Twenty-nine years. That is how long Old Wesley RFC has waited, fought, and built toward a single moment: a return to the absolute pinnacle of club rugby in Ireland. After nearly three decades, the wait is officially over. Following a spectacular season, Old Wesley has clinched promotion to Division 1A of the All Ireland League (AIL). To celebrate this historic milestone, the club has released 4Life: Road to 1A, an exclusive, four-part behind-the-scenes documentary series that takes you deeper into the blood, sweat, and belief that fueled this unforgettable campaign.
Narrated by Andy Nolan, this fly-on-the-wall docuseries gives viewers unprecedented access to the training pitches of Donnybrook, the intensity of the dressing room, and the minds of the players, coaches, and volunteers who made it all happen.
Episode 1: The Opportunity
This opening chapter introduces the core characters of the squad and sets the high-stakes stage. It explores exactly what promotion means to the fabric of Old Wesley—not just as a competitive squad, but as a community.
Episode 2: The Journey
As the season hits its stride, the reality of the AIL winter sets in. This episode documents the grit required to sustain a title charge, navigating the injuries, the grueling away fixtures, and the tactical evolutions that kept the 1st XV moving forward.
Episode 3: The Rivalry
The tension ratchets up as Old Wesley prepares for the final home game of the season against long-time rivals Naas. With promotion hanging in the balance, look behind closed doors to witness the intense competition for matchday selection and the immense pressure of a local derby. (Note: Contains strong language).
Episode 4: The Decider
It all comes down to this. The grand finale follows the squad north to face City of Armagh, knowing that nothing short of a bonus-point victory will guarantee the Division 1B title and automatic promotion. Experience the incredible 45-0 masterclass that sealed our destiny.
The Match that Sealed History: Armagh 0 – 45 Old Wesley
The final 80 minutes of the league season will go down as one of the greatest team performances in Old Wesley history. Needing a bonus-point win, the team left absolutely no room for doubt:
The Breakthrough: 10 minutes in, Charlie Hempenstall dodged past defenders to open the scoring.
The Power: Eoin Deegan ploughed straight through the Armagh defense from 10 meters out, followed by a powerful Billy Corrigan try to make it 19-0 at halftime.
The Clincher: 10 minutes into the second half, Ethan Black gathered a pass from Niall Carroll and sprinted 20 meters out to secure the all-important 4th bonus-point try.
Done: Flamboyant late scores from league top-scorer Tom Larke and a second from Black wrapped up an emphatic 7-try, 45-0 shutout.
Join Us – A Club For Life!
This promotion isn’t just a victory for the squad and the coaching team; it belongs to every member, supporter, pavilion regular, and volunteer who kept the flame burning for 29 years.
Whether you are an aspiring player looking to compete at the highest tier of Irish club rugby, a social member looking for a vibrant community, or a fan ready to pack the stands for massive Division 1A Friday night lights under the Donnybrook sky—there has never been a better time to be a part of Old Wesley RFC.
Come down to the clubhouse, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and join us for the next thrilling chapter- life in 1A.
