Old Wesley Program 2011/12 Pt.1

8/3/2019 Old Wesley Program 2011/12 Pt.1

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1www.oldwesley.ie

I am delighted to extend my best wishes to PresidentIvan White and all members o Old Wesley RFC or the2011-12 season.

I also take this opportunity to acknowledge theimportant role being played by your club member PhilipOrr at IRFU Committee level.

In what will be another extremely busy season in Irishrugby, the introduction o a reconstructed Ulster BankLeague will I believe prove to be very popular and willgenerate great interest and activity in the clubs on matchdays.

This would be in line with the wishes o the IRFU,whose policy is to maintain a vibrant club scene.

In this regard, I outline my appreciation o the roleplayed by our volunteers. They make an invaluablecontribution to the success o the game and in thecurrent economic circumstances their role is even moreimportant.

I would like to thank Ulster Bank, the ofcialCommunity Partner to the IRFU, or their sponsorshipo the Ulster Bank League, the Irish Club internationalteam and the Ulster Bank Rugby Force initiative.

John Hussey,President – Irish Rugby Football Union

Message from John Hussey

President -

irish rugby

Football union



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Message from Stuart Bayley

President -

leinster

branCh - irFu

It gives me great pleasure as President o the LeinsterBranch to extend my very best wishes to everyoneinvolved in Old Wesley RFC or season 2011/12.

Old Wesley have gone rom strength to strength in recenttimes and your supporters have loyally ollowed the clubthe length and breadth o the country. We in Leinster Rugby are well served by yourrepresentative to the Leinster Branch Philip Orr, whoalso sits on the Executive committee o the IRFU, and isone o a host o members rom your club over the yearsto have made a signifcant impact on the game in ourprovince.

Your Junior structure, especially, is the envy o many andI know how determined you will be to build on yourstrong showings in the J2 (which you won) and J3 Cups(where you were runners up) again or the comingcampaign.

It is also hugely encouraging to see you feldtwo Under-21 sides again this year which

suggests that we will see many more OldWesley players wearing the blue o Leinster inyears to come.

I last season is anything to go by then I amconfdent that we can approach this seasonwith an air o real confdence. It was anenormous boon or the game across Leinsterand Ireland when our inspirational leader Leo

Cullen lited the Heineken Cup trophy in theMillennium Stadium back in May and it wasanother important stride or the Senior team. I would like to pay tribute to our Coach JoeSchmidt, his backroom sta and especially allthe players or their magnifcent eorts and Iknow that everyone connected with the teamare ocused on building once more this year in both the RaboDirect PRO-12 and Heineken

Cup competitions.

As European champions and the number oneranked team in Europe we will approach this

campaign in a positive rame o mind, butmindul that we are now the team to beat inwhat will be a massively challenging campaign,given the busy Rugby World Cup period. Oneo the key components o last year was theoutstanding support o our loyal ollowerswho typiy all o the great virtues that areembedded in the province; strength in numbers,pride, honour and absolute loyalty.

With record season ticket numbers or ourgames in the RDS and the Aviva Stadium, let’shope that our supporters have many wonderuldays to savour. The Leinster Academycontinues to produce men o real substanceand quality and we have great hopes again orthis year’s batch, though each o the playersneed the encouragement and reedom to makemistakes and, tellingly, learn rom

them.

(Continues on page 5)



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driven by excellence

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MATHESON ORMSBY PRENTICEIS PLEASED TO SUPPORT

OLD WESLEY RFC

Graham Richards E [email protected]

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Good luck to the team for the forthcoming season.

Contact:



5www.oldwesley.ie

The improved British & Irish Cup ormat willno doubt provide these young players with much

needed experience at a high level and hopeullywe will see more players merge into the Seniorranks.

It is encouraging to see players enrolled in theAcademy hail rom across the so-calledtraditional and non-traditional ranks. It is myfrm belie that the Schools, Clubs and Youthssystems will continue to play a crucial role or

the development o the game and all three areascan urther enhance standards across the board. In this, ‘The Year o the Club’, I believe that theclub game will grow as we enter an excitingphase across all o the respective competitionswhere the regulations are in place to enhanceand help maximise enjoyment, skill levels andparticipation.

The Leinster Branch will do everything in ourpower to help back our Club, indeed all o oursections, and I would urge each club/school touse the resources at your disposal be it throughmarketing, promotion, ground development orcoaching to help your teams grow.

It was heartening to see thousands o young

players avail o the discount ticketing orLeinster games in both the league and cupthrough the ‘One Province’ initiative and wehope or increased numbers across the boardonce more this year.

The Evening Herald weekly supplement, with areadership o over 300,000, is a valuable tool at

the Leinster community’s disposal and I wouldurge each Public Relations Ofcer to avail o theopportunity to promote the great work beingdone in your local community.

I look orward to renewing acquaintances withmy riends in Old Wesley and I would like toextend my best wishes to your President IvanWhite, Honorary Secretary Terence Coghlan,

Coaches Morgan Lennon and Mark Kinlan andClub Captain Greg Jacob and indeed all thecoaches and players the best o luck or theseason ahead.

Best wishes,

Stuart Bayley,

President – Leinster Branch - IRFU

5www.oldwesley.ie

Message from Stuart Bayley (Cont’d)



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Message fromIvan White

President -

old Wesley

rugby Football Club

As President o Old Wesley RFC, it is a great pleasure towelcome visiting teams and supporters, match ofcials,members and riends, to our club in this our 121st year.The season 2011-12 promises to be as competitive as ever

and I hope that as well as the rugby you will join us in theclubhouse and enjoy our hospitality ater the game.

We look orward to welcoming riends to Donnybrookrom Leinster in the Leinster League and rom all overIreland in AIL division 2A in what is truly an All Irelandleague. Over the last ew years we have played an open brand o rugby and I hope we can continue to do so andconvert more narrow losses in to winning margins.

Like all clubs we are aced with the emigration scenarioonce again and have lost some o our players rom lastyear who have gone abroad. We are confdent that ouremerging U21’s and a ew useul acquisitions will enableus to compete at the top end o the table this year. I wishour captain and coaches the very best or the season.

Junior rugby is alive and thriving in Old

Wesley with numbers on the increase. As youwill read in this program, last season we wonthe J2 (3rd’s) cup and our J3 (3rd A’s) won theirleague and were beaten fnalists in the cup.Our Under 21 A team perormed well in theirfrst year back in the Premiership and our Bteam, made up o a younger group, showedgreat promise. Our underage (minis/youth)section is extremely well organised withenjoyment o rugby the key priority.

I would like to thank all the volunteers whogive their time to running the club and to ourBar Steward Michael Weaer and all his sta who do trojan work. Coaches, managers,undraisers, committees, volunteers andemployees all play a very important part in therunning o the club but it is the players on thefeld that turn all the work behind the scenesinto real success and enjoyment throughoutthe club. I wish all our coaches, captains andplayers an enjoyable, injury ree and successulyear.

Elverys have been our club sponsors or eightyears and we are extremely grateul or theirsupport. Alan Chapman has yet again puttogether this excellent programme with someinteresting articles rom club members. To allour sponsors, and advertisers in thisprogramme, I extend a huge thank you orhelping us during these difcult fnancial timesand I would urge all our members to supportyour products and services. I would also liketo welcome Ulster Bank as AIL sponsors.

Our club Executive Committee, underChairman David Pierce, put in a lot o work behind the scenes on rugby, fnances andundraising, acilities management and amillion other things a small business has todeal with and I thank them or their support.To all members who take on roles in the clubI look orward to your advice and assistanceduring the year.

Ivan White,President – Old Wesley RFC



8 www.oldwesley.ie

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9www.oldwesley.ie

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Their is no point going on about the situationonly to say that at Old Wesley we are all doing

our best to maintain the fnancial uture o theclub.

Our President Ivan White, has commented on allthe hard work by various groups rom organisingrugby, managing inrastructure, undraising,administration etc and all are working well,thanks to great enthusiasm and energy. Lookingto the uture o Old Wesley and club rugby in

general we are really at a crossroads as to takinga vision on that uture.

The Proessional game is a dierent game in adierent structure. Clubs no longer are theeeding ground to the proessional game as aresult o the academy system which seems to beworking well or the proessional game. Apartrom some proessional players playing at clublevel when not representing their employer, clubs

are totally amateur.

However the Club Rugby playing populationseems to be decreasing, not just rom emigration

but also rom concerns regarding injury, andconsequences or employment. The growth inmany other sports and social activities seems to be taking those who previously played club rugbyto these many other interests.

The challenge is certainly a difcult one or theuture o club rugby. Old Wesley, has ormed astrategy group to address the uture o the club.

Some o the fndings rom this group, while notradical are a change rom the old type rugbyclub.

The club acilities must be attractive to themembers to ensure that they can enjoy moderncomortable acilities. Old Wesley have excellentRugby acilities shared with Lansdowne inBallycorus. However the old part o Donnybrookneeds replacement and plans have been submitted

or its redevelopment incorporating much largerand modern changing rooms.

11www.oldwesley.ie

Message fromDavid Pierce

ChairMan-

old Wesley

rugby Football Club

I am delighted to welcome you today as a visitor to OldWesley and I hope you enjoy your visit. To all memberso the club I hope you enjoy yet another great day out atthe club. At the time o writing this article Ireland have

just completed their warm up matches or the RugbyWorld Cup. Hopeully the results rom these matcheswill not aect the Irish challenge in New Zealand.

As Chairman o the club, the responsibilities placed onthe role is to ensure that the Club is managed efciently,the fnances are monitored closely and the uture strategyor the club is developed and implemented. Having readmany previous Chairman’s articles regarding the uture

o Old Wesley, most o the articles comment on thefnancial uture o clubs and amateur Rugby.

We are all aware o the fnancial situation that we fndourselves in our own lives and at club level resultingrom the change in the economy.




12 www.oldwesley.ie

Contact: Brian Priestman or Oisín O’Buachalla

Proud to support Old Wesley R FC

New & Used Car & Commercial Vehicle Sales

Leasing Services

Multi-Brand Parts & Service Centre

Accident Repair Centre

New Opel Astra3 Door Due

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13www.oldwesley.ie 13www.oldwesley.ie

The new facility will be tailored for familymembers, other clubs usage and an enjoyable

modern facility for all members. The grouphave recommended that new tiers of membership be created.

A Major drive to win back lapsed members tothe club will be required. Look to the parentsand pupils of those schools associatedhistorically to become members of the club.

Encourage members of the local community tojoin the club and associate with small business’sin the area. The growth in women’s rugbycontinues with the possibility of a ladies teamwearing the club colours. Tag rugby for newmembers is starting to show an interest.

The mini rugby has strongly grown over recentyears with the Old Wesley brand, and more

inclusion into the senior club for the families of mini rugby will be encouraged.

The strategy group will continue with its workduring the coming season with progress in allareas mentioned progressing.

Have a great day here at Donnybrook and enjoythe Old Wesley hospitality.

Yours in Rugby.

Dave Pierce,Chairman - Old Wesley RFC

Old Wesley and Corinthians Under 12’s eagerly await the arrival of the senior teams for the AIL match at Corinthian Park, Galway last February

Message from David Pierce (Cont’d)



14 www.oldwesley.ie

Quality Performance

requires Quality Food

15-17 Dunville Avenue,

Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

Tel: 01 497 1254

[email protected]

www.mortons.ieD e l i c a t e s s e n r e c e n t l y o p e n e d a t

P a r k P l a c e , H a t c h S t r e e t .



15www.oldwesley.ie

Message fromGreg Jacob

CaPtain -

old Wesley

rugby Football Club

I would like to take this opportunity as captain o OldWesley to welcome all visitors to Donnybrook or theseason 2011/2012.

It is a great honour or me to captain Old WesleyRugby Football Club in the coming season and in myrole I would like to extend a warm welcome to all ourplayers and members both old and new. Optimismand prospects are high or the 2011/12 season and Ianticipate a highly competitive playing environmentall over the country and look orward to thesechallenges.

I think we have an exciting year ahead o us, with agood pre-season down and the work o the underagesection coming to ruition. Putting all this together Ihope we can build on our current strong position.Although no game will be easy, with hard work,dedication and pride anything is possible.

To all our sponsors, and in particular to our primarysponsor Elverys Sports, many thanks or yourcontinued commitment in what are difcult economic

times. Your help allows the club compete to its ullpotential. Finally, the unwavering dedication o thevarious committees at all levels o the club ensure thatOld Wesley is a great place to play rugby and to meetpeople.

We are grateul or these eorts and long may theycontinue in the uture. Your support means a lot to thesquad and we hope to reward your loyalty this season,

with some great rugby and results. Together, we canensure this great club continues to become stronger.

Greg Jacob,Captain – Old Wesley RFC



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www.oldwesley.ie 17

Elverys Sports, the ofcial sponsors o the OldWesley Rugby Football Club, would like tocongratulate the players and management at OldWesley or their continued commitment overthe past year. We, along with the supporters, arelooking orward to the action over the coming

year and wish all Old Wesley teams every successin their respective competitions.

Elverys Sports is the Ofcial Retail Partner to theIRFU and remains the leading retailer in rugbyin Ireland. In keeping with our reputation orstocking a great product range, expert sta andcommitment to grassroots level development, wewill strive to maintain our status as the numberone destination or rugby players and supportersalike.

As Ireland’s oldest sports store, Elverys Sports isdelighted to be associated with Old Wesley, oneo the oldest rugby clubs in the country. Our jointcommitment to Irish rugby, rom grassroots tothe proessional ranks, is a clear indication o thebright uture that lies ahead or rugby in Ireland.

We are very pleased to be associated with one o the top perorming clubs in the sport.

Elverys Sports would like to take the opportunityto thank the club members and supporters at OldWesley or their continued support.

Ailbhe FarrellMarketing Manager

A message from our Sponsor

ofcial Club spnr



18 www.oldwesley.ie

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GOOD LUCK TO OLD WESLEY IN 2011 - 2012!

From all in Killester Travel



19www.oldwesley.ie

Acknowledgements:Cover Design & Layout: Murray Concepts.Photographs: Ken Richardson, Des Johnson.

Printed by: Turners of Longford.

Old Wesley R.F.C. wish to thank all those whocontributed articles to this Programme and to all Sponsorsand Advertisers for their very generous support.

The views expressed by contributors in the programme are

personal ones and are not necessarily those o the Club.

Programme Committee:Alan Chapman and Ivan White.

Club Contact Details:Telephone: Bar: 01 660 9893

Ofce: 01 668 9153Fax: 01 668 6471

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.oldwesley.ie

e Fary

Chairmano Rugby

Mark duffySenior Deputy

President

ivan Wh President

dav PrcChairman

trnc Chlan Hon. Secretary

Mark garan Hon. Treasurer

dav turnrClub Facilities Manager

Jhnny skrr

FixturesSecretary

Phlp orr

Representative to Leinster Branch

blly brwn

Public RelationsOfcer

Pr squr

Chairman o Fundraising

Jmmy byrn Junior Deputy

President

Ofcers o Old Wesley RFC 2011 - 2012



20 www.oldwesley.ie

A&L Goodbodyis delighted to support

Old Wesley RFC

For further information please contact:Alan Johnston, Partner, Tel: +353 1 649 2382, Email: [email protected]&L Goodbody, IFSC, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1Web: www.algoodbody.com

A



www.oldwesley.ie 21

Leinster’s Heineken Cup Victory

When Leo Cullen invited Gordon D’Arcy andShane Horgan to join him on the space o theHeineken Cup winner’s podium normally

reserved or the captain in May 2011, theensuing presentation concluded a joyouscampaign in which the province was onceagain named the top club in Europe .

There is no doubt, that Heineken Cup triumphprovided Leinster Rugby with an internationalplatorm and promotion o the reasons behindtheir recent successes. However, any objectiveanalysis invariably comes to the conclusion

that, like most sporting successes, the hardwork started early and at home.

A quick scan across the current playing squad

will lead you to clubs like Bective Rangers,Boyne, Cill Dara, Clontarf, Dundalk,Lansdowne, Naas and Tullow who have eachplayed their part in ostering the developmento players in Europe’s top team.

Those links, which were chiey cultivated inclub rugby’s thriving Youth and Underage setups, provided the platorm or these youngstersto get involved in the game. For any who still

doubt the expanding reach o the provincialsquad note that the aorementioned triohail rom Wicklow, Wexord and Meathrespectively.

Leinster Rugby is biggerthan any one team andthe growing structures

at all levels o the gamehave enabled the Seniorteam to be successul.Those solid oundationshave allowed theconstruction o the veryimpressive Squad whichis now delivering success with regularity.

Clubs like Old Wesley have been at the

oreront o this development or many yearsby producing outstanding players, coachesand administrators who have each enrichedthe game o rugby in Ireland. It is no accidentthat Leinster’s frst administrative base was aPortakabin adjacent to the Club’s pavilionjust 10 years ago.

That the current Leinster ofces are a meredrop kick away rom the clubhouse is urther

indication that the administrative centre o the game relies on having a good relationshipwith both Old Wesley and their ellow tenantsin Donnybrook, Bective Rangers. The beneftsextend to both Clubs and Leinster Rugby inmany dierent ways, not least in the ground-sharing or Senior riendlies, ‘A’ games, British& Irish Cup games and the Schools game.

Leinster Rugby are lucky to be able to call

upon three top class acilities, within a two-mile circumerence o the traditional centrein Donnybrook. The Aviva Stadium,Donnybrook and the RDS each serves aunique but complementary purpose orvarious needs o the game. Record Leinsterseason ticket sales o over 13,000 in summer2010 laid the oundation or the AvivaStadium Celtic League 48,000 record crowdagainst Munster, and an Irish record or a

Heineken Cup Pool attendance o 42,000against Clermont.


Stars of the future including, from left,Richard Tobin, Tom McCarthy, Eoghan O’Riordan,

Peter McConville, Cian O’Riordan and Jack McNicholl

Peter

breen



22 www.oldwesley.ie

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www.oldwesley.ie 23

On the 2nd o July 2010, Mark Pollock ell

rom a second story window. A catastrophicspinal cord injury has let him completelyparalysed rom the waist down. Cruelly thisis not Mark’s frst tragedy. When he wasonly 22 he lost his sight.

The Mark Pollock Trust has been set up byriends to assist with the capital and ongoingcosts specifcally associated with his spinalinjury - including a team o rehabilitationspecialists, physiotherapy equipment, visits

to specialised spinal injury recovery centresand wheelchairs.

ContaCt us at

[email protected]

or Call piers White on

087 3695362 to donate

or to find out hoW

to get involved.

You Can help mark to break

through the barriers that

paralYsis & blindness have

plaCed around him.

WWW.markpolloCktrust.org

i

Leinster’s Heineken Cup Victory (Cont’d)

These games, combined with the regular RDSbased matches in the Magners League, meantmore people than ever had been through the

turnstiles to watch Leinster play. A key actorin this has been a exible approach to pricingwhich has allowed tickets to be accessible to awide variety o supporters – an especiallyimportant actor in the current climate.

Initiatives such as the “ One Province ” and“Hour o Power” have enabled newer andyounger supporters the opportunity topurchase tickets or some o the biggest and

most important matches at a lowcost. While trying to avoid fxtureclashes with televised games in theRDS/Aviva Stadium has minimiseddisruption to the club fxture listas ar as possible.

The policy o creating match-dayoccasions beyond the game on thepitch has also been expanded and

has oered supporters a widerrange o benefts and value tocompliment the competitivepricing structure.

This has been seen both at theRDS with our biggest ever“Halloween Thriller”, “LadiesNight”, and “Kids Takeover Day”and at the Aviva Stadium or the

opening derby match againstMunster and “Fever in the Aviva”against ASM Clermont Auvergnein December.

A highlight o the Clermont matchwas 4,000 young supporters, whohad availed o the “One Province”scheme, had travelled rom allover the province to cheer the

team onto a amous victory on abitterly cold winter’s night.

The positive exposure o Leinster Rugbyundoubtedly has positive knock on eects orall the Province clubs and through outlets such

as the Evening Herald “Leinster Rugby FridaySupplement” and www.leinsterrugby.ie along-side traditional coverage in both the local andnational media – there are now many moreopportunities to gain positive exposure.




24 www.oldwesley.ie

K i e l y so f D o n n b r o o k

No 1 Rugby PubBest Wishes to

Old Wesley Rugby Football Club

CHECK US OUT ON FACEBOOK !www.kielysofdonnybrook.ie

TEL 2830208/9



www.oldwesley.ie 25

One o the telling stories rom the build up tothe Heineken Cup fnal, was the opportunityor in the region o 40 clubs across the provinceto became ‘local hubs’ to show their supportor their team and in doing so entice potentialnew club members to their acilities as well asshowcasing rugby in their area in a positivelight.

There is an impression that, similar to thegains or clubs rom winning the ChampionsLeague in ootball or in winning the ‘£100million match’ in gaining promotion to thePremier League across the water, that there is amassive cash cow or clubs who win the

Heineken Cup.

While there is a direct beneft in terms o increased jersey and/or season ticket sales, theonus is on each club to maximise the success.

However prize monies and increased TVincome accrue to the IRFU which means thatall our provincial Branches o the IRFU enjoya tiered unding beneft, each depending on

their own individual requirements. So, inessence, i one or two clubs achieve, then allcan enjoy a share o the cake.

From a Leinster perspective, a major source o Province investment is in increasing theunding o the Leinster Community RugbyDepartment whose ofcers do huge work inbuilding the game up in traditional and non-traditional rugby areas.

Though every player dreams o one dayemulating the likes o the Cullens, O’Briens,O’Driscolls and Sextons etc., increasedparticipation at all levels o the game is theunderlying objective or the province.

The beneft o welcoming new players into thesystem at a young age can also, critically, have

positive knock-on eects or each and everyclub and school. And that, it is hoped, is wherethe success grows.

With that reality in mind, there is no doubtthat Old Wesley continue to make their long-standing contribution to Leinster. So whenyou look at the powerul success imagery,remember that the cycle o strength begins atthe core o the oundation…

Peter Breen,Leinster Rugby,Media & Communications Ofcer

Leinster’s Heineken Cup Victory (Cont’d)



26 www.oldwesley.ie

John Hastings

& Sons Ltd.Best Wishes toOld Wesley RFC

for their 2011/12 season

Abbey Mills,

Roscrea, Co. Tipperary



www.oldwesley.ie 27

Ulster Bank All Ireland LeagueDivision 2A Fixtures 2011-12

1st October 2011 V Old Crescent (Home) A narrow win 14-7 in Rosbrien last year against atough pack. Old Crescent will want to bounce backater surviving a play o last season to stay inDivision 2.

8th October 2011 V Thomond (Away) Probably our best performance last year in Donnybrook. Thomond will be a dierent proposition in Limerick.

15th October 2011 V Midleton (Home) Midleton beat us 23-20 last year with a last minutepenalty at “Towns Park”. Always well prepared andwholehearted. Should be closely contested again.

29th October 2011 V Instonians (Away) Our frst o three visits to Belast - Newlypromoted Instonians are no strangers to us.Since inception o AIL we have met on numerousoccasions with a 50:50 record.

5th November 2011 V City o Derry (Home) Having dropped out o the AIL three years ago

City have now reinstated themselves frmly withpromotion in their frst year back. Prolifc pointsscorers last year.

26th November 2011 V Clonakilty (Home) Ding dong game last year which Old Wesleywon 40-20 at the Vale. Clon have proven overthe years that they are ormidable opponentsand usually improve as the year progresses.

3rd December 2011 V Seapoint (Away) Promoted in their frst year in the AIL we visit ourSouth Dublin neighbours or the frst time at AIL level.Very much in-orm team and likely to test all comers inKilbogget Park.

10th December 2011 V Terenure (Home) We welcome our old riends rom Terenure or ourlast game beore a seven week break. Always welldrilled and highly motivated, Nure play a fast 15 man

game. Beat us well 37-17 last year.

29th January 2012 V Queens Univ. (Away) Games against Queens are highly unpredictable andwe have experienced our air share o heavy deeats(and some good victories) against them. Likely to be nodierent. Queens won 23-17 last year.

4th February 2012 V Bective (Home) Bective travel south to us having narrowly ailed last year in a playo to gain promotion. The most

consistent club in the AIL have beaten us in our lasttwo meetings. 12-5 last year.

18th February 2012 V Malone (Away) Last trip to Belast or our visit to Gibson Park.Malone beat us 39-3 in our opening game last year

3rd March 2012 V Corinthians (Home) Great match last year drawn (27 – 27) with a greatcomeback rom Old Wesley. Always great gamesagainst our riends rom Galway.

24th March 2012 V DLSP (Away) DLSP fnished very strongly last year beating uswell in Donnybrook – we having beaten them in KirwanPark the previous year. Our turn again!!

30th March 2012 V Greystones (Home) Greystones are straight back up ater one year in

Friday division 3. Always ull o running, will bring a large bando supporters or this evening fxture.

14th April 2012 V Trinity (Away) Trinity beat us 22-10 last season and will hope to be incontention at this stage. Always strong in College Park.

(Match details correct at time of going to print)



28 www.oldwesley.ie



www.oldwesley.ie 29

“Lewi” blows the fnal whistle!

As Alan Lewis puts away his Internationalwhistle, I am delighted to have this opportunityto reect a little on his career. In eect, all I

really need to say is 47 major Tests and 83European Cup matches, and then put awaymy pen, enough said. A career o Internationalexcellence, longevity and commitment ismirrored in these statistics. In terms o hisother passion and sporting success, cricket,“what a knock!”

As Lewi (which he is to one and all) closes thisdoor, nothing is more certain than that he is

opening another – such is his infniteenthusiasm that moving on, changingdirection or picking up another task is just,well, automatic.

More than anything it is this enthusiasm andhis Corinthian spirit which will be missed,and, o course, his perpetual good humour.Some o his humour was perhaps(!)unintentional, and he has let us with somegreat moments: I will not orget the look o

utter astonishment and incomprehension on aWelsh prop’s ace who queried a decision, towhich Lewi replied in broken (very) French“un peu comme-ci comme-ca!!”

In Twickenham as Englandplayed Australia, Lewislipped eortlessly into an

Oz accent (well, they areoreigners!) to more easilyhave his explanationsunderstood. So there youare, that’s uent Frenchand Oz, on top o everything! My own career fnished inMurrayfeld when Scotland played SouthArica, and Alan ran touch that day, so I canclaim happily that our careers overlapped,

just!

Shortly aterwards I took up my role with theIRFU and said to Lewi that I wouldn’t eelsuccessul until he had reed more matchesthan I had at Test level, and he did, and thenhe kept going and going, not having thedecency to call a halt until now. It has beennothing but a privilege to work with him, tohelp him prepare and to analyse his

perormances. Apart rom the attributes Ihave mentioned already, Lewi’s willingness toaccept his mistakes, to learn rom them, andto eradicate them were key or both hisexcellence and his long-term success.

He would be the frst to admit that it wasn’tall plain sailing, and he needed to work veryhard to add technical knowledge and aplanned tactical approach to his natural

instinctive eel or the game. Once he beganto put the whole package together, I reallybelieved that there would be little that couldstop him; and there wasn’t.

O course he had to train to a very high level,but ftness came naturally to him and hestayed pretty much injury ree. In act, worldreereeing was ortunate that his only seriousinjury was the one which put a halt to a very

promising playing career – he was a fneNo.10 or Old Wesley when they reached thefnal o the then McCorry Cup.


oWen

doyle

Lewi has a quiet word with South AfricanWorld Cup winning Captain, John Smith



30 www.oldwesley.ie



www.oldwesley.ie 31

(This gives me the much needed opportunityto say that I was on a UCD team which won it– that and French being the only two things

where I can claim to have outdone him!)

Highlights….. Probably too many to mention,but I will try to pick a ew:

England v New Zealand at Twickenham wasas hard and intense as they come, perhapsharder, and Lewi delivered a perormancethat was “right up there,” and included 3yellow cards or the ‘Blacks.’ Maybe one toomany, but which one?! But what a match.

Leicester v Wasps, the Heineken Cup Final.Two English teams playing a wonderul matchand, although not much love was lost betweenthem, the accuracy o Lewi’s decisions and hiscalmness o communication contributedhugely to the occasion and the act that noincident o oul play occurred when somemay, perhaps, have been anticipated.

RWC 2007. Throughout the competition he

perormed to a very high and consistent leveland this, I can assure you, is a lot moredicult than it sounds. This was recognisedand he was rewarded with a quarter nal,South Arica v Fiji. This was a real case o reereeing what develops in ront o you withno preconceived ideas; or a long time SouthArica were on the ropes and the score wastied at 20-20 going into the last twentyminutes at a packed Stade Velodrome inMarseilles. Two tries in the last ten minutes

gave South Arica a 37-20 win, and theybreathed a mighty sigh o relie beore latergoing on to the Final and to lit the Cup.

Alain Rolland was chosen or the Final, withLewi surely not ar behind and – as theconsummate team player – was genuinelydelighted or Alain and eusive in hiscongratulations. The three o us celebratedwith a glass or two o bubbly, well… Rollers

had water! He will, o course, always havevery poignant memories o Scotland vAustralia, as just beore kick-o Lewi learnedthat his ather, Ian, had been taken veryseriously ill.

We, as I said, were always ready to expect theunexpected rom him, such as last Season(again at Twickenham) when noticing hisboot lace had become undone, he needed atowel to be brought on so that he could sitdown (the pitch was damp, ater all!) and re-tie it. Unortunately (perhaps ortunately!), Ican’t nd the photo o him having his ear-piece xed with his shorts down around hisknees in RWC 2003, but I must remind you.In his deence he had thought that thecommunication belt around his waist waswhere the ault lay, and accordingly, dropped‘em, revealing a nice line in boxers, merciullynot speedos! As this photo fashed (intendedpun) across the sporting media I thought“that’s Lewi, unobtrusive to a ault!”

Throughout his career Lewi has been open,honest, true to himsel and a real team-player– it’s certainly a truism that without these you

can’t become what he has become, or makethe contribution he has made and will continueto make.

In all o this, the unsung heroes have beenSharon, Robin and Gabby whose support andpatience have been wonderul, and, I suspect,they have helped to keep his eet rmly plantedon the ground!

Again…. ‘what a knock’….now or the second

innings!

Owen Doyle,Director of Referees, IRFU

ALAN LEWIS (Cont’d)



32 www.oldwesley.ie



33www.oldwesley.ie

Leinster and Old Wesley registered player Richardt Strauss who paid a visit to Mini Rugby at Ballycorus on Sunday

(7th November). Richardt met many of the players and also signed autographs and had some photos taken.

The photo above shows Richardt with some of our Under 8’s players.

Neale Richmond pictured with rugby playing street kids in Accra, Ghana. Having previously spent 6 months living

and coaching rugby in Ghana in 2007, Neale returned this summer for a visit and to deliver a fresh set of jerseys

donated by Old Wesley as well as additional kit donated by club members.



34 www.oldwesley.ie

Head Ofce: Main Street, Urlingford. Tel: 056 - 8831106



www.oldwesley.ie 35

Old Wesleyans who played cricket for Ireland.

Sam Crawford (DUCC) (1880-1941)(1 cap)Sam surprisingly only played once but it wasin a victory over London County captainedby WG Grace at the Marydke.

He took 6 wickets in the match. Sam won aLeinster Schools rugby medal with Wesley in

1909 beore going to Trinity. There were atleast 5 other members o the Craword amilywho were members o Old Wesley at the time,one o whom was the Principal o the College.Craword’s Garage, Dun Laoire became aamily business.

Marcus Ruddle(PHOENIX) (1905-1986)(1 cap)Marcus was a member o an outstandingPhoenix side that included Jimmy Boucherand all the Quinns, most o whom playedrugby or Old Belvedere.

His ather Ian won an Old Wesley Honours

cap in 1896. Marcus was a regular supportero Old Wesley during his playing days and orthe rest o his lie.

Ernie Bodell (Clontarf) (1928-2003)

(6 caps)Ernie played 6 times or Ireland between 1954and 1959. This was a period when there wereew cap matches. For instance, in 1954 and 1955there were only three internationals played eachyear. Nowadays there could be upwards o orty.He played his cricket or Clontar and was anaggressive medium ast opening bowler.

Ernie was President o Old Wesley in 1981/82

and is remembered as a player who gave muchback to the club by enthusiastically agreeing tothe thankless task o reereeing.

Old Wesley, despite drawing many o its players rom schools that alsoplay cricket, never appear to have considered incorporating a cricketsection, although Rance Ramblers now contain a large number o OWmembers. It is difcult to think o many places where an Old WesleyCricket Club would have played. School grounds, such as the WesleyCollege playing felds in Bloomfeld, were generally unsuitable.

However the St. Andrew’s sports felds in Donnybrook (now RTE) whichwere extensive and close to the clubhouse in Donnybrook would havebeen ideal. A not particularly extensive research into the history o Irish cricket and Old Wesleyhas produced ten members o the club that represented Ireland on the cricket feld.


MiChael

halliday



36 www.oldwesley.ie

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www.oldwesley.ie 37

Louis Jacobson

(DUCC,CLONTARF,CARLISLE)(born 1918)(12 caps)

A Past President o Old Wesley, Louis was aperectionist when batting. His greatest

achievement or Ireland was 101 v Scotland in1950. He named his son Denis ater the greatDenis Compton and his house ComptonHouse. He was always available with useulcomments on any subject, but particularlycricket.

Mike Halliday(DUCC,

PHOENIX)(born 1948)(93 caps) Captain 25 times andholds a peculiar recordin losing the toss 17 timesin succession.

Feels privileged and ortunate to have been

able to represent Ireland over a 20 year period.Bowled o breaks and remembers, withpleasure, inveigling Alan Lewis (YMCA) tohit a boundary catch to Dermot Strong in aLeinster fnal in 1989. A rather pedestriancentre, he did however win a Tom Fox medalwith Old Wesley in 1976.

Stan Mitchell (QUBCC,

NEWCASTLEUNIVERSITY,

PHOENIX)(born 1946)(3 caps)

Unlucky to win only3 caps, Stan top scored with 41 v Holland in

1974. A Past President o the Irish CricketUnion, (now Cricket Ireland) Stan is a loyalsupporter o Irish cricket and was present in Jamaica in 2007 when Ireland beat Pakistanand also in Bangalore in 2011 when Irelandbeat England.

Captained Phoenix to a unique treble o Leinster trophies in 1975. A powerul centrewho ran like a deer, Stan played on the1st XV in 1972/3 and won a Winters Cup

medal in 1976, the frst time since 1909 thatOld Wesley had won a Leinster trophy. Still aregular supporter at Donnybrook.

Alan Lewis(YMCA)

(born 1964)(121 caps)A fne career in cricketand as a renownedinternational rugbyreeree, rom whichrole he has recentlyretired at the age o 47.

Alan was a good team player, an attractiveattacking bat and eective medium-astbowler. He also played at the top standard o grade cricket in Australia. Still playing seniorcricket or YMCA, he remembers, withhorror, hitting a catch to Dermot Strong o ahal volley rom Mike Halliday in a Leinsterfnal in 1989. Hit 4 centuries or Ireland.Once fned or wearing sun glasses at midnightin a night club in Harare. A bad leg injury

ended his rugby playing career at the age o 19 and he was then persuaded to take upreereeing. A good enorced career move.


Old Wesleyans who played cricket for Ireland (Cont’d)



38 www.oldwesley.ie



www.oldwesley.ie 39

Conor Hoey(DUCC, CYM, OLD

BELVEDERE)(born 1968) (42 caps)An accurate leg spin bowler (there are notmany o them around) who has played moregames or Trinity than anybody else, goingback to play in 2011 to lend some experience.Took 78 wickets or Ireland between 1991and 1995.

Ireland’s frst proessional coach, MikeHendrick, demanded that all players reportor training in Belast on Sunday mornings.Conor (Beany) Hoey was playing ullback orOld Wesley in the AIL on Saturdays,captaining the club in 1996/97. He declinedthe invitation to Belast and thus stoppedplaying Irish cricket by choice. Known tosuer rom night starvation, he always hadsome cake handy to eat at 3 am.

Keith Bailey(YMCA) (born 1964)

(11 caps)An accomplished wicket keeper who had toplay second fddle on the Irish team to Paul Jackson (NICC), one o the greatest Irishkeepers o all time. A scrum hal in his youth,Keith also did some reereeing. (Like all scrumhalves). Son o John, (President in 1985/6)and long serving Old Wesley alickadoo.

Deryck Vincent (Clontarf) (born 1964)(21 caps)A stylish opening bat and excellent felder.Excellent quick scrum hal, small o staturebut big o heart. A fne sportsman and nowa very accomplished sports photographer.Deryck joined Old Wesley rom High Schoolin 1982 and was part o the McCorry cupfnal team which included Alan Lewis andKeith Bailey in 1982/83.

For many years he starred at scrum hal onthe 1st XV and surprised many an oppositionbackrower with his tenacious tackling andspeed.

Old Wesleyans who played cricket for Ireland (Cont’d)

Irish Cricket Team - 1991

ConorHoey

AlanLewis

KeithBailey

DeryckVincent



40 www.oldwesley.ie



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www.oldwesley.ie 43

Tales from Abroad

Sean O’Neill –

Turks & Caicos Islands

Ater representing Old Wesley at Under 20level, Sean went on to represent a number o junior teams throughout the club and sharesthe unique distinction o being a dualinternational representing the Turks & CaicosIslands in both ootball and rugby.

A qualifed solicitor, Sean has recentlyreturned to the Turks & Caicos Islands towork alongside his Father in the amily

practice.

“Having let Old Wesley or the second time,I fnd mysel back playing rugby in the Turksand Caicos. In the ew years I was away thegame has continued to develop. This year sawthe opening o our own grass pitch which ishelping the Union develop, so much so thatwe now have a 20/20 cricket side that will betaking part in the Cricket Association’sleague.

This year we have hosted a team rom New Jersey, played in a tournament in New York,played an inter union 12s match and areestablishing a beach rugby league. We arenow working towards developing a Sevensteam to compete at the Caribbean IRB Sevensin Barbados in November.

The Junior Programme is running well and

I am now involved as a Junior RugbyDevelopment Ofcer. The kids are excellentathletes but with rugby still being a new sporthere they are only learning to play the game.

In spite o little fnancial support rom theIRB the game has grown due to the hard workand dedication o volunteers and localsponsors.

We look orward to fnishing our clubhousein the next month so we can sit out, drinkbeers and talk about what the players on thepitch should have done, just like Old Wesley.

We just need to get Michael to run the bar!”

It is indeed a real “sign o the times” that somany o our players are acing the prospect o travelling abroad to pursue careers.

It is heartwarming to see that inspite o thistheir love o rugby does not diminish and hasin part helped them to integrate and settle intheir new ound homes.

Sean O’Neill, Chris McClean, Johnny Kerins,Marc Warburton and Alan Dunne are fvesuch players and over the next ew pages we

catch up with them to discuss rugby talesrom abroad.

Turks & Caicos International, Sean O’Neill,sharing tips on International rugby with

French captain Thierry Dusautoir

Colin

WallaCe

sPeCial

CorresPondant




44 www.oldwesley.ie

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www.oldwesley.ie 45

Tales from Abroad (Cont’d)

Johnny Kerins – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Fondly reerred to as ‘Teapot’ in light o hisamiliar pose on the rugby pitch, Johnny wasa hooker on the 1st XV or a number o seasons beore departing to Riyadh in SaudiArabia. “I am struggling to describe Rugby inSaudi Arabia... It is o course Haram here(against Islam and thus slightly outlawed) but

we play all the same. There are only 3 or 4teams in the whole country however, there aremany teams to play in the neighbouringcountries. Our team is called Riyadh Falconsand we train thanks to BAE Systems whokindly aord us the use o their acilities.

The training numbers can vary rom 10 to 40people. 99% expats and with a very diverseskill set. The temperature at the moment in

the evenings is around 40 degrees celsiuswhich can be a bit draining but the biggerproblem is the constant dust cloud outside.

Recently we played in the Dubai Sevenswinning the ‘Gul mens open Platecompetition’ which was a very big achievementor the team. On a side note, the Dubai Sevensis a must and rates higher in my book than theKinsale Sevens, which says a lot.

All in all it could be better but it also could bea lot worse. Missing the banter ater the

Wesley matches is the hardest thing to replaceand no doubt I will be back climbing (allingrom) the raters again soon.”

Chris McClean – Brisbane, Australia

Ater joining Old Wesley immediately aterschool, Chris captained the Under-20 sidebeore quickly making the move up to Seniorlevel and becoming a fxture in the 1st XVback-row. Chris moved to Australia the dayater playing in the Division 3 fnal againstCorinthians and still continues to receiveupdates throughout the season rom hisparents, Hazel and David, who still religiouslyollow the team.

“I’m living in Brisbane and playing or NorthBrisbane (Norths RFC). I always wanted tocome to Australia or New Zealand and play aseason or two,” said Chris. “Unortunately Idislocated my shoulder last season and onlyplayed 5 games but this season so ar so good!We play in the Brisbane Senior competition.

This is made up o 9 teams playing each other

home and away. Clubs in Brisbane typicallyhave teams rom Premier Grade to 4th Grade.I play mostly in 1st grade (2nds basically).

The standard is good, very quick and nokicking! The social side is a little dierent butstill good ater a home game we have a BBQand beers, then head out. There is also Ladiesday, Pacifc Islander day etc.”




46 www.oldwesley.ie

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Marc Warburton – Singapore

Ater spells with both Trinity and Lansdowne,Marc join Old Wesley in 2008/09 and waspart o the squad that won the Division 3crown as well as representing Ireland in theAmateur Club International that season.Remembered by many as an extremely modestand humble individual, Marc moved toSingapore in August 2010 and has been sorelymissed both on and o the feld since hisdeparture. “I moved out to Singapore last August having

tired o repetitive days in work, brutal Irishsummers, and the shocking avoritism showntowards Paul O’Connell by the Irish selectioncommittee. It’s been 10 months now since Itook the plunge and I have to say I’ve lovedmy time here so ar. Beore I got here I waslucky enough to already have 2 mates romTrinity living in Singapore and playing rugbyor a club called Singapore Cricket Club.

The SCC is based right in the middle o thecity-centre and the clubhouse is a beautiul,old-school colonial building. It’s much moreo a club in the expat sense with lots o dierent sports sections, 4 bars, 3 restaurants,and social events throughout the week. Wetrain and play on a patch o grass called the‘Padang’ - amous in Singapore or it’s locationand historical signifcance.

Training and games are played in disgustingheat. Given it’s hard to tie your shoelace herewithout breaking into a sweat, games can beabsolute torture. But the silver lining comeswhen you walk off the pitch. - there’s always acooler box full of beers, an air conditionedchanging room, and an old Malaysian fellathat gives you a fresh towel for your shower........

Jimmy Byrden, I hope you’re taking note! There are 5 teams in the club and the standardvaries hugely from complete novices right the

way through to ex-pros. The teams are mostlymade up of Kiwis, Aussies, English, Frenchand some Singaporeans. There are also SouthAfricans, Scots, Irish, Swiss, Dutch, andFijians, which makes for serious rivalry oninternational weekends when games are shownon the big screen in the clubhouse.

Six Nations games kick-off between 11pm and3am - and you’re doing well the next morningif you can remember who won, let alone how

the game went. Rugby out here is old-school,and very much focused on the social side of thegame. People play to make friends and chatover a beer after training or games. There’sonly 4 clubs in the top league so we play eachregularly. Everyone from the different clubsare mates with each other.





48 www.oldwesley.ie

Billy Gorman

Would like to wish

Old Wesley RFC

Best Wishes for

the Season ahead2011 - 2012

every success for the 2011/2012 season



www.oldwesley.ie 49

Alan Dunne – Wanaka, New Zealand

Alan was a member o the 1st XV or anumber o seasons and “Player o the Year”in the 2007/08 season.

He has been living and working in thepicturesque Wanaka on the South Island in

New Zealand or the past 3 years and hasrecently represented the North Otagoprovincial side.

I’m currently living and playing rugby inWanaka, New Zealand. This is a smallSouth Island Otago Country town with apopulation o about 5,500but it gets a lot biggerduring both “New Years”

and “Ski Season” wheresnow lovers rom all overthe world come or acouple o months to skiand snow board.

A Wanaka local that I metin Ireland persuaded meto come here instead o Australia back in 2008

and I’m very happy he didas the years have own byand I have enjoyed everyminute o it.

We play in the Otago country league and therugby is a good standard considering thenumbers are pretty low because it’s such aremote place. The social side is very similarto home with plenty o wild bus trips andskulling beers while hanging upside down

rom the raters.

We have had good success over the last ewyears with reaching the fnal and semi-fnalo our league in recent years.

Because o the lack o teams we also play a loto games against clubs rom other countries inAsia. For example, every September we head

out to Hong Kong or a game against theHong Kong Football Club, and every Januarywe travel up to Kuala Lumpur to play a teamcalled Kobra.

There are also 10s or 7s tournaments everyyear in Phuket, Beijing, Manila, Bangkok,Hong Kong, and Cambodia. The mostmemorable part o my frst season here wasplaying or the national team at the Asian 5Nations Division 1 Finals.

Being roughly 9 inches taller than the tallestlocal second row, the coach was pleased tohear I was born in Singapore and thereore

qualifed or the national team! Singapore isin the second division o the Asian league sowe headed out to Korea last month to competeagainst Malaysia, Philippines and Korea.

We ended up beating Malaysia comortablyenough but lost the fnal to Korea in a 40,000seater (empty!) stadium. All in all a brilliantexperience and I was delighted to get my frstcouple o caps or Singapore.”




50 www.oldwesley.ie

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www.oldwesley.ie 51

It was good to see the connection betweenOld Wesley and the triumphant New ZealandTeam at the recent Under 20’s World

Championship, held during the Summer inItaly, shown exclusively on Sky TV.

Mark Anscombe who coached Old Wesleyrom 1994 to 1996 coached the New Zealandside and his son Gareth was out-hal. NewZealand, as one would expect, were aormidable side and are the only team ever tohave won this particular tournament. Theybeat Wales (92-0), Italy (64-7) and Argentina

(48-15) in the pool stages beore going on todeeat Australia (37-7) and England (33-22)in the semi-fnal and fnal respectively. Garethended the tournament with the distinction o being top points scorer or the tournament,“Man o the Match” in the Final and “Playero the Tournament.”

Many o you will remember Mark, his wieTracey and their young amily - Elisa, Gareth

and his twin sister Chloe. Mark previouslycoached Northland or three years and is nowHead Coach o Auckland, in addition tocoaching the New Zealand Under 20’s.

In a recent e-mail received rom Mark he tellsus that Gareth represented New ZealandSchools and in his frst season out o schoolplayed fve senior games or Auckland scoring90 points. He has now received a contractwith the ‘Blues’ or their coming season2011-2012.

We would like to take this opportunity tocongratulate both Mark and Gareth on theirunique achievement and to wish them everysuccess in their uture rugby careers. Also,we hope it wont be too long beore we canwelcome them back to Donnybrook.

Mark and Gareth Anscombe

Coach Mark Anscombe cast a watchful eye over

another game

Gareth (left) bursts through the Australian cover

Gareth sends another kick heading for 3 points



52 www.oldwesley.ie

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Old Wesley RFCall the best for thenew season in Division 2

Contact: Stephen Walker

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J2 Win O`Connell Cup

Scarcely has a more improbable cup win beenachieved in Old Wesley’s history than thatachieved last season when the J2 (3rd XV)

captained by Peter Wallace beat Clontar 8-3to raise the O’Connell cup on a balmy Aprilevening.

It was a ar cry to a rustrating leaguecampaign summed up ater a lacklustre frsthal perormance against Terenure in Octoberwhen the team were asked i they wouldpreer to swap their gum shields or tag belts.

Turnaround the season they did and postChristmas the squad began to take shape withthe return o a number o players, Mark TollLennon, Phil “The Power” and MichaelGlynn, the back line began to play “sexy”rugby and increase the number o six packsmuch to veteran Dave Bursey’s displeasure.

With the added bonus o Ross Johnson’s brie orray into College rugby, Cillian Suiter’scameo rom Medical School and NealeRichmond’s politically enorced hiatus, a cupchallenge rather than run was being mooted.

The frst round pittedthe team against CYMin Terenure on a pitch

where playing withwidth could have youendangering the playerson the bowling greens.The league fxtures hadmeant this was the thirdmeeting o the seasonbetween the two sides with Wesley comortablywinning the frst two, however, Robbie Lovewas keen to emphasis the dierence cup rugby

can be.

It was unlikely that “The Great One” hasspoken truer words and ater an early penaltyit was CYM who drew frst blood interceptingrom the unlikeliest source Dave “Pick anddrive” Bursey. Wesley stuck at it and camethrough 32-17 with some fne showings romKier Johnson and Tagh Kirby (one hal o theCastlebar duo). Following this fxture theteam was inormed that frst round is a bitearly to use your get out o jail card but youhave!!

grahaM

riChMond



www.oldwesley.ie 55

J2 Win O`Connell Cup (Cont’d)

Malahide were up next and a ar morephysical encounter was expected, as coachI advised caution in the frst twenty and to

play pitch position.

This advise was adhered to and we collectedthe kick o on our own line and went thelength o the pitch with Brendan Phelanrounding o the try o the season. This putMalahide on the back oot and we advancedmainly due to the increasingly reliable rightboot o Ronan”Splint”Donovan. 16-7.

So it came to pass we ound ourselves upagainst ‘Rock in the semi-fnal, no team talkrequired just look what’s in ront o you. Thismost intense o encounters saw ‘Rock gainthe upper hand but we dragged ourselves backinto it and drew level just beore hal timewith a fne try rom guess who? B. Phelan.

Rock were not going to back down and thesecond hal began with us deending resolutely- none more so than Johnny Willis and Tollerat outhal. Blackrock were starting to fnd therepeated orrays o Nigel Kinlan hard to dealwith, coupled with the composed Ross Johnson at ull back.

It was through this source that the gamesclinching score came just as extra-time seemedunavoidable, “Splint” added the extras and a

fnal awaited us. So on a Friday night inDonnybrook this largely youthul Wesley sideaced up to a Clontar side ull o AILexperience. It was the one Wesley player withmore than a ew AIL fxtures to his name,“Burse” who set the tone and Wesley startedto dominate and got their just rewards whenB. Phelan scored the opening try.

Wesley ailed to convert their pressure and

better skill level in an opening hal when,Danny McGing, Keith Kane (Kaner), CarlKabena and John Wallace were unlucky notto score. The second hal proved to be asterner test o our resolve in which the likes o Mark Holland, Peter Wallace and “Phil thePower” showed their true will. The game wasless o a spectacle in the second hal but truegrit and will won the day.

The result spoke volumes or the character o the squad, too numerous to mention, butenjoy it lads - because you really deserved it.

Graham Richmond

“Burse” on the break with Michael Glynn in close support Anxious moments for the management team







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old Wesley 1st

Bck row: (L to r) Mtt Cockett, Tstn Gooboy, robbe Bnnste,deek Wllce, John Coll, rche Muphy, By McLoughln, JohnnyButtewoth, Stephen Wlshe, dv Whtely.

Mle row: (L to r) dn vn Zyl, Mk Knln, rche Jemyn, in McCnn,in Cssy, Mc Geghty, rche Moow, Geme McCoy, dgh Kelly,

Smon Golsmth, Oltn devesh, Tom O’Ben, robet decon.

Bck row: (L to r) Mtt Cockett, Tstn Gooboy, robbe Bnnste,deek Wllce, John Coll, rche Muphy, By McLoughln, JohnnyButtewoth, Stephen Wlshe, dv Whtely.

Mle row: (L to r) dn vn Zyl, Mk Knln, rche Jemyn, in McCnn,in Cssy, Mc Geghty, rche Moow, Geme McCoy, dgh Kelly,

Smon Golsmth, Oltn devesh, Tom O’Ben, robet decon.

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teaM squad 2010-11

Font row: (L to r) Jmmy Byen, roy Stynes, aln Lge, Coln Wllce,Bn Hstngs (Cpt), Nll dneen (Pesent), Geg Jcob, Phlp Hose,Bn dohety, aln Thompson, Pt Mcdonl.

Font row: (L to r) Jmmy Byen, roy Stynes, aln Lge, Coln Wllce,Bn Hstngs (Cpt), Nll dneen (Pesent), Geg Jcob, Phlp Hose,Bn dohety, aln Thompson, Pt Mcdonl.

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Old Wesley Program 2011/12 Pt.1

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