TCRFC Rugby Update, January 2023
1st Team:
At the halfway way point of the AIL season we begin 2023 in 1 st position in Division 1a with 40 points, closely followed by Clontarf on 37 points. Trinity and Cork Con make up the rest of the Top 4, with Young Munster within striking distance in 5 th place. Next up is the Limerick men at home in the reverse fixture of our defeat in Tom Clifford Park in December. This game will also double up as the Bateman Cup semi-final.
Last match – 24 – 18 loss v Young Munster (A).
Next match v. Young Munster (H) Saturday 14th January, KO 2.30pm.
2nd Team:
The 2’s also commence the year at the summit of Metro League Division 1, with 1 point currently separating ourselves from Lansdowne, who we play against at home at the end of January. Next up though is Clontarf away in our first game post-Christmas. The Top 2 in this league, as is the case in all Metro Leagues (with the exception of the 4’s league), play in the League final, with the team that finished in 1 st place in the league securing home advantage.
Last match – 20-7 win v. Trinity (home).
Next match v. Clontarf (away) Sunday 22nd January, KO 2.30pm.
3rd Team / The Collegians:
A 5-game winning streak since early October has seen our development squad climb to the top of the table in Metro League Division 3. Navan are 2 points behind us in 2 nd place and we play them next at home in a big fixture. This well drilled and talented side, that aim to provide a player pathway to Senior rugby, are carrying real momentum into the 2023.
Last match – 17 – 8 win v. Naas (away).
Next match v. Navan (home) Sunday 22nd January, KO 2.30pm.
4th Team:
The 4’s are currently in 2 nd position in the league, with Lansdowne occupying top spot. Due to the fact that there are 6 teams in this Division, they may be a 3 way playoff to determine the league winner (as opposed to the Top 2 in the other leagues). This team are well placed to qualify for the playoffs and have previous experience to call on at the business end of the season.
Last match – 29 – 7 loss v. Lansdowne (away).
Next match v. Monkstown Dogos (home) Friday 20th January, KO 8pm.
5th Team:
Playing in Metro League Division 9, this team have had a challenging start to the league campaign
(sitting in 9 th position) but are planning and building towards a positive 2023. With some returning
players due back in the new year to bolster Junior rugby this will in turn help the 5’s, who are aiming
to finish the league strongly and are targeting a cup run.
Last match – loss v. Tullamore (home).
Next match v. Clondalkin (away) Saturday 14th January, KO 2.30pm.
Under 20’s:
There continues to be a great buzz around the 20’s who are in 1 st place in JP Fanagan Prem 2 with 32 points. Since drawing their first league match v. Wanderers at home the team have gone on a run of 6 wins in a row. This included a tough trip to Connacht to play Corinthians, who are in 2 nd position in the league on 23 points (with a game in hand). Next up is the return fixture against Wanderers.
Last match – 33 – 7 win v. Seapoint (away).
Next match v. Wanderers (away) Friday 13th January, KO 7.30pm.
As always a big thank you to our Players, Coaches, Managers and Volunteers for their incredible work and commitment to Rugby in the Club. With plenty of big games to look forward to in January for each team all support on the touchlines is greatly appreciated. We are currently on the lookout for some volunteers to assist with Junior Rugby and are always ready to welcome new (or returning) players, so if you would like to get involved in Rugby in TCRFC, on or off the pitch, please contact Ian “Moggy” Morgan: moggy@tcrfc.ie / 0863857561 or Will Moore: will.moore@sherryfitz.ie.
Yours in Rugby,
Will Moore
Chairman of Rugby