(No date is available for this article. Dick was the first recipient of Player of the Year, and the award is now named in his memory. Dick collapsed and died at training, August 1980.)

Pegasus played together for the first time during UCD 75 Anniversary International Tournament at Easter 1969. The team participating, in the international competition, was made up of recent graduates and played two matches, losing both by small margins. The winged horse had taken flight. After this initial step it was decided to apply for membership of Leinster Senior League for the season 1970/71. The application was accepted in June 1970. And the search was on to find enough players to make up one team.

By the time August had arrived the numbers training had risen to a remarkable 14. The first lineout of the team included such household names as Shay O'Kelly, Mick Hooper, Dom Geraghty, Dave flood, Conal Hooper and Mick Holmes. The competition was the Leinster cup, first round, and we were beaten again by a narrow margin.

The following 8 weeks made Pegasus score draw favourites on the football coupons with six draws from eight matches. The first win came just before Christmas and the first season finished with Pegasus occupying a lowly position with a massive total of 18 points, just enough to avoid relegation. During the second season wins came a bit easier with captain Pat Neeson leading the front line with his own inimitable bravery. Players who spring to mind from this season are John Dinan, Derek Fee, Aidan Kiernan, Alec Darragh and Brian Duffy - all names from the dim and misty past. The position in the final table looked good with an excess of 20 points to show for our efforts.

During the third year under the guidance of Dick Butler as player/coach and Mick Kirby as captain things began to really look up, and progress was made for the first time. Other teams within the league began to worry about us and a semi-final place in the Metropolitan Cup was achieved, only for us to be beaten in the darkness of extra time by Parkvilla. Who will ever forget Gerry Parr's free at the end of that match, or not have a real pity for goalkeeper Denis Murphy?

The following season was to herald the arrival of Pegasus to the top flight and a period of consolidation took place with a big influx of new graduates from UCD. The end of the season saw the club take part in the Railway Union 7's. This was the most prestigious 7's tournament at the time and the club entered under the name of "Dipso's".

These years laid the foundations, ideals and traditions for the club. I would hate to see any of these qualities die, for I feel we owe it to our founders, Shay O'Kelly, Mick Hooper, Paul Hanby, Dick Butler, etc. We must ensure that what they built so carefully over these years must continue to blossom. "

More History: Old Dogs For The Hard Road - Kevin Henry 1994