Tim Ross fittingly honoured at Midland Warriors pitch naming
David Flynn & Kieran Galvin
A momentous and historical event happened just outside Moate last Sunday afternoon, with the naming of two new pitches at Midland Warriors RUFC’s new facilities in honour of the late Tim Ross and John Stone.
The weather had changed from rain to shine well in time for the naming ceremony, and the unveiling of the two monuments in what was described by the club as “a major milestone event”.
There were proud comments about the short history of the Moate-based rugby club, while the gathering was also told about the development of its new facilities in Bawnoges, close to the town.
Midland Warriors director of rugby Eddie Egan acted as MC on the day and told the large gathering that the club was proud to show off the completion of the first phase of the new development.
“It has been, I suppose, a culmination of a number of years’ work but again it’s not down to any one or two individuals but a massive team in support of making it all come true,” said Eddie, calling for a round of applause for everybody who put their shoulders to the wheel over the last few months.
Midland Warriors president Evin Guing addressed the crowd and said that it seemed like a dream to get this far, when just a year and nine months ago, the two pitches were just a field!
“Myself and Graham (Ross) went in and took a selfie and to think that we’re at this stage after a year and nine months, it’s unbelievable,” said Evin.
“We’re at the point that we have 435 registered members, as of John Walsh’s spreadsheet this morning, which is a multiple of what it was five years ago.”
He thanked the generosity of the Mitchell family and the Carmelite order for allowing the club the use of their pitches and grounds over the years. “We would never have gotten this far (without their help), so I’d like there to be a round of applause for them,” said Evin. “I’ve actually made so many more friends from the extra volunteers and people who were never involved in rugby but yet they wanted to come out here and give their time. It was great to witness it and all the volunteer work.”
Evin became emotional when talking about the Warriors members that “aren’t with us anymore,” and he said they were still a major part of the club.
The guest speaker on the occasion was Leinster Rugby president Moira Flahive. Addressing the gathering, Ms Flahive said that she was at the Aviva Stadium for the Leinster vs Munster match the day before, adding that “one of your most famous sons was taking part and gave us a good lesson”. This was a reference to former Midland Warriors player Ronan Foxe, who came on as a substitute for Munster in their impressive win over the eastern province on Saturday, and indeed the Rahugh native was in attendance at the Warriors event the following day.
She talked about Midland Warriors starting in 2005 and about their first registered team not being an adult team, but a youths team.
“That wasn’t an accident; if you’re going to grow anything or sustain anything, it has to start literally from the ground up, which is what you’ve done here,” said Ms Flahive.
“It also kind of dovetails nicely with what Leinster were doing almost 20 years ago when they created what we all now know and refer to it a lot as the player pathway and again that’s taken a long time to really show that it can bear fruit. Leinster is trying to do their best to support all clubs like yours in that regard. You had your first adult men’s team in 2010 and your first adult women’s team in 2023 and I understand you have all of your women’s teams playing throughout this weekend.”
Eddie called on Monsignor Bernard Noonan, P.P., St Patrick’s Church, Moate, and Reverend Philip McKinley of the Church of Ireland, to bless the pitches before the unveiling of the pitch monuments.
The first pitch was named after the late Tim Ross, who lost his life at the tender age of eleven as a result of a road traffic accident in 2016.
Tim’s sporting talents were obvious to all who knew him and in addition to his involvement with Midland Warriors, the popular Tubber NS student played soccer for AC Celtic (also representing the ADSL) and Gaelic football for Moate All Whites.
Tim’s uncle Graham said a few words on behalf of Tim’s parents and the extended Ross family.
“On behalf of Katharine and Richard who couldn’t be here today, we are so grateful for the Warriors for their support in the past number of years, and this will forever mark what was a tragedy for anyone involved in the club at the time,” said Graham. “It’s something so subtle yet so permanent to remember Tim by.”
The gathering then walked a short distance to the second pitch and the memorial monument of John Stone.
John Walsh of Midland Warriors told the group that the second pitch is named after the late John Stone of Fine Foods in Ballymahon, who was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services to the meat industry.
Mr Stone, who passed away last year, was a great supporter of sporting organisations everywhere, said John, adding that the late Mr John Stone’s family had to attend a funeral and therefore couldn’t attend Sunday’s ceremony.
John Stone Fine Foods and Permanent TSB are two of the club’s title sponsors.