In September 2006, Navan RFC's Golden Oldies/Over 35's travelled to Buenos Aries, Argentina for the World Vintage Rugby Carnival, this Carnival had teams from all over the world grouped into separate sections of 4 teams .
In Navan's group were two South African teams and an Argentine team, the Hurling Club of Buenos Aries. Navan's team was joined by 5 Russians from Moscow. All 3 games played over 5 days were most enjoyable, with Navan perplexing the opposition teams by performing their version of the Haka under the direction of Captain Richard Dixer Kelly and tour manager Stephen Mackarel in Irish!
After the week's rugby activities Navan were invited to the Hurling Club itself, this was a nostalgic visit as an Under 20's touring team from the Hurling Club had visited Navan back in 1987 staying three days with local families. A floodlit game was played at that time and a joint presentation was made to the Argentine-Irish visitors by Navan RFC and the local GAA club Navan O'Mahony's. With surnames like Geoghegan, Rush, McCormack etc. it was obvious that there was a strong Irish connection. The manager of the 1987 tourists Alejandro Yo-Yo Wade was one of the Hurling Club hosts in Buenos Aries.
...Navan's "Presidente de la delegacione" Brian Coyle receiving a presentation from one of the South African teams with two Miss Argentina's....
The Hurling Club Clubhouse itself was quite unique with Cead Mile Failte over the entrance, large maps of counties Longford & Westmeath (where most of the Argentine-Irish came from) and a stained glass partition of the Coats of Arms of 40 Irish families in the foyer and a picture of Bertie Ahern in the bar.
Tour President de le Delegation Brian Coyle gave a speech in English, Irish & Spanish and presented a mounted and engraved Sliothar & Caman to the Hurling Club.
It was a memorable trip.
Brian Coyle,
Tour Presidente de le Delegation Navan RFC.
