Blackrock rugby season 2017 2018 by Rooney Media

Season 2017 / 2018

BEST OF LUCK IN THE SEASON AHEAD FROM YOUR PROUD SPONSOR

AND OUR LOCAL OFFICES BLACKROCK 8 MAIN STREET T: 01 288 0088

DALKEY 23 CASTLE STREET T: 01 275 1000

MICHAEL GREHAN MANAGING DIRECTOR 086 257 8771

FOXROCK 1 BRIGHTON ROAD T: 01 289 4386

DÚN LAOGHAIRE 35 UPPER GEORGES ST T: 01 284 4422

PHILIP SHERRY EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN 086 256 4214

PSRA No. 002183

THERE’S SELLING PROPERTY – AND THERE’S SELLING PROPERTY THE SHERRY FITZ WAY

SHERRYFITZ.IE

Message from the President, James Scott-Lennon I am very honoured and privileged to serve as your President for the 2017/2018 Season and I am looking forward to welcoming some old and new friends to Stradbrook during my year as President.

The Bridge Club are also a big part of the Club. We would like to thank them for their continued support over many years and congratulate Maebh Gallagher on her election as President and wish her every success in her year in ofﬁce.

Now that the comprehensive ﬁve year strategic plan has been put in place the Executive under the Chairmanship of Declan Carroll and myself we will endeavour to carry out as much as possible of this exciting plan during my year in Ofﬁce.

I would like to express our gratitude to the retiring members of the Executive, Chairman Frank O’Riordan, Secretary Robert Dobbyn, Treasurer Alan McLean and House and Grounds Shay Taaffe for their efforts and tremendous hard work over the years and hopefully we will see them in and around the club for many more years to come

We as a Club owe a great deal of gratitude to Michael Cawley for agreeing to chair the Committee of 60 plus Members who all worked tirelessly to put this plan together. We need a lot of Volunteers to help us achieve our dreams so please put your hand up and help in whatever way you can during the Year. I would like to welcome our new First Team Coaches Michael Carroll and Niall Morris and wish them every success in the year ahead. We are starting the Season with a great deal of optimism and promise and we need your support for all teams both home and away to bring our great Club forward on all fronts The Ladies Team had an excellent year and I wish them the very best for the coming season. The Minis and Youths are the backbone of any club and we really have to thank the parents and coaches for all their efforts and overall support for the Club. We look forward to seeing them during the many social events in our calendar. Cabinteely FC are a great addition and have brought a new dimension to the Club. The best pitch surface in Leinster says it all! It is maintained so well and coupled with their ﬁnancial support they are a welcome contributor to our Club. Thank You Cabinteely FC.

Sincere thanks to the community and staff of Blackrock College Fr Corman O’Brolchain, Fr Tom Nash and School Principal Alan MacGinty for their continued support of your Club and to Congratulate Eunan O’Carroll on his election as President of the PPU. Finally enormous thanks to David Boyd for his outstanding work and commitment to the Club over many years and in particular as your President last Year. Yours in rugby and friendship James Scott-Lennon President

www.friendsямБrst.ie

YouтАЩre amongst friends with Friends First

0DWHV %XGGLHV $PLJRV &DOO WKHP ZKDW \RX ZLOO <RX FDQ W OLYH ZLWKRXW WKHP %XW HYHU\ QRZ DQG DJDLQ \RX QHHG WR EH D IULHQG WR \RXUVHOI <RXU IXWXUH LV LPSRUWDQW ERWK WR \RX DQG WKRVH DURXQG \RX 7DON WR \RXU ILQDQFLDO EURNHU DERXW RXU UDQJH RI 3HQVLRQV ,QYHVWPHQWV DQG ,QFRPH 3URWHFWLRQ SURGXFWV WKDW DUH WDLORUHG WR VXLW \RXU QHHGV 7KURXJK WKLFN DQG WKLQ ZH YH EHHQ ORRNLQJ DIWHU RXU FXVWRPHUV IRU RYHU \HDUV KHUH LQ ,UHODQG <RX UH DPRQJVW IULHQGV ZLWK )ULHQGV )LUVW

ffgeneral )ULHQGV )LUVW /LIH $VVXUDQFH &RPSDQ\ /LPLWHG LV UHJXODWHG E\ WKH &HQWUDO %DQN RI ,UHODQG 7HUPV DQG FRQGLWLRQV DSSO\

FFGENERAL

Message from the Club Coach Michael Carroll To the visiting teams, management and supporters you are all very welcome to Stradbrook for the Ulster Bank League 2017/18 season. It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all here today as head coach of Blacrock College RFC. Having spent my formative years playing mini rugby here every Sunday and years later progressing through the Under 20’s academy to playing regular 1st team rugby, it is an honour to be at the helm of this great club. Returning to the setup after some years away it is evident that an enormous amount of work has taken place off the pitch to bring the club’s facilities and in particular the gym, changing rooms, showers and pitches, to a standard that is the envy of most UBL clubs.

My goal for this season is to mirror the clubs progress and desire to improve with how we perform on the pitch. With a fantastic senior squad made up of talented, hardworking, gritty and determined individuals we are focused on coming together as a team and achieving the full potential of the group. To the ‘Rock supporters who are cheering us on at every opportunity, your unwavering encouragement does not go unnoticed on the pitch and I speak on behalf of all the players and management when I say ‘Thank You Very Much’. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all of the ‘Rock teams, from minis to youths, our junior teams, ladies and U20’s all the very best for the season ahead. Regards, Michael Carroll

Message to Blackrock College RFC from Philip Orr, President, IRFU It is my pleasure as President of the Irish Rugby Football Union to extend my best wishes to your President James Scott-Lennon and to all members of Blackrock College RFC for this season’s Ulster Bank League. Irish rugby’s premier inter-club competition is now in its 28th season and continues to strengthen in its appeal and popularity. That the Ulster Bank League plays an important and positive role in the IRFU’s domestic rugby programme is further highlighted by the increasing number of talented, ambitious young players who are emerging from the club scene to gain recognition at Provincial and National team level and on the Ireland Sevens’ teams. In its five division format, played on a home and away basis, greater interest is being generated and this has resulted in improved attendances in many clubs on big match days, further helped by the increase in the number of appealing “Friday Night Lights’’ fixtures. I am delighted on behalf of the IRFU for this opportunity to recognise and thank the huge army of volunteers for their commitment each season in the cause of their respective clubs. As Union President, I assure you that your selfless contribution to club rugby is acknowledged and greatly appreciated at Union and Branch levels. As I share with you the exciting prospect of another stirring Ulster Bank League campaign, I outline the gratitude of the Union to Ulster Bank, the IRFU’s Community Rugby programme partners. In addition to the League, its sponsorship also includes the International Club side, the Ulster Bank Bateman Cup, the Ulster Bank All Ireland Junior Cup and the Ulster Bank RugbyForce initiative. 4

Throughout the 2017/’18 Ulster Bank League campaign: news updates, ﬁxtures and tables will be available on www.irishrugby. ie/ulsterbankleague; on the Ulster Bank’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/ UlsterBankRugby and the results on twitter@ UlsterBankRugby. In addition, Irish Rugby TV will be broadcasting live games and highlights from matches on You Tube Meantime, good luck and best wishes throughout the season. It promises to be another memorable one for club rugby Philip Orr President – Irish Rugby Football Union

are proud to be the energy partner to BCRFC Sponsor to the BCRFC Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby 1st Team We would like to wish all the BCRFC Teams great success in the season ahead.

pinergy.ie

Message from Niall Rynne, Leinster Branch President It’s my great pleasure as President of Leinster Rugby to be able to pen a few lines in your yearbook for the coming season. May I start by congratulating your President James Scott-Lennon, on his appointment and wish him, and everyone associated with Blackrock College RFC every success for the year ahead. I know you’ve been busy with your works on your facilities the Clubhouse having just completed your new Shower Block including Ice Chambers and new Phsyio Room, so hopefully they will get good use and help deliver the desired result – its great to see clubs invest in their playing facilities, so congrats on that. Your AIL side ﬁnished 7th in Div 2A last season and I know will be looking to improve on that this season. Your 3rd XV won Metro League 4 (Harry Brooks Cup), and are now promoted to Division 3 for this season. You also have very vibrant Youths and Minis sections which continue to thrive, and your Womens team have been at the forefront of Womens rugby in Leinster over the years. To your ﬁrst team coach, former player and club Captain Michael Carroll, every good wish Like all clubs you too have many volunteers keeping the “show on the road”, many of whom I know and who’s company I have enjoyed on many an occasion, hard not to mention the irrepressible Jacko when talking about great club volunteers. Every club needs a Jacko ! ! – thanks for your friendship over the years pal. This year in Leinster Rugby, under the leadership of recent Past President Robert McDermott, we 6

are rolling out a Volunteer initiative and hope all clubs will beneﬁt from this. Thanks to Robbie, Carol Maybury in the Branch and others on the committee for their efforts on this and hope it’s a great success. I have had many associations with BCRFC over the years with people like Niall Brophy and Andy Butler – two greats – and in recent years with Ben Underwood who represented Blackrock with distinction for many years on Exec and who only last year was replaced by another great guy Dec Gardner. Dec is a very active member of Leinster Branch Exec and sits on Academy Board and on the Rugby committee – although he has been known to be late for the odd bus. In Leinster Rugby we look forward to yet another exciting year ahead for Leinster and Ireland – what a crop of exciting talent we have coming through – 3 more new Irish caps for Leinster lads during the summer. So to another Rock Legend Leo, Stuart and Co and to all the players, here’s to an exciting and hopefully successful Season ahead and we look forward to seeing many Rock members in the RDS cheering on the boys in blue throughout the season. In conclusion, may I again wish you all a most enjoyable and fun ﬁlled season and look forward to seeing many of you along the way. Yours in rugby Niall Rynne President Leinster Rugby

dŚĞ ŽĂƚŚŽƵƐĞ ŝƐŚŽƉ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ƵďůŝŶ ϴ͘

Message from Ulster Bank

The 2016/2017 Ulster Bank League was yet another nail-biting season, full of exciting and enthralling matches with the Division 1A final being played at the Aviva Stadium again this year, a fitting celebration of the club game in Ireland. Now it’s the time of the year when thoughts turn to new beginnings as teams across the country prepare for a new season ahead. Ulster Bank is delighted to be celebrating its eighth season as Official Community Rugby Partner to the IRFU, which includes the title sponsorship of the All-Ireland Club League and the Irish Club International team. As many of you know, local Rugby clubs and club players are the lifeblood of the grassroots game and without it Irish Rugby wouldn’t be the standard it is today. Each week players, coaches and volunteers dedicate their time and efforts to ensure that Rugby continues to thrive across all levels and each year we continue to be impressed and inspired by the passion we see. The Ulster Bank League Awards continue to grow each year and we are delighted to say that they will be returning for a sixth year. The awards recognise the commitment shown by players, coaches and teams, across all Ulster Bank League divisions and we look forward to celebrating their achievements again next year.

Ulster Bank is dedicated to the future of Irish Rugby and we are looking forward to what 2017/2018 has in store. As clubs around the country get ready to kick off the new season, on behalf of everyone at Ulster Bank, I want to say good luck to all involved. Make sure to follow us on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ulsterbankrugby and on Twitter @UlsterBankRugby to keep up to date with all our initiatives. Joe Heneghan Director of Customer Experience and Products Ulster Bank

A&L Goodbody is delighted to support Blackrock College Rugby Football Club For further information please contact: IRISH LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR 2017

Julian Yarr, Managing Partner T: +353 1 649 2000 E: jyarr@algoodbody.com

DUBLIN

BELFAST

LONDON

NEW YORK

INDEPENDENT LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR 2017

SAN FRANCISCO

PALO ALTO

www.algoodbody.com

The perfect location for your Special Occasion Buffet

from €25.95 per person

Sit Down

Afternoon Tea

from €28.95 per person

from €15.00 per person

10%

off for BCR FC members

Catering for birthday parties, anniversaries and family events. Capacity from 50 to 400 people, entertainment and late bar optional. Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin, Ireland T: +353 1 230 5460 | alicia.traynor@fitzpatricks.com

www.ﬁtzpatrickcastle.com

AIL Fixtures 2017/2018 Men’s AIL Fixtures - Division 2A 2017

2018

Saturday 16th September v. Highﬁeld

Away

Saturday 23rd September v. Cashel

Home

Saturday 30th September v. Galwegians

Away

Saturday 7th October v. City of Armagh

Home

Saturday 28th October v. Malone

Home

Saturday 4th November v. Queens University

Away

Friday 10th November v. Greystones

Home at 7.30pm

Saturday 25th November v. Galway Corinthians

Away

Saturday 2nd December v. Nenagh Ormond

Home

Saturday 9th December v. Nenagh Ormond

Away

Saturday 6th January v. Greystones

Away

Saturday 27th January v. Galway Corinthians

Home

Saturday 3rd February v. Queens University

Home

Saturday 17th February v. Malone

Away

Saturday 3rd March v. City of Armagh

Away

Saturday 24th March v. Galwegians

Home

Saturday 7th April v. Cashel Away

Away

Saturday 14th April v. Highﬁeld

Home

All Saturday Kick-offs at 2.30pm except Friday 10th November v. Greystones at 7:30pm

Womens AIL Fixtures - Division 1 2017

2018

Sunday 17th September v. Highﬁeld

Away

Sunday 24th September v. Cooke

Home

Sunday 1st October v. Galwegians

Away

Sunday 15th October v. Railway Union

Home

Sunday 22nd October v. Old Belvedere

Away

Sunday 5th November v. Tullamore

Away

Sunday 12th November v. UL Bohemians

Home

Sunday 19th November v. UL Bohemians

Away

Sunday 14th January v. Tullamore

Home

Sunday 21st January v. Old Belvedere

Home

Sunday 11th February v. Railway Union

Away

Sunday 4th March v. Galwegians

Home

Sunday 11th March v. Cooke

Away

Sunday 1st April v. Highﬁeld

Home

All Sunday Kick-offs at 1pm

Trust your instincts. Choose KPMG. KPMG wish Blackrock College RFC every success for the 201-/201. season To find out how KPMG can help you achieve your business objectives, please contact us at 01 410 1000

The J3’s Bring Home the Silverware on gameday 1. We sat back in the changing room, celebrating the win and blasting out a rendition of “Rock Boys Are We”. However, the mood changed half an hour later when we were informed by Jack (Never Off The Leinster Rugby App) Curtain that the score had been registered incorrectly as a Bective win. Thankfully the result was conﬁrmed in our favour.

We began our league campaign in rough and (not so) ready fashion! One training session behind us and we were faced with our first match away against Bective. The result didn’t quite go our way but with the poor preparations all we expected was to brush the cobwebs off, get the fitness levels up and see where we were at for the rest of the year. Next up we faced a UCD side who ended up being our principle rivals for the season. The game finished a draw with a super try in the corner and some stellar defensive work in the pouring rain in Belfield. The heart and fortitude shown by the lads in the UCD game drove us on and set us up for consecutive victories against Boyne, Landsdowne, Skerries and Rathdrum. The lads showcased their skill and power in these games allowing us to be free-scoring, putting up large scores on Lansdowne and Boyne particularly. These games were followed by the most controversial moment of the season – Refgate. We registered a hard-fought two point victory against a Bective side who had outmanned us 14

We had just hit top form when we suffered a demoralising defeat to UCD. We went into the second half 16 points to the good before falling apart in the last 15 minutes. This was particularly disappointing as this was the last rugby before the Christmas break! Side-note: The Christmas break was heavily and thoroughly celebrated by both the coaching staff and the players providing needed…… R&R….and a nice day out at the races! We came back strong in the New Year with big wins against Boyne and Landsdowne setting us up for a crunch game against an extremely strong Skerries team. We were suffering from a number of absentees through injury coupled with a number of further injuries in the game and ended up on the end of an 8 point loss. This

left the top two spots wide open, however, we knew that a bonus point win against Rathdrum would clinch a ﬁnal spot for us.

the results went during the season, the lads always had faith and stuck together as a team. #RockBoysAreWe #TRAB

Needless to say, we got to the league ﬁnal in the Bowl in UCD. It was a truly epic encounter with neither team giving an inch for the ﬁrst 60 minutes. Through hard work, determination and some silky skills we managed to pull away in the last quarter and win the Division 4 Metro league trophy!

Fago & John McCallion

Our cup campaign was a rollercoaster which at its peak saw us put circa 90 points on Andrew Ellison’s Wanderers team in Lansdowne Road and at its lowest point saw us closely defeated in the semi-ﬁnal by a Monkstown side after some failed negotiation over the date of the event. It was a season where players, coaches and supporters remained focussed on the task at hand -winning the league. No matter what way

Blackrock Ladies Season Culminates with All-Ireland Cup Final The season for Blackrock College RFC ladies culminated in a dramatic ending – the AllIreland Cup Final against UL Bohemians in Dubarry Park. The path to the ﬁnal is one which saw close wins over rivals who edged the team in the All Ireland League competition.

key and by the time the 23rd of April came around it was felt that the team had a point to prove on ﬁnals day. Unfortunately the win wasn’t within reach, and the ladies lost out 26-17 against UL. But the style of rugby with which the ladies implemented and played was something which was an achievement of the hours of training put into the season!

The change in season structure saw the number of League games double with the return of the Home and Away games. There were a number of games where one score separated the teams at the ﬁnal whistle, with some very tough losses and some even sorer bodies!

The All Ireland Cup was the ladies redemption to the League, a win at the start of the new year propelled the season back to life with an emphatic win over Ballynahinch (66-3). With Galwegians next up, who had narrowly edged Blackrock twice in the league, it was third time lucky for the Rock ladies, escaping with a 28-22 win. In the competitions semi-ﬁnal they faced local rivals Belvo’ and managed to overcome them with a last gasp try in the dying minutes in Anglesea Road (10-8). With six weeks between semi and ﬁnal the teams focus was to ensure that momentum did not drop. Preparation was

Congratulations to this year’s Award winners with Eimear Corri named as ‘Young Player of the Year’ and Carmella Morey picking up ‘Player of the Year’.

servant of the club who returned home to Canada during the year. Shannon played with the team for over ten years and collected a number of accolades, featuring for Leinster, Ireland 15â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and 7â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and brought this learning back to her team mates and club.

Other highlights of the year were the representation at provincial level with 12 Blackrock Ladies on the Leinster Womens Squad and our own Carmella Morey captaining the eventual Interprovincial Series winners. She demonstrated her ability to lead form the front on all counts and ensured that silverware was brought back to Leinster. The Ireland Sevens and 15s representation continued to shine brightly in tournaments throughout the year. The Womens Rugby World Cup is being hosted by Ireland this year, with games on in UCD and the ďŹ nals on in Kingspan Park (Ravenhill) in August! The ladies would like to express their gratitude and thanks to Shannon Houston, an incredible

Finally, it was with regret that the team lost a former coach and friend during the year, Stephen Lucey. He was one of biggest supporters in the Club and he is sadly missed by all.

Message from our new Chairman Declan Carroll “Our Club-Our Future” Dear Colleagues, It is a great Honour for me to take up the role of Chairman of this great Club. I want firstly to pay tribute to my predecessor Frank O’ Riordan who has done a tremendous job in stabilising our Club over the last years,through difficult recessionary times. My clear focus for the Future is the development and support of our Rugby programme. I am also delighted that the Club members have elected a very positive and enthusiastic Executive who are all completely committed to our new Club Strategic Plan called “Our Club-Our Future”. In compiling the Strategy we canvassed the opinions of all Club Members.Their responses were then analysed and debated under six main headings, Rugby, Finance, Grounds and Infrastructure,Sponsorship and Fundraising, Membership and Community and Communications. We were extremely fortunate to have Michael Cawley, Chairman of Failte Ireland and ex CFO of Ryanair to agree to chair the development process. We are now confident that we have an excellent development plan that satisfies all requirements of all interested parties in our Club. I want to express our appreciation to all members of the steering committee for their input especially Tony Amoroso who was the main driver of the project along with Carole Ann Clarke, Stephen Young and Eunan O’Carroll.

contribution to the standard of our top pitch during the Summer, where they held a historic Football match with the New Zealand National Soccer team,affectionatly known as the “All Whites”. Your Executive is committed to the development of Our Club to ensure the enjoyment of all Members and Players from Minis through Youths, Juniors, Ladies and Seniors.We have a clear detailed development plan. We invite you to come along with us,get involved and enjoy. As always at the start of the season I have to put out a call for two things. 1. Call for Volunteers: we need 60 volunteers every year to run this Club well. Please consider getting involved - We need you. 2.

Call for Sponsorship-The Life blood of all Clubs,please try to elicit ﬁnancial support,from friends and Commercial contacts. Every cent is precious.

Major work has continued throughout the summer season to complete our New Physio Centre and Shower Block and to redecorate our existing changing rooms and Gym.

Good Luck to All our Players for the coming Season. Looking forward to seeing you all down the Club soon.

Cabinteely FC continue a ground sharing arrangement with us and have made a major

Declan Carroll Chairman 19

Executive Committee 2017/2018

Photos courtesy of Rock Photography

01. Declan Carroll Chairman 02. James Scott-Lennon President 03. Pat Finn Treasurer 04. John CranďŹ eld Secretary

05. Patrick Burke Vice President Sponsorship 06. John Cogran Junior Vice President Membership / Community 07. Michael Hearty Director of Rugby 08. Lena Fitzsimons Womans Rugby

09. Glen Bradley Mini Rugby 10. Mike Conn Youths Rugby 11. David Boyd Immediate Past President 12. Dave Brennan Fixtures Secretary

Stars for Ireland

Katie Fitzhenry, Womens World Cup 2017

Jeamie Deacon, Womens World Cup 2017

Andrew Conway, Ireland Tour USA Japan 2017

INSURANCE FOR A BOLD NEW WORLD. If you’re looking for local insights on a global scale, let’s chat.

............................... MAKE YOUR WORLD GO xlcatlin.com XL Catlin, the XL Catlin logo and Make Your World Go are trademarks of XL Group Ltd companies. XL Catlin is the global brand used by XL Group Ltd’s (re)insurance subsidiaries.

CORPORATE FINANCE AT CANTOR FITZGERALD Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland is a market leader in providing capital raising and advisory services. We pride ourselves on our delivery and our accompanying level of service, so you can focus on your day-to-day business.

• Part of a leading global financial services firm • Raised in excess of €200m over the past 2 years • Track record in raising debt, equity and EIIS capital

Contact Glenn Bradley gbradley@cantor.com | +353 1 633 3812

Contact Conor McKeon cmckeon@cantor.com | +353 1 633 3667

FOR A FULL LIST OF RECENT TRANSAC TIONS VISIT:

www.cantorfitzgerald.ie/transactions

The Ultimate Driving Machine

JOIN THE TECHNOLOGY REVOLUTION AT FRANK KEANE. Test-drive the new all-electric BMW i3 and the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 at Frank Keane BMW. Proud Sponsors of Blackrock College RFC.

JFK Drive, Exit 9 M50 Naas Road Dublin 12 01 240 5666

Temple Road Blackrock Co. Dublin 01 288 5085

frankkeanebmw.ie info@frankkeanebmw.ie

Rugby Chairmans Message new showers, ice baths, medical/physiotherapy room and new changing rooms. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Declan Carroll for delivering this project completely on his own initiative to our club. I would also like to wish him well in his tenure as club Chairman. On the rugby front our senior team will again compete in Division 2a of the All IRELAND LEAGUE. We have new coaches at under 20s , seconds and the senior side. Mick Carroll takes over as head coach with Niall Morris coaching the backline. Steve Lambe will be the assistant coach and I wish them an enjoyable and successful season. Richie Allen takes over from Steve Lambe as head coach of our 20s side and has been working extremely hard on recruitment with Dermot Laide and Simon Rogan. The new 2nd XV coach is David Kirk who was recruited by our director of rugby operations, Clinton Arblaster. Michael Hearty takes over as Director of Rugby and I wish him and Clinton every success in our quest to gain promotion this season. It is a pleasure to welcome you here to Stradbrook this afternoon. We in Blackrock College RFC are very proud of our club facilities which are continuing to develop despite financial constraints. We now have a state of the art gymnasium, floodlights on the top pitch and three of the finest grass pitches in the country. We are currently working on the feasibility of the installation of an all -weather pitch in Stradbrook. We continue to share our facilities with Cabinteely FC during the summer months and Cabinteely do a tremendous job in keeping the top pitch in pristine condition for the handover at the start of the rugby season. This arrangement between the two clubs is working well and is a source of much needed revenue for the club. We will shortly be opening our new shower block facility complete with

My sincere thanks to all our committed club members, volunteers and club sponsors without whose help we would not be able to function. I would encourage all club members to support our club sponsors where possible. I wish our new club President, James ScottLennon, every possible success for the season ahead. I hope you have a great day out in Stradbrook and that you have the time to enjoy our facilities both on and off the pitch Larry Macken Chairman Rugby Committee

COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL CIVIL ENGINEERING • FIT-OUT SPECIALIST RESTORATION WESLIN CONSTRUCTION ARE PROUD SUPPORTERS OF

BLACKROCK COLLEGE RFC.

ON TIME FLEXIBILITY

Unit 4 Ringwood Centre, Damastown Close, Dublin 15. Tel: 01-8261122 | www.weslin.ie

•

ON BUDGET

•

INNOVATION

E9 Calmount Park

Ballymount

Dublin 12

T (01) 456 4366

F (01) 456 4376

E info@mooreent.ie

delivering clean solutions

THE BEST TEAM for Selling Houses & Apartments

118 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2

www.hookemacdonald.ie

01 661 0100

Under 20’s Report and Update The U20 season started with an air of excitement given the announcement of newly appointed forwards coach to Blackrock College S.C.T. Steve Lambe returning as head coach ably assisted by ex-Leicester Tigers and Leinster full-back Niall Morris. Early season form was to suggest that we could genuinely compete for a top four place in Premier 1 this year. There were rare preseason victories over Terenure College and St. Mary’s College, followed by successive wins over NUI Galway and Greystones in the JP Fanagan qualifiers. This took us into our first Premier 1 League game against a very strong Lansdowne side who were also unbeaten. Unfortunately, with preparation being severely hindered due to the Blackrock College Debs (!) on the eve of the game and injuries to several key players we lost heavily. The significant loss to Lansdowne regretfully had a big impact on the players morale which was to weigh heavily on us over the following few games. That said there were some very good performances particularly away to eventual All Ireland Champions Navan and McCorry Cup finalists Clontarf, losing by 17- 15 and 22-21 respectively.

Our first league victory came in the form of an excellent home victory over mid-table Terenure College, giving us renewed hope for the second half of the season. January brought a return fixture against Lansdowne at home with a score line of 40 - 13 not being a true reflection of the closeness of the game. A second league victory was to follow away to St. Mary’s College at the end of January, but sadly that was to be our last victory of the season. Nonetheless, solid performances in February against Trinity College in College Park and in particular a relatively narrow loss against U.C.D. in The Bowl kept our spirits high. We eventually finished in 7th place in Premier 1, with a noticeable difference between the top four and the bottom four of the table. Our McCorry Cup experience was unfortunately short lived with a first round loss to U.C.D. However, with six of the seven teams in our league having Senior teams in the top division our U20’s have a lot to be proud of for the 2016/17 season, given the depth of some of our competitors squads. So to this year and with 19 of our current players returning again this season supported by an extensive recruitment programme embarked on in the off season led by Simon Rogan and Dermot Laide it looks like this could finally be our year to break into the illusive top four. In addition, our Director of Rugby Michael Hearty has appointed an all new coaching set up with the highly rated Richie Allen joining us as Head Coach from St. Michael’s College and the very successful duo of Luke Hickey and Mark Roche teaming up again as his assistants, the 2017/18 season is looking bright. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to all those volunteers involved with the U20s during the 2016/17 season, especially captain Ben Mahon, managers Dermo and Rogie, coaches Lamber, Woody and Duffer and bagmen Ciaran and Enda. 29

Winner Pub of The Year BAR RESTAURANT

DELI OFF LICENCE

’SPORTS THEMED POOL ROOM’ QUALITY FOOD SERVED ALL DAY NOW OPEN FOR BREAKFAST MON-FRI FROM 8am SAT & SUN FROM 9am DELI OPEN FROM 8am TO 10pm 7 DAYS

BEST OF LUCK TO ALL ROCK TEAMS THIS SEASON www.gleesons.ie Tel: 012880236

Mini & Youth Season 2016 / 2017 The 2016/207 Season marked the end of Aidan Finn’s Chairmanship. We are incredibly grateful for all that he achieved with the Minis and Youths during his tenure. His passion and dedication as well as expertise in Rugby and ﬁtness ensured that every element of the game has blossomed under his leadership and we have maintained strong numbers as a result.

strategy and budget for this section ratiﬁed. This is for us a huge development and one we are extremely excited about. I would like to thank Killian O’Sullivan for his Trojan work on the Youths Strategy and the formation of a Youths Sub committee to bring the plan to life. I would also like to thank Ian Wyse for his work on the Minis pillar which we will be evolving also.

We are also fortunate to have a very strong executive committee. We have also welcomed some new recruits to the executive who are adding huge value. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in running the Mini and Youths Section from the Executive, to all the coaches, managers and parents who lend a hand with orange carts, Christmas and end of season celebrations.

Now on to the Rugby!! Starting with Highlights from our Youths

What has been lovely this season is the renewed sense of community building in the club. We have now dispersed with catering for games to provide food ourselves for visitors. Something we had beneﬁted from for years in other clubs. The feedback from our visitors has been fantastic (kids and parents alike!). Equally the fundraising efforts for the u-12’s tour saw all age grades pull together for this Celebration tour – something we will now continue every season as a Graduation tour to Youths Rugby. The 2016/2017 season was a very special season for the club in that myself and Stephen Young formed a Club strategy steering committee back in April 2016 along with Tony Amoroso and Eunan O’Carroll. We presented an initial document to the Senior Executive in October 2016, giving us the go ahead to develop a 5-year plan for the club. We attracted the help of nearly 60 volunteers to develop this strategy. It culminated in a presentation to a full house in May. Such a strategy has meant that Minis and Youths remains at the forefront of developing the club in the future with renewed focus on Youths as a key ingredient to ensure success in both the u-20’s and senior club with both the

U17s is about growth and 2017/2018 is going to be a very exciting age group going with a full and strong squad to compete in the leagues and cup. Strength & conditioning will commence in late July along with pre-season training. Anyone born 2001 or 2002 is welcome to join our squad where they can expect excellent coaching and the full support of our club in line with the 5-year plan. Our Under 15’s and 16’s highlight was playing a touring side Frankfurt 1880 U16s (German club champions) in a competitive fixture and 2 friendly matches in April & May to finish out the season on a high note. As a pre-season bonding activity and a way to contribute to the community, the incoming U17s players organised a charity shave or dye in aid of the Blackrock Hospice. Well done! The u14’s had a very encouraging season in 2016/17, managing to keep approximately 28 of the u13 group together in u14 which is a credit to the boys, the parents and coaches who have shown commitment all season. The u14’s entered the A Metropolitan League and throughout the season the boys showed that they are well able at this level. For a first season the team did very well and contested admirably throughout particularly against Clontarf, Skerries, Greystones and Coolmine. The good news is that we have 20 players committed for 2017 Season and we are always recruiting from all schools in the area. 31

The u-13’s always presents itself as a transition for both players and Management moving from Minis to Youths. It is our aim to keep our kids playing at the club whilst enjoying Rugby in their school throughout their teens. The Club ensures kids learn different skills beyond a player and helps round out their characters. The u-13’s were placed in league division 3, with the likes of St Marys, DLSP and Cill Dara. After few difficult games against the stronger teams, the boys began to gel as a team and finished the season a creditable 5th place. This great quote from our backs coach Andrew O’Connell, following their quarter final defeat best sums up the season and is a relevant quote for all boys and girls playing rugby, “One of the key elements to coaching Minis and Youths is to teach the boys the core tenants of Rugby so that they can take them into their lives, live them and benefit from them. Respect (discipline) and resilience being two of the most important. If they can behave in life under pressure as they behaved under pressure last Sunday we will have done a good job and they will have grown all the while.” SOME MINIS HIGHLIGHTS The year started with a bang, with the under 10’s, 11’s and 12’s all hosting a big group of visitors from Wilmslow RFC, giving the boys the first chance to demonstrate their mettle, against their slightly older and larger English counterparts. The boys stepped up to the mark and got the season off to a great start with some stellar performances.

U-10’s trip to Winslow

Our U-12’s mark the end of Minis before transitioning to u-13’s and as such is always marked with a tour. 42 boys and 43 parents travelled to Biarritz. It looks like they were hosted admirably including a fair few ex Internationals!

U7s minis team

U-9’s had a hectic year playing more than 20 other teams including a trip to Belfast playing Shaw Brid Barbarians (Instonians + Cooke). U9’s has seen the introduction of non-competitive scrums and lineouts, with the ethos for the U9 coaching to improve all the boys in the core disciplines (Sportsmanship, Friendship, Passing, Tackling, Rucking, Mauling, Scrumming and Line-outs). As a group the boys have improved at both an individual level and as a team, and this is a credit to them all and the volunteer coaches. Our u-6’s and u-7’s continue to be fun groups with emphasis on game play and inspiring kids to fall in love with the game, work as a team and a little bit of discipline! Stephen Costello

One area that we do need to encourage as a club is Girls Rugby. As an ex player, myself I can concur the joy it brought and brings to my life as well as long lasting friendships, discipline and resilience. We would encourage parents to introduce Rugby to your Girls and be ambassadors for the game. We will be demonstrating a renewed focus on recruiting Girls to the club over the coming seasons. I would also like to thank Greg, Sharon and Aidan for their continued commitment in this area.

U7s minis team

has been instrumental in providing the right framework for these age groups which can be tricky (as it means we all must be kids again and focus on games v pure rugby drills that we may all be used to as adult players).

As ever, there are never enough volunteers, so please do put your hand up to support in any way you can for this new season ahead. Yours in Rugby Carole Ann Clarke, Chairperson Minis & Youths.

Serious Talk at the Bar

L to R: Merv Dalton, Ronan Wilmot, John Terry, Sean Mullen and Garry Kavanagh.

Brophy & Co.

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS REGISTERED AUDITORS ODE TO DRICO Waltzing Drico, Waltzing Drico, You go waltzing Drico in green, 47 tries in 133 tests is ample testimony, To our grestest rugby player in history, Strikes like a cobra with lighting speed, Conjurer of mesmerising wizardry of famous deed, Iconic talisman of Rock, Leinster, Ireland and the Lions he may be, His likes again we never shall see.

Telephone: 01 825 0325 Email: brophyandco@gmail.com The Cottage, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath and Dunshaughlin Business Park, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath BIZBOOKS

BOOKKEEPING SERVICE in conjuction with Brophy & Co.

A Message from the President of the Blackrock College Union the College, the Union and the Rugby Club have all completed and published their ﬁve year strategic plans. While each understandably has their own agenda a review of all plans clearly demonstrates their intent in protecting and strengthening the tradition and ethos of the Blackrock College family so that we can continue to participate and contribute to the communities we serve. In doing so as stakeholders we should all be mindful of the fact that together we are stronger and together we can ensure that Blackrock College RFC continues to contribute to Leinster and Irish rugby both on and off the pitch as it has done so since 1882.

On behalf of the Blackrock College Union I would like to wish all the players, coaches and ofﬁcers of this great club every success for the 2017/18 season. As a past player and proud member I have, like so many generations of past students of Blackrock College, some wonderful memories of the weekends spent in Stradbrook watching some true legends of the game back in the amateur era. For many of us the Rugby club is where our Rugby journey began under the coaching of the late great Eric Pembery on those cold wet Sunday mornings in the early seventies. As we look forward to the season ahead we do so at a time when all of the key stakeholders in the Blackrock College community have been considering the future. In the last few months

Our Rugby Club has a rich tradition and a worldwide reputation that all members past and present should be proud of. The ﬁve year plan clearly sets out an agenda to once again position Blackrock College RFC to compete at the highest level of the club game on this island. As President of the Blackrock College Union I encourage all past students who were members to re-engage with the club and in doing so make your small contribution to ensuring the Rugby Club delivers on its ﬁve year strategic plan. To the players and teams throughout the club, women’s, junior U20’s, youths, minis and the AIL squad I wish you every success in what will be a long and hard fought season. While there can be no substitute for hard work and preparation let’s hope you all get your fair share of luck along the way. Remember its great people that make great clubs so the future is bright for Blackrock College RFC. Eunan O’Carroll President Blackrock College Union. 35

Blackrock College Bridge Club Blackrock College Bridge Club is now in its 51st year! I am delighted to be this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President of the club as my mother Olive Gallagher was one of the founder members of the club. Bridge is played in Stradbrook on a Monday and Thursday nights throughout the whole year. Our club members represent the club in local and National competitions. It is a very active club, along with the Bridge we have a Golf outing and dinner in October for all to enjoy. At Christmas, we have a Christmas dinner which is very well attended. While in Spring the members have their three days break away playing Bridge and Golf. The club also play interclub competitions with Foxrock Bridge Club and Elm Park Bridge Club. During the months of June, July and August the club is open to all

Bridge players. Further information on the club can be obtained from www.bridgewebs.com/blackrockcollege/

Maebh Gallagher President Blackrock College Bridge Club

CafĂŠ du Journal Monkstown 36

A New Approach to Healthfulness

Everyone is an individual We aim to work in partnership with you to create personalised, integrated and evolving solutions across;

Movement

Nutrition

(Pilates, Yoga, TRX, Rowing, Barre Concept)

(Consultation & Programmes)

Bodyworks

Mind Matters

(including Massage & Skincare)

(Mindfulness & Meditation)

To book a consultation contact clientcare@thegreenhouseproject.ie (but if you just want to pop into a class or have a treatment or meditate that’s ﬁne too, you can still beneﬁt from our attention to detail and focus on you!)

thegreenhouseproject.ie

Scene at Stradbrook

8th April 2017 Blackrock College Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sundays Well

Scene at Stradbrook

8th April 2017 Blackrock College Vâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sundays Well

State of the Art Shower Block and Physio Centre opens at Stradbrook September 2017 sees the opening of our new Shower Block and Physio Centre. Dedicated to the memory of a great Club Man, Past President and Club Secretary,Barry O Keeffe rip.Barry also worked in the College for over 50 years. Barry was Dean of various years through his career,he was a very successful Basketball Coach for several years,before moving on to be the College Rugby Coach for his “All Stars” as he referred to players in his light-hearted way. Barry is considered as one of our Clubs greatest supporters who was always concerned for players welfare,health and ﬁtness,and he will always be fondly remembered. We set out 4 years ago to upgrade Club facilities by building a Gym,installing Floodlights on the main pitch and the ﬁnal piece is the upgrading of the Showers, medical room and Physio centre. This Project now provides Players at Stradbrook with the best facilities of any Club in Ireland.The addition of a modern Ice Chamber will provide immediate rehabilitation of stressed muscles and prevent joint fatigue. This Project is a tribute to commitment and dedication of Club Members who donated generously to the cost of the building works.

KNOW HOW TO TRACK DOWN YOUR

PERFECT TENANT Talk to one of our experienced letting agents to ﬁnd out more SHERRY FITZGERALD LETTINGS 35 UPPER GEORGES STREET, DÚN LAOGHAIRE CO. DUBLIN

T: 01 278 4282

WWW.SHERRYFITZLETTINGS.IE PSRA: 002016

Obituary Victor Brophy A tribute to the late Victor Brophy from Robert Brophy - CFO World Rugby My father, Victor Brophy, a former President, and life member of Blackrock College R.F.C., died last November and was buried on the 5th November 2016. This was also the famous day that Ireland recorded our first ever victory against the All Blacks in Soldier Field, Chicago. Father Nash has declared this Victor’s ‘first miracle’ but he reliably informs me that a second miracle is needed for rugby sainthood! The Brophy family is forever grateful for all the support we received from Rock and fellow members during this difficult time.

Victor excelled at most sports (he even won a medal for ballroom dancing!) but rugby was his true love. A good club player he was also a very impartial touch judge (just ask Tony Amoroso!) and baggage manager for many years for Rock and Leinster (predecessor to the great Rala!). My mother, Ina, darned the jerseys!

As a member for over 60 years Victor developed a great afﬁnity and enthusiasm for Rock deriving enormous pleasure from the Club over all those years.

As a shrewd Bank Manager with an eye for a good business opportunity, he played a vital role with Niall Quinn when in 1979 the Club purchased outright the freehold of the lower pitches for IR£28,000-a great buy! In later years, he was immensely proud of the fantastic headway and ambitious strides the Club has been taking in constantly upgrading the excellent playing facilities to a par with the best any club in Ireland has to offer- a truly remarkable achievement.

Although he did not attend Blackrock College himself he always had great respect for the School’s and Club’s proud rugby tradition and the close bonds and afﬁnity that exists between the College and the Club.

What endeared Victor to so many people was not only his vision but also his delight in seeing others do well on and off the pitch and the constant encouragement and support he provided in this regard

Victor was involved with Rock during those exciting formative years following the Club’s successful move to Stradbrook.

We thank Rock for allowing us the opportunity to pen this tribute and salute him along with so many other great Rock members, past and present, who have contributed in so many different ways to make this the great Club it is today and we fondly remember all those great Rock men who have gone before us.

It is truly only at such times,that you fully appreciate how great it is to be associated with such a great Club and School.

Following the untimely death of his father, Harry,at an early age, Victor took on a mentoring role for his younger brother, the legendary Niall Brophy, who, with strong encouragement from Victor, also joined the Club having had the distinction, along with Billy Mulcahy, of being 42

the ﬁrst UCD players to be selected for a Lions Tour (Australia and New Zealand 1959) Subsequently to joining Blackrock College RFC Niall was also selected on the 1962 Lions tour to South Africa becoming the ﬁrst of 12 Club players to be honoured with Lions selection-great players all.

May he rest in peace. Robert Brophy

Obituary Stephen Lucey Stephen Lucey died tragically on the 1st of December 2016. He would have been 33 years of age on the 6th of May 2017, He attended Holly Park National School leaving after 6th class to go 1st year in Willow Park and then to Blackrock College, finishing up as a boarder in The Castle in 6th year. After the Leaving Certificate he went to UCD to study Commerce and later to Griffith College to study law. Stephen played Mini Rugby in Blackrock College R.F.C from the age of 6 and was on the 1st Mini Rugby Tour to London Irish and later to the Mini Rugby World Cup in Scotland. Stephen loved Rugby but it did not always love him back. It wasn’t unusual to see Stephen in a sling, in fact it was his favourite for him accessory. Whether it was lining out for Blackrock, Monkstown, Sandymount touch or any of the many tag teams he played for he would give 110%. On the 29th April 2017 the first annual tag tournament in honour of Stephen was held in Stradbrook thanks

to the trojan work of Caroline Little and the proceeds of over €10,000 was divided between Aware and Pieta House. In January 2013 Stephen joined the staff of the Shelbourne Pharmacy Ltd. in Irishtown, Dublin 4 and became a Director in 2015. It is testament to his huge popularity with the customers of the Pharmacy and the people of Irishtown and Ringsend that the attendance at his funeral in St. Patricks Church Ringsend was the biggest the undertakers Fanagans had seen in that church. As his great friend Gavin Little said, if you ever met Stephen it was a pretty difﬁcult not to gain a life long friend and seeing the outpouring of messages on social media and listening to the many anecdotes at his passing it is easy to see that everyone else had the same experience. Messages came pouring in from all over the world, it just goes to show the impact Stephen had on people. He will be forever missed by his parents Paddy and Barbara, his two loving sisters Sarah and Nicola, his partner Clare, his Uncles and Aunties, cousins, the extended family and the Rock boys and numerous friends Once again Gavin Little summerised Stephen in the Beautiful album he presented to us called Stephen Lucey, The Man, The Myth, The Legend. May he rest in peace.

Obituary Jim Byrne During most of my years in office in Blackrock College RFC Jim was Senior Team Secretary. Whether the bus that rolled into Stradbrook was filled with Instonians or was from Ballymena or Garryowen, there he was on the steps of the old house, impeccably dressed in blazer and tie, meeting and greeting them: he knew all the right names, and passed them on discreetly, and in his place as host never put a foot wrong. I reckon he was nothing short of the best. For many years we begged him to take up the Presidency – but no was always the answer. The quintessential backroom officer, his innate modesty allowed him to perform beautifully as the Team Secretary but to decline the publicity. We could not have had a better man in a key position. At Selection he would chart every team and see they made their merry way to the newspapers and other media. He had an unerring opinion

of who would cry off and when. The Presidents of the period were lucky to have such a right hand man. Not many can be as lucky as our club was – his encyclopaedic knowledge of the ofﬁcers of other clubs – all of them! – made things easy for everyone. Blackrock RFC continually throws up great men – on and off the pitch – and he was one of them. Can I say that I will always remember his contribution to Club parties with a beautiful singing voice – always appreciated. I was lucky to know Jim for many years before working with him. He and his wife, Mags were close personal friends of my wife, Ann and myself and I cherished the relationship. I will miss Jim. May he rest in peace. Michael O’Dea

Obituary George Comerford The death occurred last May of George Comerford,aged 85 years. George gave dedicated and unstinting service to Blackrock College RFC for decades. He will be best remembered for starting, with Noel Turley, Mini Rugby, on Sunday mornings,in the Club; acting as Team Secretary to Junior Teams; supervising the dances on Saturday nights, including opening the bandstand, and managing /supervising, with Ken Healy, the gate and entrance area,in the Club grounds on match days. George introduced Dermot Hassett to the Club,who formed with Jim Thomas and “Locky” Butler the most successful and longstanding front rows in the Club’s history. In his totally unassuming but ﬁrm manner, he 44

carried out all these tasks,and many more in the background,with great efﬁciency and never sought publicity. George was truly an unsung hero and devotee of the Club. May his generous and noble Soul rest in peace. David Cox

Best Wishes to Blackrock College RFC P.D. Gardiner & Co. Solicitors 8SSHU 0RXQW 6WUHHW, Dublin 2 Tel: +353-1-6766 350 Fax: +353-1-6767 827 Email: dg@pdgsolicitors.com

Rugby Action

www.myliebherr.ie Liebherr Showroom Open Monday- Friday 9-5.30 NAA Appliances Ltd Crosslands Business Park Lower Ballymount Road Dublin 12 Tel: 01 4600064 Shown: Liebherr SBSes 8663

ROCK PHOTOGRAPHY ARE PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS BASED IN DUN LAOGHAIRE, DUBLIN WITH A RELAXED FRIENDLY APPROACH SPECIALISING IN STYLISH MODERN PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BLACKROCK COLLEGE RFC

WEDDINGS

PR/CORPORATE

EDUCATION

PROPERTY

SPORT

PORTRAITS

6 Charlemont Terrace, Crofton Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Tel: 00353 1 230 4397 / 087 741 2885 Email: patrick@rockphotography.ie

15% Discount to all Club Members

www.rockphotography.ie

The Night The All Blacks played in Stradbrook

CABINTEELY FC brought international football to the Borough to sunny Stradbrook on Tuesday June 6th, something the local fans probably never imagined possible.

head home from a corner. Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters equalised for Cabo two minutes later with a nice ﬁnish from the edge of the box.

However, when New Zealand came to town for a warm up game as part of their preparations for the Confederations Cup in Russia that is exactly what occurred.

The game swung from end to end but New Zealand were the side creating the better chances with Wood ﬁnding himself within shooting distance time after time. After squandering a couple of chances, the beefy target man eventually found the net on 32 minutes. Calls for offside came from the Cabo players and fans but the goal stood.

A mixture of regular fans and intrigued neutrals descended upon the home of Blackrock College RFC to witness New Zealand secure a 5-2 victory in an entertaining tie. Some lined up along the side of the pitch while others enjoyed a bird’s-eye view from the large windows of the club bar.

Wood doubled his tally two minutes later after

The visitors put out a strong side for the first half that included Leeds United striker Chris Woods, Ipswich defender Tommy Smith, and former Marseille midfielder Bill Tuiloma. Cabo started with many of their first team players and caused New Zealand trouble despite playing into a strong wind. However, it was the All Whites – ironically playing in All Black – who took the lead after just two minutes when Smith rose highest to 49

an exquisite cross from Kip Colvey, before Evan Galvin pulled one back from the spot with the last kick of the half after Tuiloma was adjudged to have fouled him in the box. The second half saw both teams make vast changes, which had a detrimental effect on the quality on show. With less experienced players on the pitch, Cabo struggled to impose themselves on the game, while Kosta Barbarouses and Shane Smeltz added to the score line for New Zealand. “We were up against a stiff wind in the ﬁrst half and conceded an early goal but we bounced back really well,” said Cabo manager Eddie Gormley after the game “I thought their second goal was slightly offside but those decisions go against you, and when you lose another one so

quick after that you start to think this could be a bit of an onslaught. But the lads regrouped and it was a decent ﬁrst half performance.” One player that stood out for Cabo was top scorer Waters, which will come as no surprise to anybody who has watched him play this season. “Marty will cause any team problems. I thought he was probably one of the best players on show tonight,” said Gormley. There may have been no haka or fairytale victory for the home fans but the time New Zealand came town will live long in the memory around Cabinteely and beyond.

We wish

Blackrock College RFC every success for the Coming Season 78-80 Upper Drumcondra Road, Dublin 9. Tel: (01) 836 0621 (10 lines) Fax: (01) 837 5195

Blackrock Builders Providers have you covered for all of your building needs Blackrock Builders Providers Ltd,22A BrookďŹ eld Avenue, Blackrock, A94 K2N1 (01) 288 6993

www.bbpl.ie

/ Blackrock-Builders-Providers

Player Awards Season 2016 / 2017

1st Team Player

Club Player

of the Year 2016/17

Shane Brennan

Davy Rowen

J1 Team Player

Womens Team Player

of the Year 2016/17

Sean Joyce

Mel Morey

J2 Team Player

Womens Young Player

of the Year 2016/17

Andrew Ellison

Eimear Corri

J3 Team Player

Manager

of the Year 2016/17

Karl Moroney

Dermot Laide

U20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Player

Coach

of the Year 2016/17

Cillian Daly

John Fagan

Rossa Kelly Young Player

Alickadoo

of the Year 2016/17

Jay Mion

Brendan Roe

Player Awards Season 2016 / 2017

Clondalkin Builders Providers have you covered for all of your construction and DIY needs Clondalkin Builders Providers Ltd, Unit 4 OakďŹ eld Ind Est, Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, D22 XD28 (01) 459 2133

www.cbpl.ie

/clondalkinbuildersproviders

Dental Implants l Orthodontics l Endodontics l Cosmetic Dentistry l Family Dentistry

Guaranteed to make you smile

Dr. Alex Creavin

Dr. Peter Casey

9 Dunville Avenue, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 01 496 75 26

info@beechwooddental.ie

www.beechwooddental.ie

helping to bring your home to life

Fuel Services Ltd.

Wishing the best of luck to Blackrock College RFC this season Glen Fuel Services is a family run Oil Distribution business operating from our depots in Kilmacanogue, Gorey and Rosslare. Since the Keyes family opened for business in January 1986, we have built a strong reputation for competitively delivering oil to the domestic, agricultural, commercial and marine markets in a friendly, prompt and professional manner. Please visit our website â&#x20AC;&#x201C; www.glenfuels.com or phone us on any of the numbers below should you wish to discuss your oil requirements or place an order.

Contact Glen Fuels on: Gorey, Co. Wexford. CallSave: 1850 502 502

Kilmacanogue, Co. Wicklow. CallSave: 1850 301 301 or email us at: sales@glenfuels.com

Rosslare, Co. Wexford. CallSave: 1850 502 502

Youths Rugby in Blackrock Our youth’s section has undergone transition over the last three years and this trend continues into the new season as we build on the momentum of implementing the 5 Year Strategic Plan. Nick Hodges’ U13s started a big year with the transition to full XV, but nothing they could not handle. They entered the Leinster Schools league and cup in what was a strong competition with a side that played with spirit. The side has not seen its best yet but will continue to improve. U14s led by David Van Zuydam U13s with coaches (above) had a great year with a squad of 28 players which is commendable lads stood ﬁrm against an enormous Greystones at U14s. They competed at the A level and pack. We had them rattled all the way to the won their fair share but were narrowly defeated last 10 minutes when we ran out of steam and in a couple of crucial games. According to they concluded with two late tries. The other DVZ “The two games that stand out most were encounter was a narrow defeat (4 points) to against Greystones in the Metro Cup where our Coolmine in the Plate semi-ﬁnal of the League

U14s on tour in Biarritz

Youths Rugby in Blackrock which would have put us into the Plate final in Donnybrook and a chance for silverware. Next year lads!! The boys acquitted themselves very well on and off the pitch and are a credit to our club” Our Under 15s and 16s had a quieter year with many of the squad on JCT duty for their schools so the non JCT players dutifully trained each Sunday to concentrate on their skills. It was at the end of the season that everyone returned and our strength was back up to 23 players. We played a touring side Frankfurt 1880 U16s (German club champions) in a U15s & 16s during the Shave or Dye for Blackrock Hospice competitive fixture followed by 2 friendly matches in April & May to finish out the season on on Youths Rugby and the roll out of a syllabus a high note. As a pre-season bonding activity devised by our new coaching Director of Youths. and a way to contribute to the community, the players organised a charity shave or dye in aid Youths in Rock can expect to enjoy coaching of the Blackrock Hospice. U17s is going to be from Stage 2 and 3 coaches, weekly strength a very exciting age group as we will have a full and conditioning in the club’s gym under our and strong squad to compete in the leagues new S&C instructor as well as specialist sessions and cup. from player coaches from the senior side of the club. We welcome players of all abilities as well Fielding teams at all age groups does not as new players. happen on its own but with the dedication of coaches and volunteers in the club. A new Killian O’Sullivan Youths sub-committee has been setup to focus

CONTEMPORARY IRISH FINE DINING

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 6pm - late Mulberry Lane in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 (01) 2693300 eat@mulberrygarden.ie

www.mulberrygarden.ie

Energy in Mind Through the provision of Energy, Utilities & Facilities Management services to businesses and local authorities, Veolia enables its customers to achieve: - Significant energy cost savings - Improved energy management and - Reduced carbon emissions This business approach results in global carbon reduction savings of 5.6m of tonnes of CO2 emissions (equivalent to the emission of more than 2 million cars).

Proud to support Blackrock College RFC Best Wishes for the Season from the team at Veolia

www.veolia.ie info@veolia.ie Veolia Innovation House DCU Innovation Centre Old Finglas Road Dublin 11 Tel: +353. 1.870 1200 Fax: +353. 1.870 1201

n st m or e • O mo s Un sto e • • O r n e a i • In s line re • nd for e • In s nli U U to O m m ni tore • fo In nli or s an nifo re rm • U s ne e • d rm • to s m an nifo re • In On o sa rm • U s lin re n d to e • m or s an nifo re • I On n e • r d m U s li • O mo s a ni tor f nl in re • nd orm e e m s O • nl ore an In i n st or e • • O n e • In s li U t o ni fo re rm s a

Your one stop shop for all your sports teamwear

Diary Dates 2017

International (South Africa) Under 13’s Blitz Stradbrook Sunday 1st October

Ladies Lunch: Friday 20th October Contact: Eileen Burke 0872522942

Pre match Dinner Blackrock College RFC v. Greystones AIL Friday 10th November

Mass for Deceased MembersBlackrock College Sunday 12th November

Sponsors Lunch Blackrock College RFC v. Nenagh Ormond AIL Saturday 2nd December

Christmas Lunch Sunday 10th December

Race Day Leopardstown (limited availability) Friday 29th December Contacts: Pat Finn 087.2565935. Arthur Fitzpatrick 087.2434156

www.uniformity.ie 2018 47/48 Cross Avenue,

White Collar Boxing 3rd February

Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. e: info@uniformity.ie t: 01 2300 501

Who wants to be a Thousandaire March

Under 14’s Blitz Georgia and South Africa Inaugural Blackrock College RFC Youth 7’s Tournament (u14) – 25th September 2016 We hosted an amazing event that was full of wonderful moments and indeed a few stressful ones as the story below will reveal. However, we felt it important to conclude what will hopefully be only the ﬁrst of many chapters of this wonderful story that begun in April 2016 and is now very much the start of a rugby journey. A very special event took place at Blackrock College RFC on the 25th September 2016. 15 rugby teams from Ireland, South Africa and Georgia competed in our inaugural Rugby 7’s tournament which was hosted by our u14’s.

Giorgi Kacharava, a 32-year old Georgian rugby player capped 15 times for his country and now captains top division side Lelo dedicates his time to run a program for disadvantaged children from the refugee camps in Samachablo and surrounding border villages which have been absolutely devastated from the war. For the past two years Giorgi has run rugby development programs with the sole purpose to instill the rugby values and principles in these kids to help them develop positively as individuals and integrate them socially with the objective of enabling them to realize their dreams be it sport or a future career. Here is are some recent photos to give you some insight into the Samachablo program and a selection of photos below.

However, two of the visiting teams are unique to the others as they both hail from extremely under privileged backgrounds.

Liahue Eagles Invitation U14 7’s Team, Samachablo Region, Georgia Whilst most of the world suffered a terrible and debilitating economic crash in the summer of 2008, Georgia received a double dose when in August that year Georgia endured a short but brutal war with Russia which left her without two major territories, South Ossetia and Abkhazia. What followed was effectively the ethnic cleansing of all Georgian families from these two regions and they were forced to leave with what they could carry. Today many of these families live in refugee camps in abject poverty leaving their children in a very vulnerable position. There are number of active development programs, but one that stands out is being run by a Georgian who wants to make a difference which give these children hope and the opportunity of a fresh start through sport. 66

Vikings Invitation U14 7’s Team, Johannesburg, South Africa Diepsloot Township is one of the poorest and most densely populated townships in Johannesburg. If you born there the chances of escaping the circle of poverty and crime is slim. However, like Samachablo there are several active development programs trying desperately to improve life in the absence of any meaningful government support. One program that stands out is run by a selﬂess warrior against poverty, Trevor van Den Berg who is running a series of rugby youth development programs in and around the Diepsloot.

Trevor`s passion for rugby development is boundless and he continues to work with Rugby Academies where underprivileged children are given hope through sport. He works closely with Vikings Rugby Academy in Kwa-Zulu Natal outside Durban and in recognition of their work in the community, Vikings had agreed to train Trevor’s Diepsloot side at their academy for the upcoming blitz in Blackrock.

The journey to Dublin begins The prep work for the journey to Dublin has been one of ups and downs. We started developing the idea of the tournament, getting two great coaches on board, George and Trevor and the planning process commenced.

The Georgians Vincent Carew (father in 2003 group) met George in June to discuss the project and at the same time listen first hand to the work he was doing. To say the Georgian kids have nothing is an understatement and to see the impact the program was having was phenomenal. Starting on Monday the 12th of September, we formed a strong pack led by David Mouravi (his help in coordinating the everything in those short few weeks and who was instrumental in getting everything over line), after multiple visits to the villages to get notarized letters of consents and birth certificates, multiple DHL deliveries from Georgia to Bulgaria to process the visas (it’s the nearest Irish embassy), getting the Minister for Sport to write a letter of sponsorship for the team and Georgian Embassy in Dublin to acknowledge the team’s arrival etc, on the 19th of September, we had a call from the embassy in Bulgaria to say, all good, the visas are ready. We arranged for a chap to fly from Georgia on Wednesday same day return to collect the passports. The passports arrived just after 12 midnight on Thursday morning at Tbilisi Airport to a grateful team of kids and coaches, 4 hours before their departure time for Dublin. Nothing like Just in Time!!

The South Africans To say Trevor has project management skills in his DNA as well as good dose of South African humor and ability to get things done is an understatement, it was a blessing in fact. Early on Trevor had negotiated with the Vikings in Durban to host the kids on a summer training camp to get them ready for the big day. These kids had never been out of Diepsloot and to arrive in Durban, they saw the sea for the ﬁrst time, the joy. One of the kids that shone brightly in training was Sonwalbile Toyiya, fast with ball on hand and super off loader, he was Trevor’s big hope and one of the most deserving being an orphan since he was 2 years old, this was a phenomenal journey for him. The whole squad were able to get passports in time except to Sonwalbile who unfortuanatley was unable to travel.

They’re here Arriving one day after each other, we dutifully carried out the meet and greet at the airport, transported the teams to the Clayton Hotel, who were wonderful to the kids and a great partner to us for this tournament, a big thanks to Helen (Clayton Reservations) who helped organize everything for us. Friday morning at the hotel, breakfast, excited kids and coaches all after recounting Georgian near wins against Ireland and vice versa Irelands near series win against the Boks. Just by chance, Shane Byrne (a great Irish cap) was having breakfast and took the time to meet and greet the kids. 67

First up was the Dublin Amphibious Viking’s tour through the city which the kids loved, followed by Leinster v Ospreys at the RDS courtesy of Leinster Rugby which included a free meal for every touring child and coach courtesy of the ever-generous Eddie Rocket’s (Stillorgan). Saturday, training and preparation at the club in glorious Irish rain. The South Africans headed for an afternoon at the cinema whilst the Georgians were treated to an afternoon with the Ambassador who laid on a Georgian feast for the kids. You could see the delight on their faces, this was beyond anything they could ever have imagined. The big day arrives…its Sunday, and teams begin to pour in at Blackrock Rugby Club with all involved having organized it to a tee (in usual Rock style), you couldn’t fault anything. Planning of the tournament and execution was exceptional. The grounds were impeccable with pitches marked out for the inaugural event (big salute to Conor Cleary). The tournament went off without incident with great rugby all round. The Georgians made it to the ﬁnal of the Bowel and were down 1:3 to Greystones. However, on the sideline, they had the support of the entire Georgian Embassy including the Ambassador and their new-found friends, the South African team. With that they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat and won 4:3 to a huge roar from everyone.

The Viking’s training camp paid off for the South African’s as they won their way to the Cup Final only to face Ballina RFC, a hardy but skillful team from Mayo who trained all week, and who were in no mood to give any quarter, after a heroic defense, the Ballina team kept breaking the line and scoring tries. After an impressive comeback by the South African’s, the Ballina boys saw them off and won the Cup.

The Prize Giving We had the privilege of Fergus Slattery (Lions and Irish cap, a true legend and gentleman) to present the prizes with a great speech. The President of the Club, David Boyd gave a fantastic welcome to the teams and made the Georgians and South Africans feel special indeed. Thanks to David, who asked an old friend and ex-colleague Tony Ward (another Irish cap and legend of his day) and now a sports

writer with the Independent to put a piece in Saturday’s edition (very last minute) which he duly did. Supporting Fergus on the day was none other than Gary Ringrose (Irelands and Leinster No 13) and Cahill Marsh [ Leinster’s No 10] who provided sound advice to the kids. The day ﬁnished off well with kids spending time together at the Club and the Coaches being treated to a tour around the Clubhouse with stories of old by Fergus (especially re-enforcing the “known” fact about the winning try that was not given in the last test vs Springboks in ’74).

This meant so much to the kids The day was ﬁnished with a meal at the Clayton on Sunday evening and to hear it from the kids as they summed up their experiences. 68

The common theme throughout was “dream come true, un-interrupted fun, great rugby, new friends, hope”.

do enough, Eddie Rockets, Leinster Rugby and Anissa Carew (who took all the photos on the day) – thanks so much to all of you.

The teams headed back home the next day, dreary and tired, a long journey for all to get back to their respective homes as remote as they were.

The Future Plans

Next 7’s Tournament – 1st October 2017 (u13’s) When you get involved with something like this you realize that simply giving the kids a chance to experience the other side, if only for a few days, is simply not enough and can be possibly counter-productive. You know they are going back into the same environment hoping that one or two of them will break out of this cycle of poverty. We are in planning for the next 7’s event which will take place at u13 level this year on the 1st October 2017. We will again fund one team from the Diepsloot and Soweto (South Africa). Special thanks to the donors again as it cannot be done without you. Our takeaways from the inaugural project was to see ﬁrst-hand the rich tapestry of our rugby network in terms of support, everyone just got involved and wanted to be involved, our many sponsors came in from friends all over the world including substantial ﬁnancial support from a few generous individuals in our very own u14 / 2003 age group, the hotel couldn’t do enough, our own civil and diplomatic service couldn’t

We will be busy this year (2017/18) trying to get this to another level and ensure we have a real pathway for some kids and take them from poverty to “Success through Rugby” and possibly look to developing an educational program to bring aspiring rugby players to Ireland from abroad and possibly even on to 3rd level education. Lastly and very importantly much of the credit for this inaugural event must go Vincent Carew (a parent from the 2003 group) who came up with the concept and presented it to the u14 management who subsequently agreed to develop it further. Vincent also single handedly raised much of the funds to make the inaugural event happen along with key donations from very few parents within our u14/2003 group. He also contributed to much of this narrative. Well done and thank you to all. We would like to see this event continued year on year, not only because it is a super event for our Irish clubs, but also ensure that we as Blackrock College RFC provide others with an opportunity to realize their dreams and success through rugby. Yours Sincerely David van Zuydam

Best Wishes to Blackrock College RFC! and Continuing Success to the Ladies and Mens Teams!

Nexus Preschool & The After School Club Unit 5 Theatre Lane Hillside Road Greystones Co. Wicklow Contact Kerrylee on: 086 468 0758 info@theafterschoolclub.ie nexuspreschool@gmail.com

Times past Bridgend RFC : 0 London-Irish RFC : 3 Good Friday Night: Easter 1967 I got a phone call on the Wednesday would I be free to tour with London -Irish XV on its Easter Tour to Wales, Easter 1967. I had joined London-Irish for the 1966/67 Season from Blackrock College RFC and played mostly with The Wild Geese <2nds> & The 3rds XV so the phone call was a surprise. Met at Paddington Station and set off for Wales. It should be pointed out that London-Irish was a bit of a push-over that season. It should also be said that Rugby Union was in its beautiful amateur era. Training - if it took place - was at the Irish Guards Barracks, Kings Road, Chelsea and turning up in the dressing room was sometimes a lottery of new faces but truthfully it was a joyous experience as the common factor was we were representing The Irish Spirit/ Nation. The first XV were having a very poor season, The Wild Geese XV were powerful and very aggressive and took no prisoners. Example: We travelled to Seven Oaks RFC: Kent and we The Geese were playing their First XV, I was playing scrumhalf and from the kick-off I called for the Ball, caught it and called a mark. This prop-forward just continued and punched me in the face. Well the Battle of Clontarf took-off including one centre a South African barrister piling into the spectators, who had decided to show the Irish how tough Seven Oaks RFC supporters were -final score Seven Oaks RFC 8 -London-Irish 35. So coming in to Cardiff Station the team was announced and I was playing scrum-half. We are in the dressing-room all jovial and amateur new faces trying to stem the flow of defeats. Two new 2nd rows Nick Jones down from his colours with Oxford University XV and a big guy from

BlackHeath RFC who played for The Barbarians -5 minutes before we go out to face the Welsh Champions Bridgend RFC under lights before 10,000 spectators someone says “what will the calls for the Line-Out be?” the usual permutations were thrown out eg: odds or even, initials etc. and me the new No. 9 saw disaster was facing us “hold on“ says I “how about me calling-all the shots but watch out for where my right foot finishes and that is who you throw it to“ - silence - Willie Doyle our lovely captain breaks the silence and says “that sounds simple lets go with it”. The first line-out up and down the line I went roaring different names etc. finally pointing foot at Nick Jones 6’4 Frame, Nick won it clean as whistle, Mick Cantrell <Hooker> gave to me on a plate. I spun it out to this new outhalf, who dropped it “thats the last one you will get from me“ say I to myself and so the format was established. The touch-line was hugged and we never lost a line out <no lifting then> Wille Doyle kicked a penalty and so we went up and down the touchline, never once did I pass the ball to our backs who tackled like warriors as the Welsh Champions threw the ball around looking for a break-through which never came nor did it look like it ever would. A true heroic performance that is London-Irish RFC folklore for those that played in the match and for supporters, who read in the national newspapers London-Irish XV had beaten the Welsh Champions and that is the Jersey I was wearing - 50 years ago. The following day we played LLanelli RFC at Stradey Park with Barry John at out-half plus two other British Lions and we were beaten 35 - 16. I was never picked for the first XV again! Ronan Wilmot 71

Programme Advertisers Blackrock College Rugby Football Club are very appreciative of the many friends and supporters who have taken advertising space in their annual programme, many of whom, along with other sponsors have also taken pitchside boards on our main pitch. We would urge all our members and supporters to actively support all advertisers throughout the rugby season and beyond. Sherry FitzGerald, Sika, Friends First, SuperValu, Pinergy, Business and Finance, FL Parthers, Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, KPMG, Biz Quip, Davy, Beechwood Dental, Frank Keane Motors, Fanagans, GrifďŹ n Retail Group, Blg Chartered Accountants, Hooke & MacDonald, Liebherr, Cantor Fitzgerald, Gleesons, Clondalkin / Blackrock Builders Providers, Maguire McErlean Moore Cleaning, Cantrell & Crowley, Jannsens, Randridge, A&L Goodbody, The Greenhouse, Cullen Communications, PDG Solicitors, Rock Photography, Glen Fuels, Jones Group, Brophy & Co., Canterbury, Mulberry Garden, Veolia XL Catlin, CafĂŠ du Journal, Uniformity

Non-Rugby

““Sports people like to be on top of their game I prefer to be on top of my business !!” Jim Leyden, Managing Director, Bizquip For over 25 years Bizquip have been consistent performers and service providers IRU DOO \RXU RI¿ce equipment, furniture and stationery requirements. Talk to us today and let us show you how to get on top of your business costs.

www.bizquip.ie Sandyford Business Park, Dublin 18. Telephone: 01 2178000

Engineered RooďŹ ng Systems

High Performance Flooring

Sika are Proud to Support Blackrock College RFC Best Wishes for the 201 -201 Season