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Broughton Park's Tour to Ireland - May 2006

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It was nearly 6.30am when most of the party of 28 consisting of 11 players, 2 injured players (Biff and Spud), 3 physiotherapists and 12 senior members of the Club gathered at Hough End. The coach awaited with the worrying Trevor - a Northern Irish driver. Sadly the coach was to be waiting far too long and it was 7.00am before the last one arrived. I won't embarrass him but we all know! Despite all efforts the coach arrived exactly 6 minutes after the ferry had left Holyhead. There was little alternative but to wait for the next - sailing at 3.00pm. It was just about then that things got better when we discovered that a local pub had a 24 hour license and opened at 10.00am. A full Welsh breakfast was swiftly followed by several rounds and we were in the bar and in the 4 hour crossing to Dublin before we realized it. The coach then got stuck in really heavy Dublin traffic but not before a stop at an off-license realised the growing demands of the passengers. Eventually the open road and after a couple of interesting diversions where Trevor obviously was interested in remote Irish villages and countryside, we eventually arrived at the hotel in Waterford at 10.15pm. There was some comment at the somewhat large advertisement just across the road which stated that for £29.00 you could fly from Waterford to Manchester in 40 minutes! After a busy night for the night porter after the bar had officially shut the small hours still saw members sampling the wares.

A realization at breakfast that we were somewhat limited as far as the team were concerned saw big efforts throughout the day by Dave Rodgers (Snr), in particular, to recruit local backs from the local population. We had 2 backs (Alan Hodg. and Ronan) and the rest were forwards. However, the mere mention of Carrick (our opponents of the following day, appeared to be sufficient to dissuade almost everyone approached. It appeared they "play it hard". The rest of the day was spent in various activities - some played golf, some went to reconnoitre the ground for the following day and rather a lot toured the hostelries of Waterford. Again, the night porter was busy.

A relaxed morning on Saturday saw us leave for the ground at 1.00pm. find a nice little pub for the non players to enjoy a lunch and a round or two and then to assemble at the Rugby Club. Eventually. At around 3.15pm there were enough opponents to form a team and lend us a couple of players. The team that lined up was:

  1. Geoff Kendell (captain)
  2. Guy Barlow
  3. Andy O'Grady
  4. Mark Flynn
  5. John Russell
  6. Andy Wilson
  7. Lathan Parry
  8. John Knight
  9. Ronan O'Brien
  10. Martin Gordon
  11. Dave Rodgers
  12. Pat Lannigan
  13. Alan Hodgkinson
  14. Dermot Keyes
  15. Paddy Phelan

The teams were well matched, our lads with their hangovers equally matched by theirs following their AGM of the previous evening. The first 15 minutes were all Carrick pressure within Park's 22 and the first time we entered their half after the kick off was for Ronan's try following a typical break. This had been preceded by some superb defensive play and one or two of the wise were predicting the outcome if Park could hold their line. Martin Gordon converted the try and half time saw a slender 7-0 lead to Park. Again the teams were well matched but the crisper handling skills and some superb running and interpassing saw tries for Andy Wilson, John Russell, Dermot Keyes ("the best try I've ever scored" to be answered by "the only try you've ever scored" from John, The Carrick President), Alan Hogkinson with 2 conversions by Ronan. Carrick answered with an unconverted try to give a final score of 31-5 to Park.

A presentation of the Broughton Park plaque by John O'Grady to the Club was answered with a beautiful inscribed glass commemorative ornament which will grace our trophy cabinet for many years to come. Add to that the wonderful hospitality of the local people and a great late afternoon and evening saw us heading back the 20 miles to Waterford in good spirits. Whist some of the younger members of the party headed off to the brighter lights of town, other stayed in the hotel bar and reminisced over their own playing days and how different it was then well into the small hours once again.

The Sunday saw a quiet uneventful journey back with a nervous Trevor getting us to the ferry 2 hours before we needed to. At 8.30pm we turned into Hough End thankful for a truly great weekend and looking forward to our beds. There is so much else that happened but perhaps that should remain in our memories and not be committed to type. Suffice it to say that all laughed and drank and sang and drank again to excess and all enjoyed a fantastic trip to see some wonderful people. I have to Thank J O'G for his work and organisation that made the tour a success - what a star the man is. I must also thank the people of Waterford and Carrick on Suir for their kindness and generosity.

Roll on the next tour!!!

Dave Poppitt