Photos, memories, matches and more as Sligo Rugby is 130
ON March 12th 2020 the IRFU announced the suspension of all domestic rugby, that was 130 days ago tomorrow, Wednesday 22nd July.
Given that Friday 13th is never a good day to start anything, Sligo Rugby Club PRO Jean McConnell launched a series of Most Memorable Moments on Facebook on Saturday the 14th of March.
The original idea was just an attempt to keep spirits up in those uncertain times and to get club members to root out old photos and share memories with others, however as the country went into lockdown, the Facebook series became the inspiration for a book, to celebrate 130 years of Sligo RFC and the club’s first year to win the Connacht Senior Cup and League.
Every day for the last 129 days, the club has published a memory on their Facebook page.
This promotional series will culminate tomorrow with the 130th and final post, one post for each year of the club’s 130 year existence.
The aim is then to gather as many memories as possible to tell the history of Sligo RFC through old photos and stories. It has been an incredible journey of discovery and a lot of former club members have now contacted the club and commented on the posts dating back to the founding of the club in 1890. There have only been photos and videos posted to date, but the club is looking for stories and accounts of memories people have had with Sligo RFC.
The 130 posts have provided the inspiration for the various chapters and categories within the book, which include the many firsts for the club; players getting their Irish caps and representative honours with Connacht, the developments within the club and the many locations that rugby was played before Hamilton Park became the home of rugby in the Northwest.
The various sections within the club, Juveniles, Youths, Seniors, all have their stories to tell and it is wonderful to already see so many photos of players from the past who are now the stalwarts of the club.
Club PRO Jean McConnell is spearheading the project and she is looking for more volunteers to join the committee to pull the publication together over the next few months. Anyone with an interest in researching newspaper archives or with experience in creating a publication like this, should contact Jean though the club Facebook page or email prosligorfc@gmail.com.
Jean said: “We would like to portray the history of the club through photos, but from the members’ perspective, which will include the many stories that accompany those photos. All members, supporters, sponsors and friends of Sligo RFC are invited to share their memories of the club through old photos or accounts and send them to 130yearsofsligorfc@ gmail.com. There are 130 posts on the club Facebook page since March 14th to give people an idea of what they are looking for.