President Mick Dwan's Message

I am delighted and honoured to have been elected as your Club President for the 2025/2026 season. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to the new season with much anticipation. The Club continues to make progress both on and off the field and I wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some updates.

Executive Committee

I want to thank John Colclough, David Quinlan and Dave Brennan (Hon Sec) who have retired from the Executive Committee after many years of loyal service. We will continue to call on their wise counsel from the sidelines!

Sean Byrne has kindly agreed to take on the Hon Sec role, while Dave Rhatigan and John O Leary have joined the Exec Committee.

We have undertaken a review of the Governance structure within the Club and have put in place a number of sub-committees incl Finance and Strategy, Membership, Disciplinary, House & Grounds. Brian O Sullivan, Paddy Cowhey Snr and Paul McSweeney have already come forward to provide support. There is always room for more volunteers and if there is anyone out there who would like to get involved, please do let us know.

Rugby

There has been a huge amount of activity on the rugby front over the summer months, led by our Director of Rugby Mick Hearty. This involved putting coaching and management teams in place and retaining/recruiting players amongst many other tasks. Last week’s newsletter gave a flavour of where we’re at. I’m  very pleased to see so many players and coaches returning this season and I warmly welcome all our new players and coaches/support staff to the Club. It is very encouraging to see the huge numbers out for early season training.

Leinster Senior Cup

This year we were in the top tier of the Leinster League pitted against AIL Division 1A teams St Mary’s, Terenure (eventual winners) and UCD. Despite a host of early season injuries, we saw signs that we can perform at the highest level. The narrow exciting win over UCD gave the senior squad a real boost in front of a boisterous crowd! It was great to see the wider squad perform so well at this level.

All Ireland League/ Leinster Leagues

The fixtures schedules have now been confirmed. The Men’s J1s are back in the Premier League and play their first league game this Thursday, 18/9 at 8pm in Blackrock College vs Terenure. The men’s 1^st XV open their AIL campaign away against Trinity on 27^th September, with our Mens 3^rd XV commencing their league campaign at home that same afternoon vs CYM.

The women’s 1^st XV start their AIL campaign on 27^th September at 1.30pm in Stradbrook vs UL Bohemians.

Finally, the U20s, back in the Premier Division of the JP Fanagan League, play Barnhall at home on Sunday 5^th October at 3pm.

I look forward to seeing big numbers out supporting all our teams during the season.

Parents

One of my aims this season is to make the Parents of our players feel very much part of our Club. To this end we are asking a number of Parents of players in each squad to create a WhatsApp group and they will be the liaison within that Group. I look forward to meeting all parents during the season. Please consider joining us at one of the many pre-match lunches, in the bar after matches and at the various social functions during the year. You are an integral part of our Club. It’s how I got involved in the Club… through my 3 sons!

Women’s RWC

I am writing this message the day after our disappointing loss in the RWC quarter final. We couldn’t have asked more of our squad… class both on and off the pitch. It’s been fantastic to see Beibhinn Parsons, Aoibheann Reilly, Aoife Wafer, Emily Lane, Eimear Corri Fallon, Enya Breen and Meabh Deely representing our country and bringing huge honour to our Club.

Minis/Youths

What a vibrant and important section of our Club. I attended the first Sunday morning training session of the season. What a buzz around the Club and it is wonderful to see so many players and coaches enjoying themselves. I look forward to seeing you again during the season, and I would encourage Parents and players to join us at AIL matches and enjoy everything that the Club has to offer. I am delighted to hear that the minis/ youths have already booked tables at our first home AIL match vs Highfield on Saturday 4^th October- thank you.

Uganda Trip

What an incredible start to my year as President. No doubt you have seen lots of photos, videos and heard many stories from the trip. Personally speaking, I found the trip great fun but also harrowing at times and very humbling. New friendships were formed and I am very proud as President of Blackrock College RFC, of the impact we made on the charities and the people we met in Uganda… memories of a lifetime.

A special thanks to our tour organising Committee led by John Colclough and Mick Hearty and our very generous sponsors. We are looking at having a Ugandan theme at one of our early season pre match lunches!

Membership

Thank you to all members who have paid their sub. Can I remind those who haven’t paid or may have let their membership lapse that renewal is now open for the 2025/2026 season. Membership subscriptions are critical to the finances of the Club and I am very keen to see our membership numbers grow.

Sponsors

A very special thanks to our Sponsors. We have a number of new sponsors this season and you will see some news logos on jerseys and motor vehicles around the Club shortly. The Club could not survive without our sponsors and for this we are truly grateful.

Thank you for your support of the Club and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during the season.

Mick Dwan,

President 2025/2026

Blackrock College RFC