LETTERKENNY RUGBY CLUB, Ramelton and Donegal will tomorrow celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the All Blacks’ visit.
On November 9, 2005, a party of All Blacks led by captain Tana Umaga, visited the then undeveloped sports grounds at Letterkenny Rugby Club and named the rugby club’s pitches after Dave Gallaher, who was Rameltonborn and became New Zealand’s first ever rugby captain.
The visit, including a pilgrimage to Gallaher’s birthplace in the nearby village of Ramelton made headlines all over the world, and the club are very proud 10 years on that a ground worthy of their famous patron Dave Gallagher has been developed.
The late, great, Jerry Collins who officially named the Dave Gallaher Memorial Park in 2005. Collins and his wife Alana Madill were tragically killed in June following a road traffic accident
The New Zealand Rugby Union president travelled to Ireland to view the new €1,500,000 pitch and clubhouse development that Letterkenny Rugby Club and the Letterkenny Gaels had undertaken.
Legendary former All Black Bryan Williams unveiled a plaque in Dave Gallaher Park to officially open the shared rugby/Letterkenny Gaels GAA facility that is now one of the finest sports facilities in Ireland.
Born in the village of Ramelton, five miles from Letterkenny, Dave Gallaher emigrated to New Zealand with his family as a boy. He became the first man to captain a team referred to as All Blacks in 1905 and is credited with helping make rugby the national sport of New Zealand.
‘The Donegal All Black’ promo, courtesy of Setanta Sports
https://wwwyoutube.com/watch?v=OvoAwdbFDM0&feature=youtu.be
“Since the All Blacks left us 10 years ago, we have been working tirelessly to make the most of the legacy the All Black’s gave us. A new under-age structure exists within our club now and many of these young players were inspired to take up the game by our New Zealand connection.” Denis Faulkner, Charirman of Letterkenny Rugby Club said.
“We are dedicated to continue to develop the clubs offering of the game and our facilities and remembering 10 years on we see that this historic visit has been instrumental to the personal & sporting development of all age groups and members young and old within our club.
“We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our main sponsors, Kelly’s Toyota and all of our sponsors for their continued support for the club and with their help we can continue to deliver first class Rugby games and facilities for our players, members, sponsors and our visitors.”
The All Blacks last week remembered the late Collins when they returned from England with the Rugby World Cup
Happy belated bday to our fallen uso.We love you JCterminator ??@SonnyBWilliams@LiamMessam@DanCarter@jeromekainopic.twitter.com/GDS3LkQrGH
— Ma’a Nonu (@maavelous) November 5, 2015
Here’s a slideshow of that famous day 10 years ago …
Letterkenny Rugby Club in association with main sponsor Kelly’s Toyota, Port Rd., Letterkenny.
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