Dawson Inducted Into IRB Hall Of Fame
Eleven rugby legends, including former Ireland captain and coach Ronnie Dawson, were inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame at the Aviva Stadium on Monday.
Staged following the conclusion of the opening day of the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition, the British & Irish Lions and Australia-themed ceremony attracted a number of notable guests as the global rugby community came together to celebrate past glories.
Split equally between the northern and southern Hemispheres, the inductees were: Thomas Lawton Snr., John Thornett, Ken Catchpole, Mark Ella, David Campese and George Gregan from Australia, while Robert Seddon and the 1888 British team, David Bedell-Sivright, Bleddyn Williams and Jack Matthews, Ronnie Dawson and Gavin Hastings were all honoured.
To say homegrown hero Ronnie Dawson’s induction brought the roof down is probably not the best turn of phrase given his profession as an architect. However, it is true to say the Dublin-born hooker received a great reception from those present at the Aviva Stadium.
The former Ireland international led the Lions six times during his career, a record since matched by Martin Johnson, and went on to serve the tourists as both a coach and selector.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The IRB Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.
“The British & Irish Lions are an institution, a symbol of our history, our present and our future and tours to Australia have delivered bountiful unforgettable memories. These inductees, legends in their own right, have stamped their own mark on this incredible piece of rugby history.”
The IRB Hall of Fame was launched in 2006 with the induction of Rugby School and William Webb Ellis. Since then an array of legends have been inducted, including Ireland’s Dr. Jack Kyle, Sir Anthony O’Reilly, Dr. Syd Millar, Willie John McBride, Mike Gibson and 2013 inductee Ronnie Dawson.
Alfred Ronald ‘Ronnie’ Dawson
Born: 1932 in Dublin, Ireland
Position: Hooker
International Career: 1958-1965
An architect by trade, Dawson played for the Wanderers club in Dublin, Leinster, Ireland and the Barbarians. He won the first of his 27 Irish caps against Australia in 1958 and was selected for the Lions in 1959.
An outstanding leader of men he captained his club, province, country and the 1959 Lions on their tour of Australia (six matches), New Zealand (25 matches) and Canada (two matches). A keen Barbarian he played 22 times for the club without fixed abode and captained them on several occasions, including their historic win over South Africa in 1961 – the only defeat of the tour.
He made the first of his 17 Lions appearances against Victoria, leading the Lions in six Test matches, a record since equalled by Martin Johnson. The 1959 Lions played a similar attacking brand of rugby pioneered by the 1950 tourists, running the ball at every opportunity. They scored 842 points in 33 matches, a record for a Lions team.
Dawson was unavailable to tour South Africa with the Lions in 1962, but was appointed assistant manager/coach of the 1968 Lions captained by Tom Kiernan. He became an Irish and Lions selector and was appointed as the first coach of Ireland in 1969.
He became President of Wanderers, Leinster and the Irish Rugby Football Union and chaired the IRB Council, on which he served for 20 years (1974 to 1994).
He was the member of the first Rugby World Cup Organising Committee. He was received with the IRB Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service in 2004.
Click here for profiles of all 11 of the 2013 IRB Hall of Fame inductees.