Harry Ardill - An Appreciation
"Harold Ardill". The mere mention of the name to anyone who knew him would immediately create a picture in your mind… smile on his face, looking delighted to see you, at a committee meeting, driving "Ardill Plastics" van, at a rugby match, with his family. However, besides the picture in the mind, your heart would fill with a deep feeling of friendship. Harry had lots of friends. And each friendship was precious to Harry as it was to each of us. In fact, Harry made each one of us feel as if we were his best friend. Each of us could tell our own story of our affection for Harry.
Harry was a member of Co. Carlow Football Club for over forty years. He played rugby with Carlow in the mid-60s while in Leaving Cert. in Kilkenny College . One of his first games, if not the first game, was a Provincial Towns Cup final, which Carlow won against Athy in 1965. He subsequently went on to play rugby with Carlow for 20 years and was heavily involved in club activities right up to his untimely death. In fact, only two years ago, just when you thought Harry and Noreen had enough on their hands with the B/B business in St. Mullins, Harry, with Noreen's invaluable support, took on the Presidency of the club…. an arduous task at the best of times!
During his playing days, Harry was great at "minding" young players especially when the going got rough on the field of play. On one particular occasion, during a rough patch in a match, a player, new to the game, was unceremoniously pulled back by Harry, only for Harry to step into the action and sort the aggressor out. His post-comment was, "He won't be singing for a few nights!!"
In the early 70s, he captained the club and led what was a very good side… unlucky not to win a few cups in that period. Harry was a born leader and showed that, not just on the rugby field nor even just in rugby matters but in anything he took on from club committees, social events, charity events (of which they were many).
In 1977 he was on the club PTC cup winning side as a veteran of rugby in the front row. Playing Athy in the final, locked at 6-6 in the dying moments of extra time. A scrum under the Athy posts, Harry dropped the scrum in such a manner that the referee awarded a penalty to Carlow; Carlow kicked the goal and won the cup. That incident has been kept a secret for 29 years!!! That was Harry the rogue!!! It should be mentioned that the referee of the day was a well-known international referee. Harry could cod even the best!!
Harry's family, Noreen, daughters Karen, Linda, Jenny and son Niall, were at the core of his life, there with him in everything he did. We in rugby have come to know them well, they being great supporters of Carlow rugby. Most importantly, they were great "supporters" of Harry. I know that many of us have been grateful recipients of the Ardill hospitality. In anything he took on, Harry gave full commitment. But his commitment to family was greatest.
It was in the early 80s that Harry took up refereeing and joined the ARLB. It can be safely said that Harry wasn't the typical referee. He was a nice guy and knew what was going on in the front row!! It was during this period that we all saw Harry the great ambassador for rugby. He was extremely well known and respected in any club he visited. He refereed for many years showing great empathy with the players. When they transgressed, no better man than Harry to bring home to them the error of their ways (possibly because of his own experiences as a player, "been there, done that"!!).
Harry served as ARLB South-East Representative and Executive Committee member for many years. He played a huge part in the development of ARLB especially in provincial areas. Harry was a great man to have on your side during selection. His persistence at selection gave a step up the ladder to many a young, and not so young, referee. He served with great commitment on Executive Committee and, on the odd occasion, his "full and frank” exchanges were witnessed to great effect in support of some great cause.
Harry's untimely passing has left a huge hole in not just the rugby world but in any walk of life he travelled. We are all devastated and will miss him greatly. But no one will miss him like Noreen, Linda, Karen, Jenny and Niall. Our deepest sympathies are with them. We are all here to help them, both now and in the future.