UNKNOWN to many organisations, and individuals, the Local Studies Department in Newbridge Library is a virtual treasure trove of local history.
While on a quest for articles in the Naas Local History Group column the Kildare Nationalist I came across two, as-new, programmes from the Naas RFC 1979/80 season.
Both carry advertisements from local businesses and sponsors and for this alone they are invaluable – John O’Reilly, ‘The Ivy Inn’; Tommy Tougher, ‘Main Fiat Truck Dealer’; Kerrigans ‘Sportswear’; ‘Miley’s Fish,’ Prop Donal Fitzsimons. A lot has changed since 1978 and the Naas RFC telephone number alone, 045 9193, is proof of this.
Rugby football was played in Naas as far back as 1891 and according to the Kildare Observer of 1906, the town even had a quite good side then. Naas Rugby Football Club was founded in 1922 by three local sportsmen: Bill Osborne, Chris ‘Laddy’ Mooney and Michael Conway. The club quickly tasted success winning the Leinster Junior Cup in 1924. This team contained one player, Mark Deering, who gained International Honours in 1929 against Wales.
Naas achieved limited success in the 1950s but lost four Towns Cup finals in five years by the minimum score on each occasion. The early 1960s saw a decline in the fortunes of the club, but the following decade saw interest in rugby explode among the youth of Naas. The Club purchased ten-acres of grounds at Forenaughts, Naas, in 1974. A pavilion was built by Kevin McGoff – at a cost of in excess of £20,000 – and officially opened in 1978. It included an entertainment area, bar, dressing rooms, showers, kitchen and toilets.
For many years the club ran a disco on Saturday nights, where many a relationship was cemented. (This author was a barman there from 1988 -92.)
The club officers in 1979 were president, Joe Kavanagh; chairman, Donal Fitzsimons; treasurer, Michael Osborne; secretary, John Walsh; club captain, Joe Kavangh Jr; vice-captain, Seamus Lenehan.
On Saturday, 16 September 1978, Naas Rugby Football Club hosted a match between Naas President’s XV and Wolfhounds. It was the celebrated Wolfhounds’ second visit to Naas, having played, and beaten, Naas in 1971, 22 to 0. The Wolfhounds Rugby Football Club was founded in 1956 and came into being as a result of two exhibition matches organised by members of the original committee to help a new Leinster Club – Delvin. The original objectives were to popularise attacking rugby, by taking teams with a basis of international players to the country districts of Ireland and to give young Irish players an opportunity to play with established international players.
Naas RFC president, Joe Kavanagh, extended a “very hearty welcome to the Wolfhounds and hope that their second visit to Naas will be as memorable as their first. I am deeply indebted to our guest players and home players who have been totally committed to training for this match over the past two months. A special thanks to Mick Doyle who has put so much effort and work into the coaching of the side”. It was a memorable visit, though the final score, Naas President’s XV 0; Wolfhounds 16, was not perhaps an accurate reflection on the play. Late withdrawals of guests’ players weakened the local selection which faced a team with seven internationals.
The game was played before a good-sized attendance. A half-gale sweeping down the pitch created problems, especially for the visitors who had scored a fine 10-minute try. However, they failed to add to their lead by half-time. The wind favoured the Wolfhounds in the second half, but the fact that they did not build up the lead spoke volumes for the determination of the home side, which were unfortunate not to register a score. Paul McNaughton of Greystones scored both the Wolfhounds second half tries, which were converted by Daragh Coakley (UCD).
Best for the winners, who were not as impressive as they might have been, were their forwards, though only the French full-back Jean Louis Emperan being the only one to justify his reputation. Andy Ripley (England) and Fergus Slattery (Ireland) also had a good game. For the losers, guests George Shaw (until his retirement), Paul Prett, and John Courtney impressed most, while outstanding performances were witnessed from Naas players Joe Kavanagh (captain), John Walsh and Dave Headon, who came on in place of the injured Shaw.
Naas President’s XV
John Courtney (Curragh); Declan Quinn (Old Kilcullen); Eamonn Dunne (Naas); George Shaw (Old Belvedere); Joseph O’Reilly (Naas); Seamus Lenehan (Naas); Peter O’Connor (Palmerstown); John McManus (Naas); Joe Kavanagh (Naas) captain; Gerry Flood (Nth Kildare); John Walsh (Naas); Peter Gleeson (Curragh); Michael Browne (Blackrock); Paul Prett (Palmerstown); Joe Boyle (Naas). Subs: Kieran Morrin, Dave Headon, and Declan Morrin (all Naas). Coaches: Mick Doyle and John Kearns.