Sixty-three years ago the first service of thanksgiving for the gift of sport took place in Dublin. The idea for holding such a service arose following discussions between the Revd George Crummy and Bob Graves, the Irish rugby international. It was realised that many sportspersons did not attend church services on Sunday mornings due to late night match socialising on Saturday evenings. It was decided to hold an annual church service to thank God for the gift of sport and to hold the service in the evenings to allow for maximum attendance from the sporting fraternity. The first such service, supported by the Association of Schools’ Unions took place in 1949 in St Peter’s Church, Aungier Street, long since demolished.

In the early years the service alternated between St Peter’s church, Abbey Presbyterian Church and the Methodist Church, St Stephen’s Green. It then found a home for a number of years in St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street. The service became increasingly ecumenical and rotated between St Patrick’s Cathedral, St Andrew’s Church, Westland Row, Sacred Heart Church, Donnybrook and Christ Church, Taney. The 60^th anniversary in 2009 saw the service returning to the city centre and to the historic surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral.  Last year the Service was held in St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street where it will take place again on Sunday 25 March 2012.

The service continues to be the focus of thanksgiving for all men, women and young people whose lives have been enriched and blessed by the gift of sport; whether through active participation, patronage or through the media of radio, television or attendance at sporting events and fixtures. Over the years a sportsperson of note has been invited to speak at the service and those who have spoken have included Ronnie Delaney, Lord Killanin, Jack Kyle, Mícháel Ó Muircheartaigh, George Hook, Jimmy Magee and many others.

The SMCU invites members of the Union and their families to attend what is always a memorable event.