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KIERAN CAMPBELL
“HE HAS SERVEDWITH
DISTINCTION IN EVERY ROLE
TOWHICH HE HAS BEEN
ELECTED AND HAS MADE AN
OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION
TO RUGBY IN ULSTER OVER THE
LAST 60 YEARS”
SHANE LOGAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
ULSTER RUGBY
prize based on one of the last pair of boots worn by Willie
John McBride - for excelling in his work for junior rugby in
Ireland.
But for Ian there are three memories in particular which he
cherishes above all others.
“The first was taking on the role of club historian. I took
immense pleasure from researching the history of
Carrickfergus RFC, which included locating a minute book
from its establishment in 1865. This research contributed
to our 150th Anniversary Book, which was launched at a
Gala Ball in the Titanic Building with Brian O’Driscoll last
year.
“It was a wonderful event and a memory I will always
treasure,” he said, delighted to have chronicled the
history of the club he cherishes, and clearly pleased that
the evening the history was launched was decorated by
the presence of Ireland’s most accomplished player of
modern times.
“My second highlight has to be when Carrick became the
only junior team to ever reach an Ulster Senior Cup Final,
against Bangor at Ravenhill in 1982. We’d beaten four
senior teams that season and were unfortunate to lose to
Bangor in the final, but,” he adds with typical humility, “it
was an enjoyable occasion nonetheless.”
And what about the personal achievements and rewards?
Was here one to stand out? And Ian Beggs admits that
at the end of last month the news of his inclusion in the
Honours List was very special, though typically he links it
to his longstanding love affair with the club which made
him, at the tender age of 21, its secretary, and ultimately its
constant driving force.
“Yes, my final highlight would be receiving an MBE in the
New Year’s Honours List in December. The award is a very
fitting climax to Carrick’s 150th Anniversary celebrations,
and it’s just the icing on the cake. The whole of last year
was fantastic and this award is a fitting end to it all.”
And though at 81 he may have cast off some of the
vestiges of office Ian Beggs remains devoted to helping
rugby, and Carrickfergus RFC in particular.
“Everything I have done for Carrick RFC and the Ulster
Branch has been one big pleasure, and it doesn’t stop
here,” Ian insists. “I continue to offer my services to Bill
Crymble, President of Carrickfergus, and I will continue to
get the train down to Woodburn Road to watch a few big
games.
“I have made an unbelievable number of lifelong friends
and I look forward to receiving this accolade sometime in
the next seven months at either Buckingham Palace or at
Hillsborough Castle.”
To countless men and women in rugby in Ulster and
further afield Ian Beggs has been the wise font of
knowledge, and ‘the man who got things done’, and
they will have shared in his modest delight at his MBE.
Kingspan Stadium, and its professional players and its
similarly sleek and efficient administration, owe him and
his colleagues down many years so much.
Congratulations Ian – for a wonderful contribution, on
well-earned recognition, and for being a truly inspirational
ambassador for rugby volunteering in Ulster!