UCC Rugby celebrated its 99th Rugby Colours Match on Saturday by defeating Queen’s University RFC 27-14 at the Mardyke. That first Colours Match took place on 19 Feb 1927 with UCC Rugby, captained by T.A Neville (Philip Neville’s grandfather), defeating DUFC 7-6. In a game contested in continuous rain UCC deserved their win as they controlled the game for long extended periods. Neville O’Leary scored two tries with Charlie O’Shea and Ben O’Connor also dotting down. Charlie O’Shea added two conversions and Harry Murphy a penalty.

Nine UCC players earned their Colours on Saturday:
• Stephen O’Shaughnessy
• Dawid Nowak
• Paddy Gaffney
• Charlie O’Shea
• Mark Hetherington
• Evan Clarke
• Peter Wall
• John Cussen
• Harry Murphy
In addition, Charlie O’Shea received the Colours Player of the Match award. This award is presented annually in memory of UCC Rugby alumnus Conrad O’Sullivan who wore the Skull & Crossbones so splendidly during his UCC career.

Two other notable alumni were honoured during the match:
• The #11 jersey was retired for the match in memory of Mick Lane who died during the week prior to the match
• The Jerry Lucey Cup was presented to team captain Jason Aherne by Jerry’s son Barry after the match. The Jerry Lucey Cup is contested each time that UCC and Queens play each other.

Prior to the match 150+ UCC Rugby alumni and friends gathered at Devere Hall where they were welcomed back to the campus by UCC President John O’Halloran. Ireland & Leinster legend Dan Leavy was interviewed by our own Barry Guiney as part of the post-lunch celebration. The following teams were honoured during the lunch:
• 60th Anniversary – captained by M.F.J. O'Mahony RIP and represented by Dr. Paddy McGrath who flew in from Canada and Dr. Paddy Kiely
• 50th Anniversary – captained by Dick Kenefick
• 40th Anniversary – captained by Paul “Moose” Culhane
• 30th Anniversary – captained by Tim O’Connell
• 20th Anniversary – captained by Denis Hurley
• 10th Anniversary – captained by Paul Derham
UCC Rugby also welcomed the Lane Family (Margaret McLennan, Joe Lane, Martin Lane, Liz O Connor, Eleanor Morehead, Adrienne Lane) to the Colours Lunch which served as a Celebration of Life for their father – UCC Rugby, Munster Rugby, Ireland Rugby and British & Irish Lions’ legend Michael “Mick” Lane.