The ‘Old Boys’ of the Morris Rugby Corporation are Back in Town

The first trip a decade ago and the night of the pint-pulling master class. Members of the Morris Rugby Corporation on their first trip to Castleisland in January 2013. Publican, Paul Reese (left) pictured in Sheila Prendiville’s Bar and Grocery with locals and visitors from New Jersey. Included are: Séamus Brosnan, Tom Feury, Don Slade, Craig Chapman, Kieran Coffey, Mike Ryan, Denis Brosnan, Chris Walsh, David ‘Dauber’ Prendiville. ©Photograph: John Reidy 23-1-2013

Another event which had become a truly hardy annual in the calendar of the locality, before Covid, was the trip to Castleisland by the Munster Rugby supporters of the New Jersey based Morris Rugby Corporation.

Undaunted by this Friday’s 13^thdesignation on the calendar, the ‘old boys’ of the Stateside club will travel here and take on their counterparts at The Crageens on that evening.

Tenth Anniversary Trip

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of their first visit in 2013 and on that occasion the travelling party head count amounted to seven, namely: Castleisland native and US resident, Séamus Brosnan along with Tom Feury, Craig Chapman, Kieran Coffey, Don Slade, Mike Ryan and Chris Walsh.

Fill Away Yourself

Close to the end of that night one of the party of seven Americans called for six pints. Barman Paul Reese was inclined to relax after a long day behind the counter and he told the caller to fill away himself. He tried but found there’s a bit of a knack to filling porter.

Pub’s Chief Ambassador

The pub’s chief ambassador, David Dauber Prendiville stepped into the breach and gave a master class with four of the six pints and he handed two more glasses to one of the visitors and supervised – and the order was filled to perfection.

On landing in Dublin today, Thursday, they will head for Cobh via the Rock of Cashel.

On Friday morning they will meet at Brosnan’s in Cahernard for something warm – and it’s the home of their fellow club member and trip organiser, Séamus Brosnan.

Old Boys’ Clash

After the ‘old boys’ clash on Friday evening it’s off down the town to Browne’s for a get together. On Saturday the travelling party will be in Thomond Park to support their team before returning to Kerry and the Kingdom Greyhound Stadium and then returning to Castleisland for the night.

On Sunday it’s away to Dublin and trips to Guinness and Teeling’s and preparations for the flight back across the Atlantic for another year.

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