Kildare man Ollie Delaney honoured with Devon Toner Award

The prestigious Devon Toner Perpetual Award went to Kildare man Ollie Delaney, originally of Old Kilcullen RFC but in latter years Newbridge RFC, who has give a lifetime to the cause of his club.

Ollie made a pivotal shift from GAA to rugby in early 1970, joining Old Kilcullen RFC that September. This marked the beginning of an unbroken dedication to the sport, with Ollie participating in every rugby season since then.

Old Kilcullen RFC, founded in 1967, played at Brennans Field before relocating to Rosetown, Athgarvan in 1972, a move that set the stage for future club development.

Demonstrating early leadership, Ollie served as President of Old Kilcullen RFC from 1993 to 1996. During this period, Ollie played a central role in negotiating the merger between Old Kilcullen RFC and Curragh RFC. This collaboration culminated in the creation of Newbridge RFC in June 1996, a strategic move that unified local rugby talent and resources for greater regional success.

Since 1983, Ollie has been a steadfast representative for both Old Kilcullen RFC and Newbridge RFC on the North Midlands Area (NMA) rugby committee, making Ollie the committee’s longest-serving member.

The NMA’s annual cup competitions span Adult, Mini, Youth, Girls, and Ladies rugby, consistently producing successful teams.
Throughout Ollie tenure, involvement in various subcommittees has been a hallmark of his service. As a member of the finance committee, Ollie helped secure the Area’s first sponsors, supporting both cup competitions and youth development. Serving as Public Relations Officer for six years, Ollie organized annual publicity launches, ensuring sponsors, club leaders, and local media were engaged and recognized.

Chairing the Area Competitions Committee for several years; Serving on the Area Appeals Committee; Acting as Treasurer of the North Midlands Area (2001–2005; May 2021–present); Chairing the Area twice (2007–2009; 2019–2021), Representing the Area on the Senior Executive Committee of the Leinster Branch Rugby; Serving as Vice Chairman and representing the Area on the Leinster Branch Junior Committee (MPC) during multiple terms

During a decade of service to Leinster Branch Rugby, Ollie contributed to several subcommittees: Competitions Committee (1 year); Disciplinary Committee (1 year); Appeals Committee (4 years); Awards Committee (since 2017), where Ollie’s efforts helped three North Midlands Area clubs earn “Leinster Rugby Club of the Year” honours.

In addition to his enduring service to North Midlands Rugby, Since the 1996 amalgamation, Ollie has remained a dedicated member of the Newbridge RFC Executive Committee, serving as President from 2019 to 2022. This enduring involvement underscores a lifelong commitment to the club and the broader rugby community.

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