Boston Irish Wolfhounds Into U.S. Championship Semi-Final

On Saturday next, (May 31st), the Boston Irish Wolfhounds will play Worcester Rugby Club in the semi-final of the U.S. Division 1 National Championship in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This will be the first time either side has made it this far in a competition which encompasses over 150 teams. What makes it even more incredible is that the Wolfhounds only joined the North East Rugby Union in 1992.

Originally, the ‘Hounds’ were a select
touring side made up of primarily Irish players from the various clubs of Boston and New York. In 1991 a serious neck injury to Patrick Culleton, of Kilkenny and Bective Rangers, galvanised these tourists into making the Wolfhounds a permanent club.

It has been a short but arduous struggle up through the ranks of U.S.A. rugby, but the ‘Hounds’ have finally arrived.

Initially, the Boston side was made up mostly of Irish and English emigrants. However, nowadays the club offers a home to all races, creeds and colours. In fact, at least half of the clubs members are young American athletes, one of the reasons perhaps for their success.

The club still holds a very proud Irish heritage, and 11 of this years 1st team squad are from Ireland. They are Barry Bentley (Greystones), Mick Carey (Edenderry), John Dalton(Co.Carlow), John Doody (St.Munchins College), Damian Dowling (U.C.D. & Greystones), Brian Harte (Beacon Hill R.F.C.,Boston), Paddy McGoldrick (City of Derry), Barry Murphy (Bective Rangers), Sean O’Leary (Lansdowne), Willie Tonery (Corinthians), and club captain Jason Rose (Sunday’s Well & Young Muster).