Old Belvedere RFC removes George Hook from speaker’s seat after objection from members

A leading Dublin rugby club has stopped uninvited broadcaster George Hook from speaking at its annual dinner after some members objected.

r Hook was told late last week he could not go ahead with the agreed arrangement that he would speak at the rugby club dinner at the Old Belvedere on Saturday night.

Objections from members resulted in the role falling to a club star at short notice.

Mr. Hook has complained that when he left NewsTalk, where he had a hit radio show, The Right Hook, he was “cancelled” for making statements on the radio.

He is a former RTE rugby pundit who managed the United States Eagles and took the reins at both Connacht and London Irish.

Mr. Hook declined to comment on the Old Belvedere’s decision when contacted.

Old Belvedere told the Irish Independent: “The club have no comment to make on the matter.” It is understood that there were differing opinions within the club about the decision to ditch him.

Mr Hook was due to deliver the after-dinner speech at the Old Belvedere RFC’s annual dinner at Donnybrook ahead of Sunday’s Leinster Senior Cup game between Belvedere and St Michael.

However, some of the members learned of his role last week and refused to allow him to deliver the keynote address, apparently because of his controversial comments on a radio program about a rape case in the UK.

Mr Hook left NewsTalk over the controversy and recently appeared on the TV show Eating with the Enemy, where he complained about his treatment.

He was told not to come to the Old Belvedere for dinner, but the incident “left a bad taste in the mouth,” according to one of those present, and created a bad atmosphere. There were 200 members present.

Old Belvedere has a very successful women’s team.

Club star Gerry Cruise replaced Mr. Hook with the after-dinner remarks on the black tie affair.

“It’s fair to say that that was the dominant topic of discussion and there were many passionate views about what happened,” said one of those present.

Belvedere lost the Senior Cup first round tie against St. Michael’s by 19 points to five.