St Mary's College RFC Yearbook 2020-21

A WELCOME ON THE MATT
Written in December 2007
We are fortunate at St Mary’s, that we often
have good and important things to celebrate.
On last Thursday 6th December 2007 we
had a quiet, but one of the most important
and enjoyable celebrations for one of our
greatest ever members.
Some of you may be aware that, for many
years now, Paddy Bolger (the Father of the
House) has been organising monthly lunches
for the more indolent past presidents of St
Mary’s College RFC, usually at Gleesons of
Booterstown. Once a year, before Christmas,
the lunch becomes a “drinch “(a dinner/
lunch) at the club. So it was last Thursday
and all of the 25 attending (24 Past and the
current president Frank Kennedy, as guest),
except one, knew something special was to
happen, so when the meal was over, Matt
Gilsenan got a stunning surprise when Paddy
Bolger, at the invitation of Matt Jones who
introduced him, gave a little profile history of
Matt the Marys man. Paddy, now reaching
nice maturity, remarkably without notes,
reminded us of some of the things Matt did
over many years.
The club was re-instated as a senior club in
1941 and just seven years later, young Matt
Gilsenan joined the club, straight from the
school. He very soon made his mark through
his intense enthusiasm and love for the club,
which he still manifestly carries, and his
rugby ability, he captained the 3As (J3s to
you) in the season 1948-49 and his record
cannot be bettered, as he led his team
through the entire season unbeaten and won
the newly created Moran cup in brilliant style.
He later captained the club and brought his
team on the first ever overseas tour by the
club to Italy. It turned out to be tough but
successful. Sadly Matt was injured and had to
give up playing. Well the playing side’s loss
was the administrative side’s gain for he was
to go on to fill every role in that sphere, with
distinction, including presidency from 1975 to
1977. He also turned to refereeing and
refereed with great acumen at all levels to
interprovincial for many years.
From an early stage he had an interest in club
history and memorabilia, keeping photos,
club membership cards, programmes etc and
Matt holding the
AIL Division 1A
Cup won in 2012
with son John
(President 2011-
2012) and
Hugh Hogan
(Captain 2011-
2012)
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