President’s Message 19.3.26

Well that was some finale to the Six Nations with Ireland winning the Triple Crown at both senior and u20s level. Who would have thought this was possible after heavy defeats to France on the first weekend of the Championship? The attacking rugby played throughout was exhilarating, a very welcome change from the November internationals. Congrats to our Club representatives involved, Tommy O Brien, Thomas Clarkson, Derry Moloney and Lee Fitzpatrick.

Congrats to Club members Aoibheann Reilly, Beibhinn Parsons, Emily Lane and Enya Breen on their selection to the Ireland squad for the upcoming Women’s Six Nations. First up is the away fixture vs England on Saturday 11^th April.

We have our own Super Saturday and Sunday this weekend, starting with a big double header in Stradbrook on Saturday. Our Men’s firsts play Queens in another critical fixture at 2.30pm, followed by our Women’s firsts vs Old Belvedere at 5pm. Please come down and lend your support. The weather forecast is good and it promises to be a great Club day with the pre match lunch sold out weeks ago. I am delighted to have Brian and Mark Keogh as my guests at the lunch. Both were members of the one and only CBC Monkstown team to win the SCT 50 years ago and played on our Club firsts after leaving school.

Super Sunday sees the Men’s J1s play Old Wesley in Donnybrook at 3pm in the next round of the Metro Cup while the u20s entertain Old Belvedere in the next round of the McCorry Cup in Stradbrook, also at 3pm.

Last Sunday was another busy day for our Minis and Youths. Some notable results including the u14s win over Monkstown in the quarter final of the Leinster Cup and victories for the u13s over Greystones and North Kildare in the Youths Cup. It’s wonderful to see so much activity across all our minis and youths age groups, and thanks to all the players and parents who walked in the St Patrick's Day Parade on Tuesday too.

Well done to Luke Coffey and the Blackrock SCT squad on securing a late draw in a thrilling SCT final on Wednesday. We wish them well in the replay in Donnybrook on Monday.

Last Friday night we had a very special event in the Club where we welcomed over 350 cyclists and support staff from the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. It was a real privilege to attend and say a few words on the Club’s behalf. Our visitors, led by Kathy Weir, Doddie’s widow and the organising Committee comprising Rob Wainright, Gordon D’Arcy, Mark Beaumont, Mia Noquet and Finlay Ramsey, couldn’t speak highly enough of the warm hospitality in Stradbrook. It was Blackrock College RFC at it’s best. A big thanks to Dave Rhatigan, Pat Finn, Erin Dalton, Sandra Williams and Conor Cleary for organising the Club for the event. Kathy and Gordon presented the match ball in the Aviva the next day. More photos from the evening on our website: Doddie.

Please note the following dates for important dates for important events coming up.Details are in the newsletter and on the Club website. I look forward to your support.

• The Trinity pre match lunch on Saturday 4^th April

• Annual Club dinner on Friday 8^th May

• Golf Classic on Thursday 21^st May in Milltown.This is booking out very quickly.Please book your team &/or tee sponsorship through the Club website or contact Erin in the office.

I look forward to seeing you all in Stradbrook this weekend.

Yours in rugby

Mick