Ireland, British and Irish Lions and Leinster star, Robbie Henshaw, brought the Six Nations and Triple Crown trophies to his home club Buccaneers on Saturday, April 22.
Following a private welcome by club officers for him in The Bounty during which club president Billy McMickan presented him with a framed photo of the Athlonian scoring a try in the recent international against England, Robbie then had a meet and greet session with the hundreds, most wearing Buccs colours, who turned up. He patiently posed for photos and signed jerseys and rugby balls for close on two hours, such was the numbers who attended.
Robbie was accompanied by former IRFU President Pat Fitzgerald and his wife Anne. Pat spoke with pride of Robbie’s numerous achievements and he was proud to recall that he was IRFU President when the Coosan man won his first Senior cap. Pat was quietly confident and hopeful that Robbie and Ireland have what it takes to capture the Rugby World Cup later this year. He concluded by making a surprise presentation to Robbie of his British & Irish Lions cap. This was a unique occasion as Lions caps are, remarkably, usually sent by mail or courier to the players.
Billy McMickan, who noted the presence of the club’s first ever Ireland international Leo Galvin, thanked Robbie for generously giving his time back to his roots and he wished him continued success with Leinster for the remainder of the season and, of course, with Ireland in the forthcoming RWC.
