Ardee’s new rugby ground opens

September 1987

EAMON Duffy’s North East rugby selection really put it up to their more illustrious Skerries rivals when going under by just a point (109) in a challenge match which opened the new rugby grounds at Townparks, Ardee.

Skerries, the first senior side to play in Ardee, fielded a strong side against North East which contained a number of players from Dundalk’s fine Town’s Cup team of last season.

The first 20 minutes produced some fine defensive rugby with North East out half, Gerry O’Hara very steady underneath his own posts.

It was O’Hara with a penalty chance who almost put North East ahead, his kick just dropping short of the posts. Earlier Garth O’Connor pulled two similar attempts well wide of the mark.

Finally the Skerries strength began to tell and it was from a ruck beneath the North East posts that Tom Brennan broke free to go over for the opening score.

A penalty against Bill Mulcahy enabled Gerry O’Hara to open their account in the 45th minute and four minutes later the speedy full back, Paul Woods and scrum half, John McCabe, combined well with Robert Shackleton to create another penalty opportunity, this time slotted over by O’Hare from 35 yards.

Gary Downey at left wing was one of North East’s more accomplished players, steady under the ‘Garryowen’ and willing to run the ball at the first opportunity. P. Woods, Gerry O’Hara, John McCabe at scrum half, Barry Roche, working well in the ruck and T. McDermott also worked hard.

North East: P. Woods, D. McCabe, R. Kelly, B. McEntee, G. Downey, G. O’Hara, J. McCabe, J. McKevitt, F. Murphy, C. Dolan, J. Martin, B. Roche, P. Brady, T. McDermott. R. Shackleton.