DONAGHADEE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB 1885-2010
Those interested in rugby football, and especially those who follow the fortunes of Donaghadee RFC, may be well up to date with the fact that the 21st August 2010 has been chosen for the formal opening of the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of its 1885 formation.
Perhaps this celebration year does not arouse the same instant attention as a centenary usually does, but by definition such events only come around every 100 years, and many of Donaghadee RFC’s players, members and supporters were not even born in 1985. One hundred and twenty-five years is a very long time; put bluntly it is statistically 50 years longer than half the population can expect to live!
The seaside club have no intention of ignoring the celebration of a sporting existence that has survived many years longer than a clutch of clubs playing with all shapes of footballs which for a variety of reasons could not be sustained. DRFC is, of course, not uniquely old, but still considers its one and a quarter centuries worth marking. No disrespect whatever to other sports clubs, but it is by some distance the oldest sports club in Donaghadee, and its members intend to keep it that way for many years to come.
At the club’s Newtownards Road ground that has been its home right through its long existence, there will be a celebration game to kick off the season at 2.30pm on Saturday (21 Aug). On the same evening at the very same Donaldson Park there will be a grand dinner. There may be one or two tickets left, so if you wish to be there contact a club Council member.
More usual fixtures follow this Saturday’s. Next up at Donaldson Park will be Letterkenny in a friendly on 28 August followed by the first league game of the new season against Enniskillen. If these guys can make the trip from Fermanagh, maybe you can make your short journey too.
