President's Message 7.10.25

As is very evident from the newsletter again this week, there is a huge amount of activity going on across the Club with another few busy weeks in the offing. The results and match reports together with upcoming fixtures for this weekend are included below.

Last Saturday our Men’s firsts team suffered a disappointing loss to Highfield at home, although I was delighted to see our Captain, Roy Whelan, return from injury. We were very unlucky to miss out on two bonus points when we were held up over the line in the last play of the game. We will get back up on the horse again this Saturday we head to Belfast to play Queen’s University.

Both our women’s teams travelled to play our local rivals, Old Belvedere, and came away with resounding victories. Well done to all! Can I ask everyone to put Saturday, 18^th October in your diary for when our Rock Women play Railway Union in the AIL? There is no conflicting men’s AIL match that day and it would be a fantastic opportunity to see our members come out in force to lend support that afternoon.

Our u20s began their JP Fanagan Premier campaign vs MU Barnhall on Sunday. Last season MU Barnhall came agonizingly close to capturing the League title, losing out on points to Clontarf. It was an excellent effort from our squad, not reflected in the final scoreline. We move on to play Trinity in College Park on Sunday. The JP Fanagan League is top class with high quality attacking rugby on display… the squad would appreciate your support in College Park on Sunday, and the weather forecast is promising!

Our Castle XV play Old Wesley in a Friday night lights encounter in Donnybrook and on a busy Sunday our Men’s J1s team are away in Clontarf while a number of our youths teams are in action with the u17s wrapping up the weekend out in Ashbourne on Monday night. Good luck to all teams.

Last weekend Rock had two u14 teams & two u13s teams all playing matches on Sunday with the four teams winning handsomely. Well done! 

Seán Byrne, our Hon Sec, sent me a note this week confirming that we now have 505 registered minis and youths players in our Club. This is fantastic and down to all the hard work from our volunteer parents and executives in the Club.

You will see details of the IRFU’s ‘Your Club Your Country’ Grand Prize Draw below. This is an initiative from the IRFU to support Clubs across the country. There are some incredible prizes and the important point to bear in mind is that all monies raised through ticket sales goes directly back to our Club… it’s not reallocated to other Club’s. I am appealing to all members, parents, players and friends of Blackrock College RFC to buy tickets. It is a crucial fundraiser for the Club. Thank you. 

This year the Executive Committee has decided to make an increased effort to grow our membership base. I want to thank all those who have already paid their subs for the upcoming year. We rely heavily on subs to provide much needed revenue to ensure the Club can meet it’s financial commitments. Let’s support the Club where we all get a lot of enjoyment. 

Our Gala Dinner on 19^th November in the stunning Shelbourne Hotel is also coming up quickly. There are a couple final tables to be sold and I would ask if you are in a position to support this event, we would be greatly appreciative. Last year’s event was a wonderful night, and I expect this one will be equally enjoyable. Why not put a table together with fellow members, parents, work colleagues, team reunions… you won’t be disappointed. 

I want to sign off this week by thanking Conor and Erin in the office, as well as the many volunteers who work tirelessly for our Club.

Here’s to a busy and injury free weekend of rugby.

Yours in Rugby,

Mick Dwan

President 2025-2026

Blackrock College RFC