President’s letter
It is with a combined sense of honour and anticipation that I look forward to the coming season. As President, I feel a deep sense of privilege and a well-understood sense of challenge in following in the footsteps of those who have contributed so much to our club through its short history. I look forward to playing my part in attempting to maintain their great tradition of service and progress.
The battleground of AIL Division 2 lies before us again. I want to wish our standard-bearers – the 1 st Team Squad – and Ian Morgan, Denis Bowes and Eddie Fitzgerald, every good fortune in the pursuit of precious points in this most competitive of rugby cauldrons. Their commitment, courage and no-little skill is a source of great pride to all who follow them. Spread the word wherever and whenever you can – new supporters will be quickly won-over by the special spectacle on show in blue!
To the enduringly hard-working 2 nd Team Squad, and the ever-eager stalwarts on the 3rds and 4ths; may 2007 / 2008 finally yield the elusive rewards which have been so close in recent seasons. It is no more than Messrs. Clancy, Egan, Dwyer, Larkin and Flannery deserve for all their selfless efforts – keep the faith boys – your day will come!
The unprecedented success of our under 20’s last season in triumphing with gusto in both League and Cup enthralled all of us fortunate enough to see them perform. To Kevin Loftus and his new coaching ticket of Sam Cawley and Conrad Burke, I wish you continued success with this especially talented group of players. In combination with the great strides being made by John Bagnall in forging our relationship with NUI Maynooth, we are on solid ground in believing that the years ahead will see a fresh crop of Barnhall youth graduate successfully to our senior ranks. The great groundwork directed by George Furlong at Youth level and Michael Waldron at Mini level, adds further to this sense of confident anticipation as we consider the future of those who will be wearing the blue in years to come – I gratefully salute you all!
I extend a warm Barnhall welcome to all our visitors. May you enjoy the rugby, the banter and the hospitality of our club, while being careful to respect our need for home victories – I assure you that the post-match craic is all the better following a victory for the blue!
Finally, I thank our sponsors; Rye Valley Foods, Interface FLOR, Chemical Direct, Reward Struct – Sure Ltd, Eurospar Barnhall, and The Courtyard Leixlip. In this challenging era for the club game, your assistance is greatly appreciated and crucial to our continued endeavours. I hope you take justifiable pride in everything we’re trying to achieve.
May the games begin – roll on 2007 / 2008!
Jack Looby
