Rainey RFC
| Full name | Rainey Old Boys Rugby Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Old Boys | ||
| Founded | 1928 | ||
| Location | Ulster | ||
| Ground(s) | Hatrick Park, Magherafelt, Northern Ireland | ||
| Coach(es) |  Willie Anderson | ||
| League(s) | AIB Division Three | ||
| 2006-07 | 7th AIB League Three | ||
| |||
| Official website | |||
| www | |||
Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club is situated in the market town of Magherafelt, County Londonderry. They are one of the eleven current Senior Rugby Union clubs in Ulster, Ireland. Rainey Old Boys currently compete in All Ireland Division 3.
At present they field 4 senior teams, Under 20s (The Rhinos), Under 18s, Under 16s, Under 14s and a Ladies team (The Cheetahs).
History
 | This article or section may have been copied and pasted from another location, possibly in violation of Wikipedia's copyright policy. |
Magherafelt R.F.C. was founded in 1928. Some success at minor level came the club’s way before the outbreak of war. A few games were played during the war years and from 1947, the club became known as Rainey Old Boys R.F.C. After initial success, a barren period followed and it was not until the mid-60s that the club began to go places.
In 1983 they won the Town’s Cup for the first time. On that team were twelve times capped Harry Steele and brother-in-law, Alan McLean, an Ulster regular who toured Australia with Ireland in 1979.
The President from 1984-1990 was Dr. A.A. McConnell, who was a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam side in 1948.
Rainey proved to be a good cup side but were relegated to Section 2 in 1986. They won Section 2 the following year but slipped back down again in 1994 despite reaching the Town’s Cup final for the sixth time in twenty years. With former Ulster lock Charlie Simpson as player/coach, they won the Town’s Cup in 2001 and were promoted as champions the following season.
Former Ballymena RFC No. 8, John Andrews, took over as player/coach when Charlie moved on to Dungannon RFC, and led the side to the Qualifying League 1 title in 2005. In the play-offs they beat Monivea 21-8 at home before losing 14-13 at Naas and 18-17 at Nenagh Ormond.
Having added some strength in depth to the squad, they started last season by beating Ballymena 2XV in the Past Players’ Cup Final. After twelve straight wins in the league, they came unstuck at Armagh on New Year’s Eve but regrouped to beat second placed Limavady 53-3 and retain the title. In the inaugural All-Ireland Junior Cup the luck of the draw helped them to beat Cork side Kanturk 47-9 and South Dublin outfit, Seapoint 31-12 at home. A big crowd travelled south to see them beat Youghal 27-5 at Lansdowne Road in the final on April 8. Then on successive Saturdays, they beat Westport 36-0 away, Youghal 34-0 and Monkstown 32-16 at home to win the round robin play-offs and clinch their place in the All-Ireland League.
At the end of the 2006/07 season John Andrews left to join Dungannon RFC as their new Head Coach.[1] In his 5 years at the club he guided them to 2 Ulster Qualifying titles, the Past Players Cup, the All Ireland Junior Cup, runners-up in the Towns Cup and qualification into the All Ireland League.
Current Status
The 2006-07 season featured Rainey's first appearance in the AIB League. Rainey finished in a mid-table seventh place in Division Three.[2] In addition Rainey finished in sixth place in their first year in the Ulster Senior League.[3] On 17 July 2007 it was announced that Willie Anderson had been appointed as club coach.[4]
The Second XV finished 8th in their debut season in the 2XV League.
The Third XV gained promotion from Junior League 4 by finishing runners-up to Ballynahinch 4XV.
The Fourth XV finished 3rd in the South-West Minor League with 14 wins from 22 matches.
Honours
In 2004-05 Rainey won the Ulster Qualifying League Division One. This achievement was repeated the following season and in addition the inaugural All Ireland Junior Cup was won.[5] Qualification for All Ireland Division 3 was gained through winning the Round Robin Cup against the championship winning teams from; Leinster, Munster and Connaught at the end of the 2005-06 season.[6]
The two main Junior Provincial Trophies have been won by Rainey.
The Ulster Towns Cup has been won under the name of Magherafelt on two occasions, in 1983 and 2001, from their eight Final appearances.
The Ulster Junior Cup has been won twice, 1976 and 1979, from their three Final appearances.
Commitee Members 07/08
President:Billy McGinnis
Chairman:Arnold McLean
Secretary:Paul Flanigan
Treasurer: Paddy Pyper
Match Secretary:Patsy Purvis
P.R Secretary:Clifford Barr
Director Of Rugby & Youth Convenor:Liam Eastwood
Team Captains 07/08
1XV :Neil O'Kane
2XV :Colin Patterson
3XV :Ciaran O'Neill
4XV :Declan McCann
Internationals
Dr A.A McConnell - Ireland
Willie Anderson - Ireland[citation needed]
Nathan Amos - 
Israel
Harry Steele - Ireland
Stephen McKinstry - Ireland Under 19s
Stephen Beattie - 
United States Under 19s
Micheal Glancy - Ireland Under 21s
Connor Lavery - Ireland Under 19s
Sources
- ^ "Dugannon RFC website announcement of John Andrew's appointment". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
- ^ "RTE Rugby Tables - AIB League Division 3 2006-07". Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ^ "Ulster Rugby Senior League Table 2006-07". Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ^ "BBC article about Willie Anderson's appointment as club coach". Retrieved 2007-07-19.
- ^ "BBC Report of AIB Junior Cup Final 2006". Retrieved 2007-05-05.
- ^ "Irish Rugby Website - Focus on Rainey". Retrieved 2007-05-05.