Letterkenny build on Gallaher legacy

The New Zealand Rugby Union president will travel to Ireland at the weekend to view a new €1,500,000 pitch and clubhouse development a small rugby club has undertaken in partnership with a local GAA team.

Legendary former All Black Bryan Williams will unveil a plaque in Dave Gallaher Park on Saturday officially opening the section of the shared rugby/GAA facility that will be home to Letterkenny RFC.

Earlier in the day, the former Rugby World Cup coach will take a session involving young players and under-age coaches at Letterkenny RFC. New Zealand-based writer Matt Elliott will also conduct the Irish and UK launch of his new Harper Collins biography Dave Gallaher: the Original All Black Captain at the event. Mr Williams and Mr Elliott will be joined in Letterkenny by IRFU president Billy Glynn, and current coach of the Ulster team, New Zealander Mark Anscombe.

Born in the village of Ramelton, five miles from Letterkenny, Dave Gallaher emigrated to New Zealand with his family as a boy. He became the first man to captain a team referred to as All Blacks in 1905 and is credited with helping make rugby the national sport of New Zealand.

Seven years ago, a party of All Blacks led by captain Tana Umaga, visited the undeveloped sports ground and named the rugby club’s pitches after Gallaher. That event, including a pilgrimage to Gallaher’s birthplace in the nearby village of Ramelton, made headlines all over the world, and the club have been striving to develop a ground worthy of their famous patron.

Chairman of Letterkenny RFC, Michael McGinty explained: “When we initially asked the NZRU for help in sharing the story of Dave Gallaher with people in Ireland, we explained that we hoped an All Blacks link might also deliver a much-needed boost for a club struggling to promote rugby. Their positive response and the subsequent All Blacks visit delivered on this beyond our wildest expectations.

“Since the All Blacks left us seven years ago, we have been working tirelessly to make the most of the legacy they gave us. A new under-age structure exists within our club now and many of these young players were inspired to take up the game by our New Zealand connection.”