New East Stand development underway

DEMOLITION work at Lansdowne Road is due to finish in December but work has already begun on the new state-of-the-art ground with excavation and supports for the new East Stand currently underway.

Built in 1983, the old East Stand was the most modern part of the ground prior to its redevelopment but it has come under the bulldozers’ gaze this week, as has it’s counterpart on the far side of the pitch.

The West Stand, straddling as it does the adjacent railway line, offers the trickiest assignment for the developers but work has been ongoing on the structure all week.

Staff have been arriving on site at 10.30pm to work on the roof, departing at 5.30am before the first trains begin to operate. Everyone involved has been instructed to be as quiet as possible in order to minimise the affect on nearby residents.

Meanwhile rugby history will be made tomorrow at the IRFU’s AGM when Der Healy becomes the first member of the Highfield club in Cork to be named as the union’s president.

The new IRFU President said: “The honour of being president of the IRFU is a particular one for me and my family and I especially thank my wife Nuala for all her support. My presidency is also a great honour for my club Highfield, whom I thank warmly for giving me a great grounding in the game.”

A product of the renowned Cork City hurling nursery at North Monastery CBS, Healy didn’t play rugby until finishing school when joining Highfield RFC in 1964, but he has since gone to enjoy a distinguished playing and administrative career.

Healy was Highfield captain when the club’s 1st XV won the Arklow Oval Trophy in the 1972-73 season and the Cork Charity Cup in 1974-75. He was coach of the Highfield senior team between 1978 and ‘81 and became club president in 1987.

The 120th IRFU president turned to administration in 1991 when he became his club’s delegate to the Munster Branch. In 1997 he was elected chairman of the Branch Management Committee and from 1998 to 2001 he was Chairman of the Munster Provincial Team Management.

Elected to the IRFU Committee in 1999, he has made a significant contribution as Chairman of the Youth Committee, Chairman of the Domestic Game Committee and as a member of the IRFU Management Committee.

In his role as Domestic Game Chairman, Healy has overseen the introduction of three notable landmarks in the club game with the launching of the IRFU-AIB Community programme, the introduction of the AIB all Ireland Senior and Junior Cup competitions and the inauguration of the club internationals for all non-contracted players.