Annual Awards Night 2006

Players past and present and a number of special guests gathered at ALSAA last Friday evening for the first annual Swords Rugby Club awards night.
Following on from the club's first season under its new banner, the awards were a fine way to reflect on a positive first year and to look forward to more successful times ahead.

New club President, Richie Cowman, got the event under way by welcoming everyone, before handing out the first award of the evening. The First team Player of the Year award went to flanker, Joe Fitzachary, who once more had an outstanding season. Unfortunately, Joe was not in attendance to pick up his award and it was collected by his backrow colleague Shane Mulligan in his absence. Emmet O¹Donnell received the Second team Player of the Year award, a fine achievement in his first season with the club. The loose forward will be looking to take his good form onto the First team panel next season.

Next came a number of presentations to some of the club¹s most loyal servants, John Bacon and Stephen Kennedy. Both have been on the club¹s committee for many years and President Cowman thanked them for their contributions.

The President then handed over to club stalwart Tom Egan to introduce the special guest on the night, David McHugh. David had been captain of the club in the 1970¹s when it played under the Aer Lingus banner, before he went on to become an renowned international referee. Tom thanked him for making the journey up from Cork for the special night and invited him to say a few words. All in attendance were in stitches as the former ref shared some memorable refereeing stories, including one about the famous incident where he was attacked by a player in South Africa. David also recalled some of his experiences with the Lions team, whom he travelled to New Zealand last summer with as a technical advisor. He presented the club with the jersey he wore officiating in his last Five Nations match and in turn he was given a Swords RFC shirt.

A signed Connacht jersey was also presented to the club by former member and current interprovincial prop, AJ Clarke. AJ was unable to attend on the night but sent his best wishes for the season ahead. There was a special word of thanks for club member Jim Murnane, who had earlier framed the shirts that were presented. With the awards complete, Tom wished the President a successful tenure and the players a successful season. He also gave a warm welcome back to returning coach Tony Lawless, who takes up the reigns this month. The crew then enjoyed a night's festivities at the ALSAA venue, before moving onto the Old Boro Pub in Swords, the official club sponsor.