Callaghan: It's going to be a big night on Friday!
- sharonshortle
- Feb 4
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 5
It’s sure to be a big night under the lights at the LNER Community Stadium on Friday, as York Knights face Super League’s Hull KR in the third round of the Betfred Challenge Cup!
We’re expecting a huge crowd to see some of the stars of Super League come up against Mark Applegarth’s Knights, who will be representing the Betfred Championship.
However, it won’t be the first time the Knights have faced Hull KR in front of a packed crowd on home turf.
Sunday 19th January 2003 saw the newly formed York City Knights take to the field for their first ever game, against Hull KR in the National League Cup.
It was a match played in front of a crowd of 3,105, that saw the lead change hands seven times.
Rovers won 36-26, but the new era of rugby league in York had got underway with a fanfare of excitement and created a buzz in the city.
Part of the York team that day was the new York RLFC Hall of Fame member, Darren Callaghan.
He'd returned to his home town club after a short spell at Hull KR.
“We'd just got a new team together. Paul Broadbent was coach. We’d got a few York lads in. Chris Smith, Lee Jackson and Graham Hallas came as well.
“I just remember the hype. I think the game got put back a bit because there were that many fans coming in. It was brilliant for the Knights to get that crowd.
“When we were warming up and you could see the fans coming in, you couldn’t believe it.
“I came down to the Huntington Stadium as a young kid and I’d never seen anything like this. It was brilliant. Just running out they had all the cheerleaders and fans and on Friday it’ll be the same. It’s going to be a big night Friday!”
Callaghan scored that afternoon, and he still remembers it vividly.
“Lee Jacko put a little chip through into the in-goal and I just pounced on it.
“To be fair it was a close game. I didn’t have the best of games at loose forward but I got over for the try.
“It was unlucky really. They scored two late tries and won the game. The crowd, and the fan base from there, they’re unbelievable.”
“Friday night is going to be a cracker. Mark Applegarth is a cracking lad. Everyone is getting into what he wants. You can see with the results from last year.
“The Keighley result was a belter. I reckon there’ll be thousands here on Friday night. It’ll be massive for the city.
“I think we’ll give them a game. My heart is definitely with York Knights! I just hope they’re in the arm wrestle and it goes right to the death.“
Join us for the Betfred Challenge Cup tie against Hull KR on Friday (7.30pm) and let's fill the LNER Community Stadium!
You can purchase your match tickets online by clicking HERE!
Please note season tickets are not valid for this game. However, season ticket holders will be able to purchase tickets for their regular seats by clicking HERE!
You can also buy them from the LNER Community Stadium Ticket Office in person, or over the phone on 01904 950950.
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