Memory Lane: There's only one Kenny!

In the continuing series of strolls down Memory Lane, I would be remiss if I didn't spend at least a few moments remembering Mr Central Rugby, aka Kenny McCartney. Kenny was a prototypical "larger than life" individual who seemed to have figured out early on what was important and what was fluff. Nobody bought in to the Barrie Central RFC style more than he did, and it was that passion that imprinted him on each and every soul who came to know him. There are a few Kenny-isms that became integral components of the program.

Sadly, Kenny left us far too early when he lost his life to an accident while on a rugby tour. The outpouring of grief prompted a number of  donations to create a fund that Kenny's dad entrusted to the program to create a fund to help kids or a memorial. A number of ideas were discussed, the most popular at the time was a tree planted in the back corner of Red Storey Field in his honour. When the demise of Central was confirmed by the SCDSB, it was jointly decided by Kenny's family and the program that the most appropriate memorial would be bench that overlooked the Jim Hamilton Field at the Barrie Community Sports Field. Kenny was there on that sunny day in 2015 when his beloved Phoenix won their 9th OFSAA championship, the bench having been dedicated that very morning to his Dad and brother.

For me personally, the mystique that was Kenny McCartney began in the summer of 2002. When he filled out the registration form for provincial team tryouts, he coined our program THE Barrie Central RFC. Those capital letters would forever be emblazoned on every piece of kit we produced, but the piece de resistance would come in 2005 on the kit reveal for our tour to California. You need to understand that
(a) Rugby tours are an integral part of the culture of the game and (b) As Kenny often stated, "it's all about kit"
Nobody lived that larger than Kenny. The buzz of excitement was palpable as the day of the reveal approached, and true to form, when Kenny received his duffle, he quickly coined the occasion as  "Kitmas", a term I had never heard before. He may have not been the author of the term, but he revelled in the idea.

Kenny was one of a rare breed of players who would "Walk the Talk". He was never shy to chirp the opposition, but unlike so many others who are all hot air, Kenny could back it up. He never shied from the spotlight and shouldered all criticism stoically, even drawing attention to himself through his ever-present bright red scrum cap. Although not blessed with a collision-ready frame, Kenny never complained about the trials and tribulations that besot his body as a consequence of the physicality he practiced. What he lacked in brawn, he made up for in brain, possessing a prestigious rugby IQ and confounded opponents by being continually one step ahead. In didn't hurt that he was far more fleet of foot than many acknowledged.

In the 2004 OFSAA Championship game vs heated rival SUXbridge (another Kenny-ism for Uxbridge SS ... Sorry Paul Connolly), we scored a beautiful try on a run by center Jonathan Church, During the typical McCartney-esque celebration, an opponent's chirp prompted Kenny to smile and reply, "Just wait here. We'll be right back." We would go on to score again, just moments later, and Kenny's smile was a wide devilish grin. He told me later that he didn't hear very many more chirps that day after that.

I confess I cannot recall the season that "The Kick" happened, but I recall the lead up, building all throughout the season. Kenny LIVED rugby, and despite some attempts at other sports ... basketball, anyone? ... he spent hours devouring rugby highlights. At practice one day, he revealed his desire to pull of the ultimate cheeky play live in a game, and he was as giggly as a school girl when he demonstrated it to us. You need to understand that kicking is a highlight skill in the game, and is often performed to gain advantage. Kenny's thought was to be in full gallop, and as he approached an opposing player, put the ball behind his back and kick it over his own head with his heel without slowing down. Witnessing his proficiency with the move, I cautioned him that executing this in a game would not only be incredible, but likely to result in a Donnybrook since it was so cheeky, which he took as the proverbial "line drawn in the sand." The Good, the Bad and the Ugly about it was
(a) He did execute the move in a game vs Bradford,
(b) The player he used it on looked ridiculous on the game film, and
(c) It did result in a tussle, but thankfully no red cards were awarded that day.
Ron and I were sure we would hear about it from Dave Stephens, the Bradford coach, but he shrugged and said it was typical Kenny, a tribute to his reputation as a local legend.

Let me be honest with you, Kenny was not without failings, but he was a loyal as the day is long, generous to a fault, a "Salt of the Earth" human being. If you were his buddy, there was nothing that he wouldn't do, no favour too large, no need too small. Kenny spread his love far and wide. He chose to travel down the 400 to play club rugby for the Markham Irish, playing a part on a McCormick Cup while a member. He also won a National Championship as a member of Team Ontario, sharing the honour with rugby friends from all across Canada. He even endured himself to rugby friends across the pond as a Rugby Ontario Exchange partner, spending a semester in England.

The world forever changed the day you left us Kenny, but you can be sure you will never be forgotten. I will tell you this ... he was THE Kenneth McCartney ... RIP buddy.

SPECIAL NOTE:
The Central RFC family was saddened recently to learn of the untimely passing of Dustin Klammer. While Dustin only joined us for a short time, he endeared himself to all quickly with his mischievous grin and great sense of humour. RIP Dustin.