Captain’s Thank You 2015
This season has been one of the most successful seasons in recent years for our Adult Men’s teams, with all adult teams having won their league or reached a cup final, and some playing in both league and cup finals. It goes without saying all of the hard work on the pitch could not have been achieved without the work behind the scenes and the fervent support from the sidelines . As the curtain closes on a most enjoyable season our team captains would like to take a moment to reflect on the season past and thank all those involved.
Alan Large – 1st XV Captain & Club Captain
From all the first team squad we want to thank the whole of Old Wesley for all their support in helping us have a season of unprecedented success. To win Division 2A and win 12 AIL games in a row in doing so would not have been possible without all the support we had on and off the pitch.
To Morgan and Willie its hard to put into words the job you did this year. You created an unbelievable team environment and you were two coaches that players wanted to play for, which should not be underestimated. To our Wallace management dream team of Derek and Bob, thank you for looking after everything and allowing us to only need to think about playing.
To Burse and the Executive thanks for all your support and inspirational post match speeches!! When you can take the politics out of a rugby club and leave the players to play rugby it is no mean feat, but it as something Burse achieved which needs to be complemented.
Trips to Derry, Rainey and the short memorable trip to Blackrock were days where we felt we were in Donnybrook and to finish the season with a 100% home record shows that the support was as prominent at home as away. Thanks to all those who came and cheered us on.
We are all looking forward to the step up to Division 1B and sharing the new Old Wesley journey with you all.
Mulcaire O’Mara – 2nd XV Captain
On behalf of the senior seconds team I would like to thank everyone involved this season. At the start of September we set ourselves the goal of winning the Metro League Division 2, and be promoted to Division 1. This could not have been achieved without the work of our coaches and management. The dedication and effort put in by Willy and Morgan both on and off the pitch was incredible. I would also like to thank our management team Bob, Diggler and Campo, for doing all the work behind the scenes. Finally I would like to thank the fans who showed great support at all our games both home and away.. Now next job.
Colin Wallace – 3rd XV Captain
After a strong league campaign and Moran Cup win in their previous campaign, the 3rds started the season with high hopes for the upcoming season. With the majority of the team back for another campaign, the 3rds very quickly settled in with some strong performances in the league. It soon became a 2 horse race between Wesley and Terenure for the league title with Terenure pipping Wesley to the title with an 11-6 win in a tight deciding league final in Lakelands.
With the disappointment of the league final loss, the 3rds soon hit back with spirited performances beating Clontarf and Old Belvedere in the O’Connell Cup to advance to the final against a strong Lansdowne team that had finished their league campaign unbeaten. Despite one of the most courageous performances from any club side in recent times, the 3rds had to deal with the heartbreak of losing out to a drop goal in the dying minutes of extra time being pipped 26-25 by a Lansdowne side containing a number of ex-Leinster, Ireland u-20s and AIL players.
It was a performance that spoke volumes of the spirit and dedication of not only the squad but also the management and coaching team. Despite losing both league and cup finals, the 3rds can look back on the season with a lot of pride and the continued success of the 3rds team is testament to the efforts of the extended coaching / management team of Stuart Kinlan, Trevor Farrar, David Swaine, Scott Wilkie, Craig Petrie, Jamie McConnell and Andrew Leeson. The whole squad are extremely grateful for the time and effort that they have given the team and special mention must be paid to Andrew Leeson, who retired at the end of season after an outstanding contribution during both his playing and coaching career with Old Wesley. We might not have been able to deliver a cup for him to send him out on a high but hopefully he will look back with some great memories of not only the nights festivities but also some of the performances and growth of Junior Rugby during his time at the helm.
Graham Richmond – 4th XV Captain
As they go this season proved to be a very satisfying & most of all an enjoyable one for all those who experienced the atmosphere generated by the fourths. Any season that registers only two defeats by a single score should be deemed a success. The foundations were laid and planned by “the management”. Coaches , Paul McClatchie and Stephen Wallace provided excellent knowledge and know how of all things “ crossfit “ and rugby , their words of wisdom helped us out of the few tricky situations that arose.
Titles do not matter to men of substance and in Ivan Sutton and Nigel Poff the fourths were blessed with a management team selfless in their aim to help the team. Whatsapp instigator, Ivan must have at times wondered what was the monster he had created but this helped generate a team spirit second to none. In Nige we had a doer; someone who never seeks the limelight but gets things done. All those who played with the fourths wish to thank the aforementioned four men, who in no small part provided the corner stone for a thoroughly enjoyable season. On a personal note, this was one of the most fulfilling seasons I have played in the club. I would like to thank all those who played and wish you continued success and banter in the future.
Thomas O’Brien – 5th XV Captain
It was great to be involved this year in the resurrection of the 5th team. Having lost out on a league final place by just 1 point and losing a cup final in heartbreaking fashion by 1 point with the last kick of the game to a very strong Trinity side, it was remarkable season for a 1st year team. The team that had Irish, American, French, Brazilian and Australians line out for it this season. Personally it was a great team to be involved in with a sprinkling of youth and some seasoned experience. Having capped close to 40 players for this year it was team that brought players out of retirement but also give young players their first taste of adult rugby. It’s this mix of old and young that has been part of club rugby for so long but alas now is becoming more and more rare. This I truly feel is something as a club we can all take great pride in.
My thanks must start at the very top of our organization with our President Burse. He didn’t do anything presidential for us but as a loose head, tight head, lock, back row and chief messer it was great having him involved showing the lads the “true” meaning of junior rugby. Unfortunately Dave didn’t play in the cup having been dropped my management in favor of his son Matthew; but that is modern rugby. Thanks must also go to our great Management team Des Johnson and Robby Love who took care of all the match day prep, week in and week out allowing players to concentrate on the task at hand. Also to the 4ths management who helped us divide up teams so e could have the strongest teams out for both sides each weekend. I would also like to single out Stuart Kinlan who was always at hand to help us draft in a player when needed. He also marked his first trip back to playing on the grounds of his hallowed Alma Mater Mount Temple with a try. Alas Bono and the Edge weren’t cheering on from the sidelines this time. It was also great to see support on the sidelines by many club members and legends of the past, showing the young players the importance of junior sides in the club.
Lastly I would like to thank all the players who took those Thursday and Friday night phone calls from me looking for a dig out. It’s never easy to get out of a warm bed on a Saturday morning for a wet trip down the country but for all those who did I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.