History

by The Rucker

Donegal Rugby Club was founded by Roy Irwin, Charlie McGinty and Alan Ramsey. These three now elderly gentlemen first met on 15 February 1973 with the official launching of the club taking place on the 22 May 1974. Canon Stewart was the first President, Roy Irwin and Alrick Thompson were elected Captain and Vice-Captain. John Hamilton was elected Secretary, Derek Little took the role of Treasurer. Other committee members were Charlie McGinty, Jack Ramsey, David Bustard, Pat Quinn and Niall Fitzpatrick. Club colors were red jersey, red socks and white togs. 

As younger members read this, they might think 'So What? It was no great achievement setting up a rugby club'. But it was a major accomplishment. There were a number of difficulties. On the finance side there was absolutely no money as we were starting from scratch. We had no ground and flat land is not plentiful in the Donegal Town area. One lady refused us permission to use her field as she heard rugby boots were bad for farmland. We had no changing facilities, never mind showers, which were rare even in private houses in the early 1970's. 

We changed in many places:- by the roadside, in the snooker rooms (where we were once burgled), in the GAA changing rooms, in the National Hotel where Omagh Rugby Club once succeeded in flooding the building.

We had no base and moved around constantly from the National Hotel, the Talk of the Town, Duffy's looked after the catering arrangements for a time, we then spent time in McCaffertys, The Central Hotel, Aodh O'Donnells and I'm sure I've missed a few venues

to be continued...