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CARRICKFERGUS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
ESTABLISHED IN 1865 IS CELEBRATING ITS
150TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2015
The earliest record, so far, of a newspaper report
was in the Carrickfergus Advertiser, 2nd January
1885, when a 12 a-side match was played on
Christmas Day in a field off Woodburn Road.
Carrickfergus won by three goals to nil, the tries
being secured by J Carson, D Houston, and H
McFerran, and the goals kicked by J E Holmes.
According to the report ‘the play was very good
throughout on both sides. This was the first match of
the season, and we hope that it will not be the last of
this invigorating game.’
The Carrickfergus team is recorded as:
J E Holmes, J Jack (Captain), D Houston, J Carson,
J Shearer, H McFerran, A Holmes, R Mackey,
R Lattimore, W Carson, J Craig, J Logan.
The Schoolboys team:
F Armstrong, W Bathurst, W J McMillan,
A K Hamilton, J Sproull, H Donald W Meyers, J
Patrick, W Gibson, W McMaster, A Parker,
D Gillespie.
There were quite a few well-known local names on
both sides.
As the oldest junior club in Ulster and one of
the oldest in Ireland, celebrations have taken
place throughout the year, with a special 150th
Anniversary kit being worn during 2015.
The club was particularly proud to host the Junior
Ulster Inter-provincial fixture between Ulster v
Munster in May, during the Carrick Sevens weekend.
Events included a tour to West of Scotland in April,
with a return visit in August. West of Scotland also
having travelled here to mark the 125th Anniversary
of both clubs.
A Gala Dinner was held in June at the Titanic
Building, Belfast, with Brian O’Driscoll as the guest
of honour. This event also saw the launch of a
commemorative book celebrating 150 years of
Carrickfergus RFC.
Club President, Bill Crymble, said: “It is truly an
honour and privilege to serve as President of
Carrickfergus RFC during our 150th Anniversary.
The club we see today is a testimony to every single
member, past or present, all of whom have helped
shape Carrickfergus RFC into the club it is today. A
wonderful range of events has made 2015 a year to
remember as we celebrate our rich history, but we
must also focus on the future and the new chapters,
which our players and members will be a part of.”
A limited edition 144 page hardback book
‘A history of Carrickfergus Rugby Football
Club 1865-2015’ is available from the club,
priced £12.50.
Contact the club or email
CARRICKFERGUS RFC
It was probably in the mess room in Carrickfergus Castle, away back in
1865, where a group of army officers sat around the table and decided to
find a field somewhere and have a go at this new game called rugby.
A historyof
Carrickfergus
RugbyFootballClub
1865-2015