Last Friday night was the Annual President`s Dinner at Ballyclare Rugby Club and was the best attended ever with ninety-six members and guests present. Ian Morrow was on hand to welcome everyone to what is the best function of the season.The catering was in the capable hands of chef Jeff Baird who is Ian`s son in law and the serving and table organisation was controlled by Marian Morrow,President Ian`s wife assisted by several girls .The dinner certainly differed from the norm as the main course was based on a hog roast and proved very popular.
You will find pictures just below and at the bottom of the article interviews with Peter Caldwell who shares the history of the night with us, which started in 1978, also an interview with Ian Morrow the current President of Ballyclare Rugby Club, and the famous Ronnie Lamont an Irish internationa & Lion in his day and a long adopted son of Ballyclare Rugby
Photos CLICK HERE
More Photos CLICK HERE courtesy of www.glenophoto.com
The President`s Night at the Clare club is fairly unique in Ulster rugby and the idea came to fruition back in 1977 in the former Clareview clubhouse when the club President was Martin Armour. At that function there were only a couple of dozen present but they did include Jack Kyle and Noel Henderson. The idea of a President`s night was to entertain fellow Presidents or their representatives from clubs who were closely connected with the White Hare men. Over the years it has continued to grow in popularity among both guests and members. On Friday night over a dozen fellow clubs were represented including Antrim,Randalstown,Larne,Ophir,Ballymena,Portadown,Lisburn,Armagh,Ballymoney,Academy,Malone and Clogher Valley. The Ulster Branch was represented by Davy Boyd whoyears ago was involved at youth level at the Clare club and there were also representatives from Ballyclare Ladies Hockey Club,Templepatrick Cricket Club and the 1stXV team sponsors. Another feature of the function is the absence of formal speeches but anyone who can tell a yarn is particularly welcome. Among those who did speak were President Ian Morrow, Chris Coburn (former 1st XV captain),Paul Morrow (another past 1st XV skipper), Jim Finlay (Clogher Valley R.F.C.), George McClure (a former President and 1st XV captain) and Alastair Lindsay (club Chairman).
Speaking afterwards Ian Morrow said it had been a very successful and enjoyable evening and thanked all those who had helped out notably club secretary Gary Ashe and Bar Convenor Geoff Eakin.
Unfortunately all matches were off on Saturday including Under 19 Ulster League semi-final play-off v Malone; 2ndXV away to Clogher and 3rdXV away to Harlequins.
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