Ulster Rugby vs Connacht & Munster

wealth of experiences, opportunities and bonds which David has, with an undisguised relish, explored, taken and established Captaincy fitted like a glove, and in a remarkable seven successive years in the 80s Ulster went undefeated in 21 Inter-Provincials, then the most important representative competition. That 20 of those games were wins is simply astonishing in such a period of domination, and it seems somehow appropriate that the only draw in that improbably sequence was against Munster. But Dr David Irwin, on medical duty for the final time after 29 years, won’t willingly settle for a draw to open a new chapter in his life and a new year for his team. To understand even a little of the essence of the man a mere chronicle of his achievements as a player and doctor are inadequate. But it helps! Ireland’s call was answered with an A few other officials in a playing career which went on in to the early 1990s have managed to enrage this most intelligent of men, a sign perhaps that he believes most of all in a life lived fairly. Life and rugby, to be clear, should run on the same principled tracks. For eleven years he was a fixture in Ireland teams and squads, defying serious injuries to return to the green jersey, and so regarded as a player and captain that he was chosen to lead touring sides twice, only to be denied the honour by a niggling back problem. That opened the door to Willie Anderson taking on the mantle, Irwin his vice-captain, and what exploits they enjoyed! Who will ever forget that Lansdowne Road afternoon when the All Black Haka was challenged by the arm- in-arm march towards the Kiwis by an Ireland XV, Anderson, Irwin and McCoy to the fore? He’d line out for his country 25 times, and in 1983 he became a British and Irish Lion, touring New Zealand. The series was lost 4-0, impressive 1979 debut in a 19-18 defeat in the Parc des Princes, an atmospheric amphitheatre he admits is not replicated in Paris today. And, just in case you might imagine David Irwin might just possibly harbour an odd grudge, he still believes Ireland was denied a deserved victory by the referee that day.

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