Old Wesley R.F.C.
| Full name | Old Wesley Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | IRFU Leinster | |
| Founded | 1891 | |
| Ground(s) | Donnybrook Rugby Ground, Dublin (Capacity: 7,000) | |
| Chairman | Shane Gill | |
| President | Mark Younge | |
| Coach(es) | Morgan Lennon | |
| Captain(s) | Ian Cassidy | |
| League(s) | All-Ireland League, 1B | |
| ||
Old Wesley Rugby Football Club was founded in 1891 from the past pupils of Wesley College, Dublin. Since then it has become one of Leinster's most famous clubs. 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. 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.[1]
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 were relegated from Division 1 in 1997 and the early years of professionalism marked a tough period for the club.
Old Wesley were crowned AIL Division 3 Champions 2008/2009 following a 30 - 12 victory over Corinthians, gaining promotion to AIL Division 2.[2]
Old Wesley won AIL Division 2A in the 2014/2015 season, gaining promotion to Division 1B.
Honours
- Leinster Senior League Shield
- Winners: 2011-12: 1
Club staff
The current Club President is Mark Younge and the Club Captain is Ian Cassidy. Currently the head coach at the club is Morgan Lennon. The club runs 5 men's teams from the 1st XV to the J4s, the club also has a full underage structure from u21s down to u6s, these teams train and play on a Sunday.
Underage Teams
Old Wesley has both teams competing at U-23 level and U-21 level, which has proved successful in developing youth players to progress in the club. The U-20 Team reached the final of the Purcell Cup Final in 2008 and 2009.
In addition the club runs a full mini & youth rugby section with teams from U-8 level to U-17 level.
Location
Based in Donnybrook, Dublin 4 on the banks of the Dodder River, Old Wesley share their ground with Bective Rangers FC and the Leinster Branch of the IRFU.
Until 2007 Old Wesley played their junior matches at the Kilgobbin ground near Sandyford which they shared with Lansdowne FC. However, a new ground at Ballycorus was officially opened on 25 November 2007.[3]
Notable players
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Notable players have included Internationals Philip Orr, Eric Miller, Henry Hurley, Chris Pim, Dan van Zyl, Dave Bursey, Mark Warburton, 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.