The New Century

When Blacker relinquished the coaching role, former Sheffield Eagles, Halifax and Siddal hooker, and quite aptly, Ireland international Johnny Lawless took over. This attracted many new players to the club and a second team was duly formed for the 2001-02 season. . There was a lot of competition for places in the first team and this period saw the club becoming so much stronger.

Club stalwart, Pete Emmett, recalled that

“Any Halifax Irish player will always look back fondly on Johnny’s coaching and he had a natural ability to get the best out of everyone, bringing so many aspects of his professional career to the club, coupled with his outstanding man management skills the team became a real force.”

Tommy Gleeson also had a spell as head coach during this period, the former Elland and Calder Valley player had done an unbelievable job coaching Leeds Rhinos Academy to success and with his own Irish background he fancied being involved with his local Irish club.

However, it was the appointment of Anthony Irvine, a Halifax lad playing with Castleford Tigers, and Salford City Reds forward, Andy Brocklehurst, as joint coaches a couple of years later that would take the club to the next level. This saw a meteoric rise for the club as they assembled a team that would defy the odds and light up Halifax amateur Rugby League.

The most successful competition for the Halifax Irish was the Halifax Cup. They won the Halifax Cup an amazing 6 times in 8 years between 2006 and 2013. Their first success came in their first ever final in the 2005-06 season when they defeated a formidable Elland team in the final. There then followed to finals against Keighley Albion. The first of these in the 2006-07 season, was a closely fought affair with Irish coming home by 16 points to 12. The following year the game was quite different as Irish ran out victors by 41 points to 10.

After missing the 2009 final, it was in the 2009-10 season that Halifax Irish returned to the final once again defeating Elland. The Halifax Irish that day included some classy players including Graham Charlesworth and Anthony Irvine in the halves and Martin Silcox at fullback.

New opponents awaited Halifax Irish in the Halifax Cup final of the 2010-2011 season, as it was Siddal A who were the opponents. The game was perhaps closer than the 22-8 final score would indicate. Again, they missed a season in 2012 but bounced back to win the Halifax Cup once more in 2012-13 season with a victory over Brighouse Rangers which came after a feisty semi-final clash with Stainland Stags. In a game marred by controversy, Irish secured a victory 24 points to 20.

In 2013-14 the team had their sights firmly set on winning the Halifax Cup again. There was a hard-fought semi-final clash with their previous final opponents, Brighouse Rangers, with Irish prevailing by 32-20. However, Irish were to finish the final as runners up to Illingworth.

Away for the Halifax Cup. Halifax Irish were also having success in other competitions.

As Halifax Irish continued their rise up through the divisions of the Pennine League there were some mighty battles as they proved their worth in the higher echelons of the Pennine League. One great struggle was with rivals Victoria Rangers (Bradford) as Irish passed through Pennine League Division 3 where the 4-14 all home draw in December was followed early in the new year with a great, hard fought Halifax Irish away victory!

Their 2004-05 season was real challenge as player shortages hit. These were not easy times for the Irish and they were unable to turn a team to travel to Thornhill during their Division 1 campaign. The team was ably led by Chris Norman who gave sterling service to the club during the season.

Chris posted later when reminiscing abut his time at Halifax Irish

“God we did some stupid stuff. What memories and great times we had at Irish!

The situation improved the following season 2005-06 as the Pennine League Division 1 championship was secured as Andrew Brocklehurst’s young side were lead around the field by half backs Chris Holroyd and Nick Smith.

Mention should also be made of Andrew Beaumont’s achievement of being Halifax Irish longest serving player. Andy started with the Irish in 1995 and played until 2006. He put in some sterling performances for the team.

Promotion followed and the 2006-07 season, Halifax Irish who had become a really good team, surprised many by winning the Pennine League Premier Division edging out one of the amateur teams of the era, the star-studded Sharlston Rovers. Back-to-back championships really put Halifax Irish in the spotlight. Halifax Irish player, Lee Brook, took the Halifax Player of the Year Award and clubmate. Pete Emmett was also recognised as he picked up the Clubman of the Year Award for contribution to the club as player, club secretary, physio and match report writer.

Watch Halifax Irish v Sharlston on www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga8beOXpKW0

There were notable performances over this period by players such as try machine Darren Williams who scored 4 tries away at Dodworth and a hat-trick against Greetland All Rounders. After another successful season in 2008-09, the club was recognised at the Pennine League Presentation night when half back, Graham Charlesworth, was awarded Premier Division Player of the Year. And for the second time, Pete Emmett was recognised as he took home the Clubman of the Year Award.

Another highlight was without doubt their progression through to the Pennine League Presidents Cup final in 2012 where they came up against Driglington (Bradford). Man of the match, Chris Holroyd, led from the front and Halifax Irish were victorious by 26-10.

Watch the highlights on www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOmC6BhXNrI

The same 2012 season was to see Halifax Irish reach the Halifax Championship Final and win their one and only Halifax Championship, the year after finishing Champions of the Top 4 play off in 2011.

Halifax Irish continued playing in the Pennine League Championship Division until their demise. In the late 2010’s. They had some hard times indeed travelling to one away game in Rotherham with only 10 players. Perhaps the lack of an obvious catchment area, such as clubs like Ovenden, Illingworth and Siddal, coupled with having no junior structure, led to a gradual reduction of players which in turn led to the club’s final demise. Although only in existence for a relatively short time, Halifax Irish certainly made their mark on amateur Rugby League in Halifax bringing colour to the scene.