

MEN’S 1ST XV | 2:30PM AIL DIV 1B | ROUND 8


WOMEN’S 1ST XV | 5:00PM AIL DIV 1 | ROUND 8
07 DEC 2024
MEN’S 1ST XV | 2:30PM AIL DIV 1B | ROUND 8
WOMEN’S 1ST XV | 5:00PM AIL DIV 1 | ROUND 8
07 DEC 2024
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Dear Members,
It is a great honour for me to represent Old Belvedere RFC this season as its President On behalf of everyone in the club, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to all members and guests along with their families and friends to Ollie Campbell Park throughout the season I would particularly like to welcome all visiting teams and match officials and I hope that you find OCP a welcoming environment
I hope this year that we continue to build on the fantastic work that has been carried out by so many people over the last few years in making Old Belvedere such a warm and welcoming place to visit. This effort has been spearheaded by Philip Byrne and his colleagues Many thanks also to all those who have contributed to this effort and I hope to see this continue to develop.
Under the guidance of our Director of Rugby, Quenton O’Neale, we are very proud to be fielding so many teams again this season – boys and girls minis, boys and girls youths, men’s under 20’s, senior men’s and women’s, junior men’s and women’s and a resurgent Veteran’s XV. I wish all of our teams success and unlimited enjoyment over the months ahead
A special word of congratulations to the Men’s Shed which has grown in stature since its inception in 2019 The Shed members are valuable contributors to the club in so many ways and they complete the spectrum of participants in the club.
There are two other groups who merit a particular mention. Sincere thanks to all the volunteers in the club who contribute so much in so many different ways – the club would be lost without you And finally, sincere thanks to all our sponsors for their kindness and support. Managing a club is becoming increasingly challenging and could not be done without the generous support we receive from all our sponsors
I know that every season has its ups and downs My personal wish for this season is there will be more ups than downs! Above all, irrespective of what happens, I hope I can retain my belief that the reason we are all here, and a part of this club, is to have fun!
Paul Dowling, Club President
I am delighted to welcome Shannon RFC to Ollie Campbell Park today for Round 8 of the Men’s AIL Division 1B A particularly warm welcome goes to Shannon’s President, Neil O’Carroll, along with his fellow officers in attendance today – I am looking forward to a good contest today and expect that it will be hard fought
Today is also a home double header, with our Senior Women’s XV taking on Galwegians RFC later this afternoon. Having had a challenging start to the season, our Women’s XV have had a recent good run of victories and I’m sure they hope to continue this form today
It has been a busy few weeks for several members of our club We were delighted with the news that Erin King made history by becoming first Irish female player to win an individual player award at the World Rugby awards when she was named the
Women’s Breakthrough Player of the Year - an incredible achievement.
I think everybody in the club was absolutely delighted that the IRFU chose Ollie Campbell to present the jerseys to the Irish team on the occasion of their 150th Anniversary Match versus Australia and to bring the ball onto the pitch at the game They could not have chosen better - a real honour for Ollie and everyone was thrilled for him!
Today, our Predict the Score competition collection will be donated to the Belvedere College Annual Sleepout campaign The Sleepout, which started in 1983, is more in need of support than ever and we would all be very grateful for all donations We will present the proceeds to the College on the evening of the Kevin Barry match between the College and the Old Belvedere U20’s on December 20th
I hope everyone enjoys today’s rugby!
On behalf of everyone at Energia Group, we are delighted to kick off the Energia All Ireland League (AIL) for the 2024/25 season We look forward to seeing lots of familiar faces out on the pitch, as well as welcoming some new ones, in what we’re sure will be another thrilling year of club rugby.
The increase in attendance at last season's Energia AIL games was testament to the League's exceptional quality, and we hope to see even more enthusiastic fans this year We extend our heartfelt thanks to the clubs, players, and volunteers for their commitment and hard work, which played a vital role in the success of the 2023/24 season
Our commitment to Irish Rugby, as Official Energy Partner to the IRFU and title sponsor of the Energia AlL, focuses on supporting rugby at all levels, from grassroots to professional.
We’re delighted to have 60 teams partaking in this year’s Energia AIL and wish everyone the best of luck in the upcoming season.
Gary Ryan
Managing Director Energia Customer Solutions
1.
11. GAVIN NUGENT
ADDITIONAL INFO
COACHES & MANAGEMENT
QUENTON O'NEALE – DOR & HEAD COACH
ALEX CODLING – SENIOR COACH
EOIN SMYTH – ASSISTANT
BRYAN MOLLEN – ASSISTANT
SEAMUS TOOMEY – SCRUM COACH
DAN HOGAN – STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
DARAGH GERAGHTY – MANAGER
JAMES ALLEN – PHYSIO
DECLAN CASSIDY – ANALYST
GAVIN DOWLING - DOCTOR
16. LUKE MCLAUGHLIN 17. HUGH HOGAN
18 JAMES RUDDY
19. TASIPALE VALAVALA 20. HARRY MCGOEY 21. HUGH REDDAN
3.
ADDITIONAL INFO
COACHES & MANAGEMENT
CATHY MURPHY - DIRECTOR OF WOMEN’S RUGBY
TANIA ROSSER - HEAD COACH
DARREN CURRAN - SKILLS COACH
DEIRBHILE NIC A BHÁIRD - FORWARDS COACH
CELESTE RAACK - PHYSIO
AILISH SLACK - MANAGER
AUDREY MESSINA - MANAGER
SHAUNA FITZGERALD - MANAGER
17. VIC O’MAHONY
18 KATE BALLANCE
19. AMY BOND
20. JULIETTE BYRNE
U.C.C
FORTHESTRENGTHOFTHEPACKISTHEWOLF,ANDTHE STRENGTHOFTHEWOLFISTHEPACK
SEPT21|230PM|OLLIECAMPBELLPARK NAAS JAN11|230PM|OLLIECAMPBELLPARK
SEPT28|230PM|COLLEGEPARK JAN18|230PM|THOMONDPARK
OCT19|230PM|NEWORMONDPARK FEB8|230PM|WOODLEIGHPARK
OCT26|230PM|ENERGIAPARK OLDWESLEY FEB15|230PM|OLLIECAMPBELLPARK HIGHFIELD NENAGHORMOND
NOV.16|2.30PM|DUBLANE
SHANNON DUBLINUNIVERSITY
DEC14|230PM|FORENAUGHTS U.C.C APR5|230PM|MARDYKE
OCT26|500PM|TANNERPARK
NOV23|500PM|JJMCDOWELLMEMORIAL
DEC14|500PM|OLLIECAMPBELLPARK
SEPT28|500PM|WILLOWLODGE JAN11|500PM|THEBLACKGATES
JAN18|500PM|CROWLEYPARK
FEB8|500PM|OLLIECAMPBELLPARK
FEB15|500PM|ASHTOWNLANE
We are thrilled to share some incredible news from the world of rugby: history has been made once again!
Our very own Erin King has been named the World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year, an extraordinary recognition of her immense talent and dedication. Not only that, Erin has made history as the first Irish woman ever to win an individual World Rugby award a remarkable and inspiring achievement.
Erin’s journey to this historic moment has been nothing short of phenomenal Representing Ireland at the highest levels with the Ireland 7s team, she has already showcased her world-class abilities on the international stage during the Olympics Since transitioning to 15s, Erin has continued to excel,
delivering standout performances that have cemented her reputation as one of the brightest talents in the game
As a club, we couldn’t be prouder of Erin and everything she has accomplished this year Her hard work, resilience, and passion for the sport are an inspiration to us all and a beacon of what can be achieved with determination and dedication
Well done, Erin here’s to many more milestones in the future!
It was brilliant to see our very own Ollie Campbell front and center for the IRFU’s historic 150th Anniversary celebrations at the Aviva Stadium. Ollie presented the match day ball for Ireland’s clash with Australia, a fitting tribute to one of Irish rugby’s greatest players.
Earlier that week, Ollie was invited by Andy Farrell to present Cian Healy with his one-off jersey ahead of the loosehead prop’s recordbreaking 134th international cap It was a moment steeped in history and pride, as Ollie, a legend in his own right,
continues to inspire new generations of players For Old Belvedere RFC, it was a proud moment to see one of our own celebrated on such a prestigious occasion. Ollie’s connection to the Wallabies is particularly significant, having played a key role in Ireland’s historic series win over Australia in 1979 a feat still remembered fondly in Irish rugby circles
Mark your calendars for two important upcoming events: Kevin Barry Match: Under 20’s vs. Belvedere College SCT –Friday, December 20th, at Ollie Campbell Park. Annual Club Dinner: Saturday, January 25th.