This weeks Member Profile is none other than Mick O'Donovan. The term legend can be thrown around loosely these days but there can be no doubt that Mick is firmly in the nailed on legend status. The amount of hours he has devoted to the club through playing, coaching and administration must be nearly incalculable over his 47 years involvement in the club. There are not too many people who have served in the main our roles of the club, namely Club Secretary, Club Treasurer, Club Chairman and Club President. You can clearly see and hear Mick's passion for the club in his words below.
When and how did you join Kilkenny Rugby Football Club?
In 1978 I was transferred to Bank Of Ireland, The Parade, Kilkenny (now The Left Bank) and quickly took up playing rugby in Kilkenny RFC as a number of staff members there were playing with the club at that time.
The welcome I received in the club was fantastic and I felt at home from the get-go. I can honestly say that the friends I made in those early years in the club have remained strong and true during the 46 years since and I am delighted to still count some of them as my best friends today.
In the intervening period I have experienced massive enjoyment from the club through playing, coaching, fixture secretary, chairman of bar, social and finance together with being club secretary, chairman and president. I am immensely proud to be able to call Kilkenny Rugby Club ‘’my club’’ and Foulkstown “my second home”. I am truly grateful for the many great memories and the enjoyment that I have got from being part of this special club.
What is your favourite part (or proudest moment) of being a member of Kilkenny RFC?
During my long association with Kilkenny RFC there have been many great moments (and a few heartbreaks) along the way. I fondly remember celebrating the Towns Cup win of 1986. The exceptionally successful teams of the early 2000s who won the Towns Cup in ‘01 and ‘02 along with Leinster League Division 1A titles in ‘02/03 and ‘03/04 brought fantastic energy to Foulkstown. During this period, we also won the 2nds Towns Cup in ‘01, ‘03, ‘04 & ‘05 and the 2nds Div 1 League in ‘01/02 and 03/04. More recently there was the memorable Towns Cup win in 2022.
With this success also came heartbreaks and near misses. However, it is the great camaraderie and friendship that we have built up with so many fellow members and indeed opponents over the years that has got us through everything that this great sport has thrown at us.
Fund raising events involving Willie Duggan, Ned Byrne, Phil Bennett, Moss Keane, Anthony Foley, Jim Williams and Brian O’Driscoll among others and the many race days in Gowran Park are also stand out occasions that will live long in the memory.
My proudest personal moment was when I was presented with the ultimate honour of Honorary Life Membership by the club last year. I will treasure this forever.
What are your ambitions for Kilkenny Rugby for this season?
The growth of the game of Rugby in Kilkenny is something I hold very close to my heart. My wish for the coming season is that we continue to foster that ambition through the improvement in our facilities and the expansion of our membership, both male and female.
I wish our Men’s and Women’s team the very best for the coming season in their quests for promotion and also continued success to all our underage teams.
Kilkenny RFC are blessed with an exceptional level of volunteerism in the club and I would encourage all members past and present to keep this to the forefront in their support of our club.
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