28 March 2023
Hello everyone,
We travelled to Limerick last weekend for our First team AIL game against Old Crescent. A very entertaining lunch was hosted by their President Joe Mc Namara and a large travelling support for Rock attended. It was also attended by a number of past pupils of the school who now live in Limerick.
We left with 5 points in the bag after a fine display by the team. Our Man of the Match, Peter Quirke, led the team from outhalf and had a 100% success rate off the tee. This result moves us to second in the table and a guaranteed play-off position. There are two games left and the permutations are still endless between winning the league, having a home semi playoff or away semi playoff.
Whilst the Firsts were away, the Seconds played Seapoint at home last Saturday in the first round of the cup. They progressed to make it a doubleheader with the Firsts this weekend at Stradbrook against DLSP.
Can I offer our commiserations to our Rock Women's contingent who played for Ireland last weekend in their loss to Wales. Please God, they come through this stronger for their next outing.
So next Saturday promises to be a huge day in the club with one of the biggest attendances at the lunch for years. Over 220 are booked in for the lunch which is acting as a Joe/John Mc Donnell Memorial lunch. The Mc Donnell family and a lot of former member/friends of the family will be there. If going to the lunch, please try and be in the club by 12.30.
The Seconds will play their cup match at the same time as the lunch and following that, the First team entertain Dolphin in their second last game of the regular season. This Dolphin team beat us earlier in the league so a tough game is expected regardless of league positions. Please do make your voices heard on the sidelines for both teams.
Immediately after the Leinster/Ulster European cup match will be on the TVs in the bar.
And finally, I read an article during the week which commented on the recent Ireland/England International. It made reference to the red card issued to Freddie Steward and how it has since been rescinded by the independent appeals panel. The player knew at the time it was a very harsh decision to send him off, but his disciplined and respectful reaction speaks volumes about the respect in which rugby referees are and should always be held. It's a good example for us all.
Our full list of fixtures for the weekend can be found on our calendar.
See you all Saturday,
John Colclough
President
Blackrock College RFC
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