Two Irishmen at the helm

Press, 4 June 1982, Page 15

Two Irishmen at the helm

The appointment of Willie John Mcßride, the world’s most-capped forward, as manager of the Lions, for next years New Zealand tour suggests several things.. It is going to be a tough ■party — already Mcßride has promised to give the All Blacks “a severe test.” It’s certain to be a balanced side that mixes older and young players because Mcßride has' said that the Lions sides in the early seventies, especially the unbeaten team which toured South Africa in 1974. did so well because they included experienced players. And. finally, there's likely to be an "Irish look" to the side. Rugby writers are already speculating that the Lions captain could be Ciaran Fitzgerald. the Army captain who led Ireland-to the "triple crown” this year. Fitzgerald

worked a lightning trans-' formation in essentially the same side unsuccessfully skippered by Fergus Slattery. and Mcßride is a known admirer of the little career officer's brand of leadership. Mcßride. 41. now an official with the Northern bank in Ballymena. Northern Ireland, is already taking the tour seriously. “I consider it a great honour to have been chosen as manager, but it is also a great responsibility. A tour to New Zealand is always a tremendous challenge as ’ successive Lions sides

have experienced, but I am confident that the players are on hand to make up a very strong squad and give the All Blacks a severe test.” The hard-playing Ulsterman's appointment main-' tains Ireland's high profile in the management of Lions sides. Not only has Ireland provided the managers of both the 1980 party that toured South Africa and next year's side but both of them — Syd Millar and Mcßride — hail frpm Ballymena, the town in County Antrim which has been so sadly hit by the "troubles.” ' -

In addition, two Irishmen. Noel Murphy a'nd Ronnie Dawson, coached Lions sides. And a string of Irishmen have captained the Lions — Karl Mullen (New Zealand. 1950). Ronnie Dawson (New Zealand, 1959). Tom Smyth (South Africa. 1910). Sam Walker (South Africa, 1938). Robin Thompson (South Africa, 1955), and Mcßride (South Africa, 1974). Certainly; Mcßride will win a lot of respect from the players for his extraordinaryrecord. He has turned out 17 times for the Lions, which is more than anybody else. And

he has collected 63 caps for Ireland, the first of them in 1962 and the .last against France in 1975. He toured South Africa three times with the Lions. New Zealand and Australia twice.

The Lions’ tour of New Zealand is still a year away, but gathering momentum. Above, SELWYN PARKER writes of the team’s management; below, ULICK O’CONNOR of the “Sunday Times” focuses on the Irish contenders, and the likely captain.