Dad and his seven sons scrum down
There was just one name on the forwards’ team sheet.
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A frequent joke used for those of us with larger than average families is that we are growing our own rugby team.
But for Mike Ireland, his sons’ enjoyment as mini players encouraged him to take up the game aged 41. Now, hanging up his boots at 56, he has had his dream of scrumming down with his boys fulfilled.
When Heaton Moor rugby club’s third XV played Wythenshawe recently Mike, a chartered engineer, was playing loose-head prop, with his seven sons making up the rest of the team’s forwards in the scrum.
All play for the club currently, apart from 33-year-old Matt who came out of retirement to feature in the second row alongside 18-year-old Joel. Dan (35) was hooking, Tommy (31) was No 8, Sam (27) was tighthead and Luke (23) blind-side flanker, while Stephen (21) was playing openside.
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Victory send-off
After a great 65-7 victory send -off Mike thanked Wythenshawe for a fantastic occasion and said: ”To be fair to Wythenshawe, some of my boys are in the first and second-team, so were ringers really.”
Said Tommy: “Dad has seven sons, eight daughters and, so far, 15 grandchildren. He started playing rugby later than most after taking us down to the club and, probably due to aches and pains, has now decided to retire. He talked of how great it would be to all play together in the scrum, so we decided to do it and make sure he really enjoys his last match.
“We had a few drinks after his last training session and stuck around to raise a glass to the old man after the game. I’m sure he’ll still be down the club as an alickadoo. As for our mum, Donna, she’s over the moon we are doing this for dad as she’s his number one supporter!”
Enjoyed the dark arts
Mike, from Reddish, near Stockport, began playing when helping to coach Tommy. Encouraged to join the club’s third team he said: “I stopped smoking, started playing and got 15 years out of it. I don’t know what it is about the front row, I enjoyed the dark arts. It’s all about technique. You don’t have to be a big guy to do well in the front row.
“I don’t know how I found time to coach kids and play as well but none of it would have happened without my wife, Donna. She is the foundation of our family and has been a bit of a rugby widow at times. I’ve got a bit of DIY to catch up on now!”
The couple’s eight daughters: Rebekah, Abigail, Hannah, Mary, Donna, Ruth, Lucy and Eva, as well of their sons are glad that mum and dad are planning a dream holiday to Thailand. Then, with grandchildren starting to play rugby, with Tommy’s eight-year-old son Oscar already at the club, they will no doubt be at Heaton Moor club for many years to come.
“I was never an outstanding player, but I loved the game and it’s time for someone younger to take my place,” said Mike. “My retirement coincided with Joel becoming 18 and being on the senior squad, so it was a perfect last match.”
