This was a "Bish" rugby team of 1952. They used to play an annual game at Christmas every year against "The Exiles": Galway fellows who were away at different boarding schools, such as Clongowes or Mungret, Castleknock etc. The game was always played in the Sportsground.
Back Row, Left to Right: Frank Flaherty, Gerry O'Connor, Tom Hartigan, Frank Walshe, Michael Newell, Michael Deacy, Dom Maloney and Mick Holland (Referee).
Second Row: Eamonn Hallinan, Tony O'Connor, Tom Killeen, Mick Heaslip, Gay Silke and Michael Neville. In front are Mickey Burke and Noel Carpenter.
Three years after this photograph was taken, Our Lady's Boys Club formed a rugby club, and this year they are celebrating their 50th anniversary with a dinner in the Radisson Hotel on June 5th, with special guests on the night, Eric Ellwood and Ollie Campbell. Tickets are available from Mick Turley (086 2835740), Mick Grealish (087 2830032), Mossy Moran (086 2501753) and Eleanor Grealish (087 6968018). They are also looking for old photographs, newsclippings, memorabilia etc, so if you have any that you think may be of interest, they would love to hear from you. They will care for and return everything.
Two weeks ago, in the Sportsground my son and I found ourselves in the middle of a group of Sale supporters who had travelled from England for the game. The one subject they all wanted to talk about was Eric Ellwood. Was he really that good a kicker? Was he so tactically brilliant? Was he really as old as they had been told? Had he really played top class rugby for that length of time? The answer to all of their questions was "Yes", and by the end of the game, they understood why. Last Sunday, Eric played his last game in the Sportsground for Connacht, and it was entirely fitting that he got such an appreciative ovation from the large crowd as he left the pitch; an ovation full of emotion and gratitude from the older supporters, and one like a popstar could expect from the younger spectators, for whom he has been such an outstanding role model. Thank you Eric, for your long and dedicated service, and for so many wonderful memories. "Go maire tú do Nuaiocht!"

Adrian Ryder is currently working on a book on George Johnstone Stoney, who was Professor of Natural Philosophy in U.C.G. from 1853-1857. He was a very important scientist who was the first to use the term "electron". There is a lecture hall named after him in U.C.G. His uncle William Blood Stoney was the first Professor of Engineering in the College, and he lived in Shantalla House ? where the National School is today. It is this building which had a gatehouse and 4.5 acres with it that Adrian is looking for an image of ? on old photograph, a drawing perhaps? Can anybody help. He can be contacted at: 087 2767517.