DLSP rename ground in honour of Kirwan family

DLSP have renamed their grounds Kirwan Park in memory of the late Jack Kirwan, who passed away in February of this year, and also the contribution of the Kirwan family to Palmerston, De La Salle Palmerston FC, Leinster Rugby, the IRFU and the International Rugby Board.

With merged club DLSP about to enter its 25th anniversary season in Kilternan, it is very fitting that the grounds are being renamed after a family who had such an impact in shaping the club's history over the last nine decades.

Jack was one of the key people involved in negotiating the merger of De La Salle RFC and Palmerston FC, a feat he was very proud of in what, at the time, was a ground-breaking achievement in Irish rugby.

For over nine decades there has been a Kirwan involved in the club, with Jack's two uncles being club captains - Sam in 1922/23 and Cecil in 1931/32 - along with his father Eddie in the 1924/25 campaign. All three later became club presidents.

Eddie went on to serve the IRFU Committee for a 25-year period from 1948 to 1973, including a stint as President in the 1952/53 season.

He also had the distinction of being Secretary of the International Rugby Board during this period, between 1956 to 1973.

With the proud history of the Kirwan family, De La Salle Palmerston feel the renaming of their club grounds to Kirwan Park is a fitting 'thank you' for their contribution over so many years.