Mick Lambe proud of the club's wonderful progress

Mullingar RFC Centenary Season

As Mullingar Rugby Club celebrates its centenary, there are no shortage of proud moments to reflect on.

Mick Lambe, a long-standing member of the club, was honoured with a prestigious accolade last September, at the Westmeath Examiner Community and Sports Awards in Mullingar Park Hotel when he was inducted into their Hall of Fame. It was due recognition for his exceptional contribution to rugby and the community.

A long-time stalwart of the club, he recalls one particularly memorable occasion from his time as Youth Coordinator: the day four Mullingar players lined out for the Ireland U18s against England in Ashbourne in 2013.

"It was a big day for the club. Ireland won that match, and out of the 12 players from Leinster in the squad, four were from Mullingar," he said. "We had Niall Hannon, who is our current captain; Anthony Gibney, who is now a first-team player; Conor O'Brien, who went on to play for Leinster; and Andrew Purcell, who later played with Barnhall in the All-Ireland League."

Although both O'Brien and Purcell have since been forced into early retirement from the game, the achievement remains a source of immense pride for Lambe and the club. "To think that a small midlands club had more representatives on that team than any of the other three provinces was a huge achievement. The following year, we had Ronan Wallace in the Ireland U18 squad as well. He’s now focusing on Gaelic football and captains the Westmeath senior side."

A century on from its foundation, Mullingar Rugby Club continues to go from strength to strength. "So much has changed over the years," Lambe acknowledged. "The growth and development of the club has been remarkable."

That progress is evident in the club’s thriving youth system, which has produced not only top-class male players but also exceptional female talent. "Katie Heffernan came through our youth system and is now part of the Ireland squad for the Six Nations. At the moment, we have six girls playing in the Women’s All-Ireland League," he noted.

With over 700 youth players currently in the club, the future looks bright and the youth system is showing no signs of slowing down. It’s testament to the structures they have in place.

One of the key factors in Mullingar’s continued success is the strong sense of community within the club. Mick is quick to praise the commitment of volunteers.

"It’s never been an issue for us, getting volunteers involved. You see former players coming back with their kids, and then it’s easy to rope them into coaching or managing.

At the mini level, up to under-12s, you don’t need a huge amount of rugby knowledge, and with the coaching courses available, it’s a big help," he explained.

Beyond coaching, the club also benefits from a network of dedicated individuals who contribute in various ways. "We have people providing food after games; it’s all those little extra things that help the club grow."

Mick has many great memories and is proud to reflect on the massive strides the club had made over the decades. His journey with rugby began unexpectedly in 1975, when he was called to play as a hooker for Mullingar RFC’s thirds team. From that moment on, his passion for the sport flourished. Over the years, he played across various positions, primarily excelling in the back row.

Off the pitch, Mick's dedication to the club was unparalleled. From serving on the committee to becoming youth coach, Vice-President, and eventually President of Mullingar RFC (2013-2015). His leadership was instrumental in significant club developments, including the groundwork for the astro turf pitch, which transformed training for all teams.

His presidency culminated in an impressive 13 cups won in his final year.

Marking 100 years of rugby in Mullingar was a significant occasion, celebrated in style at the Mullingar Park Hotel.

"We had 550 people at the event, and it had been sold out since mid-October," said Mick. "There was even a waiting list. A few people had to cry off at the last minute, but everyone on the waiting list got in, so there were no empty seats. It was a fantastic night and a great milestone for the club."

While celebrating the past, the club remains firmly focused on the future. "We’re always looking to improve. That’s the goal of any club, to keep progressing.

I don’t think there’s a rugby club in the country with the facilities we have. That’s probably been the biggest change in the last 10 years.

"In 2015, we put in the 4G pitch, and everything that has been added since then has been a bonus.

Those of us who remember the muddy pitches in November and December know just how much progress has been made."

Mullingar has a long-standing ambition to reclaim the prestigious Towns Cup, a competition in which the club has a proud but somewhat frustrating history.

"On the playing field, the Towns Cup is the big one. Since our last win in 1956, we’ve been in a number of finals including a replay, but we just haven’t got over the line," he said.

“It’s always a goal. We’re back competing at the knock-out stages again; we’ve been in the quarter-finals in two of the last four years."

Unfortunately, this year’s campaign ended early. "We were knocked out in the first round. It was bad timing as we were missing quite a few players due to injuries and other commitments.

It remains a target for us and it's always a big competition."

They will hope to emulate the achievements of reaching four Towns Cup finals in the near future with the ultimate objective to bring home the prestigious trophy again.

Mick Lambe’s influence on nurturing young talent has been profound, guiding players who went on to represent Ireland at various levels.

His legacy in fostering a supportive environment for youth development remains a cornerstone of Mullingar RFC’s success.