‘Just to be playing rugby in west Kerry is amazing’
After leaving England for the Kingdom 46 years ago, John Holstead tells Daragh Small how rugby is thriving in this beautiful place
EVERY season that the club survives is a blessing, according to President John Holstead, but Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne in west Kerry looks to be on the road to even bigger and better things again in 2018-19. Based in the Dingle peninsula, they have a bright future. The fact that the club are on the verge of purchasing their own ground shows that they have the support to move forward and compete in the province. Darragh Fitzgerald is leading the way for the club and the Munster underage tighthead prospect looks to be heading towards his own new beginning at UCC this season. But people like Holstead are determined that he won’t be the only Kingdom prospect to make it big in the game. “Darragh plays with the Munster U-19s and was first choice for all of the inter-pros as well. He is a smashing lad, he came right through all of the age-groups here, from being a small kid to now,” said Holstead. “There was great dedication from his parents driving him here, there and everywhere. He is a great player but the downside of him doing so well is that we won’t have him anymore, he is going to college now and will be in UCC. “He will always come back to the club and he is great for the young kids around the place here. He is a big inspiration for those guys and they will hopefully look to follow in his footsteps.” But those young rugby players are showing their own potential now, and the great structures that Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne have put in place in their short existence is reaping dividends in every age-group, young and old. “The club has definitely grown since I arrived here. The adult team is playing J1 rugby now in Division 3 in Munster, and they are holding their own there against some very good teams. We have a good underage section too and that’s huge. We have a very good U-14 side,” said Holstead. “Underage teams are always very cyclical and any junior club will tell you that. They would have been good at U-10, U-12 and U-14s. You get these good guys. We have a very good coach as well, Paddy Fenton is his name. “But the young lads just enjoy rugby. Rugby is a great game to play and once they get started they are hooked on it. Parents seem to like it here too and that helps as well. We are a very friendly club in general. “We have got blitzes and all of the parents chip in for those. We have barbecues and they are big days, big social occasions for us, and they help to bring people in all of the time.
Battle
“There are lots of people who have worked hard down through the years to keep it going. It has not been easy all of the time. It’s a battle to keep everything going the whole time. But we are doing quite well at the moment.” Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne was formed back in 1999 and even though they are yet to reach their 20th anniversary, they have already starred on TV, when they were featured prior to the 2015 Rugby World Cup. That promotional video was a great advertisement for the stunning landscape that surrounds An Carraig, the home of Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne. It’s one of the most picturesque locations in all of Ireland. And you expect nothing less when you come here. “It really is a beautiful ground. The lads were on the RWC bid advert. You can see the Blasket Islands from our ground, and the next stop is America. It really is beautiful,” said Holstead. “But on a cold February, with the rain lashing down and a westerly gale you would know all about it!” Holstead has been living in Ireland for 46 years now. He was born and raised in the city of Wakefield in West Yorkshire. Rugby League was his first love, and rugby was the only sport for him growing up. “When I was growing up, every school in the city played rugby. There was no soccer played whatsoever. I took a pair of rugby boots with me on my first day of primary school, which was almost part of the uniform,” said Holstead. He played rugby between Yorkshire and Lancashire before he went on his travels, and eventually ended up back in Ireland, where he has been ever since. “I played all through my school years and then shortly after that I became a Marine Engineer and I spent my life on large oil tankers all over the world. It’s great to be back involved in rugby again,” he continued. “One of the first involvements with
When I was growing up, every school in the city played rugby. There was no soccer played whatsoever
the club was with the U-14 and U-16s, I had to accompany them to Toulouse. If I had any sense I would have run away but I didn’t and I am still here. Now I have been over to Wales and England. “Our senior team went across the water to a sevens competition which they won, and they won the prize for the best dressed and the prize for the most social club!” Holstead went on to coach various underage sides at Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne before he took on more senior roles in the committee and was elected president of the club. “Owning our own grounds is a big thing. We have applications in for an IRFU loan. It’s not going to be a big loan but the fundraising will continue too,” said Holstead. “But to be playing rugby at all
in west Kerry is amazing. When I first heard there was a rugby club I couldn’t believe it. I’m originally from the north of England, a very rugby country. “I went back and got roped in. But I am very proud just because we exist and we continue to exist, and we are thriving. That is a success in itself. “All I want is that next year the club is still going, and the year after that and the year after that.”