A Portadown native and lifelong rugby fan – who made a lasting impression both on home soil and in coaching women’s rugby in Calgary Canada – has sadly passed away.
Edward ‘Ed’ McCann was born and raised in Portadown where he attended Portadown College from 1952 – the place where he first noticed he had an inherent ability for the sport.
Ed was a larger than life individual – both physically and characteristically – and it was his noticeable build that made him a prime candidate for the close contact ball game.
After starting out with the Junior teams, Ed went on to become the schools’ rugby Captain in 1957 to 1958.
He excelled not just on the pitch, but off it. Academically he was just as gifted and when it came time to progress beyond secondary school he was accepted to Queen’s University to study a degree in History.
According to the QUB Alumni website, while at Queen’s his involvement in rugby continued and his talent and reputation grew. He was invited initially to play for Portadown Rugby Club but after trying out for the university’s own rugby team he was granted a place on the Freshers ‘A’ team.
Throughout his time at university, Ed progressed onto the First Team and toured across the country to attend games.
During this time he fell under the tutelage of David Hewitt – retired Irish rugby union great – on occasion and also enjoyed his first encounter with Ray McLoughlin – who is today recognised in the Hall of Fame for his incredible performances as an Irish rugby union international.
Following his graduation, Ed took up a teaching post at Rainey Endowed School in Magherafelt.
Here, his influence in the sport continued for five seasons taking the school through to the final of the 1966 Medallion Shield and in 1967 he supported the school in their Schools’ Cup victory against Methodist College Belfast.
He later returned to education for a period of time, moving as a result to Bangor, Wales – where he also succumbed to involvement in the university team to great success.
Following receipt of his Master’s degree in Bangor, Ed made a return to Belfast to lecture at Stranmillis College and – once again staying true to form – became involved with the King’s Scholars rugby club.
A few years later, Ed moved to Calgary in Canada – where he would spend the rest of his days.
In Calgary he resumed his studies working towards an LLB (an undergraduate Law qualification) with the University of Calgary in 1986. He then proceeded to employment with several Calgary-based law firms – eventually becoming a partner of Soby Boyden Lenz in 1991.
His lifelong career in rugby preceded him and while he may have changed career, he couldn’t forgo his passion for rugby.
In Canada, Ed went on to coach the James Bay Rugby Football Club of Victoria and the Calgary Irish Rugby Football Club.
He was also instrumental in coaching forwards for the Canadian National Rugby Team before the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, as well as at Western Canada High School, Calgary where he coached the women’s teams.
Ed passed away in Calgary on April 13 surrounded by his beloved wife Maggie and daughter Claire.
A death notice described him as the eldest son of the late Edward and Gertrude McCann, beloved husband of Maggie, dear father of Claire (Kelsey), brother of Des (Helen) and the late Jack, brother-in-law of Hilda and also a much loved uncle.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Calgary Irish Rugby Club in support of the U18 Girls Team tour of Ireland later this year – details from info@calgaryirishrugby.com.
A celebration of life will be held on June 21, at Park Memorial, Calgary and can be viewed via livestream at McInnis and Holloway funeral home, Calgary.
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