Dear Fellow Members and Friends,

It is an absolute honour and a privilege for me to have been appointed President of St.Mary’s College RFC for the 2024-25 season. On behalf of the club, Iwould like to extend a very warm welcome to all members and guests along with their families and friends to Templeville Road. To all visiting teams and match officials, you will find a warm welcome here. To quote Yeats ‘There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met’

Following our recent promotion to division 1A of the All Ireland League we are all looking forward with great excitement to a competitive season. We wish every success to Ronan Watters on an incredible third season in a row as Club Captain. Every success also to our Chairman of rugby, Alan Shirley, and Head Coach Mark McHugh. This season our first team coaching team includes Jamie Cornett, Robert Sweeney, Marcus O’Driscoll and J1 coach Eanna Clynes. They are supported by the Management Team of Paul Pender, Paul Conlon, Conor O’Neill, Harry Ebbs, and our J1 managers, Garry Manning, and Darren Walker. Good luck all!

We also look forward to continued success of Sarah Fallon and the women’s senior team. We wish her and her team every success in expanding the squad,and in the further development of this important section of our club.

To all our junior rugby teams competing in the various Metro Leagues, our U20’s, our youth’s teams, our enormous cohort of mini boys and girls teams, and the St. Mary’s Stars. I wish you every success for the season ahead. You train tirelessly and give your all on the field, you are the heart and soul of this club. Your passion, teamwork, and sportsmanship are a true inspiration, and I am proud of the way you represent our club in every match. To all the coaches, managers, and volunteers who selflessly give up so much of their free time, I thank you all so much for all you do to allow others participate in this great sport of ours.

A special thanks to our Main Sponsor, Maples Group. To all our sponsors and partners including G-Mack, Fanagans Funeral Homes, Morgan Crowe, SoftCo, NFP, The Chawke Group, Frank Keane, H&M Ironworks, Canadia, and Kelly Walsh, our contributions ensure that we can continue to provide top-class facilities, coaching, and opportunities for all our players, from the youngest juniors to our senior teams. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and belief in our vision.

To all our members, thank you sincerely for being part of this wonderful club and renewing your annual membership for the year 2024-25. I am confident that, with your continued support, we will achieve great things both on and off the field. I encourage everyone to stay engaged, participate in club activities, and help us grow our rugby community even further. Together, we are not just a rugby club; we are a family.

Thank you in advance to my fellow officers, members of the Executive Committee, and the many volunteers that do so work behind the scenes to organise events, manage logistics, and support the smooth running of the club, you are the unsung heroes. The success of our club is a testament to your hard work, and we simply couldn’t do it without you.

A special thanks also for the great work done by Club Administrator Gillian Shakespeare, Bar Manager Tony McGuinness and his staff, Groundsman Peter O’Kelly, and Club Housekeeper Rio O’Toole.

Here’s to a winning season ahead, both on and off the pitches!

Yours in Rugby,

Paudge McGill,

President,

St. Mary’s College RFC,

Season 2024-2025