5 March 2024
Hi Everyone,
So, we’ve decided to take the most challenging route to the play-offs that could be conceived. No big surprise there, we’ve managed to do things the hard way up to this point so why stop now! While this is a little tongue in cheek and we can potentially still make play-offs there is no doubt we didn’t do ourselves justice last Saturday.
Similar to the previous outing against Wesley, we just couldn’t get into the game and we allowed Queens to play to their strengths. The coaching team and the players themselves will analyse this thoroughly so there’s little point me picking it to pieces here, but I firmly believe this game, like the previous one, is simply not reflective of the quality or the ambition of this team. No one is more disappointed than the players, and no one puts in more effort, so we must focus on the positive aspects. I remain convinced that this team will finish strongly and show what they are capable of. The key is to park these last two results and go for it against Belvedere on the 23rd. What an opportunity to take on the 3rd ranked team in the league, we are 6th, and show our home supporters what this team can achieve.
Our Women’s AIL team also lost 14-10 away to Galwegians on Saturday. Hard luck to all involved, these are challenging times. Good job both fixtures were away or it would have truly been a bad day at Blackrock. Next home match for the Women’s 1st XV is at home v U.L. Bohemians on Saturday at 1pm.
Hard luck to our U13s who went down, bravely, against an extremely strong Belvedere team on Sunday. You guys did so well to get to the final, and unfortunately you met a team that has benefited from some exceptionally big, exceptionally good players. A number of those guys are playing down in Willow on the As in first year, and even at the level, a year ahead of this competition, they are proving a handful for most sides. You fought well and you can be very proud of your efforts--everyone in the club is.
Is it all bad news from the weekend? No, there is something to be extremely positive about in Stradbrook, and that is the U20's. While they had wrapped up the league the previous week against Seapoint, they still had Galwegians at home on Sunday and didn’t want to tarnish their undefeated record. Well, that wasn’t in danger. They dispatched a Galwegians side by 41-22 in front of a home crowd and were officially crowned as Champions.
This age group is so important to the life of the club and the sustainability of our ability to compete in the higher levels of the AIL. These players will come through the system expecting to feature in the biggest games and their obvious ability combined with their confidence from their performances this season is going to be so valuable to the club and will allow us compete with the biggest clubs who have had larger squads for years. Well done to Mark, PG and each of the players – an undefeated record on the way to wining the league is an extraordinary thing!
So, March 23rd versus Belvedere RFC in the AIL…redemption day.
See you out there.
Paul
Paul Flavin
President 2023-24
Blackrock College RFC
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Very well written Presidents Letter, Paul. Mick Mackey.