Dear Members
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those involved in Balbriggan RFC a happy and peaceful Christmas and Prosperous 2015.
The last three months have been a very busy time in the Club. On the playing side our 1st XV stand top of the Leinster League. It looks at this stage that the League Title will be decided in our final league game on Sunday February 8th when we host our nearest challengers Wexford Wanderers. We want a huge crowd out to support the team that day. We have also this season have been able to field a 2nd XV and they have been participating in the McGee Cup.
Possibly our biggest success story this season has been our Ladies team under the Captaincy of Sandra McAleer and mentor, former Club Captain, Mick McKiernan. Considering they only started in August they are now sitting top of their league in Leinster and are getting better with every match played. Some nights they have had more players training than the lads! The Ladies team even got special mention in a recent Leinster match programme. Keep spreading the word as we continue to develop the Ladies section.
It should be said that a huge debt is owed to Leigh O’Toole and Ivan McFadden who in effect have been looking after the three adult teams, something that cannot continue. If there is anyone out there who can assist them, or any other part of the Club, please step forward. You will be welcomed with open arms.
At our meeting in October I promised I would update the members on where we are at with Fingal Co Co regarding Project Phoenix. Following the AGM we again met with Fingal Co Co in relation to moving the project forward. Fingal undertook to seek fresh legal advice, funded by them, concerning aspects of the project. They engaged Eversheds, a major law firm, who are specialists in this area. The Council are awaiting receipt of the legal advice they have sought and emailed their solicitors last week outlining the urgency of the matter. We had hoped we would have had clarity by now but until Eversheds provide their advices on the project to Fingal we cannot progress the project. The Club has discussed with the Council the situation concerning the Grant money for the Clubhouse which is still tied up as part of the overall project. The Council have confirmed that they will support the Club’s request to provide a grant to enable us build our Clubhouse should Project Phoenix not proceed.
On the Youths and Minis sections we continue to grow. This season we are fielding U15, U14 & U13. For those who have been watching the U15s over the last few years not alone have we seen how they have physically grown but also how they have developed as a team under the careful watch of their coach Darren Nulty and his team. The U13 & U14s are struggling a little for numbers which has hindered their ability to get games but again there is great potential there. Coaches Victor, Keith and Stu are working hard with this group and deserve all our support and gratitude for what they have achieved in very difficult circumstances.
At mini level we unfortunately are not fielding U12 this season but have teams the rest of the way down to U6. Well done to all the coaches who give so enthusiastically every Thursday and Sunday. We held our Annual Santa blitz last week. This is now recognised as a major event in the Leinster Mini Calendar. Well done to Eamon and his team for the great work put in. On the day the U15s did a collection in support of two local groups, the St Vincent de Paul and Remember Us. The club were able to present cheques for €250 to each organisation.
So as you can see things are buzzing as we look forward to 2015. 2015 will be the 90th Anniversary of the original founding of the Club and we are looking at hosting some events to celebrate that landmark birthday next season.
Again, enjoy the Christmas season and if you want to work off those extra calories we can certainly find some way to do that for you at the Club. You can start by coming to the Club at 11am on St. Stephen’s day for a run out playing tag with current and former players, including some of our emigrants home for Christmas.
Gerry Hennigan
President
