Birthday wishes extended to Lions rugby legend Willie John McBride

Dr McBride, who was born in Toome, captained the victorious 1974 Lions tour to South Africa during a distinguished career.

The ex-Lions and Ireland skipper is the most decorated player in British and Irish Lions history and was recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours for services to rugby.

In 2002 he was inducted into the Newtownabbey Sporting Hall of Fame, and in 2004 was named ‘Rugby Personality of the Century’ by Rugby World magazine.

Extending birthday wishes to the Ballyclare resident, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ald John Smyth, said: “As a Freeman of the Borough, a hallowed member of our Sporting Hall of Fame, and a key figure in our borough Sports Awards for many years, Willie John McBride is one of our most iconic sportspeople.

“An inspirational captain for his province, Irish rugby, and the British and Irish Lions, we are proud of both his record on the field, and his contribution to the community and many charities. On behalf of the people of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, I send him our very best wishes and hope he enjoys a very happy 80th birthday.”

Dr McBride is president of the Wooden Spoon Society and works tirelessly fundraising for the charity in support of its work with disabled and disadvantaged children.

He won 63 caps for Ireland, including 11 as skipper, but it was the Lions that defined his career.

In May 1974 the former Ballymena RFC and Ulster lock led a squad of 34 rugby players from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales who formed the British and Irish Lions Squad to travel to South Africa.

Captained by McBride, they were to play against a country not beaten in 78 years. When they returned in July of that year, having won 21 of their 22 matches and drawing the other, they returned as “The Invincibles” and went on to become known as the greatest northern hemisphere side of all time.

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