President's Message 18.2.26

The weeks are flying by as we head into the Business end of the season. As I write this, we are in the middle of yet another severe weather warning. Most parkland golf courses in Dublin have been closed for over 5 weeks with over 300% of normal rainfall since Christmas. The last time these golf courses were closed for this length of time was 1982! I understand there is some frustration over cancelled training times, particularly the Minis & Youths, but please understand we are all trying to do our best in truly exceptionally wet conditions.

Last weekend Ireland escaped with two narrow victories over Italy. Well done to Lee Fitzpatrick and Derry Moloney who acquitted themselves very well with the u20s in Cork with Derry demonstrating his speed with a great assist and a crucial try from a kick through. Best of luck again this weekend away to England.

On a completely separate note... I know I speak on behalf of everyone at Blackrock College RFC when I condemn the disgusting racial abuse that Edwin Odogbo was subjected to at the weekend after making his international debut. This behaviour has no place in our society and I hope the IRFU investigation weeds out the perpetrators.

Safe travels to our Club members who are travelling to Twickenham this weekend.

Anyway, on to domestic rugby matters. Our Women’s firsts continued on their winning ways with a super 44-7 victory over Wicklow in Stradbrook on Saturday. Another well done to our groundsman, Paul Tallant for having the pitch playable. It didn’t seem possible on Friday morning! That is an incredible 13 bonus point wins in a row for Blackrock and we lie 2^nd in the table on 65 points, 4 behind UL Bohemians and 10 ahead of Railway Union. All focus is on securing a home semi final. A welcome break from the AIL this weekend followed by an away game vs Ballincollig on Saturday 28^th and then the big double header vs Railway Union in Stradbrook on 7^th March. Please book in to the pre match lunch and panel discussion that day, details online: Women's Pre-Match Lunch.

Our Women J1s play the Metro final away in Railway Union at 8pm this Thursday... our first chance to win a pennant this season. I know the players and coaches would appreciate as much support as possible. Good luck to everyone involved.

Our Men’s Castle 3^rd team were involved in a fantastic game vs Old Belvedere, played in Donnybrook last Saturday. We were extremely unlucky to lose 39-35 to a last minute try. We secured two bonus points for our efforts. This was a super shift by everyone in our 21 man squad. No other team has gotten close to this Belvedere side who have scored over 400 points in 10 games this season. Well done lads. We are back playing again this Friday night at home vs BGF Ravens at 8pm. This is a critical game with double points on offer.

There are no Men’s AIL fixtures this weekend, but our J1s are back in action away to Old Belvedere at 7.45pm on Thursday night. Again, all support appreciated.

A busy day on Sunday with our u17s away to Barnhall at 12 noon while our u20s play Old Belvedere away at 3pm.

I wish all our teams the very best of luck in the coming days.

With 5 games to go in the regular AIL season can I ask that you have the fixtures in your diaries and that you have plans in place to support our Men’s and Women’s teams at this crucial part of the season. Our Men have two away games coming up vs Armagh on 28^th February and Garryowen on 7^th March. Details of our next two Women’s matches are outlined above.

You will have received notification that the Queen’s pre-match lunch on 21^st March is completely sold out a month in advance… thank you for your support. At the lunch we will be marking the 50^th anniversary of CBC Monkstown’s SCT victory in 1976. We have also invited this year’s Blackrock College SCT to the lunch. We wish Luke Coffey and his squad the very best in the semi final on Monday 2^nd March.

I am delighted to report that KPMG, IBI and Davy have returned again this year as sponsors of our Golf Classic in Milltown on Thursday 21^st May... Booking details are on the Club website: Golf Classic. It promises to be another fantastic event again this year. Please book early… teams and tee sponsorships available. Thank you in advance.

Hope you have a good week

All the best,

Mick

Mick Dwan

President 2025/ 2026

Blackrock College RFC