| Dave Gallaher |
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Ireland has been slow to recognise one of its own. In November 2004 when the All Blacks overwhelmed France 45-6 in Paris, a red poppy was emblazoned on the sleeve of the famous shirt. It was a tribute to an unheralded County Donegal rugby legend. The remarkable Irish-born flanker, Dave Gallaher, rose to captain New Zealand on the tour during which they were first dubbed the ‘All Blacks’. Gallaher played 33 times for his adopted country, including six tests and he later became an All Blacks selector. His influence was cut short when he died from wounds he received fighting with New Zealand at the Battle of Passchendaele on 4th October 1917. His death made front-page news as a nation mourned. The 1924 touring All Blacks – nicknamed The Invincibles because they were undefeated in Europe – visited Gallaher’s grave in Belgium. A photograph of the side visiting his headstone became is an iconic New Zealand image. Last year, their successors made a similar emotional pilgrimage and decided to honour the outstanding player on the tour with a special shirt to commemorate the Irishman who has a special place in Kiwi rugby history. His sacrifice and achievements have been immortalised by the Gallaher Shield, which is awarded to the winner of the Auckland club championship and the Gallaher Cup, which is awarded to the winner of tests between New Zealand and France. Gallaher impressed the French after he starred in the All Blacks 38-8 romp in Paris in 1906. Gallaher’s contribution to world rugby was no less important. He brought the position of wing forward to a wider audience and along the way helped revolutionise the way that rugby was played on a global scale. Some also believe that it was Gallaher who inspired one of the most famous nicknames in sports, that of the All Blacks. David was a five-year-old boy in 1878 when his family left their shop in Ramelton, a small village close to Letterkenny. Once in New Zealand, his father James and mother Maria watched as their youngster grew into a formidable six foot, 13 stone forward. The Irishman played with the famous Ponsonby Club and won a place on the provincial Auckland team before making his international test debut at hooker when New Zealand blasted Australia in the first international between the two rivals, in 1904. The following year, Gallaher captained the first New Zealand national representative team to test their worth in Europe. Given no chance of success, they utilized radical Gallaher-inspired tactics and rewrote rugby’s history book. Gallaher was particularly expert in the New Zealand -originated position of wing-forward, which he modified and dubbed ‘The Rover’. The home nations were slow to join the loose-forward revolution and even the New Zealand coach had wavered about using the tactics, but Gallaher was insistent. Once in Europe, the interlopers’ new style stunned the old order and they swept all aside, save a narrow and controversial 3-0 loss to Wales. Legend has it that after New Zealand trounced yet another team on tour, the Daily Mail christened them the All Blacks when a sub editor thought that a headline written to describe them as ‘all backs’ was supposed to explain the colour of their jerseys and changed it to ‘All Blacks’. Given that Gallaher championed and showcased the fluid style that inspired the original ‘All Back’ headline, it’s appropriate that he is remembered as the first ‘All Black’ captain. The Letterkenny Rugby Club is located just miles from the emigrant’s birthplace in Ramelton. The former shop is now home to one of the Letterkenny club’s founding families. Letterkenny rugby enthusiasts believe that Gallaher’s story can provide the springboard for increased participation and awareness in rugby. The club is incorporating Gallaher’s name and date of birth into their club crest, alongside a silver fern depicting his NZ achievements and they will name their new ground ‘Dave Gallaher Memorial Park’. Ireland has always been slow to recognize its own. Perhaps a small junior club in Donegal may bring the story of a brave and innovative Irishman to a wider audience. |
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