Local rugby club gears up for golden jubilee
The Carrick-on-Shannon RFC team against Longford in 1982. Back row (l-r): John Campbell, Brendan Dee, Adrian Harman, Barry Gilsenan, Joseph Duffy, Brian Hennelly, Niall Keely, Peter Lowe, Derek Nolan, Padraig Cullen, Alan Burke and Kevin Gately. Front row (l-r): Adrian Newcombe, Adrian McKeon, Ivan Keaney, Seamus Harney, Andrew Flynn, Enda McWeeney, John Newcombe, Peadar Griffin, Fergal McElgunn and David Phelan.
“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,” highlights Club President, Stephen King, as the club prepares to mark its golden jubilee.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the club is putting together a rich archive of its history — old photographs, yellow-jersey memories, and even video-recorded stories from founding members.
“It has 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 resulted in 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 Castlecara Road in 2023. Work is already underway on expanded pitches and 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 Laydon, 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 10th, in the Landmark Hotel, Carrick-on-Shannon. 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,” pointed out King.
“The Gala Dinner isn’t just about the past — it’s about looking forward to the next 50 years,” he vowed.
Tickets for the Gala Dinner can be purchased online at www.carrickrugbyclub.ie. Demand is high and sales will close on September 26th, if not sold out before that.
The club has already started to release snippets of the recorded interviews with founding members on its social media channels, so make sure to check them out for a preview of what to expect on the night.
