Longford Rugby Club relaunch the legendary Auld Blacks!

There has been great excitement in recent weeks as Longford RFC officially relaunched their innovative Past Players brand – The Auld Blacks. 

A Gala Dinner & Awards ceremony will be held at Longford Rugby Club on Friday, February 2nd, 2024 ahead of the France v Ireland 6 Nations match later that evening.

The Auld Blacks concept was originally formed in 2010 when Longford RFC proudly hosted over 550 guests at the famous Round Room of the Mansion House. 

This was followed up in 2011 with another event at the same venue, drawing in another full house. Guest speakers included British & Irish Lions Shane Byrne, Andy Nichol, Jeremy Davison & Mark Regan. The event moved to the brand-new Longford RFC Event Centre in 2012 where it continued for a number of years.

“The Auld Blacks is all about bringing friends of Longford Rugby Club back together – be that past players, coaches, volunteers or supporters. 

“We have a vast network spread across the Globe and through the Auld Blacks we have created a channel for friends of the Club to stay connected in a fun way” explains Mark Quinn, a member of the LRFC Auld Blacks Committee.

There are several stands to the Auld Blacks – including An Annual Awards & Gala Dinner event where there are 3 Awards presented

- Players Hall of Fame (Male & Female Awards)

- Lifetime Achievement Award (Contribution to LRFC)

- Annual Auld Blacks fixture for the Derek Belton Memorial Cup

- Auld Blacks merchandise available through the Club eStore

- Annual Golf Classic

- Monthly Newsletter including “Where are they now?” interviews, archive match reports and photography as well as general Club updates (launching February 2024)

- International Match Tours

- Club Memberships through the Auld Blacks

Mark Quinn added: “The Auld Blacks is a community first &  foremost - it’s about reconnecting and then staying connected with former teammates and friends of LRFC. Through the Auld Blacks Hall of Fame Awards, we get to honour former teammates who we formally recognise for their excellence on the pitch over the years they played. 

“This year we will also be launching the Women's Rugby Hall of Fame which is a major addition to the event.

 “Separate to the playing Awards, we also recognise a Club Member for their outstanding contribution to Longford Rugby Club via the Lifetime Achievement Award. It is a genuinely special event and a huge honour to those being recognised”.

All Auld Blacks out there are invited to the Annual Awards & Gala Dinner on Friday, February 2nd at Longford Rugby Club. Keep an eye on the LRFC Social Channels (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/LinkedIn) for event & ticket details which will be going on sale on Monday 18th December. For enquiries please contact clubmanager@lrfc.ie