THE Beechwood Shamrocks’ home Hastings League game against Long Flat Dragons will have extra significance this weekend, with the club set to celebrate its 90th anniversary.
A host of former Shamrocks will return to Beechwood for the match, which will be squeezed between a lunchtime function for the “old boys” on Saturday and a night out at the Beechwood Hotel on Saturday night.
If they can manage it, they will also return to the ground on Sunday morning for a special breakfast.
It will also be the first time the club will play for the Jimmy “Dooley” Roods Memorial Shield, named in honour of the Beechwood stalwart.
Club secretary Julie Clarke said the Dragons clash will now have extra meaning every year.
“The Shield will be played for in our home game with the Dragons every year,” Clarke said.
The Beechwood Old Boys have joined together to form the club’s major sponsor this year, with special jerseys made to commemorate the 90th year of the club.
Clarke said some of the old boys attending the weekend’s festivities retired a long time ago.
“There’ll be players there from the 1940s and early ’50s,” Clarke said.
Hastings League president Geoff Connor said the Shamrocks was the most successful club in the
competition.
“It’s a very professionally-run club,” Connor said.
Connor couldn’t wait to get the festivities underway.
“I’m looking forward to what should be a very good weekend,” he said.
Connor said the club wasn’t short of supporters.
“Beechwood has the biggest support base out of the clubs in the competition,” he said.
The club’s archives have also been raided for the event.
Clarke said a display will be set up with photographs and
other memorabilia from throughout the Shamrocks’
history.