President's Message 19.11.25

Last weekend demonstrated all that is great about Club rugby in Ireland, including the disappointment of losing and the sheer elation of winning.

The rainfall at the back end of last week, especially on the East Coast, was of biblical proportions but with the trojan work of volunteers we did well to get three of our senior fixtures played. Unfortunately, like many pitches in the Dublin area, Stradbrook was unplayable.

Our Men’s firsts team suffered a disappointing 32-20 AIL loss down in Naas. In fairness to the Naas ground staff, the grass pitch was in excellent condition. We started well and were 12-0 to the good after 15 minutes with two tries from our new hooker Eoin deBuitleir, a Connacht contracted player.

However, anxiety crept into our play and with a number of unforced errors we allowed Naas back into the game. A yellow card for a high tackle proved costly when Naas scored 2 tries against our 14 men. We battled hard but were beaten by the better team on the day. There was a very friendly atmosphere with good banter at the prematch lunch. The Naas RFC President, Ross Murphy played two seasons of AIL rugby with Blackrock in his day, both Div 1B and 1A. Our next AIL game is with UCC in Stradbrook on Saturday 29^th November when our squad will be determined to get back to winning ways. We are in 7^th place in the League and only 3 points off a Top 4 place. Everyone is capable of beating every other team in this league.

Men's AIL 1B Table

I was privileged to be at the U20 JP Fanagan league match vs Old Belvedere on Sunday. Old Belvedere were unbeaten before they played us. What a game and what a performance from our lads. A brilliant game of open attacking rugby on the College 4g pitch. We raced into a 19-0 lead. Old Belvedere were shocked and came right back into the game and were 24-19 up with 5 minutes remaining. From a lineout around the 22, a trick play opened up a hole for our Kiwi number 8 Zephaniel Lewis to shoot through for a try to level the scores. Outhalf Rudy O Reilly coolly slotted the difficult conversion. Belvedere still had a chance to win it but narrowly missed a penalty with the last kick of the game. The celebratory scenes in the dressing room were a joy to behold. I am delighted for the lads and their coaches and management. Next game is in Stradbrook next Sunday vs Mary’s. Please come down to support the squad. I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed.

Our women’s AIL squad had a very impressive 60-5 victory over Tullow on Saturday and lie in 3^rd spot in Div 1A. Next game up is in Stradbrook vs Ennis on November 29^th... an exciting double header in store. Well done to everyone involved in this wonderful league run. Our women’s J1 squad play their next round of the Metro Cup in Stradbrook vs Railway Union next Tuesday at 8pm, so let's get out to support this midweek game.

Women's AIL Table

 A big night in the Club this Friday when both our Men’s J1s and Castle 3^rd team play St Mary’s in a league double header… there will be a bit of craic to be had. Please join us.

Another reminder of the AIL prematch lunch on Saturday 29^th November. We have a Men’s and Women’s double header. Please arrange tables with your friends. I’d love to see the whole wider Club represented… Parents (both of the men and women players), Members, Minis/Youths Parents, former players and the wider supporter base. It is a great way to spend an afternoon and wonderful entertainment. You can book tables directly on the Club website or with Erin in the office.

We have our Gala dinner tonight with almost 300 in attendance. Shane Byrne will MC, along with a panel made up of Ian Madigan, Brent Pope and Nigel Osborne. Shane Black, the well known Mentalist, will entertain us… be careful he can get you to reveal your innermost secrets without you even knowing! We have fantastic Auction prizes incl two Debenture Tickets for the Wimbledon Ladies final and a table of 10 for our Raceday in Leopardstown on December 28^th. Well done to the organising Committee led by Pat Finn and Larry Macken. It promises to be a brilliant night. Thanks to all those who have taken tables and donated auction prizes.

We are now down to the last few days of the IRFU’s Your Club Your Country Grand Draw 2025. Every WhatsApp Group has received a reminder from our Treasurer Tom Taaffe. Thanks to those who have already purchased tickets, and if you haven’t, I am asking you again to please buy a few tickets. Every penny raised goes back into the running of our Club. Details on how to buy tickets are found on the Club website.

Well done to Lee Fitzpatrick and our former player Conor O Shaughnessy for representing our Club so well on the Ireland U20 team vs South Africa.

It's an exciting and busy period for the whole Club.

Please come down to Stradbrook and support our teams and enjoy the fun around the Club.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

All the best,

Mick

Mick Dwan

President 2025/ 2026

Blackrock College RFC