Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. It plays in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League. The club won the Leinster Senior Cup in 1909 and 1985 as well as winning the AIL Division 2 title in 1989 and the AIL Division 2A title in 2015. They celebrated their Centenary year in 1991 with a match against a star-studded Barbarians team featuring Internationals such as Eric Rush, Pierre Berbizier and Tony Underwood. They won the eleven-try match in dramatic fashion with a last minute drop-goal to win 37-36.[2]
| Full name | Old Wesley Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | IRFU Leinster | ||
| Founded | 1891 | ||
| Ground(s) | Donnybrook Rugby Ground, Dublin (Capacity: 7,000) | ||
| Chairman | Peter Squires | ||
| President | Alan Browning | ||
| Coach(es) | Morgan Lennon | ||
| Captain(s) | Josh Pim | ||
| League(s) | All-Ireland D1B | ||
| 2023–24 | 2nd.[1] | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
Through the early 1990s they were one of the most successful teams in Leinster, reaching three cup finals and consistently playing in the 1st Division of the AIL League. Old Wesley RFC were relegated from Division 1 in 1997 and the early years of professionalism marked a tough period for the club.
Old Wesley RFC were crowned AIL Division 3 Champions 2008/2009 following a 30 - 12 victory over Corinthians, gaining promotion to AIL Division 2.[3]
Old Wesley RFC won AIL Division 2A in the 2014/2015 season, gaining promotion to Division 1B.
Honours
edit- Leinster Senior League Shield
- Winners: 2011-12: 1
Club Personnel
editThe current Club President is Alan Browning and the Club Captain is Josh Pim. The head coach at the club is Morgan Lennon. The club runs 6 men's teams from the 1st XV to 5th XV, and an Under 20s team. Old Wesley RFC also has a full underage structure from u21s down to u6s, these teams train and play on a Sunday.
Underage Teams
editThe Old Wesley RFC U-20 Team won the Premiership 2 title in 2019 and 2023/24 Purcell Cup Finalist.
In addition the club runs a full mini & youth rugby section with teams from U-8 level to U-17 level.
Touch Rugby
editEstablished in 2015 and based at the Energia Park (Donnybrook Stadium), the Old Welsey RFC Touch Rugby Club is the largest FIT affiliated club in Ireland.
Location
editBased in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 on the banks of the Dodder River, Old Wesley RFC share their ground with Bective Rangers FC and the Leinster Branch of the IRFU.
Until 2007 Old Wesley RFC played their junior matches at the Kilgobbin ground near Sandyford which they shared with Lansdowne FC. A new ground at Ballycorus was officially opened on 25 November 2007.[4]
Notable players
editNotable players have included Internationals Philip Orr, Eric Miller, Henry Hurley, Chris Pim, Dave Bursey, Austen Carry, George Hamlet and Eric Campbell. Philip Orr also played on two Lions Tours to New Zealand in 1977 and South Africa in 1980. Previous first team out half David Smith is one of the top scorers in AIL history with over 1,000 points.
References
edit- ^ League Tables 2022–23 at irishrugby.ie
- ^ "Barbarian FC Records". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 19 August 2007.
- ^ "AIB League Division 3 Final". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
- ^ "Old Wesley RFC :: Ballycorus Opening". Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2008.
