Ken Houston:  Ireland 6 caps

(Centre/Wing)

Ken Houston was an outstanding all-round sportsman at School and he performed at a high level in athletics, cricket and rugby. For example, in cricket he played for Ulster Schools for three years, played for Ireland Schools for two years and was the first Academy boy to score a century at the Castle Grounds. In his final year at School, 1958-59, he captained the 1st XI, Ulster Schools and Ireland Schools, along with being a member of the 1st XV and Head Boy.

In rugby at School Ken was one of many excellent Academy players at the end of the 1950s. He played for Ulster Schools and after leaving School it was in rugby that Ken made his mark. At club level he played for Queens University and BRAFP and after leaving Queens gained his ‘Blue’ at Oxford University in 1964. He played for Ulster and later in his career played for Edinburgh Wanderers when living and working in Edinburgh.

Ken made a dramatic debut for Ireland against South Africa on Tour in May 1961 at 19 years of age. As only a second year student at Queens his selection was unexpected and in fact he had to return early from the Tour to do his examinations. Between 1961 and 1965 Ken played six times for Ireland, a total that would have been much higher had it not been for a series of injuries that he sustained during his career.