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Clondalkin RugbyOFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

SUNDAY 20TH JANUARY 2019

FIRST XV

PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUP – ROUND 1

CLONDALKIN RFC VS BALBRIGGAN RFC

SUNDAY · JANUARY 20 · 2019

KICK-OFF 2:30PM

WOMEN’S LEINSTER LEAGUE

DIVISION 2

CLONDALKIN RFC VS EDENDERRY RFC

KICK-OFF 12:30PM

CLONDALKIN UNDER 12s

FRIENDLY

CLONDALKIN RFC VS SEAPOINT RFC

KICK-OFF 10:00AM

BUILDING SUPPLIES

1

TODAY’S MATCH DAY OFFICIALS

LEINSTER TOWNS CUPReferee: Jason Le Lievre

WOMEN’S LEINSTER LEAGUE – DIVISION 2AReferee: Audrey Fulham

All ARLB

Acknowledgements

Editors: Gareth Steed, Gary Branigan & Vincent QuinnPhotographs: Sharon Flanagan PhotographyFacilities: Kevin LaidePrinted by: Tico Mail Works

Clondalkin RFC thank all those who contributed articles tothis programme and all sponsors and advertisers for theirvery generous support.

For up-to-date details of all fixtures, results and events, visitour website and various social media platforms.

20th JANUARY 2019

PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUPGood Afternoon all andwelcome to the ProvincialTowns Cup match betweenClondalkin and Balbriggan.

Today the teams arecompeting in the 1st round ofone of the oldest Cups in IrishRugby. If you Google PTC thefirst thing you will discover isthat the competition was firstestablished in 1888 and thecup itself has been knockingaround since 1892 having beenbought for the princely sum of£25 from Wests in Dublin.

The cup itself is actuallynamed the Leinster JuniorChallenge cup and thecompetition we are competingfor today changed format forthe 1926 running of thecompetition with only Junior

Clubs who were located atleast 18 miles from theGeneral Post Office inO’Connell Street eligible tocompete.

That would have ruledClondalkin out by the then rulein operation! We in fact arerelatively new to thiscompetition and are onlycompeting a little over adecade in this event and arestill one of the newest clubs tothis competition.

While it could be argued wemay not have fully absorbedall that is Towns Cup Rugbycompared to other clubs weactually have done quite wellin this completion and havebeen beaten Semi-finalists inthe past and only went out

in the Quarters last yearto the ultimate ChampionsEnniscorthy.

Today’s Visitors Balbrigganhave a much longer historyand proud tradition in this cupand were beaten finalists inthe second year of this currentformat back in 1927 againstEnniscorthy. They managedthe following season 1928 tomake the final again and thistime out were victorious in areplay beating Athy 8:0.

There are 29 teams competingin the cup this year and threeclubs Ashbourne , Wicklowand Enniscorthy will go intothe open draw this evening at5 pm in Carlow RFC along with13 results of today and willcompete in the round 2 of 16.

220th JANUARY 2019

Wexford Wanderers RFC v Roscrea RFC

Gorey RFC v Portlaoise RFC

Tullow RFC v Mullingar RFC

Tullamore 2nd XV v Navan 2nd XV

Co Carlow FC v Kilkenny RFC

Longford RFC v Cill Dara RFC

Arklow RFC v Midlands Warriors RFC

Clondalkin RFC v Balbriggan RFC

Naas RFC v North Kildare RFC

New Ross RFC v Boyne RFC

Skerries 2nd XV v Newbridge RFC

Athy RFC v Dundalk RFC

Edenderry RFC v Portarlington RFC

Byes: Ashbourne RFC, Wicklow RFC, Enniscorthy RFC

PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUP ROUND ONE

HEAD COACH C.R.F.C. PHILLY BYRNEToday’s game has come at theright time for us. A differentcompetition and a new focusaway from the league.

We come off the back of 3league wins in a row whichincluded an excellent teamperformance full off desire,hunger and determination lastweek away to Portlaoise.These wins have seen usreturn to the top of the leaguewith 3 games remaining.

Our seconds, another fantasticwin in Portlaoise improvingthe perfect record to 10 winsfrom 10 and now only require1 more point to win theirleague.

Today’s Town’s Cup is anotherhuge game for the club,participating in this old

competition is a real honourfor us and despite what somemay think this competition isextremely important to us.

We are relative newcomers tothe Town’s Cup having firstentered it in 2007, our firstgame was a home tie toRoscrea, a game in which I hadthe honour to play in.Unfortunately we lost that daybut we have since gone on toreach the semi-finals twiceand hopefully we can transferour recent good league formto this competition and go onestage further this year.

We welcome today’sopponents, Balbriggan toGordon Park and we are veryaware of the threat they pose.They a currently top of League2B and also come into today’s

game off the back of anexcellent win last week againstEdenderry.

We welcome back our captainMikey Russell today, his firststart since November, havingbeen away for a few weeks.Also today Eoin Maher andGareth Black return to thesquad for the first time thisseason following lengthylayoffs and James Murphymakes his first team debuthaving impressed with anumber of excellentperformances for our secondsthis season.

Philly ByrneHead Coach C.R.F.C.

320th JANUARY 2019

MATCHDAY PROTOCOLSFáilte romhaibh go léir go Cumann Rugbaí Chluain Dolcáin agus tá súil againn gombainfidh sibh sult as na cluichí inniu.

We welcome everybody to Clondalkin Rugby Club and hope everyone enjoys today’smatches.

It is important that we all respect the players and officials. They are amateurs and arehere to enjoy themselves as well.

Therefore, we expect that everybody behaves appropriately.

PITCH SIDE MANNERSDo support your team positively

Don’t abuse opposition players

Do remain silent when kicks are taken

Don’t use foul language

Do welcome opposition support

Don’t abuse referees or touch judges

Do restrict alcohol to patio area

Let’s hope for a good game and may the best team win

Clondalkin RFC

420th JANUARY 2019

HOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH RUGBY Hi my name is Tyler, and this story is about howI fell in love with rugby. One day my dad askedme if I would like to play rugby for the localclub, Clondalkin. I said, “Yes I’ll try.” So I wentdown to try. I was shy at the start but when Igot to know everybody that’s when I fell in lovewith rugby. My dad, who grew up in Americawhere rugby isn’t that popular, started to helpcoach my team with the other coaches, Nickyand Stephen.

A few months after joining, I learnt how to play.I learnt the rules and most importantly madegood friends with my teammates. I got so goodat tackling that my coaches called me “TheTackling Machine.” Rugby made braver so I alsojoined a local football club. I train onWednesdays at 6:30 till 7:30 and on Sundays at10:30 till 12:00. My favorite bit of rugby isplaying with my teammates and having fun!

I always ask all my friends if they want to tryrugby, and I’ve got two friends from school tojoin my team. Another boy from my footballteam asked me “where do you play rugby” Ianswered, “Clondalkin!’’ The next day, he wasat rugby training too.

I’ve been going to the Leinster rugby summercamp for the last three years. It is a great campand we learn how to play the Leinster way. Weplay lots of fun games like dodge ball, roundersand no mans land. Leinster players come in totake pictures with the kids and sign stuff. Lastsummer the players brought their trophieswith them.

Top Reasons more people should play rugby:

1. Makes you stronger2. Keeps you fit3. Make friends4. Makes you brave5. Everybody should play a sport

Tyler “T-Dog” BranningCRFC U11s

520th JANUARY 2019

NAOMI FYNES CLONETTES CAPTAINI have played with Clondalkin Rugby Women’steam since 2010. In my years at the club I havedeveloped amazing relationships with theClonettes and coaching teams. I view the clubas a second family and a home away fromhome. Therefore I was so proud to beappointed captain for the 2018/2019 season, itis such a huge honour. I especially enjoyworking alongside Vice-Captain Sara Phelanone of the best and most hard working playerson the team.

The girls started out the 2018/2019 pre-seasondeveloping some new moves incorporatingboth forwards and backs. Once this started togel with all team members you could really seethe team starting to work together as a unit. Inour first game of the season against Balbrigganwe tried to implement these moves in play. Wewere unfortunate to come away with a 10-17result at home but with our first game underour belt and a losing bonus point we wereconfident in building towards the next matchaway against Gorey.

In Gorey we felt like the team was finallyclicking and there was an air of calmness anddecisiveness around the plays. Everybodyworked together and brought home a massiveteam win with a final result of 37-12. In ournext fixture against our old rivals Edenderry wedid not fare as well, in a tough match wesuffered a loss at 14-0. The match was closeand the score did not reflect the effort andheart the Clonettes put in but we had learnedlessons to bring with us the next time we faceEdenderry.

We then worked towards our fixture at homeagainst table toppers Wicklow. As a team wewere aware that if ever, this was the time tomake our mark. The performance that Sundaymade me so proud to be Captain of Clondalkin

ladies and it is part of the reason I play rugby,we all played with heart and pride in the jersey.We spent most of our time camped inWicklow’s 22 and relentlessly battered away attheir defence. It wrapped up as a tie at 5-5 but Ibelieve Wicklow walked away shocked at whatthe Clonettes were capable of achieving andthe potential we had going forward.

The next match, an away fixture against Gardawas a disappointing day for the team. Whatstarted out a promising lead and a hard foughtmatch lead to a loss with a final score of 15-10.We managed to take away the losing bonuspoint but there was overall frustration.However in true Clonette style we pickedourselves up, dusted ourselves off and beganworking towards our final fixture of 2018 awayagainst Balbriggan. We also took away somepositives from the day as it marked thebeginning of Shona Byrne’s career as a flanker.In Balbriggan again we were unfortunate tocome away with a loss. We had a tough gameand put up a great defence for the most part.The game finished 15-7 but again a lesson waslearned, we needed to work on our attack…

720th JANUARY 2019

Unfortunately this season we have had anumber of setbacks through loss of players byinjury and retirement. One of our main impactplayers Fiona Tighe is not able to play thisseason due to injury and she was a huge loss tothe pack. Kerryn Buck one of our hard hittinglocks was away for most of first half of theseason we missed her in attack and defence.We lost a promising young player Shauna Heelydue to a broken leg in our fixture againstWicklow but hopefully she will have the goahead to re-join us in the coming weeks. SarahJane Masterson another seasoned locksuffered a hand injury in the Garda matchleaving her unable to finish out the 2018season thankfully we have her back for 2019.Anne Marie Whelan who started out theseason with us was a huge loss to the back row,her level of experience is missed. Louise Madgeour hooker is also out this season throughinjury and we look forward to her return.Michael Kavanagh another fantastic lock ismissed in the game too but he still helps us outwhen he can in training and for that we aregrateful.

These loses impacted mainly on the forwardswho were thin on the ground in the earlier partof the season. The forwards were fortunateenough to recruit two of our ex-backs ShonaByrne and Gael Stowe to strengthen the packthis season. Already they have made anamazing impact in the back row, I almost pitytheir opposition. Also there was a changeoverin Coaches at the end of the 2018 season withRay Kelly stepping up as new forwards coachreplacing Ailbhe O’Nolan.

Despite some of the upsets of the first half ofthe season the New Year has brought newpromise to the team. From our first sessionback which was a bit rusty, the girls have pickedup the pace and improved exponentially overthe course of a few nights. The attendance attraining has skyrocketed, these numbers haveallowed us to train against a realistic oppositionand execute our moves effectively. With thishas come a level of understanding amongst theplayers on the reasoning behind the differentplays. Hopefully these levels of attendance willcontinue. We have recently welcomed new

recruits Jo-Anne Kelly, Jess Tyrell andLaura Madden. We are alwayslooking for new players tostrengthen our growing ladies teamso no matter what your age or skillset, give Clondalkin ladies a try.

820th JANUARY 2019

The enthusiasm of the new coaching teamcombination of Al Hickey and Ray Kelly ispalpable. Al Hickey’s dedication to the team asa whole has helped mould us into a formidableforce on the pitch. Al and Ray have devised fastpaced and structured sessions by focusing onareas that need work from our matches. Theyare readily available to offer advice and oftenarrive up early to work in individual skills withteam members. Al’s impact on the backs wasevident with the moves that were carried outwith ease at last Sunday’s away fixture againstMullingar. It is a joy to watch the backs as theycarry out their moves in a slick and clinicalfashion both in training and matches. That istestament to Al’s coaching abilities

Ray has come to the team and fit in with theladies very quickly building an excellent

working relationship. He has great insights intotechnical areas of scrummaging and lineoutsand the girls and I have learned so much fromhim already. Ray has also recruited Kev Dunphy,Conor Mc Crea and James Kenny from the lad’steam. The lads have stepped in to impart someof their knowledge and experience aroundscrums and lineouts and have tested us byopposing us in the scrum. Already it is apparentthat these sessions have paid off with adecisive win against Mullingar in an awayvictory (15-26) where we dominated thescrums and lineouts. We are very grateful tothe lads for their help and hope that they willwork with us more often going forward.

I would like to take this opportunity to thankour excellent manager Sandie Healy for all ofher hard work so far this season. I would like tothank our wonderful coaches Al and Ray for allof your input. Finally I would like to thank mywife Nicola Smyth for all of her support overthe season.

Moving forward our plan is to finish out theleague with a winning streak and build towardsthe Cup. As always everything we do is part ofa learning curve, I have seen improvements inmany of our players since the beginning of theseason. This is due to a willingness to learn,enthusiasm and heart. Week after week I haveseen amazing sacrifice and effort from the girlsliterally putting their bodies on the line fortheir team mates. This is what I love mostabout the Clonettes and the Club, my secondfamily.

Hon the Clon!

Your Ladies Captain,Naomi Fynes

1020th JANUARY 2019

THE PRIVILEGE OF RUGBYI had the privilege and honour of playing withClondalkin from 1992 until 2017. I have alsohad the pleasure of coaching and assisting theclub Head Coach Phil Byrne for many years.

When the opportunity to help out with theClonettes came about, it presented a new andexciting opportunity.

The girls welcomed the idea of trying newstyles of rugby. New approaches to trainingand matches. Their willingness and attitude totraining was so refreshing, the potential to trynew things was huge thanks to theirdedication and commitment.

The 2018/19 session began with seasonedflanker Naomi Fynes being appointed Captainand Sara Phelan Vice Captain. Both girls areoutstanding players and hugely respectedthroughout the club.

We had a up and down start to the session. Bythe end of 2018 we have 3 losses, 1 draw and1 win. However, the team ended 2018 in

very high spirits. They were playing excitingrugby and all of the hard work in training wasstarting to show in phases of games.

We identified areas of our game that neededmore work and focus. With this in mind, theend of 2018 saw the introduction of formerClondalkin 1st team back rower and newClonettes Forward coach Ray Kelly. The teamand coaches regrouped and set out ourtargets for the second half of the season andthe rest of the 2018/19 campaign.

With the excitement of the new year and Raycoming on board there was a buzz within theteam. Training was pushed up a notch with 20plus girls consistently training. Creating realcompetition for positions. With a focus onscrummaging, lineouts, attack play, gamestructure and over all game management,2019 promised to have an explosive start.

1120th JANUARY 2019

We were not let down. We travelled toMullingar and the Clonettes set the bar high.Aggression, physicality, discipline, heart,determination and outstanding rugby saw thegirls out muscle an excellent Mullingar sidewith a bonus point win 26-15.

With 1 away and 4 home games remaining inthe league we are building momentum onegame at a time. Each game presents a newchallenge and a new opportunity to learn.Today our focus is solely on Edenderry who arecurrently 3rd in the league. We will have to beat our very best to get the win we want.

Although, we are focused on our rugby thecamaraderie, love and respect is very evidentwithin the team. The girls themselves arealways prepared to have a cup of tea and a chatafter training, all close friends off the pitch andwell able to party when the opportunity arises.The search for new players is never ending. Ourgates are always open for anybody looking tohave the craic, challenge themselves, makenew friends and become part of this growingclub that has been built, and continues tothrive, on members, family, friends,commitment and community. But most of allthe love for rugby.

“You don’t inspire your teammates by showingthem how great you are. You inspire them byshowing them how amazing they are.”

Finally, I would like to thank Naomi and all theplayers for their dedication, commitment andsupport. Also, to the team manager SandieHealy for her hard work, and endless effortthat never goes unnoticed. Myself and Ray aretruly honoured to be part of this group. –Woosah!!!!!!!

Yours in Rugby.

Alan Hickey.

1220th JANUARY 2019

PLAYER PROFILE:JACK “CHEESESTRING” QUINN – CRFC U13sI started playing rugby when I was 6, after trying several other sports like kick boxing and horseriding, the list goes on. But after my very first training session with Clon I fell in love with rugby. I’dnever played “ball sport” so I didn't even own a pair of boots!!! On the way home, my Dad boughtme everything that I would ever need for rugby.

When I started playing, we didn’t have official positions but when scrummaging was introduced, Iplayed as a Hooker. As time passed, I grew too tall to continue playing as Hooker comfortably andwhen we went 15 a-side I moved to my favourite position, Openside Flanker.

Five years later and I still love playing. I feature regularly at Number 7 and I couldn’t be happier.Thanks to Clon I’ve made some brilliant friends with the players and coaches. This season hasbeen the best season yet and I look forward to wearing the Clon jersey for many more years tocome.

Nicknames: Cheesestring

One word to describe yourself: On-fleek

Favourite Position: Openside Flanker

Current Position: Openside Flanker

Favourite TV Show: Moone Boy

Favourite Team: Leinster

Favourite Player to Watch: Jacob Stockdale

Favourite Holiday Destination: Benidorm

First Coach at Clondalkin RFC: Gareth “The Negotiator” Steed

Favourite Memory Playing for Clondalkin: Playing in the Aviva

Favourite Cartoon as a Kid: I am still a kid so SpongeBob

Do You Play Any Other Sports: Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When You Were Growing Up What Did You Want To Be: I’m still growing up

Your Biggest Inspiration: Sly Stallone…. 72 years of age what a bleedin legend

My Last Meal Would Be: My Nanny’s roast and mash dinner… mmmmm

Stranded On An Island, What Are Your 3 Essential Items: A fully stocked luxury cruise ship, afemale only crew all under the age of 25 and 1,000,000 Creme Eggs

What Would You Buy With Your Last €50: Creme Eggs

131320th JANUARY 2019

Pos Team Pld W L D BP L Ded Pts

1 Clondalkin 5 5 0 0 0 0 20

2 DLSP 5 4 1 0 1 0 17

3 Westmanstown 5 3 2 0 0 0 12

4 Bective 5 3 2 0 0 0 12

5 Clontarf B 4 1 3 0 0 0 4

6 Greystones B 6 1 5 0 0 0 4

7 MU Barnhall B 4 0 4 0 0 0 0

8 Clondalkin 5 5 0 0 0 0 20

Date Home Venue Visitors

11/11/18Clondalkin

34Greystones

10

18/11/18Clondalkin

41Bective

19

25/11/18Clondalkin

51Westmanstown

15

02/12/18Clondalkin

47Coolmine

41

09/12/18Dundalk

24Clondalkin

69

06/01/19DLSP

41Clondalkin

43

13/01/19Clondalkin

67MU Barnhall

12

03/02/19 Clondalkin Clontarf

LEINSTER METROU13 SUNDAY LEAGUE

Clondalkin Under 13s

1420th JANUARY 2019

Crfc u13s... ones to watch

Proudly top of the league

Marcus Doyle

4

James

Kenny

5

Conor McCrea

1

Brian Doyle

2

Darren

Madden

3

Simon King

8James

Farrell

7

Stephen

McKenna

6

Niall Nolan

11 Ben Foran 12

Chris Jebb 10

Stephen Bracken 9

Mikey RussellCAPTAIN

13

Ryan Maher 14

Thomas Ankers 15

CLONDALKIN RFC FIRST XVVS BALBRIGGAN RFCSUN, JAN 20, 2019 / GORDON PARK, CRFC / PROVINCIAL TOWNS CUP – ROUND 1

REFEREE

Jason Le Lievre

Replacements

Kevin Dunphy

Gareth Black

Darren Moore

Eoin Maher

James Murphy

CLONDALKIN RFC

Score:

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

EDENDERRY RFC

Score:

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

1520th JANUARY 2019

Sarah Jane

Masterson

4

Kerryn

Buck

5

Aideen

Grogan

1

Niamh

Mc Donnell

2

Irene Tsh

3

Gael Stowe

8Naomi Fynes

CAPTAIN

7

Shona Byrne

6

Amanda

Madden

11 Ciara Meenagh 12

Brid Houlohan 10

Niamh Farrelly 9

Sara Phelan 13

Elaine Matthews 14

Nicola Smyth 15

REFEREE

Audrey Fulham

Replacements

Dawn Keegan

Aine Costello

Emma Lewis

CLONDALKIN RFC WOMEN’S XVVS EDENDERRY RFCSUN, JAN 20, 2019 / GORDON PARK, CRFC / WOMEN’S LEINSTER LEAGUE DIV 2

CLONDALKIN RFC

Score:

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

EDENDERRY RFC

Score:

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

1620th JANUARY 2019

League Table Seconds Leinster League (J2) - Division 2A

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA Diff BP BP W

BP L Ded Pts

1 Clondalkin 11 8 3 0 329 195 134 8 6 2 0 40

2 Cill Dara 11 8 3 0 275 198 77 8 7 1 0 40

3Wexford Wanderers

11 8 3 0 290 198 92 7 6 1 0 39

4 Portlaoise 11 7 4 0 248 221 27 4 3 1 0 32

5 Newbridge 10 6 4 0 257 163 94 7 4 3 0 31

6 Mullingar RFC 11 3 8 0 168 320 -152 4 3 1 0 16

7 Railway Union 11 3 8 0 210 334 -124 2 1 1 0 14

8 New Ross 10 0 10 0 117 265 -148 3 0 3 0 3

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA Diff BP BP W

BP L Ded Pts

1 Clondalkin 9 9 0 0 354 84 270 0 - 0 0 36

2Wexford Wanderers

10 7 3 0 234 155 79 1 - 1 0 29

3 Railway Union 10 6 4 0 240 213 27 1 - 1 0 25

4 Portlaoise 10 4 6 0 186 262 -76 1 - 1 0 17

5 Cill Dara 9 3 6 0 185 259 -74 1 - 1 -2 11

6 New Ross 8 2 6 0 47 142 -95 0 - 0 -2 6

7 Newbridge 8 1 7 0 95 226 -131 1 - 1 -4 1

League Table Firsts Leinster League (J1) - Division 2A

1720th JANUARY 2019

Senior Second XV - Current Fixture List

Date Kick-off Home Venue Visitors Comp

27/01/09 1:00PM Newbridge Clondalkin League

17/02/19 1:30PM New Ross Clondalkin League

03/03/19 1:30PM Clondalkin Railway Union League

PROUD SPONSORS OF

CLONDALKIN SENIOR RUGBY

BELGARD

Senior First XV - Current Fixture List

Date Kick-off Home Venue Visitors Comp

27/01/09 2:30PM Newbridge Clondalkin League

17/02/19 3:00PM New Ross Clondalkin League

03/03/19 3:00PM Clondalkin Railway Union League

1820th JANUARY 2019

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CUP GAMES

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CUP GAMES

BUILDING SUPPLIES

Women's Leinster League Division 2

Pos Team Pld W L D PF PA Diff BPBP W

BP L

Ded Pts

1 Wicklow 9 8 0 1 279 56 223 7 7 0 0 41

2 Balbriggan 10 7 3 0 186 149 37 4 4 0 0 33

3 Edenderry 8 6 2 0 149 83 66 5 4 1 0 29

4GardaWestmanstown

9 4 5 0 107 209 -102 1 1 0 0 18

5 Clondalkin 7 2 4 1 95 93 2 4 2 2 0 14

6 Mullingar 9 2 7 0 126 226 -100 2 2 0 -2 9

7 Gorey 8 0 8 0 63 189 -126 1 0 1 0 1

1920th JANUARY 2019

Current Women’s Fixture List

Date Kick-Off Home Venue Visitors

27/01/19 1:00PM Clondalkin Mullingar

03/02/19 1:00PM Wicklow Clondalkin

17/02/19 1:00PM Clondalkin Garda/Westmanstown

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CUP GAMES

BROTHERS IN ARMSOver the years many sets of brothers havegraced the rugby pitches wearing theClondalkin jerseys. Here is a snapshot of someof them.

In early years we had the two Alexanderbrothers who alternated between lock & No 8.Two former North Kildare lads, the McBennettsalso added their weight to our teams. The Carrfamily had three brothers who played includingJoe & John. Probably the trio that gave themost concrete support to the club were theFitzsimons brothers, Brendan, Kevin, & Killian.As well as playing they also built our originalclubhouse. Brendan still rambles up to sip apint in the bar.

Then we had the Whites, Willie & Brian (ourcurrent Hon Sec), the Cagney’s including ourHon Treas. Pat. Jim Sexton’s sons featured withDudger & John playing thro underage to Firstteam. Indeed John became the first Clondalkin

player to play full international for Ireland inthe late 1980’s.

We also had Marty O’Brien & his less energeticbrother Donal playing. While current TeamManager Conor Steed and his twin Gareth arestill very active in the club.

In later years we have had the sons of thefamous “Doc” Cullen playing and coaching.While the three sons of our Past PresidentWinston Jebb are and have been stalwarts ofthe club for many years.

Of course the sons and Grandson of the lateChris Stapleton have gaven us threegenerations of family in the club. There are nodoubt others not included here but this givesus a taste of the family ethos that Clon thriveson. I have no doubt that many moregenerations & families will enjoy the craic inGordon Park for many years to come.

2120th JANUARY 2019

FROM THERE TO HERE… & BACK AGAIN I had joined the Club shorty after its foundationand feel somewhat obligated to share someexcerpts of a previous writing effort to a newgroup of Members.

To understand the founding of a Club likeClondalkin RFC one must start by looking to theshared agendas of those who initiated theprocess. In this respect CRFC were a most luckyclub. Its founders and their supporters were, inhindsight, men of great integrity and vision andwere fortunate to develop a very special andclose relationship with the community in whichthey worked and lived.

One can be sure that the ‘founding fathers’referred to throughout this brief article, satmany a night in the Central Bar in Clondalkinand like minded places and mulled over pintsof plain as they plotted and planned to set upCRFC.

A particular driving force lay in one PaddyGordon RIP who as the local bank manager inBank of Ireland used his undoubted influenceto draw together a combination of influentialpeople, interested adults and youths from thevillage of Clondalkin (I understand the ClubColours come from his County of Roscommon).

Paddy and his fellow visionaries succeeded inthat effort and now CRFC has survived andgrown in size and stature since its foundation in1973.

The uniqueness of that achievement have sinceinspired several generations and introducedfamilies to a great sport and game and thefollowers remain driven with similar energyand vision.

I was approached in 2011 by the thenPresident John Sttapleton to produce a bookletfor the Club’s 40th Anniversary in 2013 and

was somewhat hesitantas there are others whoI was sure would havemuch sharper recall ofthe in between yearsthan I and that was ofserious concern. ThePresent Club ChairmanGerry Gilligan co-editedthat work. Copies areavailable in the Club ofthat effort entitled“From There to Here”and some selections

from that assist me here in this brief articlewhen I was again requested to submit a fewlines.

There are many entitled to an acknowledgmentfor their efforts in the early years when theiryouthfulness, vigour and commitment allowedthem to apply their energies and time. Some ofthe founders since have moved on with theirpersonal responsibilities and commitmentsincluding the demands of circumstances andfamily. It is rewarding to see that the presentmembers are continuing to develop & supportthe Club.

2320th JANUARY 2019

Clondalkin RFC was founded, formed andaffiliated to the Leinster Branch of the I.R.F.U atthe first AGM in May 1973, at a time when itwas felt that the game be brought to anddeveloped in the rapidly expanding West Cityvillage.

The foundation came about through the visionof a few select and energetic men. Of thesehonourable men, Paddy Gordon, BrendanO’Neill, John Dowling, and Paddy Whelan, andothers have since sadly have passed on to theireternal awards.

On the start-up two of the visionaries, PhilHarrison and Paddy Deveraux, arranged ageneral practice match in March / April 1973and with the first game against Old KilcullenRFC the full possibilities became apparent.In that first game Clondalkin played in a set ofjerseys borrowed from North Kildare RFC.

It was reported that on that occasionClondalkin fielded something in the region of30 players. As a result of further efforts theClub was affiliated to the Leinster Branch andthe project was on its way. The Secretary of theLeinster Branch at the time, John Conroy, RIP,John proved very supportive and wasinfluential in arranging the affiliation

The fees that applied at the start up were FullMembers £3.00, Student Member £2.00 andSchool Members £ 0.50. ----- WOW!!! Acomprehensive fixtures list was arranged forthe 1974/75 Season which commenced on22nd September and finished on the 16thMarch with an Annual Dinner Dance in theGreen Isle Hotel.

Two teams were formed, one in the “3rd Cgrade”, and one in the “3rd D” grade, withplans to enter Cup Competitions in March1975. In its first Season the Club did not winany trophy but played in twenty-one friendlymatches. Of those they won ten, lost ten anddrew one. However they reached the quarterfinals of the Fox Cup and in so doing scoredfifty one points.

From 1973 to the middle of 1977/ 78 seasonsthe Club had its home in Moyle Park, the localMarian College in Clondalkin, and the free useof its grounds. The Club is forever indebted tothe then Rev. Bro. Peter of the Marist Brotherscongregation at the time and the MaristOrder’s teachers and staff for their generoussupport both in allowing the use of the collegechanging facilities and that time.

2420th JANUARY 2019

WATCH ALL OF IRELAND'S AWAY SIX NATIONS GAMES IN YOUR LOCAL RUGBY CLUB

Obtaining a ‘place of its own ‘became the focusand the Executive Committee’s energy wasfurther directed to that task. Thiscomplemented the playing achievements andthe developing support required for the club inthe player’s efforts on the field.

A fund was established and contributed to byall the early members to enable the purchaseof the property where the Clubhouse andpitches now stand. Loans and contributionsfrom the players and friends to finance thestart-up were sought. In addition local industryand business was approached and asked tocontribute and here too the response wasmagnificent.These efforts for grounds reached its targetwhen in 1977 the ground at Kingswood waspurchased at auction.

In 1987/88, the Club Grounds and Clubhouseare called Gordon Park to acknowledge thefounding role Paddy Gordon played inestablishing the Club and his picture hangsabove the fireplace in Clubhouse as a mark ofrespect to his vision. Sadly, Paddy Gordon RIPpassed away at far too early an age afterretirement and just when he was about to reapthe benefit of his great efforts and his creation.

Along with many others but requiring a specialmention here is the debt the Club owes to theFitzsimons’s brother’s builders. Aside fromassisting with the construction of theClubhouse that family provided three playingMembers for CRFC. The Club was equally mostfortunate in another builder and his family,Chris Stapelton RIP, a great friend, was part ofthe strong force that moulded and sustainedthe Club then and for many years right to up todate. Chris who has also sadly departed from

us also provided two sons and now a grandsonwho remain active right up to the present.There are many names that could be rolled outbut the existing 40 year booklet provides insome way for that.In due course the 50th year one will add evenmore.

Today the Club is a positive vehicle channellingthe energy of many youths in our hinterlandand looks towards the future as it advances toits 50-year Celebration in due course.

This light weight article is of necessity only abrief introduction to give the reader a glimpseof the origin and birth of a great experience incommunity development and today’s game inGordon Park is a continuation of that vision ofover 40 years ago.

Chris McGlinn

2620th JANUARY 2019

Extensions Kitchens

Attic Conversions

Modern Living

Windows & Doors

Bathrooms

Porches

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE TODAY

Rugby Experience?While I was playing I represented the New Zealandarmy, New Zealand combined forces and also NewZealand Universities. I’ve also played in Japan,Australia and Ireland. I’ve refereed in New Zealand,Australia and Ireland.

Favourite group?The Cure

Favourite teams?Ireland: ConnachtNZ: Canterbury Crusaders and NPC

3020th JANUARY 2019

The referee for todays Provisional Towns Cup game against Balbriggan RFC is Jason Le Lievre.

Jason is an experienced referee from Clane rugby Club and is a native of New Zealand (but we wonthold that against him).

Profile:

How Long have you been referring?I started referring in 2013

What got you into referring?I suffered a bad shoulder dislocation while playing., so to get fit again and keep involved I startedrefereeing and I never went back to playing.

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3120th JANUARY 2019

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