50 years in the making - Carrick-on-Shannon RFC prepares to celebrate milestone anniversary

“From a group of locals gathering in the County Hotel in 1974 to today’s thriving club of nearly 500 members, Carrick on Shannon Rugby Club has always been about community, resilience, and ambition,” says club president Stephen King, as the club prepares to mark its golden jubilee next month.

As part of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations which includes a Gala Dinner on October 10, the club is putting together a rich archive of its history - old photographs, yellow jerseyed memories, and even video recorded stories from founding members. 

“It’s been fantastic to sit down with the people who first pulled on the Carrick jersey, and to hear them laugh about muddy pitches, long car journeys, and our very first matches,” King remarked.

Founded as East Connacht RFC, the club’s first outing in Athlone was a heavy defeat, but that didn’t dent the determination of a squad drawn from Gardaí, prison staff, forestry workers, and soldiers stationed in the South Leitrim  North Roscommon area. In the 1980s, the club rebranded as Carrick on Shannon RFC and earned the nickname “The Yellow Bellies”. After a few rough years dominated by emigration the club was forced to fold for a period in the 1990s.

However the spirit never disappeared. The flame was reignited in 2005, when former members rallied together, backed by then-Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan. Since then, Carrick has grown into a club that now boasts minis, youth, senior, and even girls’ rugby teams, making it a true rugby home for all ages.

Long-serving club stalwart Peter Layden (RIP) played a key role in securing permanent grounds on Castlecarra Road in 2023, with work already underway on expanded pitches & parking while there are also plans for a clubhouse in the next few years. 

Recognition has followed too both on and off the pitch - the club scooped the Club of the Year at the Leitrim Sports Awards earlier this year, and its underage teams continue to shine, with names like Shane Layden, Gerard Murtagh and Diarmaid O’Connell already flying the Carrick flag on bigger stages.

To mark the journey, the club will host a 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner on Friday, October 10, in the Landmark Hotel. On the night, the newly-assembled archive will be on display, offering members and supporters a chance to walk through half a century of highs, lows, and unforgettable moments.

“Rugby has always had to fight for space here in the northwest, but our story proves what a determined community can achieve,” says King. “The Gala Dinner isn’t just about the past - it’s about looking forward to the next 50 years.”

Tickets for the Gala Dinner can be purchased online at www.carrickrugby club.ie - demand is high and sales will close on September 26, if not sold out before that. 

The Club has already started to release snippets of the recorded interviews with founding members on the Club Social Media channels so make sure to check them out for a taste of what to expect on the night.

The Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Juvenile team who took on Longford in a juvenile game in 1982. (Back, from left) John Campbell, Brendan Dee, Adrian Harman, Barry Gilsenan, Joseph Duffy, Brian Hennelly, Niall Keely, Peter Lowe, Derek Nolan, Padraig Cullen, Alan Burke & Kevin Gately. (Front) Adrian Newcombe, Adrian McKeon, Ivan Keaney, Seamus Harney, Andrew Flynn, Enda McWeeney, John Newcombe, Peadar Griffin, Fergal McElgunn & David Phelan

SENIORS OPEN SEASON WITH LOSS

In their first start of the season Carrick Senior Men's team travelled to Loughrea for their Connacht Curley Cup fixture. 

With a small squad and a number of new players, the Carrick team put in an encouraging display.

Loughrea though were well drilled and in a scrappy affair while Carrick did score three tries they conceded seven in losing on a scoreline of 43-19.

U14/13

The U14s and U13s made a hugely beneficial trip down to Longford last Sunday for two pre-season friendlies. 

Both games were competitive against solid opposition in Longford with both games being played on the two pitches side by side so plenty to keep the large travelling Carrick support busy no matter which way they turned.

Really super effort by both Carrick teams with the management giving all players a run out over the course of the games. Great to see our U13s taking the win in their first game in the step up to Youths Rugby.