I trust everyone has summered well and are looking ahead to the new season with much anticipation. I wanted to take the opportunity to provide you with some updates on activities from within the club.
Our First team have been back training for some weeks now with Dan Moore putting them through their paces as part of the pre-season regime. I am delighted to say we retain the same coaching ticket as last year, with Fassie, Rhys, Craig, Mark, Teddy and Dan all still in the fold, supported by Michael Quinn, Aisling Frawley, team physio and the ever-present Paddy Gore.
Andy Marks has been confirmed as Club Captain this year and we wish him and the entire team the very best for the upcoming season.
Leinster Senior Cup We are just over a week away from our first game of the season in the Leinster Senior Cup where we face off against our neighbours Old Belvedere (away) on the 21st September. For those of you with your diaries handy, you will note that this is a Thursday night, with all Leinster Senior Cup games being held on Thursday nights, apart from the final on Saturday September 13th. Having been pipped at the post in the final last year, I know the guys are raring to go this year and see this as very much a continuation from where they finished last year, as opposed to a new start.
In terms of players, we have retained the main cohort of personnel from last year and also welcome a few new joiners:
Bobby Sheehan (Hooker)
Borja Ibanez (back row)
Donagh McCarrick (back row)
Evan Shelley (prop)
James Tarrant (Out half)
Julian Valliese (prop)
Olympian - Mark Roche (wing)
Tom Daly (Centre / out half)
Tom Roche (wing)
Lansdowne Club Day - September 13th
We will be hosting a Lansdowne Club Day on September 13th (after the Senior Cup final) which will be an opportunity for the entire club to come together to meet & mingle. It is also a great opportunity to meet all the new joiners in the club from U6’s-U18s, our women’s team, junior squad, U20’s, and of course our senior squad. We will have food - pig on the spit, bbq, music, and entertainment for all ages. We invite all members, players, coaches, managers, parents’, friends and family to join us on this date. Please take a note of this in your diaries & hope to see you there on the day.
All Ireland League The 2025/26 AIL schedule has now been confirmed and we open our campaign at home against Cork Constitution on the 27th September. AIL match day sponsorship opportunities are now open, so please contact Elayne in the office if you are interested in supporting the club by sponsoring a game.
Lansdowne Internationals Congratulations to the 2025 “Lansdowne Lions” - Tadhg Beirne, Ronan Kelleher, Dan Sheehan and James Ryan all plied their trade on the grounds of Lansdowne FC and we are immensely proud of their series winning victory in Australia. This brings the total number of Lansdowne FC players who have represented the Lions to 18.
A special mention also to Billie & Jamie Bohan, sons of former Chair of Rugby Enda Bohan, for their recent selection on the Irish U20’s & U18’s team. No doubt parents Enda & Amanda are immensely proud of their achievements, and we will them further success in their careers.
Women's XV
Our women’s squad is bolstered this year through some positive recruitment over the summer. We wish Stephen Rooney, John Tobin, captain Rebecca Doherty and the entire squad the very best for the coming season. Having had their “maiden voyage” in Lansdowne last year they managed to get to the final of their competition, and showed enormous spirit (both on and off the pitch) in a fantastic game. Here’s hoping this spirit will take them one step further this year!
Juniors The Junior teams have resumed training and are actively recruiting. John Delany, Director of Junior Rugby johndelany95@gmail.com is the man to contact for anyone wishing to join the squad. We wish our Juniors every success this season.
Our U20’s will once again be managed by Mark “one more year” McMahon, with Emmett Farrell continuing as Head Coach, and joined by Barry Gibney as assistant coach, Max Richards as S&C and Chris Carey as physio. Alas, we say goodbye to Ross McKeever who has had to step down for personal reasons. Thanks to Ross for his huge contribution to the club and we wish him and his family well.
Recruitment has been strong over the summer months, with over 20 players currently training with the senior squad. We wish the management, coaches and entire squad the very best for the year ahead.
The Minis & Youths teams will resume training on the 7th September, and we look forward to welcoming all our young budding superstars. For anyone wishing to join any team from U6’s to U18s this year please contact: minis@lansdownerugby.com.
Claremont Road Sincere thanks to Hugh McGauran, Stephen Tunney and Derry Shaw for their herculean efforts in managing the successful transition of our new grounds in Claremont Road over recent years. They have had a massive impact on both the operational and commercial running of this facility, and their combined efforts are hugely appreciated. Hugh, Stephen and Derry will be stepping back from their duties in Claremont, and have handed this over to Mark Forrest and Brian Moran going forward.
Yearbook
The yearbook is currently being collated by Conor Shaw and Stephanie Ojo. Bobby Geraghty has kindly agreed, and is actively organizing adverts for the yearbook. Should you wish to support the club, or wish to advertise your company in the yearbook, please contact Bobby directly: Bobby@huntersestateagent.ie
Members Golf Day
Finally, a reminder that the Lansdowne member's golf day is on Friday 15th in the Grange Golf Club. Golf times are available between 12 and 3pm followed by dinner and prize giving. Please support this great historic event in the Lansdowne calendar. My sincere thanks to Gerry Cullen for organising this event, and you can contact Gerry directly to secure your place: 087-256 2786 or gcullen@fanagans.ie
I look forward to seeing our wide membership base supporting all teams throughout the year, starting next week in Old Belvedere on the 21st. Enjoy what remains of the summer and here’s to a great season ahead.
