SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER they tasted All-Ireland success together, Lansdowne Rugby Club’s all-conquering U20s team gathered for a reunion with a difference on Saturday night.
Lansdowne U20s team from 1998/1999 at Saturday's dinner. Jenny Matthews
Jenny Matthews
In the shadow of the Aviva Stadium, over 200 people attended a fundraising dinner for a young man who played such an integral part in the club’s successes during the 1998/99 season.
Ryan Walker only played for Lansdowne for a single season but his impact in such a short period of time, both on and off the field, was immense.
The South African inspired the club to Leinster and All-Ireland triumph and his knowledge, talent and experience rubbed off on his team-mates.
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After returning home to embark on a successful career with the Natal Sharks and then the Leeds Tykes in England, Walker was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease at the age of 35.
Determined not to allow this debilitating disease to prevent him from continuing his work on the family farm or being an active father for his two children, the 35-year-old, along with his wife, set-up the Ryan Walker Foundation.
And on Saturday he and his wife returned to Ireland for a gala dinner hosted in his honour to raise funds for the foundation.
All but three of his Lansdowne team-mates were in attendance as over €70,000 was raised on the night through sponsorship, generous donations, a raffle and an auction including items donated by Brian O’Driscoll and Rory McIlroy.
“Ryan arrived and made an ordinary team a very good team,” Roger Geraghty, who captained the team, told The42. “He raised the bar for us and it was the perfect opportunity to come together to support one of our own.
“As a club, we’re particularly proud of our association with Ryan and were delighted he and his wife could make it over for the dinner. He’s an incredible person and didn’t stop smiling all night.”
“Ryan came back to Ireland halfway through the season after returning home to play for his province. He flew back against their wish to help us win the Leinster and All-Ireland titles.
Robbie Dolan, Eddie Byrne, Ryan Walker, Mick Quinn and Roger Geraghty. Jenny Matthews
Jenny Matthews
“That epitomised his selflessness and we want to repay him.”
Walker has traveled to Mumbai and Boston for the best treatment available and the money raised will help him continue to create awareness about the disease.
Despite everything, Walker continues to work on the family farm and is determined not to allow the disease to impede him being an active father for his two young daughters.
More information about the Ryan Walker Foundation can be found here.
Paula Walker and Ryan Walker. Jenny Matthews
Jenny Matthews
Irish rugby club raise €70k in one night for former player living with Motor Neuron Disease
SIXTEEN YEARS AFTER they tasted All-Ireland success together, Lansdowne Rugby Club’s all-conquering U20s team gathered for a reunion with a difference on Saturday night.
In the shadow of the Aviva Stadium, over 200 people attended a fundraising dinner for a young man who played such an integral part in the club’s successes during the 1998/99 season.
Ryan Walker only played for Lansdowne for a single season but his impact in such a short period of time, both on and off the field, was immense.
The South African inspired the club to Leinster and All-Ireland triumph and his knowledge, talent and experience rubbed off on his team-mates.
After returning home to embark on a successful career with the Natal Sharks and then the Leeds Tykes in England, Walker was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease at the age of 35.
Determined not to allow this debilitating disease to prevent him from continuing his work on the family farm or being an active father for his two children, the 35-year-old, along with his wife, set-up the Ryan Walker Foundation.
And on Saturday he and his wife returned to Ireland for a gala dinner hosted in his honour to raise funds for the foundation.
All but three of his Lansdowne team-mates were in attendance as over €70,000 was raised on the night through sponsorship, generous donations, a raffle and an auction including items donated by Brian O’Driscoll and Rory McIlroy.
“Ryan arrived and made an ordinary team a very good team,” Roger Geraghty, who captained the team, told The42. “He raised the bar for us and it was the perfect opportunity to come together to support one of our own.
“Ryan came back to Ireland halfway through the season after returning home to play for his province. He flew back against their wish to help us win the Leinster and All-Ireland titles.
“That epitomised his selflessness and we want to repay him.”
Walker has traveled to Mumbai and Boston for the best treatment available and the money raised will help him continue to create awareness about the disease.
Despite everything, Walker continues to work on the family farm and is determined not to allow the disease to impede him being an active father for his two young daughters.
More information about the Ryan Walker Foundation can be found here.
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Great Cause lansdowne fc ryan walker ryan walker foundation