Brendan Gallagher: 30 years on from Matt Gallagher’s special day

Like others similarly struck down, Gallagher faced MND headlong with great courage and, as far as is possible in such distressing circumstances, turned a negative into a positive by embarking on an extraordinary quickfire and determined fund raising spree with the help of family and friends and colleagues from all the clubs he represented – Solihull School, Birmingham and Solihull RFC, Sheffield Hallam University, Nottingham RFC and Coventry.

After being diagnosed in October 2023, he immediately set up the Matt Gallagher Foundation, which at the time of his death had raised the best part of £1.6m.

It’s extraordinary how MND seems to bring out the best in those both suffering with it and attempting to support that individual.

Greatly missed

Unlike some who have raised funds primarily for much-needed ongoing research into the poorly understood disease, Gallagher wanted the funds to directly benefit those suffering from the disease and their families and close ones, for whom it often also proves to be a testing, life-changing development with all sorts of extra financial and emotional burdens.

It is estimated that, so far, over 100 sufferers have benefited from the Foundation.

In their online tribute, Coventry noted that: “Despite facing his own battle with extraordinary courage, Matt devoted his energy to supporting others.

“His compassion, determination and unwavering positivity created a network of hope for so many people during the most difficult of times.

“Everyone at Coventry Rugby sends their heartfelt condolences to Matt’s family, friends and all those connected with the Matt Gallagher Foundation at this incredibly difficult time.

“He will be greatly missed across the rugby community.”

Courageous: Matt Gallagher, who succumbed to MND at the age of 59
PICTURE: Coventry RFC

Courage

Meanwhile, on the Foundation website, his children left a heartfelt message to their father: “His courage and compassion inspired everyone who knew him, showing us what it truly means to live with kindness at the very heart of who you are.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported the Foundation and shown so much love.

“This is more than a legacy; it is the mark of a true hero. We love you Dad and we will carry you in our hearts for ever, sleep tight.”

Gallagher’s reaction to such a devastating personal setback won’t have surprised anybody who knew him.

A nuggety, ultra-reliable jack of all trades centre, rock solid in defence and with a good turn of pace, a stalwart player you would definitely want on your side when the going got tough.

I was lucky enough to witness just one such game nearly 30 years ago now, when Cov pulled off that very rare feat in rugby union, a proper David v Goliath victory.

By way of fond tribute, let’s briefly revisit that glorious occasion and recall one of Gallagher’s happiest rugby days.

“I was there days”

It was November 1996 and rugby had been declared open – professional to you and me – a year earlier, but the RFU had called a moratorium of one season for reasons best known to themselves.

To let the dust settle, I suppose.

Anyway, the impatient Sir John Hall was in a hurry and had promptly signed up a fair proportion of the best available players in Britain and Ireland with Newcastle, who needed to get out of Division One – what we now call the Championship – and into Premiership 1 as it was called if they weren’t to miss the bus.

Tim Stimpson, John Bentley, Tony Underwood, Rob Andrew, Gary Armstrong, Nick Popplewell, Garath Archer, Doddie Weir and Dean Ryan were among their early signings – the core of the team that won the Premiership in the 1997-98 season – and were all on duty that misty day when Cov rolled back the years and gave them the bloodiest of noses.

A late Jez Harris dropped goal – and the former Leicester man really was a DG specialist – saw Cov squeeze home 19-18 at a packed Coundon Road, possibly the last occasion that famous old ground was filled to capacity.

It was one of those “I was there days” you squirrel away, to be recalled fondly decades later over a pint of foaming ale.

Fine game

Gallagher enjoyed a very fine game at centre that afternoon alongside former Bristol centre Richie Robinson – Newcastle couldn’t make any sort of headway in midfield at all against them – and it’s interesting to have a quick look at the Coventry side that Gallagher was an integral part of.

If nothing else, it’s a reminder of just how strong the second tier of English rugby was back then and should be again if only the RFU would show some love for their showpiece league, the top of their pyramid.

Leading the Coventry charge up front was probably the most accomplished second row pairing ever seen outside of the Premiership in this country.

A raw boned, hungry, athletic and very aggressive Danny Grewcock, who dismantled the Newcastle pack limb by limb that day – Saracens and Nigel Wray saw the highlights and were on the phone soon after – and canny lineout master Andy Blackmore, who didn’t lose a ball all afternoon.

Meanwhile, former Bristol captain Derek Eves was still a high-class operator at flanker alongside another talented Bristolian in the back row, Ian Patten.

Julian Horrobin was a forthright Gloucester-man, a back rower by inclination, pressed into service at lock while skipper Rob Hardwick was capped by England at prop, and wing Andy Smallwood, who got one of their two tries, was a talent and a big prospect at the time.

A special day for Coventry and a day which probably deserves to be remembered 30 years on this November at some kind of reunion when the victors could also raise a glass to Gallagher.