The Ashbourne rugby player who has defied the passing of time

Mark Behan is surely one of the most experienced players turning out in competitive rugby in Ireland - and he has no plans to hang up the boots just yet

Ashbourne RFC prop forward Mark Behan can look back on a remarkably protracted career in the game of rugby - and he's not finished yet.

At 51 Behan is undoubtedly one of the oldest players playing competitive rugby in Ireland - if not the world.

The Dubliner was born on the 28th September, 1972 and on Sunday he came on as a second-half substitute for Ashbourne. In the heat he put in his shift, doing what he could for the cause.

"I enjoy coming on trying to do something for the team. The scrums are probably my favourite thing, that's where I can apply the most pressure," he said as he stood on the pitch afterwards. "I'm probably not as quick around the field as I used to be but I can still tackle the odd big guy or two, I can contribute in that way."

A technical services manager for a pharmaceutical company Behan has continued playing despite a busy job and the fact he his married with two children, a six-year and and a 16-week old. "My wife is young," he added by way of explanation.

In the past he was connected with a number of Dublin club, until that is, he was asked by a old buddy to come down to Ashbourne and "have a look at the scrums."

That was 17 years ago. "I went down on the Thursday and played for them on the Saturday." He hasn't left since, at least not the team.

He was informed on Sunday by a reputable source that he was the oldest player ever to appear in a Towns' Cup final and even though the competition has been played since 1889 it is easy to believe that - although he looks a lot fresher than his years.

Sunday's game was difficult for Ashbourne all over the pitch and the lost out 20-38. They found it difficult to cope with a Tullow pack orchestrated by the one and only Tullow Tank, former international and Lions tourist Sean O'Brien.

So was Sunday's game Behan's swansong? After all he has done it all including winning a Towns' Cup with Ashbourne (in 2014) and losing a couple of finals also. It would be understandable if he was thinking of hanging up the boots - at last. Not a bit of it.

"I think I've got a few more years in me , I'll see how it goes. I enjoy it, it keeps me going, it all keeps me young."

* Read more about Ashbourne's Towns' Cup adventures and more quotes in this week's Meath Chronicle