Legends Time - a bit later than normal but never too late Second Rows Part 2 Remember last week we nominated 4 second row forwards. Well this week we have four more nominees for you to consider, I you son;t remember the guys last week, just scroll down and you will see them there. So this week we have you following Robert Grimes Coming from a fine stable of rugby playing ability it was the eldest brother of the Grimes trio whom in rugby terms, much was not thought off, how wrong they were!!! Robert unlike his brothers did not excel at the oval ball game in School but actually much preferred the Club atmosphere and camaraderie which made him want to become a better player, this he did with ease. He was one of the starting underage teams (with many familiar faces) from the ‘next generation’ of past Club players off springs to come up and onto the senior sides.. A great 2nd row & blind side wing forward option – His abrasiveness and commitment in all games was well noted and respected. A big Club man who also put his shoulder to the wheel off the field in club activities, as much as he did when on it. Rarely would you see a man come off the field with less in the tank as Rob would and you knew he gave everything to the cause! Having to cut short his career with dodgy ankles (which left him no better off on the dance floor either), Rob plays a vital role in the clubs executive since. Was a member of both the Towns cup final team in 1999 and Towns Plate winning team of 2001, he also was a member of the league winning side of ’06 & also a Club representative on the Leinster junior XV. As with the Dillon Father / Son nominations for Outhalf, Rob shares the race with his Dad Paul for the 2nd Row positions. Robert was the first son of a past President to become a Club Captain, he Captained the club on consecutive seasons (’04 & ’05). Robert Most noted for; As well as his outstanding rebel sing-song sessions when on tour, Robert would be remembered for his ability to get outside players involved into our club to enhance our ability and build our playing numbers and one of those of course being the great Mark ‘I Am’ Woods.. with whom we went undefeated in the ‘06/’07 season. A fine Rugby Player, A fine Club Man - Not a great dancer – Roberto Grimes! Kevin Quinn Having come through our underage system and proving a valuable member of the U18 / 19’s of that era we had a massive (albeit quite slim back then) 2nd row in Quinner. Kevin had represented Ashbourne on the Leinster youths, Playing in a European competition in France and on his return was elevated as a young gossoon onto the 1st XV. His immediate impact of course was in the lineout and with his height and not too much weight (back then), would win the vast majority of all Ashbourne Line Out’s and steal a fair amount of oppositions too. His 2nd year on the 1st team was a successful promotion campaign to the highest league & also was that Towns Cup Final team of 1999. He was a member of our first major J1 competition – the Provincial Towns Plate, in 2000/2001. Kevin provided a solid platform for 1st phase ball- our lineout and scrummaging was again province-wide known for being a serious strong part of Ashbourne’s play. Kev was an abrasive strong forward who had the ability to catch, kick and an odd pass too to add to his long CV. Would never shy away from any battle and was definitely a solider we wanted on our side. Quinner, certainly was an apple which did not fall far from the tree, as his reputation for not taking any sh1t was well noted and he was on the receiving end of a few coloured cards in his playing days as was his Father in another sporting code!.. That did his career no harm and was justly selected on the Leinster junior team for a number of years wining 2 from 3 of those interpro’s. He was also coerced into doing a dual status role with Monkstown to play some AIL before deciding that that grass was not that greener & then he dedicated future rugby to Ashbourne alone. Kevin was Captain of our Club for 2 years on the trot – ’01 & ’02.. Having moved abroad in later years he is now a regular player for the Dragon Brno rugby club in CZ, Where recently on another Legends stag party (Scotty) Kevin lined out for both Brno & Ashbourne in a friendly game played in the CZ republic clubs ground. Quinners Claim to fame; On a lovely sunny September Saturday in Ballincollig, Co. Cork, (whilst representing Ashbounre on the Leinster Juniors) Leinster were trailing Munster after the men in red just scored a rolling maul in the corner to take a 4pt lead with minutes left on the clock.. After a late rally of phases Leinster got a Line Out 10 yards from the Munster line, Kevin duly insisted on ball being called on himself which he claimed and from the ensuing maul managed to touch down with his fellow Ash man Jeff Mahon, final whistle went & Leinster won the game (they both still claim it was each other that scored that try!!) Paul Grimes Paul ‘Senior’ as he is now known, started his Ashbourne playing career in the club’s first ever match against Suttonians, having left a very successful golfing career to languish somewhat, as a result Paul couldn’t but be tempted to show his skills which were of a senior standard to his local club. Paul, a club trustee, served as president of the club in 1978/79, whilst still playing on the first team (one of very few to do so!) He also Presided over the Club in 1980/81 and again in 1991/92. Although he did not serve as Club Captain, He was very highly regarded, & was always what is now recognised a “leader” on the pitch from whom many a player took direction from. Paul played mostly in the second row, but also had the mobility to play back-row a slightly opposite scenario to his son Robert whom was probably more affiliated to the back-row but also shone in the 2nd row too. Both now listed as Legend Nominees should gather some good banter pace in the Grimes household over the festive period dinners!!! He was a magnificent line-out player, with superb hands, a great motivator and a great reader of the game, strong on the ball and a very able defender. His service, not only on the playing side, but as a 3 times past President, a contributor of 3 playing sons - all 1st teamers and extremely good (with the help of his great wife Shelia of course), and a valuable trustee of our Club, Paul ‘Senior’ truly deserves a Legend Nomination! Darragh Curran Ashbourne’s answer to Devin Toner! Darragh like many of the 2nd rows has come through our underage system in Ashbourne, to become an integral part of the Senior team. Even as a very young player, Daragh has taken on the leadership role within the pack and makes the crucial lineout calls as if he were a man double his age (which would be still younger than a certain fellow player!). A former member of the Leinster U19 squad, Big ‘D’ as he is known, is a player that loves to take on ball and nearly always breaks the gain line with his carry’s. A super lineout option with great handling ability and solid strength in the tight game too. Last season saw ‘D’ in the finest of form and was inspirational in some of the most critical games of that famous season. He has being a brilliant right hand man to Jeff in the row, and some would ask which one is bringing the other along under his wing?? Although only 22 years old Big ‘D’ has already won a provincial Towns Cup and all conquering League medals. He is also a steadfast member of the notorious TNC, where many a member has been faltering of late, Big D always steps up to the mark as he constantly does in game-time too. The youngest member of the Legends Nominees shows how big a mark Big ‘D’ has already stamped on his Ashbourne passport! Darragh’s Best moment (to date!); When Ashbourne were at a very nervy point in a crucial away fixture to fellow league leaders - Monkstown, After a snipping break from Gav K, Big ’D’ gathered and a half blocked down kick to sprint the 45 odd yards and leave 2 outside backs in his wake to score a brilliant try which was the sealing of the league for Ashbourne! ‘D’ also pulled one of the most-scary faces ever seen on a rugby pitch whilst making that famous gallop!!
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 22:20:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015