Noel was raised in North Belfast and began his love of rugby at Belfast High School, where he played in the 1st XV alongside future Bangor 1st XV colleagues Trevor Wright and Jackie McBride. Noel also represented Ulster Schools, and joined Bangor from Queen’s in the early 1970s. Whilst helping the 2nd XV win the Provincial Towns’ Cup in 71/72 and again in 73/74, he quickly established himself as an integral member of the 1st XV for over a decade in which Bangor won its first Ulster Senior League title in 74/75 and first Ulster Senior Cup in 79/80. Noel was an exceptionally good open-side wing forward, renowned for his ability to read a game, his superb support play and a fearless competitiveness which marked him out as one of the most outstanding Bangor players of that era. Noel was Club Captain in the 77/78 season and ten years after that first Towns’ Cup success he was part of the 81/82 squad which won the clean sweep of Ulster Senior Cup, Ulster Senior League, Bass Boston Cup and Carrick Sevens. Bangor’s success as one of the top Club sides in the country that season was rewarded with an invitation to represent Ireland in a prestigious though controversial International Club Competition in South Africa. Noel was a member of the Bangor side which beat Gloucester en route to winning the Pretoria Plate in what was a memorable tour, a fitting climax to an outstanding playing career.

Noel’s love of rugby saw him continue playing well into his thirties for the lower sides in the Club, a time when he was able to quietly share numerous anecdotes of a highly successful and enjoyable playing career with many of Bangor’s younger players. Noel’s experience and knowledge of the game, and the respect with which he was held not only by his peers, but throughout the Club, saw him take on the challenging role of 1st XV Coach for a number of seasons after the Club’s Centenary season in 85/86, a period which saw the successful continuation of Bangor’s pre-eminence within Ulster Senior rugby. Noel was also called upon again in the late 1990s at a time when the Club’s fortunes were on the wane following the early years of the All Ireland League, the demise of the Boston Cup and the subsequent emergence of professional rugby. Once again, this was carried out with dignity and dedication by Noel during a difficult period for the Club but one in which he also took great pleasure from seeing his sons Robert, Andrew and Daniel play at Bangor, Robert following his father as Club Captain in the 97/98 season. The family tradition has since extended to a third generation, Noel’s grandchildren Oliver and Alexander having played mini rugby at the Club.

Following his eventual retirement from coaching, Noel continued to keep himself remarkably fit. He was a very popular and constant presence at the Club on Thursday nights, thoroughly enjoying the Veterans touch rugby sessions up until a year ago when he was diagnosed with the illness which would eventually lead to his untimely death. A very private and modest man with a sharp intellect, wry sense of humour and a fondness for Drambuie with crushed ice, Noel made a remarkable contribution to the life of Bangor Rugby Club all of his adult life. He will be sadly missed but warmly remembered by everyone who knew him well. To his wife Lynda; his sons Robert, Andrew, Matthew and Daniel; daughters-in-law Corrie, Kirsten, Catherine and Juliann, and grandchildren Isabella, Oliver, Alexander, Aoife, Ines, Moss, Joseph and Emily, we extend our deepest sympathy.

The funeral service will be held this Friday, 3rd February at 4.30pm at Roselawn Crematorium.