Chairman - Ian Cooke

Season’s Greetings

It’s hard to believe that the 2007/2008 Season has passed the halfway point already. Aren’t those of us that love rugby lucky that we have something to look forward to in the darkness of winter?

The disappointments suffered towards the back end of 2007 by our First XV are still raw in the mind but we know this team is capable of learning from defeat and regrouping strongly. At the start of the Season most of us would have looked at Top Spot in Division 1 as a “glass half-full” scenario.

Our Women’s XV are flying the flag high in their first season in the AIL Division 1 under the capable leadership of Jean Lonergan and we all wish them well in the games ahead. The Second XV have traveled all over Munster at this stage and are doing the Club proud while it is very encouraging to see the progress of our Under 20s. (Note: Paul Lonergan is no longer Under 20!).

Our Under Age section is vibrant and we are working hard on the areas that need attention.

Behind the group of dedicated, committed and talented Rugby players is a large, hard-working Group of people.

There is the Committee and Sub-Committee Members who attend meetings and roll up the sleeves when there’s work to be done. There’s also a raft of people contribute so much to our Club. People like Pat Normile who isn’t on any Committee but gives so much of her time and energy to our Club.

Off the field, we have a major Development Plan commencing that will see radical changes and improvements to our facilities.

We need all the support we can get: whether you can contribute financially or by giving your time. Rugby at Provincial and International level is hugely popular: my hope is that more of this support will filter down to Club level. I wonder how many people have attended Munster or Ireland games but never came up to support one of our teams? Come along – you’ll be assured of a warm welcome.

Ian Cooke

Chairman