Richmond Rugby Football Club Founded 1928
Teams and Contacts
Club Informationn
Club Contacts
Club News and Events
| Club History |
Richmond RFC was founded in 1928 by a group of men from in the historic
Pouleen area of Limerick city. Situated beside the old canal the area derived its
name from the many sink holes and fresh water springs that dotted the
surrounding region. In the fledgling years the first president Jim McMahon, along
with his fellow founding members and players led the club to success at under
age level. However greater success was to follow and it was during the 1930-31
season that the club entered the Munster Junior Cup. Following a heroic
campaign we reached the final against a team who were to become great rivals
on the field of play. Unfortunately for us on the day Nenagh won by six points to
nil. Munster Junior success finally came in 1935-36 under the inspired
leadership of Captain Mick (Mull) Moloney.This victory was repeated three times
between the years 1942 and 52. The victorious captains were as follows; Ter O’
Brien 1942-43, Joe Hanley 1945-46, and Frank Lynch 1951-52. Club history
was created in the season 1938-39, when we became the first Junior club in
Munster history to win the Senior Charity Cup under the leadership of Martin
Bennis, captain, T. Brosnahan President, Jack Shine Hon. Secretary. Following
on from these successes the tragic death of Eddie Lawler during the 1961 Clare
cup final saw the club enter a lean period. Despite this tragic setback the club
survived and prospered. Success followed the revival of under age rugby during
the mid to late sixties that continues to the present day. This is due to the
countless hours of hard work, dedication and commitment from the members
and players. After a nomadic existence as regards playing grounds we finally
found a home. After many years in Singland, we purchased new grounds on the
banks of the Grand Canal where we built a fine clubhouse comprising; dressing
rooms, a function hall and bar that were opened in 1988 by Kevin Madigan the
then President of the I.R.F.U.
Major success followed in the season 1995-96 when we won the Munster Junior
League and qualified to play in the Fourth Division of the AIL. This success was
achieved under the guidance of John Gallagher Captain, Gary O’Hanlon
President, and Tom Cusack Hon. Secretary. We played our first A.I.L. on
December 7th 1996 at Ballinahinch. Catastrophe struck the club in February
2001 when a fire caused major damage to the club house and facilities. As a
result it became very difficult to function as a club without a facility at our
disposal. However not every story ends in tragedy, U.L. Bohemians became the
first club to come to our aid with a superb gesture. They kindly allowed us the use
of their exceptional grounds and facilities in Annacotty where we played our
home games during the 2001-2002 season. Without this assistance it would
have been extremely difficult to carry on and for this help we owe them a sincere
and heartfelt thank you. But each cloud has a silver lining, and in the midst of this
misfortune the members and players rallied magnificently to the cause, and in
the 2002 -2003 season we moved to Garryowen Green while redevelopment of
the canal bank got under way. This move saw us retain our connections with the
parishes of St. John’s and St. Patrick’s, and our playing base. During this period
the pitch was improved considerably by being raised one meter and new
drainage installed, furthermore the 2006-2007 season saw new dressing rooms
constructed and January 2007 saw us return home to Richmond Park. But
clubhouses are only bricks and mortar it is people who make a club. Richmond
has throughout its history been extremely fortunate in attracting people who are
dedicated to keeping rugby alive in the parishes around Pouleen. Without their
dedication, energy and skills down the decades, Richmond RFC might just be
another footnote in the wonderful history of rugby that permeates the fabric of
Limerick city. Along as we have these people Richmond will not only survive but
will prosper and continue the proud traditions that have seen us triumph over
adversity.
Pouleen area of Limerick city. Situated beside the old canal the area derived its
name from the many sink holes and fresh water springs that dotted the
surrounding region. In the fledgling years the first president Jim McMahon, along
with his fellow founding members and players led the club to success at under
age level. However greater success was to follow and it was during the 1930-31
season that the club entered the Munster Junior Cup. Following a heroic
campaign we reached the final against a team who were to become great rivals
on the field of play. Unfortunately for us on the day Nenagh won by six points to
nil. Munster Junior success finally came in 1935-36 under the inspired
leadership of Captain Mick (Mull) Moloney.This victory was repeated three times
between the years 1942 and 52. The victorious captains were as follows; Ter O’
Brien 1942-43, Joe Hanley 1945-46, and Frank Lynch 1951-52. Club history
was created in the season 1938-39, when we became the first Junior club in
Munster history to win the Senior Charity Cup under the leadership of Martin
Bennis, captain, T. Brosnahan President, Jack Shine Hon. Secretary. Following
on from these successes the tragic death of Eddie Lawler during the 1961 Clare
cup final saw the club enter a lean period. Despite this tragic setback the club
survived and prospered. Success followed the revival of under age rugby during
the mid to late sixties that continues to the present day. This is due to the
countless hours of hard work, dedication and commitment from the members
and players. After a nomadic existence as regards playing grounds we finally
found a home. After many years in Singland, we purchased new grounds on the
banks of the Grand Canal where we built a fine clubhouse comprising; dressing
rooms, a function hall and bar that were opened in 1988 by Kevin Madigan the
then President of the I.R.F.U.
Major success followed in the season 1995-96 when we won the Munster Junior
League and qualified to play in the Fourth Division of the AIL. This success was
achieved under the guidance of John Gallagher Captain, Gary O’Hanlon
President, and Tom Cusack Hon. Secretary. We played our first A.I.L. on
December 7th 1996 at Ballinahinch. Catastrophe struck the club in February
2001 when a fire caused major damage to the club house and facilities. As a
result it became very difficult to function as a club without a facility at our
disposal. However not every story ends in tragedy, U.L. Bohemians became the
first club to come to our aid with a superb gesture. They kindly allowed us the use
of their exceptional grounds and facilities in Annacotty where we played our
home games during the 2001-2002 season. Without this assistance it would
have been extremely difficult to carry on and for this help we owe them a sincere
and heartfelt thank you. But each cloud has a silver lining, and in the midst of this
misfortune the members and players rallied magnificently to the cause, and in
the 2002 -2003 season we moved to Garryowen Green while redevelopment of
the canal bank got under way. This move saw us retain our connections with the
parishes of St. John’s and St. Patrick’s, and our playing base. During this period
the pitch was improved considerably by being raised one meter and new
drainage installed, furthermore the 2006-2007 season saw new dressing rooms
constructed and January 2007 saw us return home to Richmond Park. But
clubhouses are only bricks and mortar it is people who make a club. Richmond
has throughout its history been extremely fortunate in attracting people who are
dedicated to keeping rugby alive in the parishes around Pouleen. Without their
dedication, energy and skills down the decades, Richmond RFC might just be
another footnote in the wonderful history of rugby that permeates the fabric of
Limerick city. Along as we have these people Richmond will not only survive but
will prosper and continue the proud traditions that have seen us triumph over
adversity.
