Double Header vs Shannon & Galwegians Match Programme

OLD BELVEDERE RFC

DOUBLE HEADER

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

VS WOMEN’S 1ST XV | 5:00PM AIL DIV 1 | ROUND 8

07 DEC 2024

MATCH PROGRAMME Proudly sponsored by

TABLE OF CONTENTS 01 President's Message 02 About today 03 Energia Message 04 Old Belvedere Men’s Team Sheet (H) 05 Shannon RFC Men’s Team Sheet (A) 06 Old Belvedere Women’s Team Sheet (H) 07 Galwegians RFC Women’s Team Sheet (A) 08 AIL Fixtures & League Table (Men) 09 AIL Fixtures & League Table (Women) 10 Erin King Makes Irish Rugby History!

11 Ollie Campbell Honoured at IRFU’s 150th Anniversary Test Match

12 Key Dates & Gallery 13 Sponsors

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 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

02. ABOUT TODAY 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.

I am looking forward to a good contest today and expect that it will be hard-fought.

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!

03. ENERGIA WELCOME MESSAGE 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

ENERGIA AIL | OLD BELVEDERE VS BLACKROCK COLLEGE

OLD BELVEDERE TEAM SHEET (M) 1. HUGH FLOOD

2. CALUM DOWLING (C)

4. FIONN MCWEY

6. KALE THATCHER

3. RYAN MCMAHON

5. EDDIE REES

8. PADDY DOWLING

7. WILL MCDONALD

9. JACK DUNNE

10. SAM WISNIEWSKI

12. JUSTIN LEONARD

13. JAYDEN BECKETT (VC)

11. GAVIN NUGENT

15. JOE WHITE

14. JACK KEATING

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

REPLACEMENTS 16. LUKE MCLAUGHLIN 17. ⁠HUGH HOGAN 18. JAMES RUDDY 19. TASIPALE VALAVALA 20. HARRY MCGOEY 21. HUGH REDDAN

SHANNON RFC TEAM SHEET (M) 1. CONOR GLYNN

2. ALEX LONG

4.JACK BRADY

6. CIAN MCCANN

5. 5. CHRISTIAN STOREY

8. LEE NICHOLAS

7. KELVIN BROWN

10. CILIAN O’CONNOR

9. IAN LEONARD

12. HARRY LONG (C)

11.MATT TEPOU

3. 3. EMMET CALVEY

13. CIAN O’HALLORAN

15. SEAN NOLAN

14. STEPHEN KIELY

ADDITIONAL INFO

REPLACEMENTS 16. GUS HARRINGTON | 17. SHANE CAREW | 18. TADHG O’BRIEN 19. SCOTT GLEESON | 20. JOHN O’SULLIVAN | 21. DARREN GAVIN

OLD BELVEDERE TEAM SHEET (W) 1. HANNAH WILSON

2. LISA CALLAN

3. HANNAH RAPLEY

4. ORLAITH MCAULIFFE

6. ÁINE RUTLEY

5. GRACE TUTTY

8. KARA MULCAHY

7. LESLEY RING (C)

9. JADE GAFFNEY

10. ÁINE DONNELLY

12. EMMA KELLY

13. ELISE O’BYRNEWHITE

11. MEGAN EDWARDS

15. EMMA TILLY

14. VANESSA HULLON

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

REPLACEMENTS 16. SINEAD FARRELL 17. VIC O’MAHONY 18. KATE BALLANCE 19. AMY BOND 20. JULIETTE BYRNE

GALWEGIANS RFC TEAM SHEET (W) 1. ELLEN CONNOLLY

2. STACY HANLEY

3. RÓISÍN MAHER

4. LORLA FENTON

6. EVE TARPEY

5. ⁠GRACE FENNELL

8. ⁠SARAH MCCORMICK

7. ⁠ELLA BURNS

⁠10. SOPHIE CULLEN

⁠9. MEGAN CONNOLLY

12. ⁠LORNA MORIN

11. ⁠MOLLIE STARR

13. SARAH PURCELL

15. ⁠EMILY FOLEY

14. ⁠CIARA MULKERN

ADDITIONAL INFO

REPLACEMENTS 16. KATHERINE MAHON | 17. ⁠JESSICA LOFTUS | 18. ⁠DOLORES HUGHES 19. ⁠CARA CONNOLLY | 20. ORLA DIXON

08. UPCOMING AIL FIXTURES (MEN) 2024

2025

U.C.C

NAAS

SEPT. 21 | 2.30 PM | OLLIE CAMPBELL PARK

JAN. 11 | 2.30 PM | OLLIE CAMPBELL PARK

SEPT. 28 | 2.30 PM | COLLEGE PARK

JAN. 18 | 2.30 PM | THOMOND PARK

BLACKROCK COLLEGE

QUEENS

OCT. 19 | 2.30 PM | NEW ORMOND PARK

FEB. 8 | 2.30 PM | WOODLEIGH PARK

OLD WESLEY

2024 /25 FIXTURES FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK IS THE WOLF, AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK.

FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK IS THE WOLF, AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK.

OCT. 26 | 2.30 PM | ENERGIA PARK

FEB. 15 | 2.30 PM | OLLIE CAMPBELL PARK

HIGHFIELD

NENAGH ORMOND

NOV. 16 | 2.30 PM | DUB LANE

SHANNON

DUBLIN UNIVERSITY

HOME

DEC. 14 | 2.30 PM | FORENAUGHTS HOME

AWAY

AWAY

LEAGUE TABLE

ENERGIA AIL | OLD BELVEDERE VS BLACKROCK COLLEGE

U.C.C

DOUBLE

APR. 5 | 2.30 PM | MARDYKE DOUBLE

09. UPCOMING AIL FIXTURES (WOMEN) 2024

2025

SEPT. 28 | 5.00 PM | WILLOW LODGE

JAN. 11 | 5.00 PM | THE BLACK GATES JAN. 18 | 5.00 PM | CROWLEY PARK

SUTTONIANS

OCT. 26 | 5.00 PM | TANNER PARK

FEB. 8 | 5.00 PM | OLLIE CAMPBELL PARK FEB. 15 | 5.00 PM | ASHTOWN LANE

2024 /25 FIXTURES FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK IS THE WOLF, AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK.

NOV. 23 | 5.00 PM | JJ MCDOWELL MEMORIAL

GALWEGIANS

BLACKROCK COLLEGE RAILWAY UNION

DEC. 14 | 5.00 PM | OLLIE CAMPBELL PARK

HOME

LEAGUE TABLE

ENERGIA AIL | OLD BELVEDERE VS BLACKROCK COLLEGE

AWAY

DOUBLE

ERIN KING MAKES IRISH RUGBY HISTORY! 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!

11. OLLIE CAMPBELL HONOURED AT IRFU’S 150TH ANNIVERSARY TEST MATCH 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.

KEY DATES 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.

PHOTO GALLERY

13. SPONSORS

OLD BELVEDERE RFC

FOR THE STRENGTH OF THE PACK IS THE WOLF, AND THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF IS THE PACK.

Contact Old Belvedere RFC 1Ailesbury Grove, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 HF60

@oldbelvedererfc @oldbelvowomen