Terenure College RFC History Page

1940's

1940/41 November 5th 1940 - With a great love for the game and concerned that past pupils were not playing Rugby Union after leaving school, Rev. Fr Jackie Corbett O' Carm chairs a meeting of rugby playing past pupils of Terenure College in the Hotel Lenehan, Harcourt Street, Dublin. Those present included Johnny Corrigan, Hugh Clarke, Joe Clarke, Sean Ryan, P.P. Maguire, Colm O' Nolan, Niall Thunder, Hugh Milroy, Dick Dunlop, Des Giltrap, Jack Hearne and Dudley Fisher.

Terenure Collegians Rugby Football Club was formed. Fr. Corbett was elected first President. J.P. Clarke was elected Hon. Secretary Johnny Corrigan as Hon . Treasurer and Hugh Milroy as Club Captain.

November 24th, 1940 - Terenure Collegians first match ( Vs. Terenure College Schools Senior Cup team) Schools team won 8 points to 3.

1942/43 March 1943 - a special general meeting of the club, attended by 29 members, agreed to have a constitution of the club drawn up and to submit an application to become affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU). The application is initially rejected. All white is adopted as the clubs colours.

1943/44 September 1943 - at a general meeting of the Club, the constitution drawn up by a committee comprising of Joe Milroy, Joe Clarke, Colm O'Nolan, Dermot Rush and Gerry Doyle was adopted. Terenure Collegians change their name to Terenure College Rugby Football Club.Terenure's application to become affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU is accepted.

Terenure College 1st XV (Captain - Joe Milroy) play their first competitive league fixture (Vs. Malahide) in Minor (J2) League . Terenure's record for their first competitive season was played 17, won 16, lost 1, scoring 246 points while conceding only 26.

Terenure 1st XV beat Lansdowne 3rds XV by 7 points to 3 to win the Minor (J2) League in their first competitive season.

1944/45 - Terenure College chose purple, black and white jersey worn with black nicks as the official club colours.

1945/46 - Terenure College promoted from Minor (J2) to Junior (J1) status. The 2nd XV (Captain -Colm O'Nolan) win the Minor (J2) League. Club dances are held in the Adelaide Ballroom, whist drives and jumble sales were organised to raise finance for a new pavillion.

1946/47 April 1947 - a new pavilion is opened at a cost of £2000. Electricity for the pavilion was kindly supplied by near neighbour the Rev. J.W. Armstrong.

1948/49 - Terenure College 1st XV (Captain - Paddy Murphy) win a unique Leinster (J1) League and Metropolitan Cup double.

In June, following that historic and unique success, Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status. The application is rejected and deemed "out of order" by the Leinster Branch.

1949/50 October 1949 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status - application is rejected without reason.

The 1st XV (Captain - Paddy Murphy) retain the Metropolitan Cup. Terenure again apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status - application is rejected.

1952/53 March 1953 - Terenure again apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status. The application is rejected.

1953/54 September 1953 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status - application is rejected.

The 1st XV (Captain - M.H. Carroll) win Leinster (J1) League and Terenure 2ndXV (Captain - Ronnie Marsh) win Leinster Minor (J2) League.

1954/55 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status - application is rejected. The 1st XV (Captain - Stan Brooks) retain Leinster (J1) League

1955/56 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status - application is rejected.

The 1st XV (Captain - Colm McMorrow) win Leinster Junior League and loose to Old Belvedere in the Final of the Metropolitan Cup - their only defeat of the season.

February 1956 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status, for the tenth time - application is rejected without reason, for the tenth time.

At the AGM of the Leinster Branch of the IRFU in May 1956 a resolution was passed recommending that the incoming Executive Committee approve the next application by Terenure.

1956/57 January 1957 - Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status, for the eleventh time - the recommendation of the AGM of the Leinster Branch was ignored and the application is rejected without reason.

1957/58 - The 1st XV (Captain - Michael Pender) win the Leinster (J1) League for the fourth time in five years. The 1st XV record victories over senior sides including Garryowen, UCD, Galwegians and Athlone.

Maurice O'Kelly captains Honk Kong Vs. New Zealand. In May 1958, Terenure apply to the Leinster Branch of the IRFU seeking promotion to Senior status for the twelfth time - again for the twelfth time the application is rejected without reason, and for a thirteenth time a month later.

July 3rd, 1958 - Terenure College RFC hold a press conference at which a statement outlining grievances with Leinster Branch was issued.

1958/59 - December 8, 1958 a report in the Irish Independent claimed that the IRFU had " directed " the Leinster Branch to promote Terenure.

On January 8, 1959 - following the fourteenth application for Senior status by Terenure, the Executive Committee of the Leinster Branch of the IRFU stated that Terenure would be promoted to senior status for the 1959/60 season. The 1st XV (Captain - Hugh Church) win the Leinster (J1) League again, and narrowly loose (after extra time) in the Final of the Metropolitan Cup.

A copy of the program from the first game played by Terenure College RFC as a Senior club - thanks to Tom Morrissey

1959/60 - The 1st XV - (now the Senior XV) play Senior Rugby for their first season. The 2nd XV (Captain - Michael H. Carroll) wins the Metropolitan Cup.

1961/62 - Mick Hipwell selected to play for Ireland (Vs. England at Twickenham) - Terenure's first international player. The members approved the design and cost (£7000) of the new club house, which enfolded the old pavillion onto itself.

1963/64 - The first overseas tour undertaken by the Club - to Devon in England. Three wins out of three - Vs. Teignmouth (45-6), Vs. Devonport (47-9) and Torquay (20-3)

1965/66 - The Senior XV (Captain - Eddie Coleman) win the Leinster Senior Cup for the first time, defeating St. Marys in the final. The 3rd XV (Captain - Mick Thunder) win the Albert O'Connell Cup.

1966/67 - The Senior XV (Captain - Eddie Thornton) retain the Leinster Senior Cup, defeating UCD in the final. Brendan Sherry (Scrum Half) selected to play for Ireland (Vs. Australia at Lansdowne Road) - Terenure's second international player.

1968/69 - The 3rd XV (Captain Eddie Thornton) win the Leinster Minor(J2) League and the 3rd B XV (Captain -) win the Col. Winters Cup.

1970's

1969/70 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Bosco Morrissey) win the Leinster (J1)League, the 3rd XV (Captain - Eddie Thornton ) win the Minor (J2) League and Albert O'Connell Cup double. The 3rd A XV (Captain - Tony Morris) win the J3 League, the 3rd B XV (Captain - Mick "Flower Power" Barrett) win the Col. Winters Cup.

1970/71 - Micheal Hipwell (Flanker) selected to tour New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions. The 2nd XV (Captain - Pat Sparks) retain the Leinster Junior League, the 3rd XV (Captain - Colm Jenkinson ) win the Minor League and Albert O'Connell Cup double. The 3rd A XV (Captain - Frank Crossan) win the Moran Cup, and the 3rd B XV (Captain - Mick "Flower Power" Barrett) retain the Col. Winters Cup.

1971/72 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Eddie Thornton) retain the Leinster Junior League - three years in a row, the 3rd XV (Captain - Paddy Kelly ) win the Albert O'Connell Cup. The 3rd A XV (Captain - Willie Flynn) win the Moran Cup, and the 3rd C XV (Captain - Paddy Donaghy) win the O'Connor Cup.

1972/73 - The 3rd A XV (Captain - Frank Crossan) win the Moran Cup and the 3rd B XV (Captain - Paddy Donaghy) win the Col. Winters Cup. A Lounge Bar is added to the club house and oficially opened in November 1972.

1973/74 - The 3rd A XV (Captain - Mick Flynn) win the Moran Cup and the 3rd C XV (Captain - John Church) win the O'Connor Cup.

1974/75 - The 3 A XV (Captain - Frank Crossan) wins the Leinster J3 League. The Senior XV tour Bermuda, winning all six matches.

1975/76 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Brian Byrne) wins Leinster Junior League for the tenth time and the 3rd A XV (Captain - Kevin Gilroy) wins J3 League.

1976/77 - The Senior XV (Captain - John Cronin) are defeated in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup by UCD (9-6), following a bizarre refereeing decision to disallow a sucessfull penalty kick.

1977/78 - The 3rd B XV (Captain - Dec Allen) wins J4 League and the 3rd C XV (Captain - Barry Dooley) wins the O'Connor Cup.

1978/79 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Des Lamont) wins the Metropolitan Cup for the forth time, the 3rd B XV (Captain - Frank Gildea) wins the Col. Winters Cup.

1980/81 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Barry Roche) wins the Leinster Junior League for the eleventh time.

1981/82 September 1981 - The Senior XV tour USA. The 2nd XV (Captain - Aidan Neill) wins the Leinster (J1) League for the twelfth time.

1983/84 - Michael H. Carroll is elected President of the IRFU, the first Terenure member to hold this office. Ireland win the Triple Crown.

The Senior XV (Captain - Niall O' Kelly) wins the Leinster Senior League for the first time, beating St. Mary's 15 points to 13 in the Final. The side included three O'Kelly brothers - No. 8 (Conor), No. 9 (Niall) and No. 10 (Mick)The 3rd D XV (Captain - Frankie Crossan) wins the Fox Cup.

1986/87 - The 3rd B XV(Captain - Des Stafford) wins the J4 League. The 3rd E XV (Captain - Declan Larkin) wins the Greenlea Cup

1987/88 - The 2nd XV (Captain - Liam O' Dea) wins the Metropolitan Cup for the fifth time.

1988/89 - Paul Haycock (Wing) becomes the third Terenure College player to play for Ireland (Vs. England at Lansdowne Road).The 3rd D XV (Captain - Gerry Rooney) wins the Fox Cup.

1989/90 - The 3rd C XV (Captain - Mick Russell) wins the O'Connor Cup
The 3rd D XV (Captain - Brian Colgan) wins the Fox Cup.
The J8's win the James Guilfoyle cup captained by Frank Gildea.

1990/91 - Terenure College RFC celebrates it's Golden Jubilee Year with Joe Milroy (founding member) as President.

The IRFU introduces the All Ireland League (AIL) cometition. Terenure compete in Division 2, based on Senior results over recent years.

1991/92 - The 3rd B XV (Captain - Ronan McNanara) wins the J4 League and the Col. Winters Cup double.

1992/93 - Ciaran Clarke (Full Back) selected for Ireland (Vs. France at Lansdowne Road) becoming Terenure's fourth international player.

1993/94 - The Senior XV (Captain - Niall Hogan) wins the Leinster Senior Cup for the third time, defeating Greystones in the Final. A Junior XV (Captain - Risteard Mulcahy) tour the Netherlands. For the record, one loss (Vs. The Hague - Senior XV, 13-8) and one victory (Vs. Amstelveen, 22-12)

1994/95 - Niall Hogan (Scrum Half) selected for Ireland (Vs. England at Lansdowne Road) becoming Terenure's fifth international.

1995/96 - Niall Hogan (Scrum Half) selected as Captain of Ireland, the first Terenure player to be hold this title. David Corkery (Flanker) wins a cap (Vs. Fiji) to become the sixth member of Terenure to represent Ireland.

The 1st XV (Captain - Peter Bruce) wins the Kitty O'Shea's Leinster Senior Championship and the Leinster Senior Cup for the fourth time (by defeating Lansdowne in both finals) and wins promotion to Division 1 of the AIL.

1996/97 - The 1st XV (Captain - James Blaney) finish in joint second position of the AIL Division 1, defeating every Leinster (AIL Division1) club in the process. The first Dublin Grand Slam.

Girvan Dempsey, James Blaney, Richie Governey, Rory Sheriff and Mikey Smith all are capped by Leinster.

1997/98 - The 1st XV (Captain - Mark Egan) tour South Africa. Joe Kelly elected joint club captain as Mark Egan retires after the tour due to injury.

The 1st XV (Captain - Joe Kelly) finish in eight place of Division 1 of the AIL.

Ciaran Clarke and Derek Hegarty selected to tour South Africa with Ireland.

The Junior teams toured Budapest Hungary May 1998. Captain by Ristread Mulcahy. They played Budapest twice and won both matches.

1998/99 - Ireland, British & Irish Lions number eight Eric Miller joins Terenure on a STG£25,000 transfer from Leicester. Girvan Dempsey (Full Back) makes his Irish debut against Georgia as a substitue for Conor O'Shea scoring two tries.

Derek Hegarty is capped by Leinster at scrum-half.

The Junior Teams toured to Canada captained by Dave Dowling. They visited Toronto (Beat Toronto Irish), Ottawa Lost to Ottawa Irish (President: Shay Hollingsworth. Referee Mark Doyle, son of Terry), and finished off with a couple of days in Montreal.

2000/01 Kevin Putt is capped by Leinster.

The J4 Team (Captain Hugh Bagnall retain the J4 league for the second successive year)

2001/02 - The 1st XV (Captain Shane Cullen) finish 6th in the AIB League narrowly missing the play off's.

Steve Baretto and David Blaney are capped by Leinster.

The J4 Team (Captain Darren Philips retain the J4 league for the third successive year

2002/03 - The 1st XV (Captain Shane Cullen) are relegated to Division 2 of the AIB League after a mixed season. The J4 Team (Captain Darren Philips retain the J4 league for the fourth successive year.

2003/04 - The 1st XV (Captain Richard Governey) play in the Second Division of the AIB League, finishing 7th. Des Thornton and Peter Walsh return from Garda Rugby Club and 1st XV Coaches. Terenure's Girvan Demspey and Eric Miller represent ireland at Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia. Terenure's Paddy "Rala" O'Reilly also travels as Irish Baggage Master.

Brian Blaney is capped by Leinster.

The J4 Team (Captain Darren Philips retain the J4 league for the fifth successive year), they also won the J4 Blitz.

The Junior Teams toured Warsaw playing in the Warsaw 10's and going on to win the shield.

2004/05 - The 1st XV (Captain Cormac Egan) retain their status in the second division of the AIB League finishing 7th. The local derby between Terenure and St Mary's is won by the Lakelands side.

Eric Miller and Girvan Dempsey retain their Irish team status and both players are selected for the Barbarians tour. Unfortunately neither player is selected for the Lions tour to New Zealand. Terenure are represented in Leinster by Brian Blaney, Eric Miller and Girvan Dempsey.

David McAllister (with Clontarf) is capped by Leinster.

The 1st XV playing Division 2 of the AIB League winning the league stage and promotion to Division 1.

The J4 Team win the Blitz, while the J5 Team win the DP Smyth Cup (a St Mary's College event). The Winters Cup is also captured.

The club welcome back James Blaney as assistant coach to Kevin West. David McAllister returns from Clontarf and Brian Flanagan returns from St Mary's College. Terenure are represented in Leinster by Girvan Dempsey, Brian Blaney (earns first HEC Cap v Glasgow 30/10/05) , David McAllister, Alex Dunlop and Eric Miller.

Michael H Carroll is inducted into the GUINNESS Rugby Hall of Fame while Eric Miller retires from International and Provincial rugby.

Terenure are promoted to Division 1 of the All Ireland League following 14 victories and 1 loss, finishing top of the league. They score the second higest amount of points in all 3 leagues and concede the least.

2006/07 Dermot Quinn Captain.

The 1stXV play in Division 1 of the AIB League for the first time since 2001. Alex Dunlop is the on field captain due to Dermot Quinns injury. They finish in the top 8 and win the Michael Smyth memorial trophy with a win over St Mary's in the last game of the season. Fortunes in the AIB Cup were not as good with a loss to Clonakility in the Quarter Finals.

The Terenure College RFC Academy is launched. Stephen Nolan is capped on the AIB Club International Team.

The J4's do the league and cup double.
The U12's, 13's and 15's win their competitions.

Terry Doyle is President of the Association of Referees, Leinster Branch

2007/08 - David McGowan President, Stephen Nolan Captain.

The 1stXV is captained by Stephen Nolan and finishes 12th in the league. Stephen is included in the AIB Club International side. The Junior 2 side captained by Tony Byrne complete the league and O'Connell Cup double. The Fox cup returns to the club for the first time in 18 years.
The Academy and Mini rugby continue to grow.

A former Mini Rugby player Risteard Byrne is capped at U18 level for Ireland. The first to come through the system.

Brian Blaney continues to play admirably in the Leinster jersey while there is no stopping Girvan Dempsey. He has now amassed 80 caps. David McAllister returns to the club after a stint in Italy.

The U14 side win the Metropolitean Cup while the J4 side are defeated in the Winters Cup Final.

Paddy 'Rala' O'Reilly and Girvan Dempsey travel with the Ireland team to the Rugby World Cup in France, Girvan as a squad member and Rala as Baggage Master.