Page 201 - Gonzaga at 60
P. 201
BRIAN O’RIORDAN
A 12-11 Junior League Final victory over Newbridge College greater recogniion. As a result Gonzaga has had a decade
in 1995 was undoubtedly the highlight of my 10 years in of relaive success including three JCT inals (1989, 2003
Gonzaga. The League compeiion was introduced for the and 2006) and produced some quality players with a real
irst ime that year and it was the irst compeiion in which opportunity to pursue a career in the game.
Gonzaga won silverware on the rugby pitch: a reward for Professional rugby was not something I had dreamt of
the dedicaion and hardwork of Messrs Keenahan, Murray, while in Gonzaga. It was only ater playing for Ireland U19
McCarthy and Whirdy. The winning team was captained by and U21 that the opportunity arose. I was very fortunate
Brian McCloskey and included talented players like Ronan to spend 4 years with Leinster and two with Bristol.
Davy, Stuart McCarron and David Berkery - all of us sill Professional rugby is a wonderful and exciing albeit short
great friends to this day. We were coached by Bobby Byrne, career with many highs and lows. Very litle beats playing
under whom I subsequently played for UCD and Leinster. a Heineken Cup match in a packed RDS or Lansdowne Road
Enough credit cannot be given to Bobby for all he has done although some of my fondest memories are of hard fought
for rugby in Gonzaga. victories on the back pitches of Gonzaga
This League success in addiion to a crushing 57-5
irst round Senior Cup exit in 1998, also to Newbridge, Brian O’Riordan
paved the way for a change in aitude towards rugby in Class of 1999
the school. The discipline, hardwork and camaraderie
associated with a successful team environment were given Brian is now working with an accountancy irm in London.
A 12-11 Junior League Final victory over Newbridge College greater recogniion. As a result Gonzaga has had a decade
in 1995 was undoubtedly the highlight of my 10 years in of relaive success including three JCT inals (1989, 2003
Gonzaga. The League compeiion was introduced for the and 2006) and produced some quality players with a real
irst ime that year and it was the irst compeiion in which opportunity to pursue a career in the game.
Gonzaga won silverware on the rugby pitch: a reward for Professional rugby was not something I had dreamt of
the dedicaion and hardwork of Messrs Keenahan, Murray, while in Gonzaga. It was only ater playing for Ireland U19
McCarthy and Whirdy. The winning team was captained by and U21 that the opportunity arose. I was very fortunate
Brian McCloskey and included talented players like Ronan to spend 4 years with Leinster and two with Bristol.
Davy, Stuart McCarron and David Berkery - all of us sill Professional rugby is a wonderful and exciing albeit short
great friends to this day. We were coached by Bobby Byrne, career with many highs and lows. Very litle beats playing
under whom I subsequently played for UCD and Leinster. a Heineken Cup match in a packed RDS or Lansdowne Road
Enough credit cannot be given to Bobby for all he has done although some of my fondest memories are of hard fought
for rugby in Gonzaga. victories on the back pitches of Gonzaga
This League success in addiion to a crushing 57-5
irst round Senior Cup exit in 1998, also to Newbridge, Brian O’Riordan
paved the way for a change in aitude towards rugby in Class of 1999
the school. The discipline, hardwork and camaraderie
associated with a successful team environment were given Brian is now working with an accountancy irm in London.
