Recollections of the first rugby game to be played in Mayo

by Noel Campbell

The first game played by Castlebar Rugby Football Club took place in Pigeon Park on December 18, 1885.

The club had just been established, and the game preceded a club meeting at which the first committee was elected. There are no recorded details of the game.

However, at the committee meeting, it was agreed to hold a match between the club and a team chosen from among the British military in Castlebar.

That game took place on January 6, 1886, again in Pigeon Park, which was approximately where Scoil Raifteirí is situated today.

The following match report was published in The Connaught Telegraph on January 23, 1886.

It stated: "The match was played at Castlebar on Wednesday, 6th inst, and resulted in a win for Castlebar FC by three goals (Allshire) off, three tries Ruttledge (to nil).

"Considerable interest was manifest in the proceedings, and despite the fact that the ground was covered in snow, about four hundred persons were present.

"Play was announced to begin at 3.15 p.m., but it was not until 3.30 p.m. that a start was made.

"Jordan, having won the toss for Castlebar, elected to play with the sun at his back. Bent, captain for the Military, kicked off.

"Allshire picked up and passed smartly to Ruttledge who ran to the half-way line before being collared. Out of a loose scrimmage, the Military forced the ball to the home twenty-five when a long rolling kick sent the leather ball over the opposing goal line. Jordan touched down in self-defence.

"Up to this Castlebar had been playing three men short.

"Egan and Parsons came on the ground just as Jordan dropped out from the twenty-five yards post.

"The forwards following up and hard smothered the Military reply, scrummaging took place near their twenty-five, out of which Ruttledge got possession, and running through the opposing backs amidst great applause gained a try, which Allshire converted into a goal.

"Bent again starting kicked beyond the home twenty-five to Jordan, who racing fast past the Military forwards and dodging two of their backs, was not stopped until being shoved into touch within ten yards of the goal line.

"From the throw out, Bocock got possession, but was immediately collared by Flannelly. Scrummaging taking place, Egan came through in grand style, and touched the ball dead behind the goal line – the Military objecting on the ground that the ball was collared outside the line by Owens, and the referee ruling in their favour, the try was disallowed. Half time was soon after called.

"Egan initiated the second half by kicking off to Bent whose apply went into touch near the centre. Scrummaging followed the throw out, in which the Military evinced superiority and forced the ball into touch at the home twenty-five.

"Ruttledge bounded the ball out of touch, and ran through the whole opposing team, gaining a try amidst renewed applause.

"The place was again successfully taken by Allshire. Bent again kicked off, the forwards following up hard kept the ball beyond the home twenty-five until Allshire relieved the pressure by putting into touch at the centre.

"Loose scrummaging succeeded in which Knott and Gill, dribbling together, carried the ball over the line, and Ruttledge turning up again secured a try which was also converted by Allshire into a goal.

"For the remainder of the time the Military were hard pressed, and touched down in self defence.

"For the Military, Bent (half) was the mainstay of his side. Pullan (half), Bocock and Wilkinson (quarters), Owens and Clarke, forwards, worked hard, and, besides, those already mentioned, for the home team, Hosty (full back), Parsons, Cunningham, and Quinn played well.”

Teams

Castlebar – Full back Hosty. Halves, Ruttledge and Jordan. Quarters, Allshire and Knott. Forwards, A. Cunningham, Egan, Quinn, Parsons, Gill, Loftus, Flannelly, Lavelle, J. Cunningham.

Military – Full back, Morris. Halves, Best and Pullan. Quarters, Bocock and G. Wilkinson. Forwards, Clark, Wilkinson, O’Hara, Owens, Sullivan, Oliver, R. Wilkinson, Pickett, Furey, Smith.