Peter Fields - RIP

It was with the deepest of sadness that we learned of the untimely passing of club stalwart Peter Fields earlier this week.

Peter's involvement and contribution to our club stretches back well over 50 years, from Clonskeagh to Kilternan.

How many can claim to have given our club that length of service?

Within that small number of people, there is even a smaller elite group who have made the impact that Peter did: on everyone he met in our club, on visiting dignitaries from other clubs and as our representative when we visited other clubs.

He was a man to whom dress code and formality was very important; his army service being the background to the importance of an impeccable appearance.

Those tasked with representing the club at functions along with Peter knew that his instructions to "don the same white colour shirt, black trousers, club tie, black shoes and club blazer (for those that have one)" would need to be adhered to.

These instructions were also a reflection of the huge pride he had in his club, making sure it looked its best and was represented to the highest standards at every opportunity, even when the scoreboard wasn't nice to look at; as many of us know, not being afraid to look at the not-so-nice scoreboards is the real test of a rugby person.

The fact that all adhered to Peter's dress instructions was a true reflection of the respect that we all had for him.

This dress code etiquette was probably most evident at the funeral of his long-time friend Sean Stratton, where (sadly) probably the best dressed Salmo guard of honour was ever formed under his guidance.

Sean, Stan, Stevie H and Gerry Doyle (to name a few) all felt the warmth and bond of their friendship with Peter who, if ever some of his club friends experienced ill-health or a life wobble, would pop in or phone to check up on them.

In our alternative clubhouse bar, "The Glenside" in Churchtown, he met the aforementioned gents and his other life-elong friend Brian Herman to discuss all things oval and beyond.

In the early years, his contribution to the Clonskeagh bar was immense. Peter then ran the club bar committee in Kilternan with his partner in crime, the young Kevin Fitzpatrick, whom he befriended when he first got involved with "Parmo". Peter was also the organiser of the infamous Leinster Clubs inter-club darts competition, an event which grew to become a very prestigious social tournament between clubs during the 1970s and 80s.

In more recent years his beloved grandchildren deservedly took centre stage.

With great pride he told us they would hold the oval ball too, even if he had difficulty in confirming unconfirmed reports that they may not don his beloved Salmo's colours - like his son Darren had when he was growing up in our mini/youths section...or worse still that the grandchildren may never wear an Armagh jersey, with Santa's presents at 

Christmas having a blue tint to them.

With regard to his proud Orchard County roots, is there any other rugby club that celebrated Armagh winning the All Ireland in 2002?

When "Fieldsy's" team won even our hard-core Dublin contingent in Lucan were thrilled for him. As was his great friend the late Liam Sarsfield (he of the DLSP Donegal Supporters Club fame). How fitting it was that his rugby club ticket secretary, Sean O'Neill, used his magic to get him a ticket to be there for that historic day.

There are many stories and tales that have been reminisced about by various friends and members since the sad news reached Kilternan earlier this week.

The love for the man was literally world-wide, spanning WhatsApp groups and RIP.ie condolences: messages of support to the family or tales of memories gone by have come from club members past and present in San Francisco, Saudi Arabia and far away places like Kenmare where another club stalwart Conn Crowley talked proudly of his love for his "Best friend for over 50 years".

Finally, it is perhaps fitting that Shane Tynan (who played on Peter’s league winning U20 team in 1997/98 season) jotted down some memories of those magical years of playing under Peter and Phil Werahiko's tutelage:

“Peter was the U20's manager in 1997 and 1998 when we first met him, green enough, just out of school. They were formative years for our team. He was the very definition of a gentleman - a gentle man but beneath the small stature and kind soul was a big steely character. He was always meticulous in preparation with spare kit, medical supplies, jerseys and water bottles.

“But he was really a people-person at heart. Always a kind word, caring for us young men and asking after us. "What about ye, Nigel?" He instilled a belief in our team that brought home the first U20 title to the club. When he spoke softly, you listened, and the words instilled belief and made us not just better players but better people. He also taught us some of the dark arts including a mean right hook from his boxing days!

“He drove three quarters of the U20 pack to training and matches for 2

years. Radio on to get us pumped up and from what we remember, mostly

playing the song ‘Insomnia’.

“Now rest easy, Peter. It was a pleasure and an honour to know and learn from you.”

To Peter's beloved wife Therese, son Darren, daughters Deirdre and Barbara, sons-in-law Hugh and Tom, his cherished grandchildren, his sister Patricia, her husband Liam, sister-in-law Maeve, her husband Kevin, their children Ruth and Conor, brother-in-law Richard, all his nieces, nephews, extended family and wonderful neighbours and friends, the members of De La Salle Palmerston FC offer our sincerest condolences.

For those that are attending the removal and/or the funeral, you know the dress code: ."white colour shirt, black trousers, club tie, black shoes & club blazer (for those that have one) ...."

RIP Peter

Arrangements:

Peter will be reposing at the Larry Massey Funeral Home, Eden Centre, Grange Road, Rathfarnham, D16 V046, on Saturday (August 16th) from 3pm to 5pm.

Removal on Monday morning (August 18th) to St. Colmcille's Church, Knocklyon, D16 R799, arriving for 11am Requiem Mass, followed by a Cremation Service at 1pm in the Victorian Chapel, Mt. Jerome, Harold’s Cross, D6W HY98.

All enquiries to Larry Massey Funeral Directors, Rathfarnham, on (01)406-1000.

Donations if desired to the charity "Hope and Play for Gaza" via the following link: hopeandplay.org