer also S Evans, W Evans, J Holmes, J Patrick, D Alexander and J Jack.

5.         That the captain, secretary and Mr J Patrick and Mr S Evans do look after and obtain a suitable field for play;

6.         That the subscription for the season be 5 shillings, one half of same to be paid on or before 1st November 1887.

 

Signed J B Sproule (Chairman)

 

 

MEETING OF 12th OCTOBER 1887

A General Meeting of the Club was held in the Union Hall on Wed 12th October 87, the following members being present.

JB Sproull, J Patrick, AJ Gorman, W Evans, R Gillespie, S Evans, W McCartney, W McMillan, A Holmes, Jas Carson, W McMaster.

 

Proposed by S Evans and seconded by W Evans, that the colours of the Club be a scarlet sash on a blue jersey, instead if the maltese cross.

Mr J Patrick proposed and Mr W McMillan seconded, as an amendment, that the colours remain.

On a vote being taken, the former motion was carried.

 

The Secretary was instructed to put a notice of the match with the Belfast Academy (Royal) in the window of Mr Jas Bell’s, and also in the usual papers.

 

The list of members for the 1887/1888 season is recorded as follows:

AJ Gorman, Chas J Gorman, John Sproull, John Patrick, Samuel Evans, William B Evans, R Shiels, John Jack, DB Alexander, Hugh Donald Rowan Marriott, Wm McMaster, Joseph Shearer, Thomas McFarlane, Howard Brown, James Holmes, James Brennan, Thomas Hay Todd, David Whiteford, Robert Gillespie, WJ McMillan, Alexander Holmes, William McCartney, James Carson, Robert Mackey.

 

Honorary Members                 

Alexander Johns JP                  £1.0.0 paid

Williams Higgins Jnr                  10 shillings paid

Capt. James McCalmont          Cheque £1.1.0 paid

Lord Arthur Hill                        Cheque £2.0.0 paid

James N Hamilton                    £1.0.0 paid

Alfred JA Lepper                     £1.0.0 paid

 

A field was hired from Mr Carson for the season at a cost of £5.0.0, practising to commence on 1st October. Mr Sproull purchased a ball from Erskines at 8s6d.

 

The Secretary is recorded as having written to most of the existing Clubs and Schools looking for fixtures, his expenses showing 1 penny for letters and a halfpenny for post cards.

 

Many of those clubs written to are long since gone, but included North of Ireland, Albion, Lisburn, Newtownards, Donaghadee, Bangor, Belmont Wanderers, Queens College, R A Institution, Zingari, Methodist College, Stewartstown, Cookstown, Bessbrook, Coleraine Inst, Armagh Royal School, Foyle College, Bective Rangers, Armagh Town, Portrush, Portadown, Dungannon, and Ballymoney.