Harry Read (sportsman)

Henry 'Harry' Marvelle Read (8 November 1888 – 6 December 1972) was an Irish first-class cricketer and rugby union international.

Harry Read
Personal information
Full name
Henry Marvelle Read
Born8 November 1888
Roscrea, Ireland
Died6 December 1972(1972-12-06) (aged 84)
Dalkey, Leinster, Ireland
NicknameHarry Read
BattingRight-handed
RelationsKyle Read (Great Grandson)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1912Ireland
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 3
Runs scored 48
Batting average 8.00
100s/50s –/–
Top score 19
Catches/stumpings –/–
Source: Cricinfo, 26 October 2018

Born at Roscrea, Read was educated in Dublin at St Columba's College, before going up to Trinity College, Dublin in 1907.[1] While studying there, he played club cricket for Dublin University Cricket Club.[1] He toured North America with the Gentlemen of Ireland on their 1909 tour, playing minor matches against Ottawa, Ontario, All New York, Baltimore, and Philadelphia Colts.[1][2] He made his debut in first-class cricket on the tour, playing two matches against the Gentlemen of Philadelphia at Haverford and Philadelphia.[3] Three years later, he made his only first-class appearance for Ireland against Scotland at Dublin.[3]

While studying at Trinity, Read excelled in rugby union as a scrum-half. He was a member of the Dublin University Football Club, then one of the strongest rugby sides in Ireland.[1] He was capped for Ireland, earning his first Test cap against England in the 1910 Five Nations Championship at Twickenham.[4] Read earned twelve further Test caps for Ireland, playing his final international against Scotland at Inverleith in the 1913 Five Nations Championship.[5] He played alongside Dickie Lloyd during this period, with the pair being credited with inventing modern half-back play.[1]

Read served in the 2nd Regiment of Life Guards during World War I, ending the war with the rank of Lieutenant.[1] He became a malt farmer after the war.[1] He served as president of Dublin University Football Club from 1945–1947.[1] In 1955, he became president of the Irish Rugby Football Union, opening the newly constructed west stand at Lansdowne Road in that same year.[1] Read died at Dalkey in December 1972.[1]

His Great Grandon Kyle Read was capped for Ireland U18 in 2021, as scrum half the position invented by Henry. [6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Player profile: Henry Marvell Read". CricketEurope. Archived from the original on 27 October 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Miscellaneous Matches played by Harry Read". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  3. ^ a b "First-Class Matches played by Harry Read". CricketArchive. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  4. ^ "Harry Read". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  5. ^ "Harry Read - match by match list". ESPNscrum. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
  6. ^ "Irish Rugby | Ireland U-18 Clubs Team Lose To Impressive Italy". Retrieved 23 February 2024.
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