22/07/2026
“Myself, my brother, my son, my three nephews and my grandson all played for Midleton”
Name: Ivor Smyth
Member since: Early 1960s
Positions played: Centre, Wing
Humans of Towns Park #7
How did you first get involved with the club?
“I was playing with Midleton College at the time, and my brother Pierce played as well. He was about two years older than me, so I joined with him.”
Who was the first person to make you feel welcome?
“Dan Lynch now like he was a good coach. Tom Mulcahy was playing at the time & Decky Hayes who was very good as well”
After you finished playing, what would you say is your best memory as a supporter at Towns Park?
“The time my son Philip started to play with the senior team. He was Number 8. He won a County Cup medal when he was just 17. He had to give up early on because he got an injury to his neck. He was captain of the first team that time. He came back a few years later and moved into the back line.”
Any other stories you’d like to share?
“Philip’s son now, Eoghan, played two years ago for Ireland Under-20s. He’s on the Munster “A” team now and in the Academy. He was lucky enough to play one season with Midleton’s senior team before moving up. I hope he might come back to the club in a few years before he gives up. He plays number 12 of course.”
What advice would you give to a new member walking into the club?
“They’ll feel welcome. We’ll introduce them to the coaches or trainers if they’re playing, and make sure they feel part of the club.”
What’s your hope for the future of the club?
“I’d like to see them go up a bit more in the table to a better level in the senior, so I hope we’ll see it, whether I’ll live to see it!”
What’s your favourite thing about Towns Park?
“The club there after the match when everyone gets together, they welcome the visiting team and chat to them and all that”
Finally, what does Midleton RFC mean to you?
“I’ve been up here in the club for a long time, I did the lotto for a bit, so good memories of that with a lot of the people who we went around to in different pubs, even pubs I wouldn’t be in, so there’d be memories of that too and you know you make friends then out of here too.”