Stewart will be at the club on Saturday 17th November 2012 for the pre-match lunch. Providing a quick trip down memory lane and will be selling copies of his new book. 50 per cent of the royalties from the book are to be donated to the Lions Trust.

The book is priced at £18 (Hard Back

After Andy Ripley's memorial service and seeing so many friends from rugby, Stewart McKinney decided to compile another set of stories to follow on from Voices from the Back of the Bus, Roars from the Back of the Bus, wholly concerned with Lions players. The camaraderie and support fellow players have for each other lasts lifetimes. From the first Tour in 1888, characters with immense personality surface, fighting together in wars or on rugby pitches in foreign lands and sharing a bond developed through touring as representatives of the home nations.

Exclusive access to letters from Alexander Findlater Todd in 1896 and diaries from 1938 and 1955 shows how todays Lions still follow links established years ago.

Despite the changes to the game following the advent of professionalism, the experiences of Jamie Heaslip, Brian O'Driscoll and Joe Worsley can still be compared to those earlier intrepid tourists like Blair Mayne, Lewis Jones, Sir Clive Aarvold or David Rollo. Containing defining memories and private insights in tales from across the tours and the decades, it shows that the 'Lions ethos' remains at the heart of every team.

Pre-Match Function

The pre-match lunch is at 1.30pm. Can you please let Paul Montgomery know if you and any friends would like to attend the pre-match that day. Email Paul.Montgomery@calorgas.ie by Tues 13th November.

This pre-match is sponsored by the Northern Bank (Robert Garrett and Colin Steele), Dennis McIlwaine and R A J McDowell (formerly known as Chester).

Retro Tops
Celebrate the day in the colours of the club. Get your old tops out of the wardrobe and wear them down to the club.

Social
If you were at the club on St Patrick's days earlier in the year, you will have a feel for what we have on offer. Hopefully a little added bonus as well.

England v Australia
Ireland v Fiji ko 17.30

Food on offer

While the mini rugby is on in the morning there will a coffee shop - offering for the parents wishing to stay and watch:

tea
coffee
scones
stews
soups

In the afternoon Stephen Henry will be offering all you hungry and cold souls the following food. So no excuses to head home early.

Burgers
Chicken Burgers
Stew
Curry & Rice

Remember members get 10% discount at the bar, with membership card.