Promise of ‘champagne’ rugby at Houndogs game
ST Stephen’s Day will see the 43rd Houndogs charity rugby match in Rathdrum RFC with a 1.30 kick off.
This is the longest running charity fixture of its type in Ireland and always guarantees a great excuse to get out for some fresh air after the excesses of the previous day.
Old stories are recounted as players from all over county Wicklow and some further afield gather to take on the local club in a free flowing game of “champagne” rugby.
The fixture sees many ex Rathdrum players return to take on the club of their youth and this year will be no different with the Doyle brothers, Bakers and Paudie Geoghegan amongst others all set take the field at the Ivy Grounds.
Rathdrum, captained by Daniel Dowling have been slowly building up momentum and are looking forward to taking on the motley pack of dogs on the 26th.
Rumours emanating from Redcross have the Houndogs also enduring intense training in Jones bar, however sightings of rugby players howling at the moon are yet to be substantiated.
The Houndogs managed by the holy trinity of Eamon Healy, James Kavanagh and Stephen Sutton will have the evergreen Nigel Coffey to call on to bring experience (and increase the average age of the team by a good 30 years).
The Tice family will also be well represented with father and son both pulling on the Houndogs shirt again this year.
Refreshments will be available throughout the proceedings and following the match players and supporters will retire to the Coffin Shed in the Cartoon Inn for post match analysis, awards and a hearty bowl of the infamous chilli.
Charity buckets will be passed around with proceeds donated to local Rathdrum charities.