All-Blacks' To Visit Birthplace Of Rugby Hero

[carrickharp]

The final preparations were being put in place this week ahead of Wednesdays visit of the famous All Blacks to Letterkenny and Ramelton.

Six players and seven officials from the New Zealand Rugby Federation will arrive in the county tomorrow where they will officially name Letterkenny RFC's grounds at Glebe, 'Dave Gallaher Memorial Park. The Ramelton native captained the New Zealand team which won 35 of its 36 matches on a tour to these islands back in 1905.

The group will also unveil a plaque at Dave Gallaher's birthplace at Market Square in Ramelton.

The President of Letterkenny Rugby Club, Denis Faulkner has extended an open invitation to local people to come out and enjoy this historic visit.

"We have a special reception organised at Letterkenny Institute of Technology on Wednesday afternoon during which the New Zealand players will coach players from our underage teams," he said.

"That will be a nice opportunity for people to see the All Blacks carrying out some skills work with some of the young lads."

The event will also include some brief speeches from members of Letterkenny RFC and the visiting party before they depart for Ramelton for a reception at the local Town Hall at 4.30pm. The touring party will arrive by chartered plane at the City of Derry Airport tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by the New Zealand ambassador and Andy Crawford, President of the IRFU.

A number of former players and members of Letterkenny RFC are expected to attend the event while cousins of the late Dave Gallagher, Nan Hill (Derry) and Marina Dallas (Coleraine) are also attending.

Mr. Gallaher was a former All Blacks captain and first played for New Zealand in 1903. He is best remembered as captain of the 1905/06 tourists - the first team to be called the All Blacks.

The visit of the New Zealand Rugby federation is part of the centenary celebrations for that Originals tour.

The Gallaher family emigrated to New Zealand in 1878 when Dave was a young boy.

Letterkenny RFC will incorporate his name and date of birth into their club crest, alongside a silver fern depicting his New Zealand links and achievements.

[livehead1]

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