First league win for Arklow on emotional day
ARKLOW ROSCREA 28 7
EVERY club has their “to do” lists. This usually includes everything from making improvements to changing rooms, fund raising or developing an underage system.
Last Sunday, November 5, Arklow Rugby Club ticked off one major outstanding project that needed to be completed when they celebrated the life of the late Christopher Healy.
This was done by dedicating the newly-developed pitch to his memory ahead of the Arklow versus Roscrea game.
The regard for which the Healy family were held was very much evident with a packed clubhouse full of past and present members with many having travelled from far afield to be present.
On the day Christopher’s father and club trustee Chris spoke so eloquently and emotionally about Christopher and his involvement in the club that even the most hardened members struggled to fight back the tears.
Club president Mamie Louth commented “Christopher passed away in October 2014. As a Club we had always intended to honour his memory in the most appropriate way possible. But we wanted to do it right. To dedicate our new pitch to his memory felt perfect.”
The event was completed with an unveiling of a plaque by Jenny and Chris Healy to celebrate occasion followed by a minute’s applause by both teams ahead of the game.
Arklow RFC senior men’s team have had a tough start to the season with injuries and tough consecutive away fixtures making life very difficult.
However the emotion of the occasion clearly inspired the team to give a performance worthy of Christopher Healy’s memory - Richard Murphy scoring from the first minute followed by a brilliant team try from David Mulrooney after a sweeping backline move.
Micheal O’Scannail kept the scoreline ticking over with a penalty early in the second half. Then captain Charlie Louth led by example with another try followed by super forward try from Eamonn Quirke. Second row Jack Joyce then got in on the act with final try moments later.
The team insisted they would not let Christopher down on the day and true to their word they delivered. They travel to Birr with this Sunday with renewed confidence hoping to continue their return to winning form.