U12 Dublin Tour 2015
Non-stop
Dublin
Full details of the
Tour Itinerary can be found
inside the back cover
Saturday AM
We’ll collect the boys from the
grateful DLSP parents and travel
for A & B team matches v St
Mary’s College at Kenilworth
Square followed by lunch hosted
by St Mary’s at the school in
Rathmines. After lunch we’ll go
back to DLSP clubhouse to watch
the Ireland v Scotland game.
On arrival, we’ll take a short trip for
the boys to try their hand at Gaelic
Games. The boys can learn the
basic skills of the ancient sports
of Hurling and Gaelic football. This
will be followed by a short tour of
Croke Park stadium and HQ of the
Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
After lunch, we’ll pay a visit to The
Dail (the Irish Parliament) and from
there to the Aviva Stadium where
we’ll take the Stadium tour before
the boys get a training run out the
on 3G pitches behind the Aviva.
At some point here, perhaps while
the boys are training, we’ll check
in at the 4 star Herbert Park Hotel
in nearby Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
After training we’ll travel to De
La Salle Palmerston to meet
DLSP family hosts, where the
parents will give their oﬀspring
the slip and be free for remainder
of the evening to enjoy some
traditional Irish pastimes.
2
I have an enduring and heartfelt
admiration for London Irish as
my grandfather, also named Louis,
was a proud founder member
of the club and indeed its first
player to be capped for Ireland.
As President of the Irish Rugby
Football Union, I express our sincere
appreciation for the close bonds we
Friday AM
Friday PM
I am delighted to extend a warm
welcome and best wishes to
London Irish ARFC U12’s on the
occasion of your visit to Ireland.
Saturday PM
Tour Presentation Dinner at
Taylor’s Three Rock Hotel including
the announcement of the 6 Nations
Sweepstake Winner/s. Afterwards
the DSLP parents will pick the boys
up from Taylor’s Three Rock for
the second night. We will then have
the choice of staying for their Irish
music night or heading into Dublin.
As on Friday, the choice is yours.
Sunday
We’ll pick the boys up once
more and travel to the DLSP
Festival for a full day tournament
before returning to the airport
for the flight home.
“ My grandfather
was a proud founder
member of the
London Irish club ”
new generation of young players
and their parents share the same
passion for Irish rugby as in the past
displayed by such trailblazers and
role models as Simon Geoghegan,
David Curtis and Jim Staples.
Your visit will further help to
A message from
Louis Magee,
President of the
Irish Rugby Football Union
enjoy with your club. Down through
the years it has always been a
welcoming “home from home’’ for
emigrants from Ireland wanting
to maintain their rugby links.
The IRFU is determined that the
healthy relationship between Union
Headquarters in Dublin and London
Irish – together with the entire
Exiles movement across the UK –
should be further strengthened and
treasured long into the future. It
is most heart-warming to note, as
evidenced by this trip, that a whole
strengthen the ties and in wishing
you well for your engagements with
St. Mary’s College and in the De La
Salle Palmerston Blitz, it is my hope
that your club oﬃcials, parents and
players derive every success and
enjoyment from your experience.
Of equal significance, I hope
that your visit presents you all
with the opportunity of meeting
new people and forging new
friendships, which, in the best
and time worn traditions of rugby
football, will last for a lifetime.
3
A brief history of a
long tradition:
London Irish Dublin Tour
For 33 years London Irish
Under 12 squads have been
travelling to Ireland in March for
their Dublin Tour and to participate
in the De La Salle mini rugby
festival. Now it’s our turn, the 34th
Under 12s tour to Dublin.
For many of
you the tour is an opportunity
to see where those exiles you
have so warmly welcomed into
your community come from. For
the exiles among us, the tour
presents a chance to go home for
a few days, show our children a
little bit more about their roots
and hopefully repay our English
friends some of the hospitality
they have so generously shown us
over the years. And for all of us it’s
4
an opportunity to enjoy one of the
very best aspects of rugby union
– touring. You only need to look
at the many messages of support
throughout this programme to
appreciate the important place
touring has in the culture of rugby
worldwide. And we’re touring
in one of the friendliest
places on the planet to boot
(I know I’m biased but…..).
London Irish is a unique rugby
club that’s well known around
the world. Professional and
Amateur clubs housed under the
one roof providing rugby for all
shapes and sizes from 5 to 55 with
our professional cousins playing
at the highest level in England and
Europe. Our links to Ireland are
strong and engrained in our history
as so very well articulated by IRFU
President Louis Magee’s welcome
note on page 3. We have a welldeserved reputation as a friendly
and hospitable club and I know
you will all seek to enhance that
reputation while we are on tour.
Sunbury. We will all have our own
favourite memories of these days
from the Festival of Mud in 2012
to our December tours to Paris in
2011, 2012 and 2013. We have taken
part in festivals in the sun and the
rain across Surrey, Berkshire and
beyond and in the last 12 months
moved to our new grounds at
Hazelwood. We’ve had support from
a large number of the professional
players with our coaching and
enjoyed days out supporting
them at Reading and in Paris.
“ For me it has been
about the wonderful
people we have been
able to share this
journey with. ”
For me though it’s all been about
the wonderful people we have been
able to share this journey with both
within our group and with the clubs
we have played against along the
way. Some friends have moved away
and they have left fond memories of
their time with us. Many more have
joined us on our journey, teaching
our children to love playing rugby.
And what a group of children we
have. It’s been a
Tour notes from
Peter Graham
privilege to have coached you over
the last 7 years boys and I know
you will continue to delight us and
make us proud, on and oﬀ the pitch.
I would like to say a special thank
you to a number of people in
Dublin who have helped us put
the tour together. Dermot Nutty
at De La Salle Palmerston for his
tireless support both planning the
festival and arranging our hosting
and also Ray Sloan at St Mary’s
College for arranging our fixtures
with one of Dublin’s most famous
and successful rugby schools.
Together we have spent the last 12
months engaged in a mammoth
fund raising eﬀort to which
you have all contributed your
time, energy, ingenuity and good
humour. And a small group has
worked tirelessly to put the tour
together whilst the coaching
team has kept the rugby show
on the road. And of course some
of you have done all three.
Thank you all, this is your tour,
enjoy it.
We have come a long way since
2008 playing tag rugby as U5/6s in a
muddy corner at St Paul’s School in
5
I am so pleased that our Under
12’s are again embarking on their
annual tour to Ireland at this
time of year. This is an event that
they all look forward to, and our
grateful thanks are due to our good
friends at St Mary’s College and
De La Salle Palmerston for again
hosting our party and looking after
all of us so well during our trip.
Alan McCartney
Our young players on tour are the
children of Irish parents, or the
children of parents who appreciate
the warmth and friendliness that
is evident at London Irish. The
boys enjoy the sense of belonging,
and they wear the traditional
green jersey with pride. For that,
we are proud of them. They are
our senior players of the future
at Hazelwood
in Sunbury
on Thames.
Professionalism has changed the
face of rugby over the past twenty
years. It is therefore important
that the traditions and amateur
values of the game, with which
we are all familiar, are maintained
to their fullest extent. It is tours
such as these that generate the
ethos of friendship, camaraderie
and team spirit and ensure
that such values are passed
on to generations to come.
6
Being an Irish exiles club, we are
proud of our contribution to Irish
rugby in the form of international
players. We value greatly our ties
with the IRFU and indeed with the
current president, Louis Magee,
who, last autumn attended the
oﬃcial opening of our new facilities
373 words
from
The President
London Irish
in the past has
provided great
rugby and,
indeed, social
opportunities
for young
lads
arriving in London with
limited contacts. Many of our
members will vouch for that. As
a club we will continue to do so,
and we hope that young players
moving to London will see us as
one of their first ports of call.
I am sure that our visit will be a
great success. Not necessarily in
terms of points scored or games
won. Success will be measured
in renewing old friendships and
creating new ones, in experiencing
the rivalry on the playing field,
and more especially, in creating
the memories that will last a
lifetime. Thank you once again
to all our good friends in Ireland
who are making this happen.
Hurling is played 15 a side with a
goalie. The aim is to use a wooden
stick (the hurley or in Irish the
camán) to hit a small ball (or sliotar)
between the oppo’s goalposts. Hit
over the crossbar for one point,
or under the crossbar into the net
for a three point goal. A player can
catch and run with the sliotar for no
more than four steps. Any further
and they must bounce or balance
the sliotar on the end of the hurley.
The ball can only be handled twice
while in the player’s possession.
The sliotar can be hit to a teammate
with the hurley, it can be kicked
or slapped with an open hand
for short-range passing. Tackling,
bodychecking and shoulder
charging an opponent is allowed if
they have the ball or are running
towards the ball to play it. Despite
that fact that it involves waving a
Hurling in a
nutshell
large stick about and hitting the ball
up to 120 mph, no protective padding
is worn by players. In 2010 the
Health & Safety types introduced
a plastic protective helmet for all
age groups. Each side must field at
least one complete headbanger and
ensure that at any given moment
the majority of players on the
pitch are impervious to pain.
Gaelic football for dummies
Like Hurling, Gaelic football (in
Irish Peil Ghaelach or Peil) is played
15 players with a goalie. The aim
is also to get the ball between the
opposition’s goalposts, and uses
the same scoring system: over the
crossbar for one point, under the
crossbar into the net for a three
point goal. Players play the football
by carrying, bouncing, kicking,
hand-passing and soloing (a sort of
dropkick back to yourself). Positions
in Gaelic football are similar to
Association Football: a goalkeeper,
six backs, two midfielders, and
six forwards. Its basic similarity
is evidenced in the existence of
a number of high profile players
who’ve excelled in both codes, most
notably Kevin Moran of Ireland,
Dublin and Manchester United.
7
“We might
not be any
good but
at least we
turn up.”
A true story to stir
the emotions
by Bob Strudwick
The 5 Nations Championship of
1973 ended in a draw. Every team
won their two home games and
lost their aways. Four points each.
Five way tie. The first and only
time this has happened. And yet,
the 1973 championship is primarily
remembered for something else
entirely. It is remembered because
England turned up to play Ireland
on 10 February at Lansdowne
Road. And for many it was the
start of the special bond between
these two great rugby nations.
For those too young to recall, the
backdrop to the match would be
described as the very darkest days
of what is generally referred to as
The Troubles. A period of great
strife throughout the island of
8
Ireland, when Irish Republicans
(who wanted to see the recreation
of a single, united Ireland) were
locked in political and military
conflict with the British Army. In
the previous January of 1972, 26 civil
rights protesters and bystanders
were shot dead by members of the
British Army. In total 480 people
died in that most bloody year.
These events impacted every
aspect of life in Ireland, including
sport. The 1972 5 Nations was
brought to a premature end when
Scotland and Wales declined to
travel to Ireland, denying their
would-be hosts chance of victory
after defeating England and France
away. The 1973 5 Nations seemed
destined to fare no better, with
England scheduled to play Ireland
at Lansdowne Road. In advance of
the game, credible death threats
were made by Republicans against
travelling English rugby players.
Stay out of Ireland was the warning.
“ They would share the
danger amongst them.”
In England a defiant RFU took
the unanimous decision that they
would take a team to Ireland, with
whatever players were prepared to
go. First team, second team, third
team. And the RFU was not shy of
putting pressure on their squad.
Of the four first team regulars who
declined to go, amongst whom
included serving armed forces, three
never played for England again.
In Ireland, the team did what they
could to reassure their English
counterparts. Legendary Ireland
captain Willie John McBride sought
to encourage his Lions colleague
David Duckham by extending the
oﬀer to David
and his new wife
to spend the match weekend in the
McBride household. They would
share the danger amongst them.
On match day, the plan had been for
the teams to walk out together. In
the event, such was the thunderous
nature of the standing ovation given
to the England team by the 50,000
Irishmen at Lansdowne Road that
they were ushered forward by their
hosts to receive it. Three St Mary’s
boys played in the Irish team that
day: Prop Sean Lynch, Scrumhalf
Johnny Maloney, and Wing Tom
Grace. Many who witnessed it,
including London Irish’s own Peter
Graham, will tell you that forty
years later the memory of that
ovation will make the hairs on the
back of their necks stand up! The
special relationship that exists
between English and Irish rugby
fans for many people originated
on that day. A true example of
the capacity of sport to forge
friendship in the most unpromising
of circumstances.
In the oﬃcial history of Irish
Rugby it says: “For over a
century the happenings on
the field of international
rugby have stirred men’s
emotions but it is doubtful
if there was ever a more
emotional scene than
that at Lansdowne
Road when the English
side ran on to the
field. The entire concourse to
a man stood and applauded
the English team for a full five
minutes. It was hardly material
that Ireland won a close match,
18-9, in which England missed
more chances than they took.”
The last word of these events
belongs to England captain John
Pullin, a man who wryly observed
after the match that it had not been
a day for standing still on the wing,
that you wanted to be running
around. True grit there. At the post
match dinner, Pullin oﬀered the
immortal line ‘We might not be any
good, but at least we turn up.’.
Irish and Englishmen
are glad they did.
9
David Lillis of
De La Salle Palmerston
looks forward to our visit
One of the unique things about the
game of rugby is going on tour!
No matter what age you are,
heading oﬀ to represent your
club is a proud (and exciting)
moment and something ALL of a
touring party look forward to!
Having an international aspect to
it and flying to another country
make a tour even more special! For
over 30 years we have welcomed
generations of visiting players from
London Irish to our club in Dublin.
“ Your annual visit is the
second most important
date on our calendar . . . ”
The annual visit of “The Irish” is a
special date on our club calendar
and is probably the second
most important date on it (after
our own visit to your club!).
The strong and proud Irish
connection at your club means
that we must ensure that all your
tour party experience and enjoy
their visit to our club and our
city, experiencing first-hand the
uniqueness of Irish hospitality.
10
Friendships
in rugby are
Friendships
for life
Equally important is that as much
fun as possible is experienced from
the very start of the visit and that
win, lose or draw new friendships
are made both on and oﬀ the pitch!
Friendships in rugby are
Friendships for life and I know
you’ll all enjoy your tour. I
genuinely hope the visit to
De La Salle Palmerston and
“ . . . after our visit to
your own club! ”
your time with our members
is one of the highlights of it!
Finally, I would like to thank
your tour for accepting the
invitation to visit Kirwan Park.
Yours in Rugby
David Lillis
President,
De La Salle Palmerston FC
For most of the old fossils who
run London Irish and your hosts
St Mary’s College, the tours
we went on at your age were
much less grand. I remember we
made it to Cashel one year!
Thankfully times change, so
on behalf of Ray Sloan, Rodney
O’Donnell and everyone at St
Mary’s we warmly welcome you
to Dublin and specifically to
Kenilworth Square for a touring
experience you will never forget.
Rugby touring whether to Limerick
or London is special in so many
ways. Quite apart from the rugby,
the shared travel and sleeping
arrangements, the banter, and the
“ Rugby touring embraces
comaraderie, a unique
bond shared for life. ”
culture shocks it is special because
it embraces a camaraderie, a unique
bond shared for life. Needless to say
my touring opportunities increased
in time and as a player I guess I
got to see the world several times
over. But there is still something
uniquely special about those first
trips beyond the Naas Road!
All of which is a long winded way of
saying to the 34th London Irish mini
rugby touring party please seize the
opportunity, suck it in and enjoy
every minute for yourself, for each
other and for the proud Exiles club
“I guarantee
memories of
a lifetime”
A message from
Tony Ward
on behalf of our hosts,
St Mary’s College
you represent. I guarantee memories
to last a lifetime irrespective of how
far some of you might go in the
game or how successful you might
be. Rugby is a special game and this
touring opportunity is a wonderful
“ Seize the opportunity
and enjoy every minute. ”
part of the rugby experience. Enjoy
every minute and I look forward
to seeing you all on the 21st.
With every best wish
Wardy
Tony Ward
Munster, Leinster, Ireland, British
and Irish Lions, Barbarians
11
“I was lucky enough to have been
involved in many underage tours during
my days at school. On these trips you
get the opportunity to make lifelong
friends. Getting the chance to see new
places and play in diﬀerent settings gives
you memories that you will hold forever.
I hope you all enjoy your tour. Be sure to
play for the friends that you will make along
the way. That’s what rugby is all about.”
Leo Cullen, Blackrock College, Leinster, Ireland
“I would like to wish you well on your tour
to Dublin. I see that you are playing a couple
of matches so make the most of your
opportunity. Rugby is all about playing
for your TEAM and making sure that you
represent your club in the right manner. In
our case it was all about doing your best
on and oﬀ the field. Enjoy your first tour.”
Sean Fitzpatrick, Auckland and All Blacks
“I still remember my first rugby tour as a young
player 40 years ago to Australia. I retain lifelong
friends from within our team as well as some of
those I billeted with and played against. Rugby is
like that. It’s not just about ME. It’s about others.
About how you can connect with people and
how you can help them. It’s about playing hard
but fair then getting to know the guy you just
buried in a tackle. I envy you. This trip will be
something you remember for the rest of your
lives. Enjoy it hugely and make friends that
you’ll still be in contact with 40 years from now.”
Wayne Smith, Canterbury, All Blacks and Chiefs
12
Very special messages
from the Professionals.
“I remember my Under 12 days fondly and the
highlight of the year was always our end of
season tour. You get to tour less as a professional
nowadays which is a shame as touring is the
essence of all that is good about rugby. Bringing
both players and families together with a
whole new set of families from the rugby
world is special. I wish you all the very best of
luck in representing this great club of ours.”
Bob Casey, Blackrock College,
Leinster, London Irish, Ireland
“As an England player, undoubtedly my best
moments on tour around the world have been
in Ireland. It’s to do with the great welcome you
get, and win or lose it’s always a lot of fun after
the matches. I hope that you find the same when
you go there. I also hope that you form many
longlasting friendships. It’s a part of rugby
that’s so important. Good luck, I hope you win
but just as important I hope you have fun.”
Simon Halliday,
Bath and England
“Touring Ireland with London Irish is
always a fantastic and unique experience
characterised by wonderful hospitality and
competitive matches. Enjoy yourselves.”
John O’Driscoll, London Irish,
Ireland, British and Irish Lions
13
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Conor
Peter
Jack
Ollie
Evans
Graham
Grimes
Jones
Tour Captain, A1, Original
Head Coach
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
A message from
Conor Evans, Tour Captain
We all owe a great thanks to
all of the coaches but there
is one in particular to single
out - and that’s Maurice.
Maurice has been a devoted
coach right from the Under 6’s
and has unselfishly stuck with
us despite Ellis, his nephew,
leaving to concentrate on his
footballing career at QPR.
Personally I would like to thank him
on providing me with some great
14
drills to improve my passing as a
scrum half. I’m sure that I can speak
for all the boys in the group when I
say thank you for your hard work,
time and dedication to coach us so
excellently over the past 6 years.
Tour Vice Captain, B3
Tour Vice Captain, B1, Original
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Jonathan
John
Graham
Grimes
I am also sure that the boys will
agree that he gave us a great laugh
when he grew an enormous facial
fungus which competes with
Santa Claus in the beard stakes.
After coaching us for 6 years we
would like to express our deepest
appreciation and gratitude towards
you for all your coaching and
continued support throughout
the 6 years of development.
Tour Vice Captain, A1, Original
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
Team Manager
15
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Bean
Killian
Sean
Ross
Clothier
Burns
Ryan
Bishop
A Team Captain, A2
B Team Captain, B2
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
Paul
Charles
Coach
You have taken an incredible
journey to what will be a simply
16 superb tour of Dublin.
I’ve been privileged to coach you for
the past five years and have become
accustomed to the heart, soul and
courage you’ve shown. I’m often
asked who my rugby heroes are.
Some guess it’s Brian O’Driscoll,
Leinster legend Leo Cullen, or a
prop, maybe Cian Healy. They are
all wrong. The simple answer is that
I get to coach mine every Sunday.
Be safe, make me proud and
wear that special jersey with all
of the pride and passion your
heart can hold. Dul go maith
agus téigh sábháilte, dia.
Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.
Team 1 Captain, B1, Original
Coach
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Jack
Thomas
Gilligan
Charles
Team 2 Captain, A2, Original
Team 3 Captain, A3
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
17
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Fola
Jed
Anatoli
George
Adedeji
Aldridge
Anyanwu
Bailey
A1, Original
B1
A2
A3
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Alex
Josh
Brown
Carmody
Maurice
Anderson
You are about to embark
on a journey that many
have taken before you.
Remember the honour of
representing your club on tour
comes with responsibilities.
I have no doubt each and every
one of you will do the jersey
proud both on and off the pitch.
Coach
18
Most of all savour and enjoy
the experience; there is nothing
better than a rugby tour.
B3
A1
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
19
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Joshua
Jude
Matty
Aidan
Clough
Cobby
Cowlishaw
Fenby
A2
A1, Original
B2
A3
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
The team is everything.
Finnan
Jack
Connolly
Cooney
Luke
Rowson
Winning comes from working
hard for the team.
Be the first to the tackle
and make it count.
Be the first to the break
down and make it count.
Do it for the team and
winning will follow.
20
A3
B2
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Coach
21
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Oscar
Ciaran
Will
Jacques
Gammon
Griﬃth
Grimwood
Harrison
A2
B1, Original
B3
A2
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
Ireland
Trevor
Burns
Coach
It is fantastic to see you embark
on your biggest and last tour as
22 minis. To have seen you evolve
from tag rugby to the fully
committed, brave boys you
are now has been wonderful. I
genuinely look forward to Sunday
mornings. Many of you started
out in the Wolfhounds and Wild
Geese and have progressed
through the squads to become
very fine players. This has given
me the greatest pride. Finally,
you need to thank your parents
for everything they have done
to give you the opportunity to
experience such a fantastic tour
and for the last six/seven years.
Now get out there and WIN!!!
Eesa
Findlay
Iqbal
Johnston
B3
B3
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
23
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Enjoy the Dublin tour.
Mike
Nash
Coach
You have worked hard for it over
many years and it is a pleasure to
see how much you have improved.
Treasure the friendships and
rivalries on and off the rugby pitch
as it is a joy to be part of the global
rugby family. Have fun but don’t
forget that you are representing
London Irish. Win with humility,
lose with grace and do both with
dignity and sportsmanship.
And above all, don’t drink
too much Guinness!
Joseph
Johnny
Keﬀord
Lewis
Rory
Connor
Maguire
McCarthy
B3
B1
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Mike
Bailey
Boys, this is, for most of you,
your first tour and possibly the
last with your parents ;-).
Enjoy yourselves, play hard
but fair, wear the shirt with
pride and remember…what
goes on tour stays on tour!
Good luck!
24
B2
B2
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Coach
25
The 2015 Tour Squad
Andrew
Alexander
Rupert
Elijah Blue
Mihaescu
Nash
Reddish
Rowson
B3
A2
A1, Original
B1, Original
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Kieran
Jones
Coach
26
The 2015 Tour Squad
I started coaching the team when we were
U6s. Some of you have been with us since
then and some have joined more recently,
but whoever you are and however long
you have been with us, the one thing we
all have in common is that we are all
members of this fantastic rugby family.
And now, with the long awaited U12
Dublin Tour upon us, take the chance
to play your finest rugby and to be
ambassadors for our great club. You truly
are an amazing bunch of young sports
men and you should all be immensely
proud of your achievements. Being
able to contribute to your development
has been an absolute privilege.
I sincerely hope you continue to
play this wonderful game at London
Irish ARFC when we embark on
the first season of Youth Rugby in
September. Come on you Irish!
Tim
Christopher
Ryan
Sanders
A3
A3
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
Ireland
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
27
The 2015 Tour Squad
The 2015 Tour Squad
Elijah
Louis
James
Smith
Strudwick
Wheatley
A3
A1
B2
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider??
England
A
Stanley
Morgan
Warwick
Watmore
Not Grades but Codes
If you are wondering what those
letters and numbers under each
boy are, then this will help.
A or B indicates the boy’s team
on Saturday at St Mary’s. These
are traditional A and B teams.
1, 2 or 3 indicates the boy’s team
28
B2
B1
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
Would support who in an
England/Ireland decider?
England
for the De La Salle Festival on the
Sunday. These are mixed teams as
required by the Festival Rules.
Original means the boy has been with
London Irish since the U6 season. Wow!
Gary
Bishop
Coach
To the Originals and all the boys that
have joined the London Irish Rugby
family. We the coaches have had
some great times in the last seven
years, watching your development
through to this Dublin Tour.
A major achievement has to be the
London Irish “mud bath” festival 2012.
Even continuous rain did not deter any
from getting stuck into the festival.
The end result was truly fantastic:
the Geese won the festival! It was a
proud moment for all the boys that
took part and the coaches too.
Our age group first took London Irish
to Paris and the event is now shared
with the up and coming U12’s.
You are about to embark on a new
phase of your rugby careers in Youth.
So let’s make London Irish proud of us
on this Tour. We will play good rugby
and meet new people who share that
same love and passion for the game.
Above all let’s have some serious fun!!!!
It’s been a real pleasure being part
of the Under 12 year group.
29
For good Irish food, go
to The Old Storehouse
Crown Alley | Temple Bar, Dublin
The best restaurant in Dublin,
according to TripAdvisor, is
Sabor Brazil. It’s a romantic type
of place, suitable for any ladies
harboring a desire to ask a ‘much
younger looking without his beard’
Maurice Anderson on a date. The
Old Storehouse is more like it for
the rest of us, serving authentic
Irish food in a pub environment.
There are lots of recent good
reviews on the internet and it
makes TripAdvisors 14th best
restaurant in Dublin, and
that means it probably a
decent shout for anyone
without local knowledge.
Out and
about in
Dublin
for the Guinness and the photo
opportunity. There’s food too but it’s
nothing to write home about. It’ll
be busy, especially if there’s sport
on. Or if you just want a really good
pint of Guinness in a typical Dublin
pub, go to Kehoe’s, 9 Queen Anne
Street, Dublin 2. This will also be
busy!
For a pint of Guinness
in a Dublin pub, go
to Doheny & Nesbitt
(or Kehoe’s)
For a late night bar,
go to Club Nassau
47 – 49 Kildare Street, Dublin 2
5 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin
If you have a mental image of
a Dublin bar,
all dark
Victorian pub
architecture,
wit and wisdom
shared over
whisky and stout,
then it’s likely
that Doheny
& Nesbitt will
fully comply. Go
30
to The Cobblestone Pub, 77 King
Street North, Smithfield, Dublin 7. It
has a musicians’ corner downstairs
which attracts a high standard of
amateur players. Smithfield’s away
from the tourist area so it’s ideal if
you want to break out for a bit but
it’s dodgier too so you might end up
being oﬀered crack with your craic
(if you follow my drift).
For Irish music, go to
Oliver St. John Gogarty’s
58-59 Fleet Street, Dublin 2
Live traditional Irish music sessions
running to 2AM every night.
Likely to a bit pricey drinks-wise
but with a great reputation for
traditional Irish music and good
time atmosphere. Alternatively, go
There comes a time in a man’s life
when the desire to go to a club is
proof positive that they’ve had
enough and should call it a night.
For those wishing to ignore this
simple maxim, there’s Club Nassau
at the Kildare Street Hotel. This
is not a trendy club with waif
like young people. It’s more in the
nature of a party destination with
clientele likely to be as old as you
are. It’s very loud too, so you’re
going to have to shout when you
tell everyone that you love them.
For Irish history, go to
Kilmainham Gaol
Inchicore Road,
Kilmainham, Dublin 8
In taking the trip through the
imposing gates of Kilmainham
Gaol, you are following in the
footsteps of many who fought for
Irish independence. The leaders of
the uprisings of 1798, 1803, 1848
and 1867 all
ended up
incarcerated
in the
jail. Most
notoriously
though, the
jail was the
scene of the
execution of
14 leaders of
the Easter Rising of 1916, including
Socialist and Republican icon
James Connolly. It is somewhat
emblematic of the change in Anglo
Irish relations that eighty years
later Connolly appeared at number
64 in the list of 100 Greatest Britons
in a major BBC TV production.
Friday -Saturday 09:30 - 17:30
(last admission at 16:00),
Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00 (last
admission at 17:00)
“ When I die Dublin will
be written in my heart. ”
James Joyce
31
For a quiet stroll, go
to Trinity College
For pilgrims and everyone else
this is a place of true beauty, ideal
for a walk in the heart of Dublin.
Go at 10.00 and 14.30 on Sunday to
hear the bell ringing.
College Green, Dublin 2
Dublin’s famous college was
founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth
I. And when the wretched students
aren’t around the mix of classical
and contemporary buildings and
fabulous gardens make it an oasis of
peace and tranquility, and a prime
spot for a little reflection. So Sunday
mornings are best. You may need to
reflect on the wisdom of entering
a Guinness drinking competition
with Paul
“ No strangers here, just
friends you haven’t met! ”
Brendan Behan
32
Sunday: 12:00 - 17:00
For seeing everything
in 90 minutes, go
on a Hop-on Hop-oﬀ
sightseeing tour
Merrion Square, Dublin 2
Friday - Saturday 09:30 - 20:30
Charles for example.
Trinity has some fairly well known
alumni including playwright Oscar
Wilde, Nobel laureate Samuel
Beckett, author Bram Stoker, actor
Dominic West and just about every
other person you’ve ever heard of.
Friday - Saturday
10:00 - 17:00
For a little highbrow
culture, go to the National
Gallery of Ireland
The National Gallery of Ireland
hosts the national collection
of Irish and European
art from the 14th to
the 20th centuries,
including paintings
by Caravaggio, Monet,
Degas, Goya, Picasso
and Irish impressionist
painter Jack Yeats.
Sunday: 12:00 - 17:30
For finding God, go to the
Christ Church Cathedral
Christchurch Place, Dublin 8
These ancient, preserved human
remains come complete with skin,
hair, fingernails, and even internal
organs. But no bones. Strange and
fascinating to behold. The oldest
of these is Cashel Man who lay
undisturbed since he was ritually
sacrificed and buried
around 2000 BC.
Friday Saturday 09:00 – 18:00
Sunday: various around
church services
For seeing something truly
weird, go to the National
Museum of Ireland
Merrion Square, Dublin 2 The
centrepiece of the Kingship and
Sacrifice exhibition is several
Iron Age bog bodies.
There are loads of double
decker bus tours that’ll
take you to Dublin’s major
attractions including the
Dvblinia exhibition (a sort of
recreation of mediaeval Dublin),
the Old Jameson Distillery, Dublin
Castle, Phoenix Park (which is
the biggest walled park in Europe
and home of Dublin Zoo), and the
Guinness Storehouse (where you
can see how Guinness is made).
At the heart of Christianity in
Ireland, true believers have been
making the pilgrimage to the site
for over 1000 years. Christ Church is
oﬃcially claimed as the seat of both
the Church of Ireland and Roman
Catholic archbishops of Dublin.
33
Paul O’Connell and Cian Healy?
Meh! Dean Richards? Whatever!
Forget everything you’ve ever
thought about players who
didn’t make the cut, this is the
DEFINITIVE all time Anglo
Irish 1st XV. And an absolutely
awesome team it is too!
Inside Centre – Mike Catt
Flying the flag for London Irish.
Despite his 75 England caps and
a Lions tour, Mike Catt remains a
woefully underused talent. A highly
creative player from the days before
the crash ball became ubiquitous,
able to make a break and distribute
beautifully with hands and feet.
An all-time
Anglo-Irish XV
Full Back – Rob Kearney
Irish international and British &
Irish Lion, Kearney was a 2009
Grand Slam winner. He wins
his place through the safest
pair of hands in world rugby.
Right Wing – Jason Robinson
It’s arguable that by the
time of World Cup winning
drop-goal in 2003 he had
already peaked, but in the period
leading up to it Wilkinson was
surely the best player in the world.
He has held every point scoring
record there is and his defensive
game is the stuﬀ of legend.
Scrum Half – Matt Dawson
In a word, fast! Capped in both
League and Union codes and a
Lion to boot. Able to turn on the
afterburners from a standing
start to exploit any gap, scoring 28
tries in 51 England appearances.
Matt Dawson is not everyone’s
cup of tea. But, with 77 caps, he is
England’s most capped scrum half.
Dawson is best known for inventing
the ‘sniping run’ ©, he possesses
the personality required to boss
a very scary Anglo Irish pack.
Outside Centre –
Brian O’Driscoll
Left Wing – Simon Geoghegan
It’ll probably suﬃce to say that
O’Driscoll is the most-capped player
in history, 133 for Ireland (and 8 for
the Lions), and the highest scoring
centre of all time, with 46 tries
for Ireland (and 1 for the Lions).
34
Fly Half – Johnny
Wilkinson
A second London Irish player in
the team, best known for his try
in the 1994 Five Nations match
against England in a famous 13-12
Irish win. Just pips consummate
finisher Rory Underwood for the
left wing slot. Underwood, the
highest-ever England try scorer
with 49 scores in just 85 caps can
count himself very unlucky!
Lock – Willie John McBride
. . . except for maybe this man.
McBride toured with the Lions
FIVE times. Famously hard in an
Tight Head – Phil Vickery
era of hard men, he also had the last
Nicknamed ‘The Raging Bull’, Phil
word on sportsmanship when he
Vickery played in three Rugby World
said ‘it matters greatly who’s going
Cups and toured with the Lions.
to win, but not at all who won’.
He’s very hard, which is just as well
given the rest of the front row.
Hooker – Keith Wood
A born leader. Keith Wood holds
the hooker’s world record of 15
test tries. According to wikipedia
he is known as ‘The Raging
Potato’. Maybe this is true but
I like to imagine that this is the
mischievous work of one of Wood
former teammates, amongst whom
he is held in the highest regard.
Loose Head – Jason Leonard
Jason Leonard is the first
Englishman to win 100 caps and
won Grand Slams, a World Cup and
a Lions tour. His career spanned
the transition to the professional
era and he embodied the fight to
retain the amateur traditions. He
buys his opposite number a pint
after the match. A rugby hero.
Lock – Martin Johnson
The World Cup-winning captain is
England’s greatest leader. A giant
physical presence and master of
rugby’s dark arts. At the top of his
game he was the first name in any
all time forwards teamsheet . . .
Blindside Flanker
– Richard Hill
The quintessential unsung hero,
his importance was only truly
appreciated when he was no longer
around. Consistently excellent at
the breakdown, a master of the
scrappier parts of the game.
Openside Flanker –
Fergus Slattery
Possessing in spades the two
essential qualities of the openside
flanker, speed and indiﬀerence to
personal safety. Slattery was quick
enough to target both fly-half
and opposing centres, arriving in
midfield as quickly as the ball.
Number 8 – Lawrence
Dallaglio
Has won five Premiership crowns,
three Powergen Cup trophies, two
Heineken Cup medals, four Six
Nations and the 2003 World Cup. He
has 85 England caps and was named
in three British & Irish Lions tours.
Let’s just leave it at that I think.
Team selection: Bob Strudwick
35
Sweepstake!
Can you win our Tour Six Nations Sweepstake?
What, when, where:
The Tour Itinerary
MARCH
On Saturday 21 March, the outcome
of the 2015 6 Nations will be decided.
It would be rude not to turn this
into an opportunity for a side
wager. Specifically a €2.00 winnertakes-all prediction sweepstake.
The three remaining fixtures are
Italy v Wales 12:30 pm
Scotland v Ireland 14:30 pm
England v France 17:00 pm
36
20
FRIDAY
1. Win Point
Day One
You score a Win Point if you
correctly predict the outcome
of a game (win/loss/draw),
irrespective of margin.
06.30
Check in at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2
07.50
Depart Heathrow
09.05
Arrive Dublin
10.30
Gaelic Athletic Association Training Session – Venue TBC
Scoring
2. Margin Point
The Margin Point rewards accuracy
in margin: if your margin prediction
is within 5 points of the actual
score margin, you’ll pick up a
Margin Point worth 0.5 points.
To enter the sweepstake you must
predict the score of each of the
fixtures and the overall winner/s of
the 2015 6 Nations Championship.
And hand over €2:00.
3. Grand Slam Point
12.00
Croke Park Tour
The Grand Slam Point
rewards you for predicting
all three fixtures correctly.
14.15
Leinster House - Dail Tour
Your predictions and entrance
wager must be handed to Bob
Strudwick by 12:00 on Saturday.
The person with the most points
wins, winnings to be shared equally
amongst entrants with identical
winning scores. Winner/s to be
announced at the Tour Presentation
Dinner on Saturday night.
4. Six Nations Championship Point
16.00
Aviva Stadium Tour
17.15
Training at Aviva back pitch (Parents
The 6 Nations Championship
Point is for predicting
the 2015 Champions.
Good luck to all of our entrants.
Let the best man or woman win!
check in at Herbert Park Hotel)
19.00
Arrive at De La Salle Palmerston for billeting
19.30
Herbert Park Hotel & parents free for rest of the evening
37
What, when, where:
The Tour Itinerary
What, when, where:
The Tour Itinerary
MARC
MARC
Day Two
21
H
SATUR
DAY
09.00
Parents depart Herbert Park Hotel
09.30
Pick up boys at De La Salle Palmerston
10.15
Arrive Kenilworth Square for A and
Day Three
08.30
22
H
SUND
AY
Check out of hotel and depart for
De La Salle Palmerston Festival
09.00
De La Salle Palmerston Festival – all day
B fixtures v St Mary’s College
15.30
Tour Party lunch hosted by De La Salle Palmerston
11.00
Matches kick oﬀ
17.30
Depart De La Salle Palmerston
12.30
Transfer to Lunch (boys only) at
18.30
Check in at Dublin Airport
19.50
Depart Dublin Airport
21.05
Arrive Heathrow Airport Terminal 2
St Mary’s College, Rathmines
14.00
Depart Rathmines
14.30
Arrive at De La Salle Palmerston Clubhouse
15.00
Scotland v Ireland 6 Nations Game
17.00
Tour Dinner at Taylor’s Three Rock Hotel
19.30
De La Salle Palmerston parents collect
boys at Taylors for billeting
38
39
To everyone who helped:
Thanks so much
This Dublin tour is the result of
a lot of hard work. And of all the
things we’ve done over the years
- training days, tournaments,
festivals – this feels the most
communal. It seems like everybody
has contributed in some way to
making it happen. So I guess we can
all give ourselves a pat on the back.
We have received a huge amount
of help and support in terms of
assistance and funding from both
the professional and amateur arms
of London Irish with special thanks
due to Bob Casey, Michael Connole
and David Fitzgerald in particular.
40
It is only right though that we
give particular mention to a few
individuals who’ve gone above
and beyond to bring it about. Sean
Ryan, take a bow for the tour video.
Phil Sanders, fundraising maestro,
step forward and take a bow. Lis
Tribe, please let go your grip on
the finances so we can shake your
hand. Fiona Glyn-Jones, thanks for
sorting the flights. John Grimes,
cheers for fixing the itinerary. Bob
Strudwick and Martin Gammon, the
programme looks wonderful, very
professional. Julia Cooney, brilliant
job on the billeting. Gaynor Bailey
and Sharon Jones, fantastic eﬀort
getting the tour kit squared away.
John Gilligan and Trevor Burns for
getting tour visits set up through
their networks, thanks guys.
And everyone on tour, and a few
that have been left at home, who
have helped with the mammoth
fundraising task – a great
team eﬀort. Thank you all.
Special thanks go to our sponsors
Land Securities PLC, GSK and
Digital NI. Thanks also to Dan
Colgate at MOHR Solutions for
his continued sponsorship. Dan
has supported us for the last few
years and is a good friend to the
U12 age group. MOHR Solutions are
this year’s tour kit bag sponsor.
Go raibh maith agat Dan!
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tel 0203 303 0914 Skype
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