Malahide RFC

Malahide

Full name	Malahide Rugby Football Club
Union	IRFU Leinster
Nickname(s)	The Lions
Founded	1922
Ground(s)	Estuary Road, Malahide
President	John Melvin
Coach(es)	Rick Evans
Team kit
Official website
www.malahiderfc.ie

Malahide RFC is an Irish rugby team based in Malahide, Fingal County. Newly promoted this season 2010 /2011 they will play in Division Two of the Leinster League in the 2011 /2012 season. The club was originally founded in 1922 but disbanded in 1944 because of a lack of members during World War II. The club was reformed in 1978 and in 2006 the club moved into its new grounds on Estuary Road. The club colours are black and amber the same colours as Malahide Cricket Club and Malahide Yacht Club.

History

Malahide R.F.C. was founded in 1922 and its initial patron was Lord Talbot of Malahide. In those years Malahide R.F.C. fielded two senior teams, playing in Leinster Branch IRFU, League and Cup competitions. Matches were played in Malahide Castle grounds, on the site where Malahide Cricket Club presently reside. Many players lived outside the village and travelled from Rush, Skerries and Dublin to play for Malahide R.F.C. At the end of each season an Honour Cap was awarded to the outstanding players for that season. The award took the form of a velvet cap, black in colour and rimmed with gold tassels with the relevant year embroidered on the front of the cap. On 27 September 1944, an Extraordinary General Meeting was held in the pavilion. It was presided over by Dr. H. Micheal and in attendance were eleven members. Shortage of members, local support was waning and World War II was taking its toll on membership. The decision was taken to disband the club.

Many of the personalities associated with the early club still had connections with Malahide. So it was that some of these men held a re-union in The Grove Hotel, Malahide, Some younger people also attended. As a result of a meeting, Malahide R.F.C. was reformed in 1978. Two pitches were rented in Malahide Castle grounds, now under the control of Fingal County Council as Lord Talbot had bequeathed the Castle and demesne to the Irish Government. In 1989 the club purchased their own land on the Back Road, opposite Malahide Castle. In March 1992 the clubhouse and pitch were officially opened.

The mid 1990's were a very successful period in the club's history. In 1996 Malahide won the Leinster League Division Four and were promted into Division Three which they won the next season. Malahide stayed in Division Two for two seasons but were relegated in 2000.

On 16 September 2006 the Club's new grounds at Estuary Road were officially opened. The opening was marked by Irish rugby legend Ollie Campbell and a one off blitz tournament between Malahide and Clontarf, Suttonians, Skerries, Coolmine, Swords, Balbriggan and Old Belvedere. In 2009 the club unveiled the new players strip. The kit retained the old traditional Black & Gold colours but with a new modern variation.

In 2010 the club appointed Rick Evans as the first team head coach. The club went on to win the league by winning all their games bar one, ending the campaign with a 57-3 win over Railway Union away. The first team were promoted to Leinster Division 2 for the 2011/12 season.

Facilities

The new 13,500-square-foot (1,250 m²) clubhouse boasts state of the art facilities including two rugby pitches (one floodlit) and use of the adjacent Seabury pitch plus, four changing rooms, a referees changing room, a plunge pool, a high quality weights room and a physio room. The clubhouse also has a Rugby Bar and a Function Room suitable for seating over 120 people, kitchen facilities and a conference room capable of holding up to 200 people.

Teams

Senior Teams

Malahide RFC will field 3 Senior teams for the 2010/11 season. The firsts will play in Leinster League Division 3, the second team in the Leinster J4 league and the third team in the Leinster J5 league. Malahide also field an over 35's team (VET's) occasionally. Malahide RFC have strong ambitions to become a top flight rugby club. This has been demonstrated recently by competing in the Leinster League again. The club hopes to gain promotion to Division 2 this season.

Womens Rugby

Malahide women's rugby team is in its fourth year of competition. The team has grown from its origins of touch and leprechaun rugby to All Ireland Division Two. There is great team spirit among the ladies on the team with many social occasions been held to help with team building and for pure fun.

Youth and Mini Rugby

At youth level teams are fielded at Under 14, 17 and 19 in Dublin Metropolitan Leagues and mini level teams are fielded at, Under 8, 9, 10 and 12, also competing in Dublin Metropolitan competitions. The youth system in the club has been very successful in recent years with many players going on to represent the Leinster Metro team.

The club also has a strong association with Malahide Community School, the school teams play their home matches at the club and many past and present pupils have gone on to represent the club at senior level and youth levels.

Honours

• Leinster League Division 3
  • Winners: 1996/97
  • Winners: 2010/11

• Leinster League Division 4
  • Winners: 1995/96

External links

• http://www.malahiderfc.ie
• http://leinsterrugby.sportsmanager.ie/league/18733/Phase_2_Section_A

References

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