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This Sunday, Dexcom Stadium will play host to a Corinthians RFC vs Galwegians RFC double-header in the Bank of Ireland Reid Cup Final at 3:00 PM followed by the Senior Cup Final at 5:30 PM. However, earlier in the day, the two clubs will play in the annual Glynn Cup.
Original Glynn Cup in 1959
By Tom Kenny
From the Galway Advertiser, Mar 12th 2009
Johnny Glynn was only 46 when he died on January 10 1959, midway through his term as president of the Irish Rugby Football Union. He was a director of Glynn’s famous fancy goods and toy shop on William Street (where you could buy tickets for rugby internationals). He was educated at the Bish, played rugby for Galwegians and Connacht (12 caps), became a well known referee, served in various offices including president of his club, and dedicated himself to the advancement of the game of rugby in Connacht. He was a modest man who preferred to work away in the background and demanded only that there be no departure from the spirit of the game, no lapse from the fundamental decency of rugby football.
His sudden death left a huge gap in Connacht rugby so the two city clubs, Corinthians and Galwegians, decided to put up a memorial trophy in his name known as the Glynn Cup, which would be played for between the clubs every Saint Patrick’s Day.
The inaugural match was played in 1959 in the Sportsground. Our photograph shows the two teams and officials on that day. They are, back row, left to right: touch judge Lobby Lardner; Johnny Dooley, Joe Brennan, Brendan Guerin, Harry Begley, Joe Tyrrell, Jimmy Gleeson (Devon Park), Sean Calleary, Tom Kelly, Tom Reynolds, Terry O’Neill, Tony O’Sullivan, Sean Ashe, Seamus McIvor, Brian Wright, Noel Corcoran, John Armstrong, Sean McHale, referee KD Kelleher; and touch judge Michael Heaslip.
Seated are: Don Armstrong; Christy O’Connor; Dickie Roche; Tommy Lenihan, president, Corinthians; Rynal Coen, captain, Galwegians; Tom Higgins, captain, Corinthians; Jack Deacy, president, Galwegians; Eamonn Fitzpatrick; John Callanan; and Ken Dexter.
In front are Dermot Lovett, Brian Silke, Danno Heaslip, Patsy Lynch, and Brendan O’Beirne.
A very big crowd turned up to watch the match which the favourites, Galwegians, won by 17 – 6.
New Glynn Cup Format:
In 2009 the Glynn Cup was relaunched in a “Ryder Cup” style with every squad competing, and venues alternating between Galwegians and Corinthians grounds.
Each game carries 1 point, with 0.5 points for a draw. Non-competitive minis score 0.5 points each. If points are tied in Glynn Cup, winner is club scoring to most tries on Firsts game. If points are tied in Langan Trophy, trophy is retained by holder.
This Sunday will see the Glynn Cup take place ending in the Bank of Ireland Reid Cup and the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup in Dexcom at 3:00 PM and 5:30 PM respectively.
Tickets for the Bank of Ireland Reid Cup and Senior Cup can be found here.
