About
Explore this page
President's Message
It is with immense honour and a profound sense of privilege that I take up this role as the 46th President of UCC Rugby. I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, Mr Charlie Haly, whose dedication and energy has contributed enormously to our Club’s ongoing success.
Sharing the sentiments of Dr. T.A. Neville, the Centenary President of UCC Rugby:
"In this office I feel that I represent not only the present members, but several generations of students who, by their activities and sportsmanship, have placed the club amongst the foremost in the country."
To my fellow Management & Rugby Committees’ members – thank you for your enormous efforts and hard work over the past seasons. I look forward to working another year with you to guide the Club and tackle the various challenges during the forthcoming season.
We are profoundly grateful to our sponsors. Your generous support is integral to our success, and we thank you for your unwavering partnership.
To our Club Captain Sam O’Sullivan, our Women’s Captain Brighid Twohig, and all our players, volunteers, coaches, and management of all our teams – please enjoy the year ahead and I hope you all have a successful and enjoyable season.
On behalf of everyone in the Club, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Mardyke to all members and guests along with their families and friends. I would also like to welcome all visiting teams and match officials, and I hope that you find the Mardyke a welcoming environment.
Our financial needs continue to grow and without you, our members, supporting the Club’s activities, we cannot develop our Club’s ambitions. Please attend a lunch, meet friends and enjoy the rugby, and our Club will continue to thrive.
Our stated mission is to nurture & develop the characteristics and skill essential in the pursuit of excellence on and off the pitch. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Believe you can and you're halfway there". This simple yet powerful quote encapsulates the essence of the human spirit and the incredible potential we possess. It speaks to the importance of self-belief and how it can propel us forward on the path to achieving our goals and dreams. When we have faith in ourselves and our abilities, we are already halfway towards success. We have great coaching tickets in place for all UCC Rugby teams, ably led by Head Coach Tomas O’Leary, to achieve our mission.
Thank you all for your ongoing support and passion for our Club as we embark on another exciting season. Together, by upholding the values of sportsmanship and excellence that define UCC Rugby, we will continue to achieve great things.
John J. Fitzgerald
UCC Rugby Club President 2025-26
History
The Early Days
Mystery surrounds the introduction of rugby football in south Munster, but there was a strong tradition of it being first played at Midleton College in the early 1870s. Queen’s College Cork, as it was then known, opened its doors in 1849 and it must be assumed that students interested in sporting diversions engaged in some version of the modern game. It was not until 1872, however, that proof of rugby football in Queen’s College Cork was established in the form of a specially printed rulebook, which indicates that the game was firmly enshrined amongst the students who felt that it was time to set up some permanent order in the game. Rugby at UCC is probably as old as at Trinity College, Dublin, where a rulebook was also produced at that time. The book of rules became known as The Rules of Foot Ball as Played at Queen’s College Cork, 1872. Both Universities are distinguished in having been the first clubs in the country with their own rulebooks. Both sets of rules are discussed in the Centenary History of the IRFU.
In the early days during the 1870s Queens Cork played the likes of Montenotte F.C., Bandon, Waterloo, Queenstown (now Cobh) and Cork Bankers in games involving 22-a-side. At this time the teams kicker, Goulding, later came to fame as Sir William Goulding, Chairman of W.H.M. Goulding Ltd., and W.A.Cummins who became Professor Ashley Cummins, one of the greatest College rugby men of all time and the first College player to be capped for Ireland (1879) and then the Lions in South Africa (1910). Tom Harrison played fullback and went on to become one of the great Irish fullbacks (1879-82).
The origin of the distinct Skull and Crossbones emblem that adorns the UCC rugby jersey (and all UCC sports clubs to the present day) has been the cause of some dispute. Seemingly it was there from the outset when Queens College Cork was predominantly a medical school and the medical students adopted the skull and bones as an appropriate trademark when representing the college on the sporting field. To this day the UCC jersey is a much sought after garment amongst players, students- particularly International students – and alumni at home and abroad. The skull even features in the words of the ‘Ta Rax’ (College Victory Cry) “…we’ll make the old skull gasp or grin…”
UCC RFC and Ireland
Since 1879 no less than 55 UCC players have represented Ireland at full International, with 34 of these playing for Ireland while still playing with UCC RFC, most notably Tom Kiernan (’60-’63), J.C. Walsh (’60-‘65), Moss Finn (’79) and Donal Lenihan (’81-’82). All three UCC men went on to play with distinction for the Lions: Kiernan twice in South Africa ’62 and ’68, Walsh in Australia ’66 and Lenihan in Australia ’89.
The Lions connection does not stop there. Six other UCC graduates and past players of UCC RFC went on to play for the Lions: W. Ashby (S.A. 1910), W.J.Roche (S.A. 1924), M.F.Lane (Aus/N.Z. 1950), Moss Keane (Aus/NZ 1977), Paul Wallace ( S.A. 1997), Ronan O’Gara (Aus 2001 & N.Z. 2005). In all 9 UCC men have represented the Lions.
The Lions connection does not stop there. Six other UCC graduates and past players of UCC RFC went on to play for the Lions: W. Ashby (S.A. 1910), W.J.Roche (S.A. 1924), M.F.Lane (Aus/N.Z. 1950), Moss Keane (Aus/NZ 1977), Paul Wallace ( S.A. 1997), Ronan O’Gara (Aus 2001 & N.Z. 2005). In all 9 UCC men have represented the Lions.
From the list of 21 College Internationals who were capped for Ireland after leaving UCC RFC are some household and some emerging names: Moss Keane, Gerry Holland, Brian Spillane, Paul Collins, Fergus Ahern, Darragh and David O’Mahony, Paul Wallace, Dominic Crotty, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara, Frankie Sheehan, Mick O’Driscoll. John Kelly, and most recently, Denis Leamy who left UCC RFC in 2004. Jerry Flannery completes this list of luminaries having been called up to the Ireland squad for the 2005 autumn test against Romania .
In recent times ‘College’ have supplied countless players to the Ireland U21 and U19 teams at both six nations and World cup levels. Since 1997 alone 20 UCC men have played for the Ireland U19s while 29 have played International U21 since 1988, including the likes of Wallace, O’Driscoll, Sheehan, Stringer, Flannery. The Current Munster trio of Denis Leamy, Stephen Keogh and Frank Murphy played Ireland U21 in 2002 alongside ex Munster and UCC centre Conrad O’Sullivan. All four players were part of the UCC U20 All Ireland winning team of 2001-2002 and all four contributed hugely to UCC reaching the AIL playoffs for the first time in 2002 where they narrowly missed out on promotion to Division 1. In 2004-2005 UCC had 6 players on the Ireland U21 six nations squad and 4 on the Irish U19s. In 2005-2006 UCC had 5 players on the under 21 world cup team – a record for any Irish university.
On November 18th 2005, the revived Irish Universities played Scottish Universities in UCCs historical Mardyke grounds. The team featured four UCC players on a night when there were eight eligible UCC players taking part in an Irish U21 squad weekend in Dublin.
Captains Message
To all players, officials, members, sponsors and supporters, I would like to extend a warm welcome to the Mardyke for what should be a year to remember as UCC Rugby celebrates its 150th anniversary.
It is a huge honour for me to be elected as Club Captain for this momentous year. Having watched matches in the Mardyke for as long as I can remember, to wearing the famed ‘Skull & Crossbones’ over the past three years, it is a privilege not taken lightly and but one I look forward to immensely. I would also like to congratulate Vice-Captain Mark Bissessar who has been a great servant to UCC Rugby over the years. I am lucky to have him by my side this year.
This is an incredibly exciting time to be a part of UCC Rugby. As the Senior team aims to rebound from the lows of last season, the Rugby Committee and UCC Department of Sports & Physical Activity have worked tirelessly in securing a coaching ticket to make us successful in the AIL. Michael Bradley has come on board as Head Coach, ably assisted by Scott Deasy, Paul McCarthy and Ken O’ Connell. I speak on behalf of all the players when I say we are incredibly lucky, and equally as excited, to be working with a such a quality coaching group. I would also like to congratulate Clare Beasley who has been elected as Womens Rugby Captain. I wish Clare and her team, and all the other Men’s teams and their coaches, the very best of luck for the 2022-23 season. Hopefully it will be an injury free and successful season.
I was first introduced to our team manager, Jack Casey, during my final year in school, and it didn’t take much persuading for me to understand what a special club UCC Rugby is. The club gives you the unique opportunity to play with University peers and friends who are at the same stage of life as you. In the short few years playing with College, friendships and memories are made to last a lifetime.
Jack forms half of a formidable duo with our kitman, Jim Crowley. Jack and Jim work selflessly all year to ensure everything runs smoothly and are invaluable to the Seniors. Brian Slater and Dave O Connell make up the rest of our Senior Team support group. They put in huge effort all year, not unnoticed, to ensure all players are fit and match ready. Their contribution is hugely appreciated by all involved.
A special mention must go to outgoing President Vivian Nathan. Viv had to battle through a time when Covid ruled all and did a tremendous job in overseeing the club’s return to play after almost a full year out of action. Thank you Viv. I would like to congratulate and offer my full support to incoming President Finbar Dennehy. I look forward to working with Finbar this year as we strive to make it a year to remember.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your continued support of UCC RFC. We hope that we can offer our fantastic supporters, whom we cannot do without, lots to cheer about. We cannot wait to get the AIL season going, and we look forward to seeing you all at the ‘Dyke on matchdays.
Yours in Rugby,
Louis Bruce
Club Captain 2022 / 2023
UCC Clubs Code of Conduct
This policy provides the guidelines to recognising unacceptable behaviour, to creating an inclusive and friendly environment, and to the complaints and disciplinary procedure relating to bullying and harrassment.