President's Message 12.11.25

Last weekend was another busy one on the rugby fields for our teams. While all the results didn’t go our way, there were excellent performances all round.

On Friday night our J1s came up against formidable opposition in Lansdowne, a team with many very experienced AIL 1A players. Our lads were really impressive despite losing 12 -17 in the end. Our defending was incredible and we had a number of chances to snatch a victory. Alas, it wasn’t to be but we demonstrated that we are well able to compete at this top level.

Our Castle 3rds team continued their unbeaten league run with a 36 - 20 victory over Guinness. I couldn’t make the game as I had a wedding down the country, however, I saw some of the tries on Tik Tok, (yes Tik Tok!) and they reminded me of the old Barbarian style of rugby! They play BGF Ravens at 2.30pm in Stradbrook this Saturday.

Our Women’s firsts faced a difficult AIL assignment down in Wicklow and came away with a very impressive 29-8 win, thereby consolidating their position close to the top of the league. Well done to everyone involved. We play Tullow at home at 5pm on Saturday.

The U20s headed to Castle Avenue on Sunday to face Clontarf. Our squad put in a super performance against much bigger opposition. We led 14 - 12 at half time. Unfortunately the power of the Clontarf pack reaped dividends in the second half and we came out the wrong end of a 36 - 19 result. It’s our first year back in the Premier 1 Division of the JP Fanagan League and we are gaining fantastic experience. This Sunday we will play Old Belvedere at 2.30pm in Stradbrook. The Club are hosting an U20s Parents get together before the game at 1pm where the Club are kindly providing soup and sandwiches. I look forward to meeting as many of the U20s Parents as possible.

Our men’s AIL team had a welcome weekend off. They are back up on the horse this Saturday with an away fixture down in Naas. It’s only 30 mins down the road and the lads would appreciate as much support as possible.

Our Minis and Youths squads are enjoying a very successful run of games. Our u17s are at home to Seapoint at 12.30 on Sunday, the u13s kick off at 12 noon in Stradbrook vs Suttonians while our u14s are away to a combined Skerries/ Coolmine team.

We welcome a major new sponsor, SIA partners down to the Club this Sunday morning. They have taken on the very generous sponsorship of our mini rugby section and the new jerseys with their logo will be rolled out this weekend. We will be taking photos with our sponsors and some of our players. Thank to SIA.

There is so much on offer for our members, parents and supporters in Stradbrook this weekend. Please drop in at some stage. The bar in the clubhouse will be open from 1pm, showing the rugby matches including the Ireland Australia match at 8.10pm. Together with the Castle 3rds and Women’s squad there should be a bit of craic around the place on Saturday night, and you are all very welcome to join us.

We have the Hasbeens lunch on Saturday 29^th November to look forward to. There is an AIL double header that day… the Men 1st XV vs UCC at 2.30pm and the Women 1st XV vs Ennis at 5pm. I am calling on members, supporters, parents from all sections (men, women, minis/youths) of the Club to put tables together for what promises to be a fun day. Bookings can be made online or contact Erin in the office.

I’d like to thank Fr Tom Nash for organising the annual Mass for the deceased members of the rugby, soccer and bridge Clubs which took place in the College last Sunday.

We are now in the last 10 days of the IRFU’s Your Club Your Country Grand Draw 2025.This is a very important fundraiser for our Club with 10 fantastic prizes. Our Club Treasurer, Tom Taaffe, has been liaising with each squad right across the Club. Please, please buy tickets and support our Club. Sharing the load helps a lot. Tickets can be bought on line on the GalaBid site, as detailed on our Website and in this newsletter… PLEASE BUY NOW. Thanks to those who have already bought tickets.

Thanks to Jen Moore, Jill O Toole, Tom Taaffe, Erin Dalton and Conor Cleary who gave a very warm welcome to a number of French delegates from Vincennes last Friday. Our women’s teams hope to play them later in the season.

Only a week to go to our Gala dinner in the Shelbourne on Wednesday 19^th November. Excitement is building for what promises to be a top class night.

Congratulations to Tommy O Brien and Thomas Clarkson who represented our Club with such distinction against Japan last Saturday.

Congratulations to Lee Fitzpatrick who has been selected to play as hooker on the Ireland u20 team vs South Africa this Friday. Go well Lee, we are very proud of you.

We also wish Conor O Shaughnessy well with the Ireland U20s. Conor played outhalf for Rock last season and is currently with the Connacht Academy and playing AIL with Galwegians.

As you can see, lots going on. Please get out and support our teams and enjoy what the Club has to offer.

All the best,

Mick

Mick Dwan

President 2025/ 2026

Blackrock College RFC