When it came to the long-awaited day being Easter Monday 31 March 1975, the day duly arrived with bright sunshine. There was however a strong wind, whose chill was bitter and threatened the potential for open rugby at Ravenhill. I had the privilege to captain the 2nd XV during the season 2014-15 under the coaching of the legendary Con McCall. The side was very competent and even now, upon reflection, it must have been one of the top Junior sides in Ulster; indeed, having won the Towns` Cup it went on to achieve pan-Irish success, when it took part in the Inter –Provincial competition called the Oval Trophy hosted at Arklow.

That wind blew from North to South - from the Memorial Clock end towards the present Family Stand. It seemed to be strengthening, which caused Con some concerns for the game against Dungannon. Some team members were carrying injuries and the playing conditions were not to our pleasing. Nevertheless the late Mike (`Chunky`) Wilson was a stylish footballer and was safe at full-back. James O`Fee and Randall Herron were a powerful and fast wing duo. In the centre were the late Adrian (`Manxie`) Mencarelli and Ken Finlay. Adrian was an amazing player who terrified the opposition with dazzling low level attacks, which sometimes caught the rest of his own team unawares. Ken was the master of the `bludgeon ram` and delighted in a full blooded thrust with ball in hand at his opposite player – a tactic which was frequently employed during the game. For his efforts he lost plenty of his front teeth, which made his approach seem even more challenging. At out-half was the tall and athletic Brian McDowell, partnered by nippy and accurate Lyn MacCallum at scrum half – surely one of the best ever at Bangor. On either side of me at hooker were props Gary (`Grew`) Swenarton and Jimmy McAllister. The former was one of those dependable types, who in the most strenuous of moments never let his side down. Jimmy `Mac` was as strong as an ox; prop-forwards are often characterised by excess weight – perhaps even flab! Jimmy was just muscle, skin, bones and built like a Sherman tank. Behind the front row were two faithful servants of the 2nd XV, Billy Kirk and Neil Grainger – the `boiler house` of the team. Neither of them relished the task of jumping at the line-out in the strong sunlight and freezing wind. Our back-row forwards were something special too. James Conn was so very quick to the breakdown and lightening-quick in getting his hands to the ball for re-use by his own team. Brian Crawford was another very strong player, immensely powerful and unrelenting in pace throughout any game. In those days there were no substitutes!!

Bangor played against the wind in the first half, which developed into a relatively messy affair due to the weather conditions. Neither side created many chances and were afraid to be adventurous in any way. At half time the score was not surprisingly 0-0; it must have been a dreary spectacle for the reasonable crowd, which shivered together in the then one and only stand at Ravenhill, which was some but not a lot of protection at any time.

At the start of the 2nd half there was optimism in our ranks that with the wind in our backs Dungannon would crack and the scores would go in. How false were our hopes! As is often the case it was easier to play against the wind for purposes of passing the ball along the backs than it was with the wind. Dungannon stuck grimly to their task and got `amongst us` spoiling a plentiful supply of decent ball. Ken Finlay was used to `batter` the opposing defence – all to no avail.

Then came the crucial moment of the match fairly late on, when Lyn MacCallum, instead of directing the ball to Brian McDowell, flashed a pass to Mike Wilson, who dropped a goal but only just. We were all delighted by some points at last on the board. Dungannon pressed hard, but they never showed any real prospect of scoring; it was a hard day for them. We won 3-0 and mighty relieved we were. It had been a tough, tough game. Still we had the Towns` Cup in our hands.

I wish to thank my team colleagues for sharing some great sporting moments with me on that far off Easter Monday. I cherish the memory of our coach the late Con McCall – a terrific sports enthusiast, whose contribution to the games of both rugby and cricket in Bangor and Ulster was truly immense. His dear wife Margaret could not be with us on the day on account of serious illness. She may not have achieved Con`s limelight, but she indeed was in every respect a contributor in her own significant way. A wonderful game with wonderful people – such is the stuff of a wonderful day 41 years ago!

David Carson
(Bangor 2nd XV Captain, 1975)

Back row l-r:
Brian McDowell. James O'Fee. Neil Grainger. Gary Swenarton. Mike Wilson. Billy Kirk. Brian Crawford. Adrian Mencarelli.

Front row l-r:
James Conn. Edwin Conn(President). Tim McMillen. David Carson (Captain). Ken Finlay. Lynn McCallum. Randal Herron. Jimmy McAllister. Con McCall.(Coach)