Roly Meats Honoured with the Tom Rooney Award.
05/11/2008
TOM ROONEY AWARD - ROLY MEATES

 At the Rugby Writers of Ireland Annual Awards at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin Roly Meats was honoured with the Tom Rooney award bestoed on the receipient for services to rugby - Recognising his contribution over a lifetime at all levels in Irish Rugby.
 Roly a life long member of Wanderers F.C.was a permanent fixture on the 1stxv for many years, he has coached the 1st xv, acted as Chairman of Selectors ,held many positions on committies and was a very popular President of the Club. Roly's knowledge of rugby is second to none and in particular his knowledge of the scrummaging are recognised throughout the world . He has given tirelessly of his time to all teams within the club for many years and is always willing to help at whatever level teams are willing to learn. Roly is also well know for his sharp wit and is well admired for his occasional venture into after dinner speaking. 
Roly Meates has been part of the Irish rugby scene for a very long time. A former Trinity College and Leinster prop, he succeeded Syd Millar as Irish coach in 1975.
 His first Test match was at the newly inaugurated 'B' level, and that team beat France 9 -6 in Dublin in a match which saw no fewer than four players sent-off! His next game was against Australia in January, with a team which featured Senior Schools Cup rivals John Robbie and Ollie Campbell at half-back, but they lost 20-10. Roly spent two seasons as Irish head coach, and in the summer of 1976 was coach for the tour to New Zealand, where there were some excellent results, but the Test was lost.
 Roly, up to today, has been imparting his coaching wisdom to a wide range of teams from the Leinster senior side to schools and club teams.

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