Ulster's Lions re-union

Fran Cotton (front right) inlfitrates a pride of Ulster Lions

The pride of Ulster rugby was on show in Belfast when Lions from different and varied eras came out of their dens.

No fewer than 14 survivors of tours stretching way back from the 1938 trip to South Africa were at a special ''Tribute to The Lions'' evening.

Guest speaker was another Lions veteran Fran Cotton who was manager of that very successful 1997 trip to South Africa.

Organised by the Cooke-Collegians Cricket Club in aid of the IRFU Charitable Trust and the Lord's Taverners, nearly £10,000 was lifted for charity following an auction of sporting artefacts.

But pride of place was for 86-year-old Harry McKibbin.

Jack Kyle Ireland's mercurial fly-half

He travelled to South Africa 73 years ago on a side captained by another Ulsterman, the late Sammy Walker.

No fewer than five Ulster players made that trip, including the renowned Blair 'Paddy' Mayne.

The names, however, just dripped off the tongue at the gathering which coincidentally, was on the day after the 2001 squad was announced.

Pimpernel Jack Kyle was just as fresh and fit looking at 74 than when he was dancing through defences in Ireland's only Grand Slam year of 1948.

Still with a very sharp mind, Kyle was amazed that the present day Lions squad is likely collect a minimum of £20,000 per man from their trip Down Under.

''When we travelled back in the Fifties, we were given two pounds and 10 pence per day,'' said Kyle now back living at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in Co Down after 30 years working in Zambia.

We were given two pounds and 10 pence per day

  Jack Kyle

''That's some difference to today's stars. Mind you we were away for over six months compared to the six weeks that this summer's team will be touring.

Jimmy Nelson was a little perplexed at the number of coaches that travel with the Lions now. ''When we travelled to New Zealand in 1950, we had not even got a coach, never mind specialist advisors for this, that or the other thing,'' said 74-year-old Nelson.

Robin Thompson, who captained the 1955 tourists to South Africa just marvelled at the fitness of the present-day squad.

''They are marvellous athletes,'' he said. ''But I would just loved to have had all the opportunities in my day that the players of today have,'' said Thompson, 70 next month.

Thompson was one of the first union players to cross the divide when he went to over to rugby league after returning from his Lions trip.

He was shunned from the game for over two decades, but had to retire early from the game through illness.

Robin Thomspon Lions captain in 1955

He has had major heart problems and 25 years ago was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease and given three to five years to live.

''I have not done too badly then,'' said a very fit looking Thompson who will be 70 in May.

Missing due to business were two of the greatest Lions in Mike Gibson and Willie John McBride.

McBride captained the Lions on their unbeaten trek through South Africa in 1974.

He incredibly was on a record five tours and played in 17 Tests.

Special

A special item in the auction was sold on behalf of the late Gordon Brown, McBride's great engine room colleague and friend, who died earlier this month.

The new Lions jersey autographed by those veterans in attendance fetched £1150 which will go directly to his family.

Also in attendance were David Hewitt (1959, 62), Ray Hunter (1962), David Irwin (1983), Ronnie Lamont (1966), Syd Millar (1959, 62, 68), Dick Milliken (1974), Colin Patterson (1980), Cecil Pedlow (1955), Trevor Ringland (1983), and Nigel Carr who was honoured as a Lion in a special match against the Rest of the World in Cardiff in 1986.