TAG rugby Monday 7-8pm on the astro pitch. All paid up members welcome! MULIFE website to join!

Queries to thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

Great wins for our Under 20 men, Men's 2nd XV and our Women's 1st XV on Sunday last as well as a good 4 try draw for u23 development men's team V St Mary's.

Our mid week Student Sport Ireland men's Squad play again this Wednesday (16th) home versus Stranmillis (QUB) at 3pm on North Campus.

Leinster Leagues and All Ireland Leagues all on this week with:

23s men home at university Friday V Terenure 730pm

All Ireland League men 1st XV away Old Crescent, Limerick Saturday 230pm

20s men away at Santry Sunday V Trinity 3pm

Women's 1st XV home at club Sunday V Tullamore 1pm

Women's 2nd XV away V Enniscorthy 1pm

Photo cred INPHO PHOTOGRAPHY from Kay Bowen cup recently hosted at Maynooth University Barnhall RFC

Training tonight for any female students at 615pm on north campus pitch. Premier women’s rugby competition ‘Kay Bowen’ cup on Wednesday 2nd Feb in local club versus other universities. 

Thomas.mckeown@mu.ie for enquiries 

It's been a very busy couple of weeks for all of our University rugby squads with some sensational results - most notably the weekend just passed!

Senior men away at Buccaneers in the All Ireland League - put ourselves back in the promotion mix with an excellent away win when 13-0 down to battle back and emerge victorious 13-15 with 2nd Years Sean Sexton and David Dooley prominent and Ryan Doyle & Shane Stokes (both year 3) in the pack. Picture is of our commentator Leo Turley who is the voice of our live stream in the All Ireland League!

Our U20 men had a superb win in Premier 2 division dismantling Trinity 66-12. There were many outstanding performances across the team James Gorham (1st year) orchestrating things from outhalf.

Our women's first team took every chance against DCU winning out 12-58 with some outstanding performances - Ava Fannin dominating up front and Ava Gleeson directing very well.

Greg Edogun (year 2) scored a cracker to secure a fantastic last minute win versus CYM for our U23s in D5 (men's 3s). That's the second superb effort from him two weeks in a row.

Another fantastic win for our Student Sport Ireland team who defeated Dundalk IT yesterday 58-17. Outstanding performances from the team:

1 Sandro Javikishvili, 2 Jack Castles (C), 3 Ethan Keogh, 4 Eoghan Murphy, 5 Nathan Cassidy, 6 Ciaran Purcell, 7 Ben Farrell, 8 Eddie Carr, 9 Conor Mahon, 10 Ben Fleming, Greg Edogun, Max Saunders, 13 Ben Jones, 14 Gautier Rigal, 15 Adam Bagnall

Replacements: James Whelan, Zack O Reilly, Luke Mitchell, Ronan Lamb

Next week is our last pool match versus DCU - HOME, WEDNESDAY (TIME TBC).

Results update from last week:

Our Student Sport Ireland Squad played TU Dublin away at Terenure College RFC. We won out 17-54 in a high energy performance with strong showing right across the squad.

Our U23s lost 5-21 on Friday night on campus. Despite massive amounts of possession and territory we couldn't break down a resolute defence but our young squad will learn a huge amount from their performance.

Our U20s men had a super win on Sunday away at Wanderers 10-30 with some superb tries from 2nd year students Adam Bagnall and Sean Sexton. We are now 5 wins from 5 in Premier 2, top with 24 points from a possible 25.

Our women are suffering with injuries and went down to Tullamore 41-3 but they still remain 3rd in the league.

This week sees only the following fixtures:

Student Sport Ireland League we are home to DKIT Wednesday on campus at 4pm. All welcome to support.

Men's 1st XV home in the All Ireland League at the club grounds at 230pm on Saturday versus Old Crescent, Limerick.

REMEMBER SOCIAL TAG RUGBY TONIGHT MONDAY AT 7PM - ALL WELCOME.

Men U20 and U23s at University training tomorrow 645pm on the grass pitch.

Men's 1st and 2nd XVs at University training on Thursday 730pm.

Women's XV are training Tuesday at 745pm on campus - email ashkatie79@hotmail.com to confirm your attendance.

Queries to thomas.mckeown@mu.ie rugby officer

Reminder of training sessions this week:

social tag rugby 7-8pm all weather pitch/grass Monday 

u20 & u23 men Tuesday Thursday 645pm north campus pitch 

Women’s 1st and 2nds rugby 745pm Tuesday on grass pitch, 730pm Thursday at club grounds

All Ireland League men squad at club grounds Tuesday 730pm and university grass pitch Thursday 745pm

Social rugby at club grounds Thursday 730pm

Contact Thomas.mckeown@mu.ie and remember to join our membership here first!

1st Social game of Student Sport Ireland league Wednesday away versus TU Dublin.

This weeks rugby matches:

Friday:

U23 men away St Mary's College RFC - Templeville Road, 8pm

Saturday:

All Ireland League Men's 1st XV away Ballymena RFC - Eaton Park, 230pm

Men's 4th XV home Old Wesley - Parsonstown, 230pm

Men's 5th XV home Coolmine - Parsonstown, 230pm

Sunday:

Under 20 men home versus Galwagians (GMIT) - Parsonstown, 230pm

No women's leagues this weekend.

Come and support, no charge!

Last weekend saw the titanic battle of both unbeaten teams in the men's All Ireland League between us and Queen's University. Unfortunately the lads lost out 16-24 to a strong Queen's 15 who had several Ulster players. Excellent performances from Shane Stokes (year 3), Connor O Brien (graduate '21) and David Dooley (year 2) were noted as selection hots up for the Irish Universities squad. David cannot be selected as he is already named in Ireland Under 19s.

Our men's 2nds had an excellent win home to Old Wesley while our under 20 men saw off UCD in premier 2 14-17 in a wintry day at Belfield. Our U23s men suffered a narrow loss to Wanderers FC with a far younger side however we played some sublime rugby with great pace on show from Ben Fleming and Michael Browne (both year 1).

Our Women's sides had tough weeks as we had a lengthy injury list gather leading in to the weekend. We suffered losses to Railway Union and Athy (D1 and D4 respectively) but the girls remain in 2nd.

We begin our midweek SSI league next Wednesday 10th for the men, away to TU Dublin.

DON'T forget social TAG rugby every Monday 7-8pm on the astro/all weather pitch and grass pitches (depending on size of group!).

Lots of games this week!

All Ireland League men Saturday at home in top of table clash versus Queen's University - 230pm kick off at club grounds!

Women's 1st XV who are top of table and 3/3 home to Railway Union Sunday at 1pm!

Men's U23s home in the University Friday 8pm versus Wanderers.

Men's 2nds home Sunday at 230pm versus Old Wesley in the club.

Men's U20s away UCD Sunday at 3pm, Belfield.

Men's 4ths away to Terenure on Saturday at Lakelands 3pm.

Men's 5ths away to Monkstown Saturday 3pm at Sydney Parade.

Women's 2nds away to Athy on Sunday at 1pm.

8 adult sides out so there is rugby for all! Remember there is social TAG rugby on Monday at 7-8pm on the all weather pitch.

Don’t forget TAG rugby continues tonight at 7pm north campus! Astro & grass.

Also there will no TAG next week due to Bank Hol. 

Another busy weekend with our men’s 1st XV away in the All Ireland League in Magherafelt, Derry to play Rainey Old Boys. The lads played superbly against a Rainey side in transition securing a phenomenal 0-39. 2nd year Sean Sexton tore the opposition apart with his pace and evasive running scoring a hatrick of tries! 3rd year loose forward Shane Stokes continues to show he is becoming one of the best players in his position across the league and other strong performances from graduates Geoff Brookes and Conor Lacey. 

Unfortunately the U23s game V Coolmine at the uni on Friday was cancelled when the players were ready to go as the referee hadn’t appeared!

The men’s 4ths and 5ths had resounding victories (v Guinness and Parkmore) with high scores, the highlight being 3rd year Zack O Reilly scoring 5 tries!

Our u20 men got their 2021/22 campaign up and running with a disjointed performance but did emerge with a bonus point win 27-22 over Seapoint. Great to see lots of students make their first starts and appearances. 

There were no fixtures for our women’s squad or our men’s 2nds. 

The weekend of 8/9/10 October was scheduled to be our first week of fielding 8 adult rugby teams:

men’s 1st XV were playing All Ireland League at home versus University Limerick Bohemians on Saturday and had a superb victory 38-13 with some excellent performances from 2nd Year David Dooley, recent graduate Connor O Brien and 4th year Conor Neville bagging his first try getting on the end of 2nd year Sean Sexton’s line break.

Our women’s 1st XV had another excellent win away at Edenderry on Friday night 5-25 making it 2/2 in division 1 of Leinster. The back line continues to excite with plenty of pace from outside backs and 2nd years Emer O Brien and Lauren Patterson. 

Men’s 2nds had a strong win over Lansdowne 38-10 at the university pitch on Saturday 2nd with PostGrads Lee Franzoni, Adam Tallon and 3rd year Brian Reidy excelling in the pack. 

Men’s U23s lost away Friday night to an experienced Lansdowne outfit at the aviva 28-21. 1st years Ben Fleming and Josh Akanji had superb displays as did Sligo twins Will (2nd year) and Janes Whelan (1st year). 

Our men’s 4th team had a narrow win at home to Clondalkin on Saturday with great impact from 1st years Richard Dada, Ronan Lambe and 2nd year Geroid Forrest at hooker. 

Unfortunately our u20s men, men’s 5ths and women’s 2nd XVs all received wins via concession from Greystones, Stillorgan and CYM respectively. 

Round up of weekend rugby!

Friday night 1st October - U23 men (men 3rd XV) had a great opening league win over CYM 1st team 28-5 with excellent performances by 1st year Ben Fleming at OutHalf scoring 18 points and twins William (2nd year) and James Whelan (1st year) also excelling!

Saturday saw the All Ireland League return for our men's 1st XV with atough task visiting Nenagh Ormond in Tipperary. The lads won 24-32 with superb performances from 3rd year Ryan Doyle on debut as well as David Dooley (also on debut) and postgraduate Cathal Duff. 2nd year student Sean Sexton scored an early contender for try of the season with an absolutely superb effort.

The women's 1st XV were finally getting to challenge themselves in the top tier of Leinster Rugby Div 1. They were absolutely phenomenal running in some awesome tries in a 38-17 victory. 2nd year Lauren Patterson scored an excellent effort to mark her debut and other super tries from post grad Katelynn Doran and 2nd year Holly Leach as well as strong kicking from Ciara Faulkner helping in a great team win. Lia Branigan (graduate '21) had the honour of captaining the side. Well done to the squad and coaches!

Unfortunately our men's u20 lost narrowly in a stop-start contest to St Mary's 10-12 in the playoff for premier 1. Gearoid Quinn (2nd year) scored a great try off a strong maul set with Leinster star David Dooley adding 5 points with the boot. We just didn't click on the day but this strong group will be back! Onwards lads.

Rugby week beginning 4th October:

Monday: social tag rugby 7-8pm astro pitch

Tuesday: women’s rugby 730pm grass pitch (club grounds on Thursday)

Thursday: men’s u20 645pm grass pitch, men’s senior (All Ireland League squad) 730pm (training is at club grounds Tuesday!)

Matches:

u23 men Friday away 730 aviva stadium

Social men’s teams x 2 Saturday 4ths home versus Clondalkin & 5ths away Stillorgan-Rathfarnham, both 3pm

All Ireland League Saturday home (club grounds) 230 versus University Limerick Bohemians 

Women’s 1st XV versus Edenderry away Sunday 1pm

Women’s 2nd XV versus CYM away Sunday 1pm

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie for queries on level to play etc

Our senior section encompassing our All Ireland League men's side, 2nd XV (metro 2 league), U23 men XV (metro 5 league) and our Premier under 20 sides are all looking forward to fun and competitive 21-22 seasons. The squads rotate between the club grounds at Parsonstown and the North Campus pitch on Tuesday and Thursdays at 730pm. Get in touch with our rugby development manager thomas.mckeown@mu.ie to answer queries!

Our Men's 4th and 5th teams always want new players. Please get in touch. If you just want to play a more relaxed level, new to game or returning from injury the rugby and craic is always great in our 'Butchers' set up! See poster for details.

Please get in touch if you would like to play women's rugby. We can cater for the experienced player or the newbie! Remember is contact rugby is a little daunting just now, join our Monday night mixed social tag rugby.

Reminder - touch rugby tonight 7-8pm on the astro!

All welcome for male and female students! non members bring 2 euro for coach Matt!

Get out for some fresh air!

Fantastic wins for both men and women 1st XV squads as the two teams remain TOP of their leagues and unbeaten. Our men continued their winning streak and on a day where 3rd year social science scholar Lee Franzoni (pictured) grabbed his first All Ireland League try, the squad dismantled  a Buccaneers side full of Connacht contracted players and academy talent 34-10 to stretch our winning streak to 23!

Our women's first team also had a massive win at home to Trinity keeping them scoreless 15-0 with superb performances from Orlaith Murray (year 2 arts)!

Our u23 men drew on Friday in Energia Park against Old Wesley 26-26 in a highly entertaining game. Our under 20s lost again as their injury ravaged side felt the tiredness in the last 25 minutes falling to a 13-33 defeat when it was well poised at 13-14 - Roscommon rugby scholar Tim Lambe putting in another fantastic display.

Come a.ong to touch rugby tonight or get in touch if you are keen to play for any of our 5 men's squad, under 20 premier side or our 2 women's sides.

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

Great weekend for men and women 1st XVs but male 2nd XV, U23 XV, 20s suffer defeat!

Great victories for our men's 1st XV with a fine win away in Limerick versus Old Crescent with a superb solo try from first year Matias Giannetti and further stand out performances from Daragh Bellanova (1st year), Brendan McSorely (year 3, try scorer pictured), Daniel Murphy (third year) and Darren Hudson (PG)!

Our women also had a another super win on the road, this time at Mullingar! 7 scholarship girls among the starting XV! Well done Jai, Lia, Ciara, Katelynn, Bianca, Alice and Ava! Superb.

Tough day for our 20s losing heavily at UCD against a very strong outfit containing no fewer than 7 Leinster A players from the recent matches. Our squad has been ravaged with injury of late, losing more in the Conroy cup last weekend in our defeat to Trinity and victory over Queen's Belfast. We will keep working!

Queries on playing rugby at any level please get in touch.

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

TOUCH RUGBY - FUN, SOCIAL, INCLUSIVE!

There is touch rugby, sponsored by LUCOZADE and the IRFU TONIGHT (Monday) on the All weather astro pitch from 7-8pm sharp. No experience needed, open to male and female members. Please ask to join via MU LIFE if you are not a member and bring 2 euro and give to the coach prior.

See you there!

Male and female touch rugby behind the Phoenix building on the all weather astro pitch from 7-8pm with coach Matt!

Get out and get some fresh air and meet new friends!

Destress from the examinations and join in tag rugby on the grass pitch from 730pm sharp Tuesday & Thursday.

No charge, no experience required and it is played in a social spirit. Come and get yourself some fresh air and excercise.

ALL WELCOME.

As we have now finished the rugby season, it has been a historic campaign for our University club!

Our men 1st XV won every game in the All Ireland League finishing as champions with 18 wins from 18 games and 12 try bonus points! Incredible and to be presented with All Ireland League trophy on the north campus after our win versus Skerries tied in beautifully with the University Open Day in April!

Our women's XV won Leinster division 3 and are also champs!

Our under 20 men finished 6th in amongst the best under 20 sides in the country, the highlight of their season coming at home in the cup defeating landslide league winners Clontarf 28-21 - an incredible feat!

Our u23 men XV lost their league final, winning 12/14 regular season games but coming up just short in the league final, losing 9-6 away to Greystones. A great season men.

Our 2nd XV men finished 3rd in metro 2 and won the metropolitan plate too - more silverware!

Our under 18.5 youth boys won the double with two students amongst the team and a raft joining us for their 3rd level studies from 2019 onwards the future looks promising!

Overall, our Maynooth University Barnhall teams have been oustanding in the clubs 50th year.

The club looks set to be one of, if not the biggest in the country next year with no fewer than 6 men's teams, a top class under 20 team and 2 women's teams - 9 adult teams on top of all our mini rugby and youth rugby and our disability squad too!

Monday tag rugby on the astro 7-8pm for lads.

Female rugby session on the grass pitch 645-8pm. 

Hard luck to our under 20s who

lost narrowly on Friday night 3-10 to UCD in a tough match in testing conditions! Our women lost to Trinity in their first defeat of the season to date but do remain top of the division!

we focus this week with the biggest games in All Ireland League for our 1st XV v Galway Corinthians on Saturday home, 20s away in Premier 1 Sunday to Blackrock. Further fixtures up during week in full preview.

Keep up to date on Twitter too.

Lastly, well done to third year BioMed student Brendan McSorely on his Irish Universities cap versus Scotland on Sunday. Ireland won 31-3 at The Dub, Queens, Belfast. 

Hi all,

please support our under 20 who play in the top tier of under 20 rugby in the country! They host UCD tomorrow night at 8pm on the university rugby pitch. Wrap up warm and support the lads. We’ll be the team in navy!

There is an open female rugby session tonight 645pm on the grass pitch! This will be suitable for all - experiences or a newbie, you are most welcome to get active and start semester two with a bang! 645pm Sharp!

1. Our men 2nd XV has a mixed day as they were help to a 19-19 draw in Leinster Metro division 2. In tough conditions they fought back to secure a draw after a penalty try from a scrum.

Our women made it 7/7 as they steam roll their way to the division 3 title... First year students Ciara Carbery and Orfhlaith Murray formed a dynamic partnership at half back as the team secured an emphatic 30-5 victory over Clontarf...

Our Premier 1 lads lament another narrow loss this time at home to Lansdowne 10-15. The lads will feel they left this one behind as we lacked accuracy in the final third. Our stand out players were first years Shane Stokes and Paddy Duggan whilst second year students Michael Corcoran and Connor O Brien continued their consistent level of performance. 

The u23 men (metro 5) earned top spot in the league over the festive break as they secured another win on campus under lights on Friday with a bonus point victory over CYM. Third year Aaron O Neill scorched in a hatrick of tried from the wing in heavy conditions!

TAG rugby on tonight as usual 8-9pm on the all weather pitch...

All welcome, make and female, no experience needed... €2 per player

Great fun and it’s good to be active and blow off steam whilst getting those assignments etc I’m on time!

Come along tonight, last TAG evening of the semester... 

Tag rugby tonight on the astro pitch 8-9pm

All welcome. No experience needed. Male & female.

€2 per player. 

Big week ahead!!!

Our men's 1st XV play away in the All Ireland League Saturday hoping to continue their perfect 6/6 start to the season to play Galway Corinthians at 230pm.

20s will look to bounce back in their quest for 2nd win after suffering a narrow 10-0 loss to Old Belvedere on Sunday last as we prepare to face Trinity at home on Sunday at 2pm.

Our women's XV (also 6 wins from 6) play away at Wanderers on Sunday also with a 1pm kick off.

Under 23 men play home in our FIRST GAME under our new match lights here at the Uni! 8pm kick off, get out and support!

Men's 2nd XV are away also to Wanderers on Sunday at 2pm.

A brief note to say that our Men's 1st XV and Women's 1st XV both sit on top of their respective leagues with 6 wins from 6. The reults from weekend 10/11 saw our men go north to defeat Dungannon 15-22 (having trailed 15-3 at half time) and our Women saw off Arklow 22-5 at home.

Stand out players were second year student Daniel Murphy, third year student Brendan McSorely in the mens fixture and Orla Murray (first year) and Bianca Paun (fourth year) in the women's fixture.

Our Premier under 20 men (with 10 first year and 10 second year MU students) had a superb win in tricky conditions at home 24-7 against rugby powerhouse Blackrock College RFC which gives the lads great belief ahead of their next fixture this Sunday (25th) away at Old Belvedere RFC.

As always, we cater for all playing levels and commitments with 5 men teams, premier under 20  men and 2 womens sides (first time ever) currently!

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie for queries

Hi all,

TAG RUGBY continues tonight on the all weather pitch 8-9pm. Ideally wear boots but runners will suffice. 2 euro per player which will go towards a social evening. Male and female, mixed games and no experience necessary!

Please come along!

Our Maynooth University Barnhall MEN AND WOMEN sit TOP of their respective tables...

Our mens 1st XV won at home versus Sunday's Well from Cork and secured their 5th consecutive bonus point win in a row to continue a superb start to the season - 25 from a possible 25 points!

Our women's XV had a superb victory to also make it 5 wins from 5, beating Trinity away in Santry sports grounds 14-43 in a 7 try demolition.

Our under 20s suffered narrow defeat again in the top division of Irish under 20 rugby losing 27-22 away at UCD but did secure a double bonus point (losing and 4 try). 

Huge week ahead for all teams!

Remember we have 5 men's teams, under 20 men and a huge women's squad so we can facilitate all levels of player! FREE bus from the SU Tuesday and Thursday to/from training at 610pm, returning circa 9pm. This bus will bring you to a training be it high level (All Ireland League), social (metro 5/6/10, under 20 premier or womens).

GET INVOLVED!

TAG rugby continues tonight (Monday) 8-9pm on the all weather pitch...

All welcome, no experience needed and ideally wear rugby/football boots please. Male and female, great fun and social.

Please bring 2 euro and this is going towards a social evening.

REMINDER

TAG rugby tonight from 8-9pm on the all weather pitch. If possible please wear boots. 2 euro per person (all of this will go back in to a social evening!

All welcome, male or female.

Reminder

Tag rugby begins tonight on the all weather pitch (astro) from 8 until 9pm.

It is for male and female, NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED. 

The cost is €2 per person. 

See you there ????

IRFU TOUCH RUGBY @ Maynooth Uni

Our non contact rugby programme will start up on the all weather pitch on Monday 15th of October. It will run every Monday night from 8-9pm.

Boots must be worn (too slippy for runners) and the cost per evening is 2 euro. There may be goodies from the IRFU as the programme is sponsored by Lucozade and there will be social evenings planned post the rugby once we are up and running!

RUGBY IS BACK FOR ALL STANDARDS, MALE AND FEMALE!

Thanks to the Student's Union, we have a bus departing at 620pm every Tuesday and Thursday for training at our University club - Maynooth University Barnhall RFC. The club is 10 minutes (depending on traffic!). Bus returns circa 9pm.

There are 5 mens teams, womens team and premier under 20 team.

The bus is FREE but places are limited (seats 26), however, if demand increases so too will the bus!

Also, we have IRFU touch rugby for those keen to just enjoy the skill and speed side of rugby without the physicality OR if you play rugby at your home club. This will start AFTER fairs day (October 3rd) and will be running on Monday evenings 7-8pm on the all weather pitch! 2 euro per play.

No experience needed so there's no excuse!

Catch us on Fair's Day for further detail, meet some of the current students and general banter!

Our men's 1st XV lost in their promotion play off last week in Co Derry to Rainey Old Boys in a sisappointing 2nd half as our lads went down 26-14. This has been a hugely positive season and the squad will feel promotion is a realsitic target next season in what would be the next step for this group of dedicated players!

Our talented under 20s who won their 2nd league title in as many years play in the prestigious McCorry Cup semi final this Sunday (29th) at Terenure College RFC (Lakelends) at 3pm against UCD. Our boys toppled under 20 standard setters Lansdowne FC last week 15-12 - a superb performance!

Please support our young scholars and students this Sunday!

Also, kep an eye for summer tag rugby details. You don't need a team as there will be people looking for players to join their squad. It is a super way to stay active, have fun and socialise! Ideal for the summer!

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

A big week so far with lots more to go!

Our women competed very well against a host of star player at the Irish University 7s in a high quality competition in UCD on Wednesday (11th) losely narrowly to Trinity Rugby 17-22 to be eliminated. Well done ladies and they play the final installment of 7s rugby on the 18th at Coolmine RFC (hoested by DCU) - kick off is 1pm.

Our O Boyle Cup side travelled to IT Carlow (also on the 11th) with 18 fist year students amongst the 22 man squad! In an epic game, they went down 39-37 AFTER EXTRA TIME! 100 minutes of rugby. We are hosting the O Boyle Cup final on the 18th as a neutral venue at 2pm kick off. 

This weekend our men's 1st XV travel to Cork to play at Irish Independant Park against Sunday's Well RFC in their final All Ireland League game of the campaign proper. The lads are guaranteed the promotion playoff but a good result tomorrow would set them up nicely with a higher seeding. Promotion playoff will be away at Rainey Old Boys most likely next week in Derry (21st April). if we are successful, the final of the playoff would be the following week - 28th April (home or away tbc depending on semi final results).

Our women XV play a plate cup match against Mullingar RFC as they hope to prolong their campaign and charge for some silverware!

There is men and women 7s training on Monday (16th) 7-8 on the all weather pitch. All welcome.

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

Our men's 1st XV take on unbeaten Old Crescent RFC from Limerick tomorrow at the university club at 230pm. It's 3rd versus 1st. We are guaranteed a promotion playoff but tomorrow's test is the biggest yet this season. As we pursue a home playoff evey point counts!

Parsonstown 230pm, be there!

Our 2nd XV play HOME in the promotion grand final of metro division 2 on Sunday courtesy of finishing top of the league proper. Kick off is 3pm and the lads would appreciate all support as they look to lift the league trophy!

Big weekend ahead starting tonight...

5 men's teams and under 20s all in action from the male side of things! Busy!

Under 23 men (metro division 5) play away at Terenure College tonight (Friday) at 8pm.

1st Team play away at Navan tomorrow 230pm, looking to make it 10 WINS IN A ROW as they chase 2nd in the All Ireland League to force a home semi final.

4th and 5th teams play tomorrow (Saturday) with 4s away at Trinity in Santry and 5s home to BGF Ravens (both 3pm kick offs).

Under 20 play their final league campaign away at Greystones RFC and will be presented with the Premier 2 trophy for winning the league by a landslide for the 2nd season running after the 1pm kick off on Sunday (25th). Next up for these talented MU students will be a cup campaign against the best teams in the country starting with Lansdowne at home - date tbc.

Women XV return next Saturday (31st) in the cup at home.

All levels of rugby catered for!

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

Congratulations to Darren Hudson again on his cap for Ireland Students as they saw off a spirited Scotland at Edinburgh University last Sunday (11th) 17-33, scoring 5 tries and 4 conversions.

Darren is a key member of our MU rugby scholarship programme and coming from 7 years as a profesional (Leinster x5 and Bristol x2), is an experienced and talented performer. Worthy mentions to both Brendan McSorely (narrowly missed out on final selection) and Andrew Purcell (out with injury), also key MU scholars too.

League title wins, International representation... Not a abad Sunday!

Last weekend it was a very busy Sunday for our Maynooth University Barnhall sides as the  men 2nd, U23 and U20 XVs took the field in huge games. The 2nd XV had a huge win away at Clontarf in metro division 2 to guarantee them a HOME LEAGUE FINAL in their quest for promotion to the top metro league, the final is scheduled to take place on the weekend of 8/9 April.

Our all conquering made it two league titles in two years in emphatic style once again. They secured a bonus point away win at Old Wesley in Ballycorus to secure the Premier 2 title with TWO rounds remaining - an incredible achievement! Well done to Swanny, Adam and the whole squad. They will receive the league trophy this Bank Holiday Monday after their last home league game versus Old Belvedere. Of course they still have a mouth watering home cup tie to look forward to in the coming weeks versus Lansdowne FC.

Our U23s development side (men's 3rd XV) secured 3rd position in metro division 5 with an excellent home victory against Clontarf also. Well done guys, this has been a side that has used over 45 players and developed players constantly through to the 1st, 2nd and 20s XVs!

As usual any interest in playing rugby for any of our FIVE men's rugby teams, Under 20s or our women's XVs please get in touch via email. Why wait?!

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

RUGBY ROUNDUP 17/18 February

Men 1st XV huge bonus point win at home to Belfast Harlequins RFC 51-34, we remain in promotion playoffs chasing a home draw!

Premier Under 20s remain top by 11 points of Premier 2 after a great 0-60 win away at Trinity in their Santry Sports Complex.

U23s (men 3rd XV) won home Sunday to CYM 31-10 and secured the bonus point - they remain 3rd in their league!

Women XV lost 12-0 away at Gorey in a great and much improved performance and they will now focus on their upcoming cup campaign!

Men 4th XV lost away at St Mary's but remain 2nd in metro division 6 and chase the prmotion final spot.

Men 5th XV did not have a fixture.

Men 2nd XV play Tuesday (tomorrow) away at Greystones in Dr Hickey Park at 8pm kick off.

TAG RUGBY TONIGHT 7-8PM ON THE ASTRO!

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie

PLEASE REMEMBER THERE IS TAG RUGBY FOR MEN AND WOMEN EVERY MONDAY AT 7PM ON THE ASTRO PITCH. IT LASTS ONE HOUR. WEAR YOUR BOOTS BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY, WEAR YOUR TRAINERS.

NO COST, NO TRAVEL, NO EXCUSES!

JUST TURN UP. ALL WELCOME. NO EXPERIENCE.

SEE BLEOW OUR SENIOR SCHEDULE FOR THIS WEEK! 

Men 5th XV

Away to Suttonians Friday 8pm

Men 4th XV

Away to St Mary's College Saturday 3pm

Men 1st XV

Home to Belfast Harlequins @ Parsonstown Saturday 230pm

Men U23 XV (3rd XV)

Home to CYM @ Parsonstown Sunday 3pm

Premier U20s XV

Away to Trinity (DUFC) @ Santry Sunday 3pm

Women's XV

Away to Gorey Sunday 1pm

DATE FOR THE DIARY: Our U20s Uni side play O Boyle cup semi-final 28th Feb away at IT Carlow 7pm kick off. Support welcome!

As usual, any interest in playing rugby at any level email thomas.mckeown@mu.ie for all training times etc.

If you are looking to play high level, social rugby or women's rugby there is a FREE bus leaving the Student's Union every Tuesday and Thursday at 645pm! No excuses, get back in the gamefor the final season push!

Mixed bag this week as our 2nd XV men crashed out of the Metropolitan cup to an exceptional Lansdowne side who got ahead from early on and couldn't be caught! The match was played at the Aviva stadium in near perfect conditions (if a little cold!) and finished 55-5 to the hosts as they didn't put a foot wrong all evening. Hard luck to our lads, their attentions turn back to the league (metro division 2) where they are currently top.

Our women suffered yet another defeat, this time to a strong Tullow outfit. The step up to Division 2 has proved too much of an ask when you marry the leap in level and the loss of key players. The ladies have never given upand with oneleague fixture remaining, they will be focusing on the cup campaign.

Our Under 20 men also lead their league and stretched their advantage to a collosal 15 points after a big win against an injury ravaged Buccaneers RFC 65-7 at home yesterday.

The men 1st XV resume their charge for the playoffs next Saturday at home to Belfast Harlequins 230pm Saturday.

The men's 4th and 5th XVs did not have a fixture this weekend.

Preview of next weekends fixtures coming tomorrow.

Touch rugby tonight 7-8pm on the all weather pitch behind PhoenixBuilding, North Campus. ALL WELCOME.

thomas.mckeown@mu.ie for info on any rugby playing opportunities.