Message from Noel Shannon, President, OBRFC
On behalf of all our members and staff, I am delighted to extend a very warm welcome to all players, officials and supporters visiting Anglesea Road throughout this season. It is a particular joy and honour for me to assume the Presidency of this great club in the year following what was probably our greatest achievement on the rugby pitch – winning the AIL for the first time.
Since the inception of the AIL in 1991, Old Belvedere is only the second Leinster Club with this achievement to its name, after St. Marys’ win in 2000, and one of only four clubs outside of Munster
to reach this level.
This win, which is the result of the huge contribution made by so many members and players over recent seasons, is an inspiration not only to this year’s senior squad, but to all our players at every level in the club to make that extra effort for the success that is so worthwhile.
Old Belvedere is currently thriving at all levels with over 450 players registered with our mini’s section, a vibrant junior set-up, a successful women’s section, a large and talented Under 21’s squad and a 1st Team Squad that retains most of last year’s squad plus some exciting new additions.
I would like to wish all of our coaches, managers, background personnel and players the very best of luck for the coming rugby year. I also want to thank our 1st team managers Eoin Deering and Gerry Cruise and I am so delighted that all their hard work over many years, finally brought the success that it did.
May I wish our Director of rugby Phil Werahiko, our new forwards coach, John Fogarty and the entire coaching staff the very best for the season. You have our total support. I am sure that our new position as AIL winners of Division 1A will bring out the very best in our coaches and players. I am also certain that you will get great encouragement and support from the Belvo Supporters.
Best wishes to our Senior Vice President – Mervyn Feely, who takes responsibility for all rugby in the club as Rugby Chairman. Together with our Junior Vice President, Mick McClancy, as Chairman of Junior Rugby, Declan O’Dowda in charge of the Academy, and Shannon Reid who heads up Women’s rugby, they are determined to spread the success of the 1st Team throughout the club.
I also want to thank last year’s President John Mahony for his friendship and support and to congratulate him on a great year. I am delighted that John is continuing his huge contribution to the club by taking on the position of Chairman of Senior Rugby and I want to thank Damien Torsney for his enormous contribution in this position last year and at so many levels in the club in recent times.
I am also happy to have the support of our previous President, David Hargaden, who continues his contribution solidly in the background, and Richie Ball who succeeds Garvan O’Neill in the great work he did as Honorary Treasurer and to the many members of the various committees whose work is invaluable to the club.
Huge thanks as well to Colm Brennan, who continues this season as our hardworking Honorary Secretary. Paul Reddy takes over from Donal Coyle as Chairman of the Club, and in wishing Paul the very best in this challenging position I would like to extend a huge thank you to Donal for his enormous contribution over the years.
I would particularly like to thank our sponsors who contribute so valuably to the running of our club. Once again we have the backing of our main sponsor Independent Newspapers for which we are very grateful. Thanks also to all the companies and individuals who sponsor our matches, lunches and programmes. Without your generous support Old Belvedere would not be the Club it is or be able to strive to become the Club it wants to be.
Finally, may I wish all of our teams’ continued success this year.
Enjoy the season.
The President