Noel Henderson
 Henderson in New Zealand in 1950 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Noel Joseph Henderson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 10 August 1928 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Drumahoe, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 27 August 1997 (aged 69) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Belfast, Northern Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Foyle College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Queen's University Belfast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Noel Joseph Henderson (10 August 1928 – 27 August 1997) was a
Early life
Henderson was born in Drumahoe, County Londonderry on 10 August 1928. He attended Foyle College in Derry, and then Queen's University Belfast.[1]
Playing career
His first appearance for Ireland came against
Henderson played in all of Ireland's games in the Five Nations Championship between 1951 and 1955, with Ireland winning the Championship in 1951. In 1956, Henderson was made captain of the national team.[3] Ireland recorded their first victory over a team from the southern hemisphere in January 1958, when they beat Australia during their tour of Europe. Henderson captained the side and with the scores tied at 6 points each, scored the try to give Ireland their win by 9 points to 6.[4]
In his last game as Ireland captain in 1958 against France, Henderson switched position from centre to full-back. He finished his international career at full-back, playing all four games in the 1959 Five Nations championship in the position.[5] Henderson's 40 caps for Ireland placed him fourth at the all-time international appearances list at the time of his retirement from international rugby.[6]
Henderson played four times for the Barbarians invitational rugby team, against East Midlands in 1951, Cardiff and Swansea in 1955 and as captain against Swansea in 1956.[7]
Post-playing career
Following his retirement from playing rugby, he continued to play a role as an administrator for his club NIFC and for the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU).[3] He was elected president of the Irish Rugby Football Union for the 1990-91 season.[8]
References
- ^ a b van Esbeck, Edmund (28 August 1997). "Former Lion Noel Henderson dies, 69". Irish Times.
- ^ "Player Archive - Noel Henderson". LionsRugby.com.
- ^ a b Thornley, Gerry (4 September 1997). "Obituary: Noel Henderson". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022.
- ^ Rugby International - Ireland: 9 Australia: 6. British Pathé. British Pathé Film ID:1517.10.
- ^ "Player: Noel Henderson". ESPN Scrum.
- ^ "Irish Rugby Heroes Of Yore Grace YouTube". Irish Rugby Football Union. 18 April 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "Player Archive: N. J. Henderson". Barbarian Football Club.
- ^ "IRFU Former Presidents". Irish Rugby Football Union.