President's Message 29.10.26

Men’s AIL Victory

Congratulations to our Men’s XV who had a great 19-17 win against City of Armagh last Saturday in Stradbrook.

Our Armagh friends travelled down in numbers and joined us for what was a great day and a very memorable lunch.

Arrangements are already being put in place, including Hotel accommodation for our return visit to Armagh in March next year! Stay tuned for details.

The Team showed great fortitude and composure under pressure in the last 10 minutes of the game to hold onto the win despite being down to 13 men and playing into driving rain and a gale force wind against a very good City of Armagh side.

The game will forever be epitomized by that last scrum of the game under our posts when props Paddy Moore and Emmet Burns, Man of the Match, held fast for a victory of epic proportions! Congratulations to skipper Roy Whelan, vice skipper James Burke and the entire Management Team for securing this vital win.

Some great snaps by John Crothers can be found on the Club's website: Photos 1sts v Armagh

We now stand in third place on 13 points behind leaders Highfield on 14 points and Dublin University also on 13 points but ahead of us on superior points difference.

Next up our Men travel to Dooradoyle this Saturday, for AIL 5th Round versus Garryowen.

The Team has been playing an exciting brand of football in our drive to regain Division 1A status this season whilst Garryowen are coming off an away win in UCC last weekend. It's great to have so many supporters travelling down to Limerick for what’s guaranteed to be a super game of rugby and a great day out in Dooradoyle.

Women’s AIL home to Galwegians this Saturday

After 2 matches played, our Women’s 1st XV are third in the League on 5 points, just behind UL Bohs (6 points) and Belvedere (10 points). It's all to play for this weekend in Stradbrook, when the Women face Galwegians.

We need big numbers out supporting the Team in this crucial fixture- note the earlier kickoff time of 3pm. The players deserve our support, so come on down to Stradbrook for another exciting day of Club rugby.

Women’s International Honours

Congratulations to Beibhinn Parsons scoring her 26th international try and to Rock Players Emily Lane, Kate Jordan and Aoibheann Reilly on Ireland’s great victory beating South Africa 40 - 27 in Cape Town. This is a fantastic achievement for these 4 incredible players, for Ireland, and for your family and friends at Blackrock College RFC.

Fixtures This Weekend

This weekend sees six squads, with 5 away matches, playing in some excellent matchups- please support our great teams where you can.

Executive Committee

The Club is seeking to build a number of new capital projects so as to provide a number of new income streams to make the annual and day to day funding more sustainable. These projects include the building of 2 padel courts and new 4G pitches to replace the grass bottom pitches. These projects will provide substantial additional yearly income to the Club which is vital in in our drive to regain Division 1A status and ensuring the excellence of our playing facilities in retaining and attracting players.

The Club is currently undergoing some essential works on the heating system, as well as a refurbishment of toilets and and other improvements.

Yesterday some fantastic new signage was installed, and thank you to all involved in organising these upgrades. Stradbrook is looking well!

New Sponsorship Boards

16 Jerseys have already been sponsored for the Men’s & Women's First XV jerseys, whilst welling fast, some still remain available for both the Men’s and Women’s AIL Squads.

We thank the companies and individuals who have already stepped forward to sponsor a jersey at €1,000 each, for both Squads. The sponsorship will be prominently displayed in the Club and also on our social media channels and website before each game.

Please contact John O’Leary and Pat Finn to secure your sponsor jersey number now!

Gala Dinner

Only 2 tables remain for the Club's 2026 Fundraising Dinner in the Shelbourne Hotel on November 12th.

We urge all Club Members to attend this great event, which is central to our fundraising this season, following on the success of last year's Dinner.

Our Master of Ceremonies will be Shane Byrne, and the evening will feature a distinguished panel of rugby speakers including Niall Woods, Gordon D'Arcy and Nigel Osborne (aka George Hook!) discussing Ireland's prospects against World Champions South Africa in a vital Test Match that weekend and the upcoming Rugby World Cup in 2027.

This class and atmospheric evening in the magnificent Shelbourne Hotel will also include a three-course dinner with wines and auctioneer Eamon O’ Flaherty will have some spectacular items for auction under the hammer.

Location: The Shelbourne Hotel, 27 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2

Date: Thursday, 12th November 2026

Time: 7pm

Dress: Smart Casual

Cost for a Table of Ten: €2,250

Includes 3-course Dinner, Wines, Guest Speakers, Auction and Raffle.

Contact Erin Dalton on (01) 280 5967 or email admin@blackrockcollegerfc.ie to book your table.

Highfield Pre Match Lunch on Saturday 7th November

IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, BOOK NOW FOR HIGHFIELD LUNCH! Many Former Greats in attendence including Dan Casey (Rock and Leinster) and Bob Casey (Rock- Leinster- Ireland). There is a Big crowd booked in and the lunch should be great Craic!, followed by the main event- what should be a highly competitive game between Rock and Highfield!

For the upcoming AIL Home Lunch against Highfield 7th November, book online in the link above or with Conor, Erin, or Paul Brophy.

ClubPRO

We’re delighted to announce that ClubPRO is collaborating with Blackrock College RFC to help build connections and support the club’s ambitions for the future. This is a very exciting development and let’s all get behind our drive to widen our sponsorship base. More details online: ClubPRO

November Charity Spotlight

Please forward your preferred charity suggestion to Erin.

Sponsors

We thank our Sponsors without whom none of this would be possible.

Yours in Rugby,

Paul Brophy