New Portlaoise RFC captain looks to the future 

PORTLAOISE Rugby Club has recently anointed its new captain for the 2025/26 season. Ryan McEvoy has been playing rugby for 15 years and is, in his own words, “feeling every bit of it”.

At the club’s recent AGM, the trustees and committee of PRFC announced their decision to elect Ryan in the prestigious role. At 22 years of age, he is the youngest captain in the club’s 59 year history. Not only, that but Ryan is proudly following in his father, Paddy’s footsteps, who captained the club in the 1993/94 season.

Paddy is now heavily involved with the coaching of Portlaoise Rugby Club and has, according to Ryan, made him the player he is today. This week I was fortunate enough to speak with Ryan about his new position in the club and hear what he has to say about the responsibilities and challenges of being captain.

Refreshingly honest, Ryan expressed his initial trepidation upon being chosen as captain, “At the age of 22 it’s a bit crazy to be captain of Portlaoise, but being a senior player at that age - it really shows how young our first team is and where we can go with such a youthful squad.” Curious to learn more about the specific duties that being captain brought, I asked Ryan to shine a light on this, to which he responded with generous candour.

“I have to rally the troops together, working hand in hand with the management team to select a squad. I need to act as a leader for the younger lads who want to start playing and setting an example for the rest of the team in terms of the attitude towards training and the commitment given. It’s also important for future captains.

“My vice-captain, Mark Kelly, who is also young having just turned 22, is great to have at my side. If I have to miss a game, I know he’ll be a good leader for the lads.” As our conversation progressed, we inevitably came to address the legacy Ryan’s father, Paddy, has left in the club and any pressure he may have felt following such legendary footsteps.

Eternally humble, Ryan was keen to express what this appointment meant to him, as well as his gratitude for having such an experienced mentor behind him.

“It means everything. Seeing my father play when I was younger, who was also captain of the club - to follow in his footsteps is quite frankly amazing. Because their team was so good then, the bar was set high. I suppose there’s a lot of expectations. Thankfully, being a coach of the team, Dad can bring his experience and knowledge to myself and the rest of the team. Of course, everyone knows my dad as ‘Scruff’ and unfortunately, I’ve been christened ‘Scruff Junior’.” While discussing Ryan’s relationship with his father as a coach and former captain, I asked him if Paddy had any sage advice to offer.

“When I was younger, he gave me every tip, he basically taught me how to play the game. Over the years, tips turned into coaching and coaching turned into giving out.

“Captaincy wise, to be fair he has said a lot of pressure has been taken off you from background staff compared to what the role once involved. Now, you can go out and enjoy your game with less worries. I’m sure he still has plenty of advice to give as I progress as captain.” Turning to the future of the club and the path Ryan hopes to pave as captain, I enquired about the club’s ambitious prospects.

“We’re obviously hoping to get promoted to the next division and beyond. We came so close two years ago in Roscrea, but sadly lost our final league game to Roscrea. We have a great club and committee who are trying to drive this club back to where it once was and hopefully to new heights. Another thing: we’re hoping to really make a push for the Town’s Cup next year and put our club back on the map with a view to winning it in the next few years.” Reflecting on the long line of captains preceding Ryan, I asked him what he may have learned from his predecessors that has prepared him for the role.

“I suppose, how to present yourself on and off the field. You have to be able to talk to anybody, which I wasn’t really great at. You’re constantly meeting new players and new people, which can be a tough task sometimes. There’s a lot more responsibility to get things done, instead of complaining about things not being done.

“Jack Reddin, who captained our first team two years ago, was great at getting things sorted and just arranging general activities and organizing team attire – he had the club looking quite professional. Honestly, I’m so new to it; I’ll learn things along the way and I’m looking forward to learning the ropes of leadership.” As our conversation came to a close, I had one final question for Ryan, which I’m sure all who know him will be greatly interested to know the answer to. That question, of course, was whether or not Ryan’s new responsibility as captain has changed how he behaves off the rugby pitch. In his trademark humility, Ryan replied in a jocular manner, “No. Same old me.” Having had the privilege of knowing Ryan for a number of years, I can say with great confidence that the future Portlaoise Rugby Club is in safe hands under its new captain.