RobertGunn Memorial Trophy

26^thDecember 2018

By Site Editor

What a wonderful St. Stephen day!

From shores far and wide and from all the towns lands nearby, Rugby boots were laced up, and Jerseys were donned eagerly, at 2;30 on St.Stephens day by players past & present for the inaugural Robert Gunn Memorial Trophy match, the Mullingar Exiles vs the Presidents XV held at Shay Murtagh Park. 

The occasion was anything but a sombre moment as we remembered our great friend and past president taken so suddenly this year but more, a celebration, as Robbie himself would have wished.

 The day started with a minutes silence as we recalled another Club stalwart Paschal Rock who passed away on the 23^rd, this was observed with great respect by the large attendance, no doubt our biggest of the season. 

Paul Ennis our Referee got matters underway and it was apparent early on that this was going to be a real contest! There was defiantly no quarter given nor was anyone going to have the luxury of just running off the Christmas Days excesses (hiding out on the wing as it were)No, this was going to be two (20 minute) halves played with intensity, at pace and with no lack of skill as one would expect in such an encounter. Rather than individually naming players for their contribution, lets just say everyone gave their all. Scrums were well contested, Line outs too. Scintillating back play also  kept the crowd entertained throughout the match, Rolling subs allowed for everyone to enjoy a good run and certainly give a few fond memories of their days in the Scarlet and Grey. 

It was the Exiles who came out guns blazing. To take what some expected was an unassailable lead only for the Presidents XV to haul it back in the second period for a grandstand finish Exiles 21 Presidents XV 17. The final whistle from was greeted with the largest applause heard at the Park for sometime, a measure of how much those in attendance enjoyed the Rugby. And the final act on the Pitch was for Robbie, as all those involved on the playing front, gave one last hurrah “Mullingar You F*****G Beauty” in memory of our dear friend.

ExilesTeam; Jamie Taffe, Niall Barrett (Captain), Kevin Smyth, Jimmy Geoghan, Ray Murphy, Daragh Gorman, Alex Moran, Andy Yeoman, Diarmuid Raleigh, Paddy Cooney, Eoghan Gantly, Chris Coyne, Damian Moran, Eoin Brady, Paul Smyth, Kyle Smyth, Shane Murray, Stephen Fagan, Donal Liddy, Bernard Brady, Gary Burke, Blaine Healy

Tries: Paddy Cooney (3)

Conversions: Paddy Cooney (3)

PresidentsXV Team; Ed Nally, Alex Mitic, Austin Raleigh, Daragh Gerathy, John Hughes, Sean Gunn (Captain), Tommy Gunn, Daryl Quinn (Club Captain), Cathal Burke, Robbie Allen, Shane Donnelly, James Wallace, Patrick Simpkin, Scott Hogan, Dara Daly, Paul Maxwell, Johnny Moran, Eoin McCormack, Eoin Moore, Sean Ennis.

Tries: Austin Raleigh, Sean Ennis, Paul Maxwell

Conversions: James Murphy

Afterwards everyone adjourned to the Club House for the presentations where many a glass was raised, in memory of Robbie but also many past greats of our Club.

The Jim Mahon Memorial Man of the Match Trophy was presented to Paddy Cooney of the Exiles for his superb performance by Jim’s daughter Laura Mahon.

The Gunn family presented the Robert Gunn Memorial Trophy to Exiles Captain, Niall Barrett.

Both beautiful Trophies were kindly sponsored by Ollie Foley, It’s important to add, that Ollie and Donal Coade both worked tirelessly to bring the entire day together and make it such a success, all very much appreciated by the Club. 

Finally through very generous donations €4000 was raised for Cancer Research on the day. Thank You!

One thing is for sure, Robbie’s big grin was on everyone’s mind, as we all know,  he “got a kick out of Wednesday”.