It gives me great pleasure, as President of Newbridge Rugby Football Club, to welcome you to our club website.  Here you can find out some information about our club. Hopefully, you’ll be able to come and join in the fun over the coming season.  Our club is situated in the North Midlands of Leinster in the county of Kildare.  The club was founded in 1996 through the amalgamation of two local clubs with proud traditions in Leinster Rugby (Old Kilcullen RFC and Curragh RFC).  We are a young vibrant club and over the course of the last few seasons have put a major emphasis on youth development the fruits of which are starting to come through to our Senior XV. 

From a personal point of view this is my first season as President and I would like to thank the outgoing president Niall Kidd for his contribution.  There are no words to describe the effort Niall has put into our club, particularly in the leaner years. 

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In each of the past six seasons we have won silverware beginning with the Naas Floodlit Cup in 2003, whilst not exactly the Heineken Cup, it was an important springboard to greater things.  More silverware followed with Ladies League Division 3 in 2004, Leinster J1 League Division 3 in 05, Leinster J2 League Division 2 in 2006, the North Midlands J2 Lalor Cup in 2007 season. In 2008 we won Leinster J1 League Division 2 and promotion to Division 1.  This is a culmination of a massive effort on behalf of the entire club membership.  The rugby on display by all Newbridge Teams is of the highest standard.

This season we will face our toughest challenge yet in Leinster League Division 1 against the cream of J1 clubs.  It’s a position we have fought hard to achieve and look forward to the challenge.  Our Club coach for 2008/09 is once again Des Rigney. Des has put a bit of bite into the Newbridge play, using his experience from Portlaoise who know a thing or two about Junior Rugby.

We have a new club captain in Jon Downey who needs no introduction.  He learned his rugby in nearby Newbridge College, and later at Bective Rangers whom he captained.  Jon is a leader on and off the pitch and I wish him and his squad every success.  Sean Treacy will captain our 2^nd XV.   Pascal Behan will captain our 3^rd XV.

Valerie Finn takes over as Ladies captain.  The Ladies struggled a bit last year but we have a core group of talented ladies allied to a very enthusiastic group of new players.

Three years ago we entered a 20’s team in the JP Flanagan Competition and in our inaugural season came very close to a semi final slot.  We have built on this and have developed an excellent support base for a very hungry 20s squad.  We qualified out of our group last year to compete in the JP Pennant taking some notable senior scalps along the way.  David Mahon and Enda Bohan bring a wealth of experience to the 20s set up and we are hoping for great things from this group.

Peter Flanagan

Newbridge Club President 2008/09