President’s Message 22.4.26

This week the focus is very much on preparing for the Women’s AIL final in the Aviva at 1.30pm on Sunday. We play UL Bohemians who have won the title the last two seasons and lead the Roll of Honour with 15 AIL titles. Blackrock won the most recent of their 6 titles in 2023. We are expecting another titanic contest. These two teams have beaten each other once this season and both finished top on the table on the same points tally. Our team will be presented with their jerseys and new kit bags after training on Thursday night. The squad will depart Stradbrook by coach for the Aviva between 11am and 11.30am on Sunday morning. We expect the Minis and the Rock supporters to give them a big send off. On behalf of everyone associated with the Club, can I wish this fantastic squad, their management and coaches the very best in the final. We are all rooting for them.

Well done to Club members Beibhinn Parsons and Emily Lane who starred for Ireland in their big win over Italy in Galway on Saturday afternoon, in front of a great crowd. Go well against France on Saturday.

As we near the end of the season there are still lots of activities with the Minis/Youths. On Sunday, 74 u9 players and their Parents travelled to Clonmel RFC for the u9 Spirit of Rugby Festival. A fantastic day was had by all with the 500 participants presented with medals at the end of the day to mark their efforts and involvement in the Festival. Thanks to all in Clonmel RFC for organising the event and to our own coaches and Parents.

Our u13s lost narrowly away to Lansdowne 29-24, the u14s beat Greystones 53-12 in the semi final of the Leinster Cup… next stop Donnybrook for the final on 3^rd May. Our u17s had a nailbiting 25-21 win over a Wanderers/Belvedere combination in their semi final.

There are numerous end of season blitzes and tours organised across the other age groups.

Please note the following important dates coming up very soon as we head to the end of the season. Details are in the newsletter and on the Club website.

• Women’s AIL final 26^th April in the Aviva as detailed above. Tickets also available via Ticketmaster: AIL Final

• Annual Club Dinner on Friday 8^th May. Details were announced last week.We have the Olympic bronze Medalist Philip Doyle as our guest speaker. Philip is also a medical doctor and also participated in Dancing with the Stars! I want to make this a great Club night where we celebrate all aspects and sections (Men,Women,Minis/Youths) of our Club. I am asking members, coaches, players (men and women), parents, friends to support the dinner… the more the merrier. Please start organising tables amongst your peer groups as soon as possible. We’ve had an excellent response in the past week.

• The Players Awards  in Stradbrook on Saturday 9^th May.This will cover minis/youths, Men, Women, I am delighted that we are recognising all players at the one event. Everyone is welcome to attend… players, coaches, managers, parents, supporters and friends.

• Golf Classic on Thursday 21^st May in Milltown. This is nearly fully booked out. All afternoon teams were filled weeks ago. We still have a few morning slots available and are looking for more tee sponsors and raffle prizes. Please book your morning team &/or tee sponsorship through the Club website or contact Erin in the office. It promises to be another great Club Day.

• The kids Mini World Cup will be held in Stradbrook 11-15 May, and 2 weeks of Summer Camps are now all open for online registration.

Let’s turn up in big numbers at the Aviva on Sunday to support our wonderful Women’s team as they seek to win the AIL for the first time since 2023. The weather forecast looks really good. We have received complimentary tickets from the IRFU and there are still some available. Please contact the Office if you want tickets.

Thank you for your ongoing support. I look forward to catching up with you at some of the events detailed above.

All the best

Mick