CLUB SCENE: MY CLUB
By DAIRE WALSH
NAAS RFC
Forenaughts,
Tipper East,
Naas,
Co Kildare
OVER a busy last weekend for Irish rugby, there is one result that should not go unnoticed. At Dubarry Park last Friday night, the Ireland Club XV selection secured a 26-23 victory over their Scottish counterparts.
Former Munster and Emerging Ireland back and current Naas player-coach Johne Murphy is assistant coach of the Ireland Club international side, while three of his Naas club-mates are part of the Irish squad.
Back rower Paulie Tolofua was the only player to get game-time against the Scotland Clubs team, but Naas RFC fixtures secretary Robert Brickell acknowledged that it is still a great honour to see so many players from the Ulster Bank League Division 1B club involved in the national set-up.
“The club team were out last weekend, and one of our guys was lucky enough to make the cut for the squad. Paulie Tolofua, who was on the bench,” explained Brickell. “We had two other lads that didn’t make the final squad that have been sort of training with them as well. Peter Osborne and Fionn Higgins.”
In addition to his official role within the club, Brickell is in charge of registrations and memberships. He has also spent time as underage coach in Naas, where he helped to oversee the development of a host of current provincial stars.
“I would have coached (Leinster and Ireland winger) Adam Byrne for a little while when he was in the club. He would have taken up rugby at Under-14 or so in the club. Then another guy, he made his debut for Leinster last weekend, (promising prop) Adam Coyle. He’s playing with St Mary’s in Division 1A this year. He would have played all his rugby in Naas up until last season.
“James Connolly, in the Connacht set-up, would have been a neighbour of mine initially. Before he moved down to Caragh. He would have been the same age as my son. James played his mini rugby in Naas.”
However, the most famous player to represent Naas in the professional era is Jamie Heaslip, who just this week announced his retirement following an ongoing problem with his lower back.
The multi-title winning Leinster, Ireland and Lions number 8 is a native of the south Kildare town and has maintained a strong affiliation with the club ever since.
Brickell added: “Jamie would have come in as a minis player and then he would have gone on to Newbridge College. Obviously all his friends that he would have played rugby with are in Naas. He would have still maintained contact with them. Once he was in Newbridge College then, I think he went to Trinity and he affiliated to Clontarf for a while.
“We managed to get him to transfer back to Naas, even though he never actually played with the club from a senior side of things. Every now and again he might stick the head down. Obviously he has a bit more free time these days now, so maybe we might see a bit more of him hopefully!”