President's Message 27.11.25

Another busy week for the Club.

One of the highlights of the year was the Gala Dinner, held in the Shelbourne last week. It was very enjoyable and also a hugely important fundraiser for our Club. The Shelbourne put on a great show. Erin Dalton has a super report on the dinner including photos up on the News section of the website… it is well worth a read- GALA HIGHLIGHTS. I’d like to say a huge thanks to our Chairman, Pat Finn who was the driving force behind the event. I also want to thank our superb MC Shane Byrne, the Mentalist Shane Black who mesmerised us all, our auctioneer Eamon Flaherty who entertained us royally while delivering a fantastic return from the auction and our panelists, Ian Madigan, Brent Pope and Nigel Osborne who captivated the audience.

I also want to thank those who generously took tables, donated auction prizes and those who bought the auction prizes. It was very nice to see many of our sponsors and past presidents on the night as well as parents across all sections of the Club. Our Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, took time out of her busy schedule to join us on the night. We definitely saw Blackrock College RFC at it’s best!

There were no men’s or women’s AIL games last weekend but all our other adult teams had games.

The Friday night lights double header for our Men’s J1s and Castle 3rds vs St Mary’s provided wonderful entertainment and excitement. Our J1s just about got across the line with a 28-21 victory… squeaky bum time in the end! Two tries for each of our wingers shows the type of running rugby that our J1 team plays. A well deserved first victory in the Premier Division. The signs in recent weeks was that this was coming. Sheer elation in the dressing room after the game!

Our Castle 3^rd remain unbeaten in their league after a topsy turvy 20-16 win over St Mary’s… well done lads. They sported their immaculate new jerseys on Friday night, I’m glad I don’t have to wash them!

I was delighted to see both teams supported in equal measures.The atmosphere in Stradbrook on Friday night captured everything that is good about Club rugby.

A big thanks to Suzanne O Brien and John O Leary for organising a Meet and Greet for the U20s parents before Sunday’s match vs St Marys. We were treated to top class soup and sandwiches. Mark MacGinty and his first coaching team spoke to the parents and outlined their ambitious plans and objectives for this season and upcoming seasons. Under the management of John O Leary, I would say there isn’t a better u20 coaching team in the country. Early morning gym sessions, top class coaching all done with the number one objective of enjoyment for the players. This is the future of our Club. Unfortunately, the game didn’t do our way with St Mary’s winning 28-17, but there is alot to be optimistic about.

Tuesday night saw our Women J1s lose very narrowly 26-29 away in Railway Union, there is still lots to play for this season.

Looking ahead to this weekend, there are some great fixtures in store, including our Men’s J1s who kick off the weekend at 8pm on Friday night in Stradbrook vs Old Belvedere. Another junior double header with our Castle 3^rds playing BGF Ravens.

Our men’s firsts try to get back to winning ways at home to UCC at 2.30 pm on Saturday. An AIL double header in Stradbrook with our Women’s firsts playing Ennis at 5pm. We have music organised in the Club from 7pm! The players have organised a fun raffle which you might support.

Please come down to Stradbrook and support our teams. There's a good weather forecast, and I hear the Club has gotten a little Christmassy makeover too... I guarantee you will not be disappointed visiting the Club this weekend.

Sunday see our U20s away in Lansdowne at 2.30pm, while our u13s and u14s play at 12 noon on Sunday vs Old Wesley and Gorey respectively.

The IRFU’s Your Club Your Country Grand Draw has been extended and will now close on Wednesday 3^rd December at 10am. There are lots of great prizes to be won, all funded by IRFU sponsors. With 100% of the funds raised through ticket sales going directly to the selling Club, this is a great way to support your Club. Tickets at €10 each. All support is very much appreciated. We have only 200 of our 1,000 ticket allocation to go. Please purchase some tickets if you haven’t already done so. Details on how to buy tickets are found on the Club website.

I look forward to welcoming everyone to our pre match lunch this Saturday. Tables for the Old Wesley lunch on Saturday 13^th December are selling fast. This is effectively our Christmas lunch… please organise tables with your friends, fellow members, parents, supporters and past players. Stradbrook will be rocking that day. We have music organised again for that night.

There's so much activity, the season is flying. I look forward to seeing you around the Club this weekend.

Thanks for your ongoing support

Mick

Mick Dwan

President 2025/ 2026

Blackrock College RFC