President’s Message

Dear Members and Friends,

It is an honour and a privilege to write to you as President of St. Mary’s College RFC, and a special honour to do so in a season that begins with the club as All-Ireland League Division 1A champions for the third time. I wish Chairman of Rugby Alan Shirley, Head Coach Mark McHugh and Manager Paul Pender and all their coaching team the very best of luck for the season ahead.

A club, though, is far more than one team. I am proud of every one of ours — our senior men’s and women’s sides, our Under 20’s squad, our junior teams, our youth teams, our fantastic Stars team and all our mini boys and girls arriving in their hundreds every Sunday morning. Every section will have our full support this season.

To Conor Dean, who leads us again as Club Captain, and to all our captains, the very best of luck for the year ahead.

None of it happens without support. To all our sponsors, and especially our main sponsor, the Maples Group — thank you; your belief in this club lets us give players of every age and grade the very best opportunities. To all our volunteers, coaches and supporters, who give an hour, a Saturday or a whole season — you are the heart and soul of St. Mary’s College RFC, and I thank you. Special thanks also to our management team of Club Administrator Gillian Shakespeare, Bar Manager Tony McGuinness and Groundsman Peter O’Kelly.

We are delighted to have opened our new padel facility — a wonderful addition to the campus for our members and for the wider community around us, and one we believe is vital to the long-term future of the rugby club. I look forward to seeing you in there for a game or a coffee!

Everyone is welcome at Templeville Road, whether you are a lifelong member, a first-season parent, a visiting side, a referee, or a friend of the club. I hope to see you up in the club often during the season ahead.

Yours in Rugby,