The 1988 Munster Junior Cup winning team members paid tribute to the memory of their captain Trevor Barry at the pre-match lunch for the Garryowen AIB League game on Saturday. It was appropriate for the day that was in it, since Garryowen were the finalists at Thomond Park in April 1988, and the Trevor Barry Cup has been played in his memory each year between the clubs since 2002.

Trevor’s widow, Wendy and her family Robert, James and Amy attended the lunch, and presented the Cup to the winning captain Evan Ryan after a well-fought encounter that Con won 17-14.

During the lunch young James responded to a presentation by club President Pat O’Keeffe of Munster jerseys with a well structured reply that was delivered with great assurance and confidence – just like his Dad.

At the well-attended function Brian Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Junior Cup team, spoke of the many facets of Trevor’s renowned and devious humour. Trevor spared nobody with his wit and always ensured that he had the last word also.

The former team players in attendance were Brian Fitzgerald, Kevin Flanagan, Finian O’Driscoll, Alan Byrne, Alan Byrne, Ian O’Leary, Pat O’Donovan, Jerry O’Connor, Ken O’Donovan, Barry Jones, Steve Hayes, Ken Smith, Brian Humphries, Maurice Kearney, Rea Kennedy, Peter Good, Paddy Costigan, Kevin Dinan, Owen O’Brien, Fergie O’Connor, Colm Murphy, Frank O’Connell (Selector) and Jack Dinan (Hon Sec.).

It was a memorable re-union for all concerned and many stories were told and re-told of deeds fair and foul. And as the successful match day went to evening the group shared in Munster’s success over Ulster at Thomond Park. It was nice again to see the Garryowen players mingle with their opposite numbers as they all stayed on to take in the Munster game also.

After the main game this season’s Junior XV played Highfield in a league game under lights and afterwards joined the, by now very convivial group, in the clubhouse to complete a great rugby occasion and a memorable day.