Death of Eugene Davy

THE death has taken place of Eugene Davy, one of Ireland's most distinguished internationals who was recognised as one of the great gentlemen of the game of rugby football. Davy made an immense contribution to the game as a player and an administrator. He died on Monday night, aged 92.

Educated at Belvedere College, he was an outstanding schools rugby player and an athlete of rounded skills as he was also a very, accomplished hurler.

After leaving Belvedere, he went to UCD and was a key player in the marvellous team of the 1920s. He was a member of the first UCD side to win the Leinster Senior Cup in 1924.

He then went to Lansdowne and his arrival coincided with a remarkable run of success for the club. They won the Leinster Senior Cup five times in succession between 1927 and 1931 and the Bateman Cup (the then all-Ireland Championship) three times.

Davy made a huge, contribution in that period of maximum brilliance for the club and captained the side in 1930. That was a Lansdowne team that included a host of international players and in 1931 the entire Ireland three-quarter-line against Scotland and Wales was made up of Lansdowne players. They were Ned Lightfoot, Eugene Davy, Morgan Crowe and Jack Arigho.

A player of great versatility, Eugene won his first cap against Wales in 1925 at outside-half in a match won 19-3 by Ireland. He went on to play 19 successive internationals in the out-half position and then played seven times in the centre before reverting to out-half where he won the last of his 34 caps.

He captained Ireland in 1933 and recorded a famous feat against Scotland at Murrayfield in 1930 when he scored three tries in a 20-minute period.

When he retired, he gave outstanding service as an administrator. He was president of the IRFU in 1967-68 and a highpoint of his magnificent career and contribution was when he managed the Ireland side that toured Australia in 1967 and gained a famous Test victory. He was honoured with the Hall of Fame award a few years ago by The Rugby Writers of Ireland. There was no more worthy recipient.

Extremely modest and, unassuming, he wore his fame lightly but was a man with a great passion for the game in which he was involved all his life. His compassion for those in difficult circumstances was an outstanding aspect of his character.

No more popular figure ever graced the Irish rugby scene and he will be greatly missed and widely mourned. He had been ill for just a week, but the death of his beloved Geraldine 18 months ago took its toll. Yet, true to character, he wore his grief with the dignity with which he led every aspect of his life.

Sincere sympathy is extended to his three sons, five daughters and 23 grandchildren. They were an enormous source of joy to this man whom one can call "great" without any reservation.