It has been our pleasure at Intouch Rugby to catch up with our friends in Donegal club Ballyshannon RFC. The welcome and rugby at the club has a distinguished history. In this feature we bring you a review of the entire club, mens, ladies, youth and history – enjoy
As you scroll down through the written history and video interviews on this page we hope that you leave with an appreciation for the rich history & exciting future of Ballyshannon RFC – ENJOY!
PART 1: History
Our rugby tradition is exemplified by the past games and names (although many are still very much present in an administrative and coaching role at the heart of the club) that make up the folklore and tales of almost every town in Ulster, because somewhere not very far away is a rugby club and nestled on the coast of Donegal in between Bundoran and Belleek at the very exit of Lough Erne into the Atlantic Ocean is the thriving town of Ballyshannon. Proud and distinguished gentleman & ladies plye their various trades in law, farming, accountancy, engineering and artisitic endeavours in a bustling community rife with rugby fervour! This incredibly scenic place is home to a rugby club once more on the up with a great history.
The beginnings were the same as almost every club and in a description of their founder Ian McDonald follows a sentiment which is shared by us all everywhere in the sport ………….”Rugby football in Ballyshannon was born out of the idealism and enthusiasm of the founder of the present club, Ian McDonald in 1979. He, like the great idealist, Mathew arnold in the 1830s, saw, in the sport, those lasting values which rugby players cherish, sportsmanship, gentlemanly behaviour, dedication…..” (exerpt from presidents welcome to the 7-a-side tournament of 1984.
In this interview Joe Flannery comments on his playing career at the club which gives you a real appreciation of the history of the club and the bond of brotherhood shared in rugby
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In 1984 the club held an annual 7 a side tournemant and the match programme for the day said the following “the tournament being staged on 14th April 1984 is very much a means of propagating the good name of Ballyshannon rugby club, and also spreading the good word “rugby in Ballysahnnon is alive and thriving”.
The 1983/4 season has been the best one yet for Ballyshannon RFC, from ending 1983 in the middle of the league placings, to being in the first three this season. With one game left against Shorts, promotion is more than a possibility and a win against Shorts will see Ballyshannon begin the slow ascent of the ladder to more competitive and higher class rugby football.
My thanks for this achievement goes to the captain Jim mcIntyre and his very capable team. The contribution made by Dessie Sheridan, Patsy Mcgovern and Brendan McDermott to this success had been considerable. In passing I wish Patsy McGovern a speedy recovery from his accident with a passing chainsaw!
A heartfelt thank you to our committee member, Tommy Martin, for his support during the season, culminating in his donation of a magnificent pair of fire dogs and irons, hand-made in solid brass, which enabled the club to raise £150. Thank you Tommy and good luck with your new business in Donegal Town.
Lastly I want to welcome our visiting teams, officials, guests and paassers by to Ballyshannon RFC’s second 7-a-side tournament. Thank you for making the effort, thank you for your support in the past and your pledged support in the future.
Gerry O’Dea
One of the players at that time who went on like so many to work at developing the club was Bear Mcdermott and he extolls the spirit of Ballyshannon in the following interview especially the out take at the end
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Catchin up with guys who played in those games was no different than talking to a rugby player today or a hundred years ago, the pride in the jersey and the enjoyment of the game are the same…. Eamon McInerney comments on captaining the side on a Forster Cup Run
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The rugby itself is at the heart of the club not to mention the great sense of gentlemanly conduct. Some of the sides over the years have done enormously well and John Murray (Solicitor) comments next on playing during that era:
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REFLECTIONS:
by Joe Flannery, Club Secretary 1984 (Treaurer 2011)
My first encounter with this club was in February 1980 when i had the honour of playing in their first ever game. I had been transfered in my job to nearby Bundoran and some wag told Ian McDonald that there was a new feller in Bundoran who used to play for Sligo.
I did play for Sligo but my career was a short one, starting as a raw recruit in season 76/77 and rising to senior ranks before the end of that year; and then to drop as quickly to junior status the next season. By 1979 i had retires, but sure one more match would do no harm anyway! Little was i to know then that those boots which i took from their retirement shelf for that match have yet to return to their resting place.
Our entry into the Ulster League in 1981/82 saw the club win 2 matches but still finish bottom club in Ulster. As we could’nt go any further down it was a natural assumption that we should start clibing from then on. that we did and the next season saw the club win six mathces and finish midway up the league ladder: I was captain that year even though i had hung up those boots in 1979.
During my year as captain I began to realise the problems which my predecessor had in trying to get 15 bodies in blue jerseys on to the pitch…..I tried frantically to contact guys by phone and beg them to play… a workmate would ask “How Many” and I would invarianbly remark “6 definite and 3/4 possibles”. thankfully in that season I was forced only to scratch one game.
As a player I like to reflect on those away matches and the fun we had. Most memorable was our great sing song in Belfast Hogh School with the “Gaelic” team showing us how to sing; our nil all draw with Holywood and the bus trip there and back. the brilliant victory against Grosvenor H.S., when after scouring the streets and houses of Ballyshannon we were forced to travel with 13 players. I have fond memories of those geagraphy lessons in the Market Yard and litening to instructions that all cars keep in convoy as we had only one map. Usually the convoy only lasted as fas as Belleek and it was rare that all cars arrived at a venure together.
I was tempted to write an article about my observations on a typical Saturday morning at 11am in the Market Yard. That was our designated departure point. to write such an article would fill this entire website. I could never figure out why only 3/4 players turned up at the appointed time of 11am and that it was laways noon before the convoy got on the road. In the hour from 11 til 12 the Cpatian frantically searched and often got fellas out of bed to make up a team.
Disciplinary Proceedings:
Another time, another please…..our rugby clubs No. 8 in 1984 was a hugh Welshamn, not unnaturally called Taffy had just been promoted to Corporal and had been elebrating! Whne Taffy eventually stumbled out of the club at 2am and woke averyone and ordered them to stay awake…. on fellow too exception and Taffy encouraged him to make a complaint…. the pair marched off to the guradsroom….. you’ve guessed? Yes the end product was predictable! taffy literally talked himself into the cells for the night, where Taffy stayed locked until morning…… A hugh undercover operation next day extracted Taffy from the cells, deleted the entry in the guradroom log, etc., and Taffy walked free, a walking tribute to that old rugby adage “It must ne terrible for people who don;t drink, because when they get up, that’s the best they’re going to feel all day.” The rugby club had a hastily sumoned Kangaroo court and to add to his problems Taffy was banned from the rugby club for a whole week!!!!
By Joe Flannery
After that story the time is appropriate to introduce legendary pub in Ballyshannon the amazing Fin McCools: And next Tasha the owner tells us all about it
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RAVENHILL AWAITS ERNE SIDE
History could be made by Ballyshannon RFC on Saturday when their I XV take on Bangor IVs at Rathmore in the semi-final of the Forster Cup 1992. it is a remarkable achievement for the side to be in the semi-final as this is their first season in the Intermediate grade,…….
In Ballyshannon, the Abbey Arts Centre provides a fantastic resource for Arts & Fundraising and next Moira (Centre manager) invites eveyone along
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To conclude the history section we bring you Shane Toolan who comments on rugby in Donegal, a lont term member of the Ballyshannon Shane reflects the understanding that all Ballyshannon RFC members have for rugby in their county
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PART 2:
The Ballyshannon Ladies RFC have burst onto the Ulster scene!
A season a go, the ladies team ceased @ Ballyshannon RFC. The dreams of a generation of Ballyshannon ladies both youth and seniors were dashed. They had tried so hard and it had not worked out. The few remaining ladies however broken hearted found themselves week by week and month by month more and more determined as Ireland won the Grand Slam and rugby was on the up, all that work that had gone in was not going to go to waste. Now out of nowhere the ladies have burst onto the Ulster Womens scene taking the development league by storm.
In a frank and revealing insight into the formation of the now hugely successful side we caught up with current team captain:
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Without fail the ladies train, twice a week, in all the weathers that the Atlantic ocean can throw at them. Practising all the time, ruck, maul, scrum, line out, pass, pass, pass, side step, tackle, break the game line ~ the basics of rugby. But there is something else there. Maybe its having seen the very very hardest time when the team disbanded, maybe that has made them appreciate each other more and the fact that they now have increasing numbers and ladies from all different sports like soccor, GAA, boxing all bringing their winning spirit to the table in a push to say we can play this game too, AND WE CAN WIN!
The pride and the passion of the ladies is indestructable, you can beat them back again and again and they will only grow stronger, bringing out a steely determination to improve their game. They understand the game and they always focus on their own game, Yvette Morrow expalins some of the ideas that they bring to play and in the front row:
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Our journey with them is not over but we were priveleged recently to get the chance to catch up with girls and interview them getting their side of the story and to also film and photogrpah them at a local darby against the old enemy Letterkenny RFC.
Lets begin with some interviews and then footage of them playing and finally some interviews that really capture the spirit of the ladies.
Technical ability and all the right positive focus. Bolstered by really good players. No wonder teams have found it hard to handle Ballyshannon Ladies.
The organising of the club is paramount to their success. They endeavour to bring a professional attitude to everything they do, and one of the organisers of this Katrina Dolan who plays Hooker for the Ladies team comments on loving rugby but also mucking in on the organising end
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The youth system at Ballyshannon ladies has brought up many gems of players and one is Danika Doherty, a natural athlete we caught up with her at the club, to find out what makes her tick
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Now we have the pleasure of presenting to you the ladies in action, below are special edited highlights of their recent game against Letterkenny. the first game the team have won!!!!!!! History has been made – enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Absolutely superb game. The newly regenerated Ballyshannon Ladies team played a superb game of rugby with the basics of tackling and rucking on show, great scrum and lineout. They conceded a try early in the match and their hearts went down for a few minutes but they worked their way back into the game, turning over ball, pack and backs alike worked themselves into the ground and came away with an historic victory, scoring tries and converting well to take the game. It was great to watch.
HIGHLIGHTS Of Play from Ballyshannon Ladies v Letterkenny Ladies:
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COACH & PARENT INTERVIEW:
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CLICK HERE for 63 Pictures
Then they did it again in there next game!!! AWESOME!
Sean Ogs Bar in Ballyshannon is and excellent spot to stop for a break, Morris McLaughlin Owner tells us why
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Ballyshannon RFC: Ladies I XV 27 v Malone Ladies I XV 5
Published: November 28, 2011
Posted in: Ballyshannon, Malone
Tags: 27, 5, Ballyshannon, I, Ladies, Malone, RFC, XV
The importance of a strong forward pack was never so obvious as in this game and with this in mind the next interview is with Clinton Morrow (forwards coach)
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Ballyshannon ladies recorded a great away win with two wins from two in the league after a great win in Belfast.
Well done to the Ladies team today who won their game against Malone in Belfast 27-5, try’s from Danika Doherty (2) Louise Healy (2) & Mairead Carty (1).
Many, many thanks to the generosity of the ladies team and the whole community who rallied together to make this feature possible.
We look forward to covering many more of their games.
To keep up to date with the club, check out their facebook page, CLICK HERE
Clubs are always keen to build commercial relationships with local businesses and in the course of compiling this feature Yvette Morrow (Prop Forward) became model for two photoshoots profiling the expert hair and beauty service in the town from FiFi’s Professional Make-Up & Beauty & Split Ends Unisex Hair Salon in the following pictures Yvette represents the extremely glamorous side to all Ladies Rugby players, in the pictures to the left are scenes from both locations:
Ballyshannon RFC pitches are located at The Lakeside Centre home to sports activity breaks, kayaking, sports, with conference suites and astro turf plaing pitches – and awesome facility and John O’Neill the centre manager expalins more
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A GREAT PLACE FOR FURNITURE, PAINT AND DIY PRODUCTS STOCKHOUSE MAIN ST BALLYSHANNON
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PART 3: Mens Senior Side:
Proud and immensely involved in their club the Ballyshannon Senior mens side are involved in a major transition in their club. A very influential coach was lost last season and having faced up to the reality of that, the team have grown more outward thinking. They now they can produce the like of Mark O’Shea now playing in Dungannon I XV! they know that the understanding of fixtures, the game, the nuances of interclub communications. From within their ranks they draw on all of this to battle with vigour against the tide of immegration, retirement, injury and all of the reasons why people should give up. But that is not the breed on the Atlantic coastline.
Here President Donal Hannigan comments on the position of the club right now:
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A trip to Ballyshannon should always be accompanied with some surfing, and Ritchie from Surfworld tells us why his Bundoran shop and school is perfect for anything you need & you might just bump into an ulster rugby player or Ireland player there
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At the start of this season they had 6 defeats in a row! Enough to break the spirit of any team. But then, the worm turned! The players became available and coach Gerry McIntyre new, we have a game on against Derry YMCA. they won it of course. the talented rugby players in the community fronted up and took the opposition on. They played out of their skins and produced the victory. It is those moments in the course of a season, when all seems lost, when 6 defeats in a row could lead to seven, eight, nine. It is at those moments that sides with the iron behind the velvet, dig deep and produce something special. It was no cup final, or league title that day….. IT WAS HONOUR, PRIDE IN THE JERSEY, SELF RESPECT, the difference between men and boys.
The words of their captain Ray Gallagher (Ray Is also Rugby Development Office for the region) sum up the reason why these guys play rugby,
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It is with great honour that we present to you Ballyshannon RFC I XV. what follows is a specially compiled highlights video of that game, and if you do nothing else but watch it, you will experience the sheer joy of the game
INTOUCH RUGBY TV PRESENTS: Ballyshannon Rugby ~ The Boys Are Back In Town: Awesome, tries, play conversions + Interview with Coach Gerry McIntyre & 231 Pictures
The line was drawn on a Saturday in November 2011, No more was the mantra, no more – this time we win! And they did it in style, finishing with Champagne rugby – but before the end and the blood sweat and tears, and the joy ….. before that was the basics. They could have lost it in the dying seconds, but as through the game, they disrupted, they defended, they counter rucked, they scrummaged they would not let the man past them…………….. vids of tries, play, conversions, pictures links and interview with head coach below, but first is No,8 & Son Of Donald Snr, Donald Jnr commenting on the club and game against Derry YM
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CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES
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Match report: Ballyshannon RFC vs Derry YMCA: a great game was played today up in derry. Ballyshannon fielded a strong side that proved superior against Derry. With great runs from Mark Rooney, David Hoey, Rian Trainor and Raymond Gallagher. The final score was 10 – 16 in favour of Shannon. The team had a new found hunger, that helped seal their victory, lead from the pack who were on top form after an impressive turn out at training. Overall it was an impressive display from a strong Shannon side, looking forward to their next game.
The history is secure and the mens team is a solid foundation that is being constantly added to by the diverse youth system, developing rugby across the district has been the work of everyone in the club. Knowing that graft will produce development will produce cup runs and league victories.
We salute you, against all the odds…….. YOU PREVAIL!
Donald Hannigan JNR
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PART 4: YOUTH RUGBY….
The future is blue and white – the future is Ballyshannon RFC. From Minis to U15s the club is finding it hard to cope with the demand for rugby from youth all over the region. On Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings the youngster develop their skills in an extremely professional set up on the latest 3G pitch at the Lakeside Centre. The ideals of the game are deloped bith in ability to play and in character. Willie John McBride once said that it is the job of a rugby club to develope young men. 
Those very same ideals that the first generation of players in 1979 brought to the club are now being instilled in a new generation.
It just so happens that they are excellent rugby players aswell. The numbers have swelled massively as head coach Shane Roper comments
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The club also benefits enormpously from a past player who has put seemingly boundless energy and time into development of rugby and coaching, not to mention every other role in the club. Legend Frankie O’Donnell is heavily involved this season in the youth set up, but there is hardly a single game across the whole club that he does not attend. It is invaluable to the youth to have such a developed rugby brain on hand, and we managed to catch up with him after one of the ladies games, he said
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Similarly James O’Donnell is instrumental in the development and coaching of a thriving mini section who recently hosted 140! mini players from across the county. Getting the ball into the hands of youngsters as early as possible will develop players so that the sport in Ireland can become the best in the world. It is exactly the work of James and all the people in every club who give their time free of charge to the sport. James was available for comment, he said
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Now, lets let the youth speak for themselves. Polite courteous and having enormous fun playing their rugby, all the youth and minis at Ballyshannon have a serious pride in the jersey. It is fitting that one of the original players at the club whos comments earlier illuminated the history section, next is John Murray JNR who comments on the U15 XV followed by the U13s & U15s saying it their way.
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GO BALLYSHANNON RFC
U15s Tell Us what they think of their team
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U13s Tell Us what they think of their team
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The compiling of this feature has been a journey that has developed friendships. That is waht rugby is about. So if you live near Ballyshannon and want to get the boots back on, or have children who you want ot benefit from the character, social building experience, and the benfits of excercise in a safe environment, do not hesitate to contact ballyshannon RFC through their facebook page CLICK HERE
With a Ladies, Mens, Youth & Minis structure there is a place for everyone, wether it son the pitch or in the back office administration side.
A warm rugby welcome awaits.
Many Many thanks to everyone in Ballyshannon who has made this feature possible. We look forward to many, many more great times……… TBC
