For the better part of his life, Syd Millar has been at the heart of Ulster rugby. As player and legislator he has rendered outstanding service to his club, Ballymena, to Ulster, to Ireland and to the Lions.
A prop forward of immense substance, he won over 40 caps for Ulster, 37 caps for Ireland, went on three Lions tours as a player, coached his club, his country, the Lions and also managed both Ireland and Lions teams.
He speaks from a depth of experience without equal. In 1974 he coached the most successful Lions team of this century, managed the Lions in South Africa in 1980, coached the Ireland team that won the Five Nations Championship for the first time in 23 years in 1974 and was manager of the Ireland team in the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
He has been president of Ballymena, president of the Ulster Branch and of the IRFU and is currently one of Ireland's representatives on the International Board. He is one of the great figures of Ulster and Irish rugby.
He has known some great days on and off the field, occasions that were far from great, triumphs and disappointments. As a player he plied his trade in the turbulent heart of the Ulster scrum. He played for the province in three decades, the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. His international career also spanned three decades.
"There were times in the recent past when we were worried about Ulster rugby. The Troubles compounded our problems. We lost players who left the province to study in English and Scottish Universities, and that certainly did not help us. But things have changed dramatically and these are great days for Ulster rugby," Millar said from his home in Ballymena. "I have never known anything like the current enthusiasm and interest and it is wonderful to see it. "What is especially pleasing is that people who had no connection with the game are now totally caught up in the excitement of it. Whatever happens in the European Cup final, what the team has achieved could bring tremendous benefit to the game in the province and to the game in Ireland. "Ulster's achievements have brought a whole community together and been a unifying force and it just shows what can be achieved when people are united in a common cause.
"Gaelic clubs, soccer clubs and other sports organisations have all fallen in behind the team and we welcome them all. Just about everyone wants to be in Lansdowne Road for the final. The Ulster Branch could have sold in excess of 50,000 tickets without any problem. As things stand, there will be over 30,0000 people travelling from the province. Who could have visualised anything like that happening even a few weeks ago.
"The match and win against Toulouse was a wonderful occasion, but that was eclipsed by what happened in the match against Stade Francais. "The European Cup has been a great competition and let us not forget the work of men like Tom Kiernan who put it in place and have kept it in place. "We were told that without the English clubs it would be something of damp squib. Then we were told it would be an all-French affair once it came to the semi-final stages. We have had record attendances and now the the biggest crowd ever to attend a European Cup final will be at Lansdowne Road.
"Getting our players back from the English clubs has been a major factor and what is equally important is that we are keeping our young players at home. "Ulster rugby knew some hard times, on and off the field. I played for the province with some great players such as Jack Kyle, Noel Henderson, Cecil Pedlow and others. This is a different era but what the current team has achieved exceeds anything in the past. "I think the coach Harry Williams has done a superb job and he and the players deserve immense credit. I know the whole of Ireland will be behind Ulster in what will be the greatest day in the history of the game in the province."
