We have just two games this week, as the Six Nations kicks off and hogs all the attention. 

The 3rds are up first, facing Stillorgan at home on Wednesday night at 20.00 in Lakelands. Games between these two sides are always hugely attritional and fiercely contested – the perfect way to whet your appetite for a great weekend of rugby!

Then, on Friday night, the 1st XV face one of the toughest of all AIL challenges as they travel to Castle Avenue to take on last season’s champions, Clontarf. Our lads have their tails up after a January that ended with a stirring victory over Garryowen last week, and began with a victory over Friday’s opponents.

Full of confidence, they will nonetheless need as much support as possible, so get in the car, bus, dart, bicycle, hot air balloon….. just get out to Clontarf on Friday!

The latest edition of the IRFU magazine, In Touch, is out now.

This month has a Six Nations feature, as well as a detailed interview with our own James O’Donoghue!

Click here to read for free.

It was a perfect four from four for the club over the weekend, with wins for the 1sts, 2nds, 3rds and 20s.

The 1st XV picked up badly needed win with an excellent performance in the second half against Garryowen in Lakelands. After a cagey start from both sides, the game settled down with few scoring chances for either team. Garryowen made the most of the blustery wind, keeping us pegged back, and eventually the pressure told. A sharp midfield break was followed by good support, allowing them to score. James O’Donoghue’s chase forced the scorer out wide, and the ensuing conversion was missed. On the stroke of half time, an excellent line from Garryowen’s outside centre saw him scoot over, but again the extras went missing, leaving the half time score 10-0.

Nure needed the first score of the second half, and after good pressure, Mark O’Neill proved deadly from the tee with two penalties in succession. Another penalty led to a lineout drive from Nure, which was pulled down on the line, allowing referee Mark Patton to award the penalty try – 13-10 up. Things got even better when the visitors received two yellow cards in quick succession, and Nure made the most of the numerical advantage. Quick ball from a turnover allowed Mark O’Neill to put Marc Hiney in to score, before another yellow card for the Limerick men. Again, Hiney was the man to benefit, after a breakaway put him free down the left. He still had a lot to do to score, but a powerful fend saw him score in the corner. O’Neill once again knocked over the conversion, leaving the score at 27-10. A late consolation try for Garryowen narrowed the gap, but Nure took the all important points. 

At the same time, the 3rds were gaining an excellent win over Railway Union in the Albert O’Connell Cup on the 4g pitch. Trailing by a point at half time (12-11), the lads scored the only try of the second half to lead 16-15 in the last minute. The visitors had a chance to take the spoils with a late penalty, which, thankfully for us, was off the mark.

On Sunday, the 20s had a cracking win over local rivals St Mary’s, stretching away in the second half to win by a resounding 40-17. At the seaside, the 2nds started their defence of the Metro Cup, beating Greystones 36-3 in Dr Hickey Park.

We have four great games this week, as the AIL and the Leinster Cups return.

Saturday sees two huge games in Lakelands, with the 3rds taking on Railway Union in the Albert O’Connell Cup and the 1st XV facing Garryowen. The 3rds will have their work cut out, as Union are always very strong at this level, and will no doubt boast a huge pack, battle hardened by action in the Leinster League. At the same time, the 1sts have a huge, crucial game against Limerick’s Garryowen. The away side won the reverse fixture before Christmas, but our young side that day found space to secure a try scoring bonus point. Nure will welcome back several experienced faces from injury, and go into this game knowing that a win is all but vital to their chances of avoiding relegation.

On Sunday, the 2nds have a lovely jaunt to the seaside, as they travel to Dr Hickey Park to play Greystones in the first round of the Metropolitan Cup, buoyed by last week’s excellent win over UCD. Meanwhile, the 20s have a cracking D6 Derby to look forward to, as they welcome bottom side St Mary’s to Lakelands in the JP Fanagan league. 

The Terenure Under 13 European Youth Festival will take place over the May bank holiday weekend, April 29^th and 30^th, 2017. 

The tournament is now in its sixth season, and despite being meticulously organised each year, the committee continues to raise the bar.  In addition, due to the professional approach to the rugby set-up over the weekend, along with excellent testimonials from teams who have previously taken part, bookings are now typically taken up 12 months in advance.  This season we have teams from England, Wales, France, Belgium, Ulster, Munster and Leinster.  The Tournament is now booked out.

Festival planning for 2017 has been in motion since September 2016 and this year’s Under 13 group are working hard with the festival committee to bring you a weekend of exciting youth rugby.  Matches are all officiated on by Leinster rugby referees, with Mr. Paul Haycock acting as the chief tournament referee official.

Saturday begins at 10:00am with all teams entered into four pools, each consisting of four teams.  At the end of Saturday’s play the teams are seeded based on their results that day.  Sunday consists of knock-out matches to determine which teams play in the Cup, Plate or Bowl finals which, take place on Sunday afternoon. 

The International Match has become a big attraction also and, for the players selected, it has become a huge honor.  We create two teams; one with players selected from the Irish teams, and the other with players selected from the foreign touring teams.  Jerseys are provided for each squad and a trophy for the winning team.  This game has always entertained the big crowds who attend, with fantastic rugby on show.  Throughout the weekend we will have entertainment and you can meet some Leinster rugby players on Saturday afternoon.  The community atmosphere throughout the weekend is fantastic, creating a real community festival feel – a festival the players will never forget.

The festival committee hold a gala night on Saturday evening, with popular live bands playing a supper for all guests.  The evening has become a must-attend event and has recreated the legendary rugby club social element which has diminished over recent decades.  The gala event is ticket only, but all are welcome to purchase tickets.  Any enquiries should be directed to Fiona in the club office on (01) 4904283, or office@terenurecollegerfc.com