Donegal's most senior rugby player Keith Anderson hangs up his boots at 58

As Donegal Town RFC enters its Golden Anniversary year there is a real sense of positivity within the club. Before the upcoming celebrations begin it must be noted that long standing player Keith Anderson has decided to hang up his boots after close to 40 years representing the club. 

Off the pitch, the well-known auctioneer holds a reputation as a gentleman of the highest integrity, while on the pitch the feisty hooker asks for no quarter and has gained a huge reputation in the ranks of Ulster Junior Rugby, joining the minority who have played the game into their 50’s. 

Keith’s playing days began in the early eighties with earliest records showing him featuring against Newry in 1985, when a try was worth four points, rucking was allowed at ruck time, and as the man himself would say - the rugby pitch was no place for snowflakes. There is no doubt that Keith has seen some highs and lows over his playing days- being a member of the Ulster Qualifying 4 league winning side of 1998/99 is certainly a highlight.

Keith has held various positions within the club over the years including second team captain on two occasions in the 90’s, club secretary, club president, quizmaster, and auctioneer, however it has been his latest role - a return to playing while in his mid-fifties, which has inspired his team mates and all sportspeople of Donegal and beyond to believe that age is just a number. 

Keith’s latest playing spell began in 2017, a return to the pitch for a preseason charity match dubbed Legends v Select XV. Once again Keith caught the playing bug with some teammates remarking that they never saw him throw a lineout so straight! Having agreed to play some matches for the 2ndXV, it wasn’t long until the veteran was back to 1st team rugby on merit. Since then he has been a mainstay, and a font of knowledge for the younger players, while setting the standard for what is required to represent the club.

At this stage I distance myself from the reports circulating that Keith has withdrawn because of the introduction of a golden oldies rule – ‘over 60’s must wear red shorts and cannot be tackled to the ground’, with a club rep informing us that this is merely coincidental, Keith is yet to comment …

However, I can confirm that it is a sign of both the man, and the development of the club that Keith has decided to take a step back, allowing the emerging talent to develop into the leaders of the future. It is also quite fitting that his final match was also a charity match, with Keith captaining his side to victory. I have no doubt Keith has left the club in a better place and I am proud to have shared the field with him and thankful for what I have learned. I, like many others, await with anticipation for the next chapter to unfold.