The Blackrock contingent from Dublin, Ireland, has finally arrived in Uganda for an 8-day tour that will include a tour game against the Uganda All-Star XVs this Saturday at Kyadondo Rugby Club, charity and coaching clinics, and other activities.
The 50-person-strong party arrived slightly after midnight at Entebbe International Airport, consisting of 32 players, 18 support staff, and travelling fans.
This tour marks 54 years since the Blackrock College RFC toured Uganda, and exactly 24 years since the Rock, as they are fondly known back home, toured at all.
“I am very excited about the prospect of our Club tour to Uganda in August. This is a very ambitious undertaking. This is the first official Club tour since our last visit to Chicago back in 2001. Our last tour to East Africa was in 1971, which holds very fond memories for all those who were there,” noted Mike Dwan, the Blackrock Club President.
The Blackrock shall play against the Uganda Allstars XVs this Saturday, 16th August, before visiting the Residence of the Irish Ambassador for a dinner. Thereafter, they shall visit Nurture Africa, an Irish-founded Ugandan charity based in Nansana, before taking the tour to Eastern Uganda.
There, they shall visit Kirinya Prison and the Spire School for the Blind before embarking on coaching clinics within the Jinja and Kakira schools and communities.
Their stay in the east shall be capped with a children’s tag tournament on Thursday, 21st August, and on Friday, a Fun Rugby 7s experience between some of the Irish players and local players and fans alike.
Travelling Players
Roy Whelan (Captain), James Burke, Joe Byrne, Harry Casey, Brian Colclough, Matthew Cosgrove, Patrick Cowhey, David Crowley, Matt Dwan, Thomas Eggers, James Fennelly, David Fortune, Sam Fortune, John Gallagher, Barry Galvin, Jack Gardiner, Davitt Gilvarry, Rory Hogan, Rory Kelly, Mark Mannion, Hugo Martin, Damian Moynihan, Jack McSherry, Jed O’Malley, Ciaran Patchell, Andrew Quinn, Odhran Ring, Jamie Rogan, Arthur Ryan, Andrew Savage, Hugo Godson Treacy, Conor Yaxley.
Tour Party
- Mick Dwan – President
- John Colclough – Tour Manager
- Ray McMahon – Immediate Past President
- Michael Hearty – Director of Rugby
- James Blayney – Senior Coach
- Paul McSweeney – Ass. Coach
- Pappy Burke – Past President
- Tom Taaffe – Club Treasurer
Travelling Supporters: Clinton Arblaster, Paul Brophy, Stephen Byrne. John Casey, Conor Coghlan, Peter Fortune, Dermot J Hogan, John McGovern, Peter Quinn
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