Ulster Rugby Support for Mayo

[Any craic]

I don't know if this has been in the media but Ulster rugby player Declan Fitzpatrick will be shouting for Mayo on Sunday. It's a good story in that he was born in Birmingham, played for St Brendan's up to the age of 18, seems to have been a very good player, went to the Feile in Ireland and won it in Ballybofey, he says he really misses the game and has parents from the West. Coincidentally he'll be playing in Galway on Saturday night for Ulster.

[LilySavage]

Amazing

[Any craic]

Ah now, it's a good 'crossing the sporting boundaries' story which you don't see too often in the North.

[Jinxy]

Never heard of him.

[Any craic]

He's an Irish international

[Crete Boom]

 I think his parents are from Mayo. He was set to sign for Connacht from Newcastle but the IRFU stepped in and wanted him to go to Ulster as they had a shortage of Irish qualified tight head props which in the overall scheme of things was the right move. He is a talented prop but injuries have plagued him over the last 18 months. If fit though he would be second behind Mike Ross for Ireland.

[Harold Disgracey]

Ah now, it's a good 'crossing the sporting boundaries' story which you don't see too often in the North.

I played in a charity 'game of two halves' last week for Portadown Tír na nÓg against Portadown Rugby Club last Saturday at Chambers Park. It was good craic and raised nearly £4k for Craigavon Cardiac Care. I believe there is a coach load of rugby boys going to our championship match in the Athletic Grounds tonight. I don't think this would have been possible a few years ago. I was sore last Sunday though!

[Crete Boom]

Ah now, it's a good 'crossing the sporting boundaries' story which you don't see too often in the North.

I played in a charity 'game of two halves' last week for Portadown Tír na nÓg against Portadown Rugby Club last Saturday at Chambers Park. It was good craic and raised nearly £4k for Craigavon Cardiac Care. I believe there is a coach load of rugby boys going to our championship match in the Athletic Grounds tonight. I don't think this would have been possible a few years ago. I was sore last Sunday though!

I know of a lot of parents from the rugby franternity in Ulster are now sending their kids to Gaa clubs during the summer because the improvement in their handling skills and ability to evade tackles at pace is greatly improved by playing football and hurling.

[Jinxy]

I'm sure it doesn't do their rugby tackling skills any harm either.

[Crete Boom]

I'm sure it doesn't do their rugby tackling skills any harm either.

Is that a tip of your cap to the bould Mickey Harte Jinxy

[T Fearon]

In Portadown , of all places, the local Rugby Club and GAA club, combined to have a day of festivities last Saturday, to honour a deceased person, who was a member of both clubs. This included a mixed code game. You see, civilisation is never too far away from anywhere in the North!

[T Fearon]

Sorry Harold, didn't see your post.

[rosnarun]

In Portadown , of all places, the local Rugby Club and GAA club, combined to have a day of festivities last Saturday, to honour a deceased person, who was a member of both clubs. This included a mixed code game. You see, civilisation is never too far away from anywhere in the North!

in fairness you well to keep it hidden though

[Applesisapples]

In Portadown , of all places, the local Rugby Club and GAA club, combined to have a day of festivities last Saturday, to honour a deceased person, who was a member of both clubs. This included a mixed code game. You see, civilisation is never too far away from anywhere in the North!

Tony/Harold get the lads from Jameson's and Portadown FC involved and then you can call it truely Cross community.

[T Fearon]

lol! My sister in law's (from Navan) parents were up once and not being too au fait with the lie of the land, partook of lunch in Jamesons. First class experience they said!