Belvedere’s Leading Lady

Old Belvedere’s leading lady Muriel Butler has taken her last bow. Muriel passed away a few days ago. She will be much missed by members of the club and the wider rugby community.

Muriel had a passion for rugby that lasted her lifetime beginning when her father brought her to her first international when she was seven.

Muriel, who passed away over the weekend, was one of Ol Belvedere’s most committed supporters. Her great passion was of course junior rugby and Under-19s and Under-20s rugby.

Muriel spoke passionately about junior rugby. She said: “I imagine some people think junior rugby is dull and uninteresting. It is anything but! Believe me it is so much fun but at the same time taken so seriously by the players and management.”

She should know! Back in 1988 she became manager of the Belvo Under-19 team – she was the first woman manager in Ireland. She looked after the team, ‘mothering and nursing them’, as the former Ireland and British & Irish Lion Ollie Campbell said.

Muriel was also appointed to the Junior Rugby Commitee and became fixtures secretary for seven years. One of her personal highlights was in 2003 when the Belvo 3rds won the Minor League and Cup and the J2 All-Ireland Cup.

Muriel was also the author of two books about rugby, one on schoolboy rugby and the other about club rugby.

The removal is this evening (Monday, April 28) from Fanagans Funeral Home, Aungier Street, to the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Merrion Road, arriving at 5pm.

The funeral is tomorrow (Tuesday, April 29) at 10am. Mass to Shanganagh Cemetery.

May she rest in peace.