Where did you go to school and did you play rugby at school?   
I went to Culmore Primary school, and graduated from there to Foyle College, which was very different compared with the country atmosphere at Culmore.  While at Foyle I played for the Under 13 XV, the Under 14 XV and later a few games for the 3rd XV.  I remember travelling to Dungannon for my first away game in 1952 on the GNR train from Foyle Road via Omagh, Beragh, Pomeroy and Donaghmore.

Did you play any other sports as school or outside of school?
I never made the grade at cricket, which was dominated at the time by the ‘men’ from Donemana, Bready and elsewhere in the Foyle hinterland.  I took part in athletics, hurling the discus around at various sporting events. 

What level of rugby did you play at?
On leaving Foyle at an early age, I went on to Magee College before finishing my education at Trinity College in Dublin.  While at Magee I played for the 1st XV in the North West League.  In those days as a young student team, you got very little sympathy from teams like Strabane and City of Derry as we were often regarded as the ‘whipping boys’.  It was a life-enhancing for all of us.

City of Derry is your club.  How long have you been a member?
Following my four-year stint at Magee and Trinity, I spent a year at QUB studying psychology and education.  I joined CIYMS in September 1963, attended a few training sessions and played a few games.  In November of that year I was prevailed upon to join City of Derry by my friends and have been there ever since.  I played two games for the 3rd XV under Jack Wilson and was moved to the 1st XV where I remained for many years.  I captained the club in 72/3 season and was honoured with the presidency of the club in 92/3 season.

Have you done any coaching at all at either club or representative level?
All my coaching was done at Foyle, where I looked after rugby during the difficult years of the late sixties to early nineties.  I have been known to take an occasional session with the club junior sides.  I continued in my role as master in charge of rugby up to my retirement in 2003.

You are a retired teacher.  What did you teach and where?
I retired four years ago after almost forty years at the chalk face.  I graduated in Latin, French and Geography and taught all three subjects during my initial teaching years before taking charge of Geography in 1966.  My entire career was spent at Foyle College and when I married my present wife, Sylvia in 1970, the die was cast.

What are you doing now that you are retired – or has being President of the IRFU (Ulster Branch) taken up all of your time?  
Since I retired I have missed the long summer holidays.  Every day and every week there a host of duties and jobs to do.  I am still involved with my old school, my local community, City of Derry and my extended family.  My Presidential duties have been demanding and time-consuming, writing forewords, putting together speeches (or as some believe adding variations to one), attending club functions and chairing meetings.  I have travelled many miles, watched a lot of rugby, met many friends from the fraternity of rugby, consumed many kilos of roast beet, quaffed many litres of red wine, put on weight and enjoyed myself!!

How did you feel about becoming president of the Ulster Branch?
Honoured and privileged to have been considered for the position.

What has been the highlight of your term as President?
I have been privileged to attend and travel with the Ulster XV to all home and away matches.  Having met with representatives from many other professional clubs in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup we have every right to be very proud of our team, the management and the professionalism, which pervades our entire structure.  We may have many things to learn from the, but many of them have a helluva lot to learn from us.  We are a very successful professional team.  However, I am an amateur rugby man and the highlights of my season have been my visits to the clubhouses of Ulster, to the Club finals and especially their Annual Dinners. 
 
Do you have a favourite club that you have visited as an Ulster Branch official – in Ulster and beyond?
I have always admired the ethos of Clogher Valley whose passion and community involvement is inspirational.  Their support and success in the Powerade Towns’ Cup this year was testimony to their commitment to the game. 

What are your feelings about Ulster this season? 
At the beginning of the season, I, like many others, had high hopes in view of the strength and depth in our squad.  I felt that our management had assembled the most talented group of players ever to represent this province.  This fact was borne out through the number of those selected for National honours at various levels.  However, the autumn international series, the Six Nations and unavailability owing to injuries have all contributed to a discontinuity, which is difficult and frustrating for any coach to handle.  We have many key players in our ranks whose skills and competence have thankfully been recognised in their selection for the forthcoming summer tours.

What are your interests outside of rugby?  I understand that you are an excellent pianist.
I have always enjoyed playing the piano (especially in the black keys), which has been and continues to be a great ‘stress-reducing’ activity for me.  The piano is more important to me than the car and that must be obvious to anyone who knows my car.  I also play the organ in church.  I bought myself a piano accordion as a retirement gift and I like to strum my guitar when relaxing at home.

What are your plans once your term of office as President finishes in June?
It has been a year of hectic activity and travel.  I feel that I know the road to Belfast better than most.  I intend to continue my involvement with rugby, take a few pensioners’ breaks, keep myself busy and ‘keep smelling the roses’.  I also have a young two-year old grandson, and will have a busy summer as my second daughter is getting married in the autumn.

Best Ulster match you have seen?
The 1999 semi-final against Stade Francais, which I watched from the Promenade with my friends Bert Wilson and Jimmy Allen.

Finally, what is your all-time Ulster XV?
This is my list of all-time Ulster XV characters I have known and met along the way.
1. John Latimer;

2. Charlie Chada (CDRFC’s first overseas player);

3. Sam Hutton;

4. Moss Dineen;

5. George Snodgrass;

6. Neil Jackson;

7. John Paul;

8. Derek McKeen;

9. Joe McKinney;

10. Wesley McKee;

11. Monty Allen;

12. Stan Forsythe;

13. Brian Fillis;

14. Stephen Graham;

15. Jerry Taylor. 

Referee:  Bob Armstrong (so he was!)