You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
CLUB & COMMUNITY<br />
Henry O’Toole of Connemara RFC<br />
was inaugurated as this year’s IRFU<br />
Boots Award winner at a function<br />
last Friday, 10th May at the Station<br />
House Hotel in Clifden.<br />
When the legendary Willie John<br />
McBride retired from playing rugby<br />
in 1980, one of the last matches he<br />
played in was against Arklow RFC.<br />
After the game, instead of hanging<br />
up his boots, he presented his<br />
famous footwear to the Arklow club<br />
as a memento of the occasion.<br />
In memory of Willie John’s<br />
outstanding contribution to Irish<br />
Rugby, and in particular to Junior<br />
Rugby, it was decided to honour “Mr.<br />
Boots” by presenting an annual award<br />
to a person who, in the opinion of the<br />
adjudicators, has rendered long and<br />
outstanding service to Junior Rugby<br />
in Ireland. A silver badge suitably<br />
inscribed, is presented to each year’s<br />
winner at a dinner.<br />
Dick Smyth of Thomond was the very<br />
first recipient in 1981. Forty more<br />
have followed in the footsteps of<br />
Dick Smyth, and Henry O’Toole of<br />
Connemara RFC is a most worthy<br />
successor.<br />
The Boots Award recognises Henry’s<br />
contribution and work in coaching<br />
and playing for Connemara RFC,<br />
playing for Corinthians and playing<br />
for Connacht in the 1980s and early<br />
1990s. He was a speedy full back,<br />
and played in a Final Irish trial in late<br />
1980s. Henry has also coached the<br />
Connacht Juniors.<br />
In 1985 at Lansdowne Road Connacht<br />
beat Leinster for the first time since<br />
1955 and Henry (who was a goal<br />
kicker in those days) scored all of<br />
Connacht’s nine points. The following<br />
season, he was in the Connacht side<br />
that defeated Munster in Thomond<br />
Park- Connacht’s first ever victory<br />
at the ground. Henry returned to his<br />
home club of Connemara RFC in the<br />
early 1990s and has played, coached<br />
and has volunteered at all levels<br />
since then.<br />
Congratulations to Henry on<br />
receiving this prestigious award – he<br />
has given extraordinary service not<br />
just to Connemara RFC, but also<br />
to both Connacht and Irish Rugby.<br />
Henry follows in a line of great<br />
Connacht winners such as Paddy<br />
Beatty (Our Lady’s Boys Club), Frank<br />
Petit (Creggs RFC), Padraic McGann<br />
(Monivea RFC), John Carr (Tuam<br />
RFC), Padraic Concarr (Monivea<br />
RFC), Adrian Leddy (Creggs RFC),<br />
Mick Grealish (Our Lady’s Boys Club)<br />
and John Martin (ARCB/University<br />
of Galway). It’s an illustrious club,<br />
some with us and others no longer,<br />
and it is an honour fully deserving of<br />
Henry’s contribution to the game.<br />
The national Boots Award Committee<br />
consists of Padraic McGann, Ross<br />
Workman and John West.