It is with deep regret that the rugby world learnt of the death on Tuesday morning of Frank Anderson. A life member of both Athy Rugby Club (where he served in many positions including President) and The Association of Referees Leinster Branch (ARLB) Frank started playing when he was a schoolboy in Kilkenny College. He was involved in many successful campaigns with his beloved Athy but unfortunetely he never won a Provincial Towns Cup medal but he did feature on the 1948 team that lost to Dundalk in that years final.

On finishing his playing days he picked up the whistle and began to referee.  His status in the ARLB is iconic; after a lengthy refereeing career he proved to be equally adept as an administrator where he nurtured and encouraged many of his successors. Frank was the first North Midlands Area referee’s representative and he established a blueprint in that role that is still used to this day.  Along with his brother Les they donated the Anderson Cup, which is still a most prized trophy in provincial rugby circles.

He was a stalwart of Athy RFC throughout his life where he is still held in the highest esteem and was pre-deceased by his loving wife Sylvia. ...Leinster Rugby would like to extend its sympathy to his daughters Valerie and Jill, his brother Les, the rest of his extended family as well as to his many friends in Athy RFC and throughout the wider rugby community.