About us
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History
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| FIRST VIRGINIA 1st XV to play Cavan at Virginia 27th February 1978 Back Row: D. Andrews T.D., L. Conlon, M, O’Rourke,Wilson Greene, M. Ryan, G. Barlow, P. Gallagher, R. McDonnell, T. McCormick, D. Mc Donnel l Front Row: E. Johnstone, P. Gallagher, D. Traynor, A.Whelan, M. Gallagher, S. Hessian, J. McDonagh |
The club was originally founded in 1977 as a team of golfers, who had aspirations of being able to play rugby, and challenge other Golf Clubs.
The following year Virginia RFC was officially entered in league competition in the Ulster Branch of the I.R.F.U.
Homeless at the beginning the team had to use local G.F.C clubs pitches to play their games, clubs such as Ramor United and Munterconnaught gave our club a welcomed help.
The team even played on showground kindly provided by the Agricultural Show Committee, since that day few donkeys remain in the teams! It�s only in 1980 that the actual ground was purchased beside Deepark forest.
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| Official Opening of Pitch of Virginia RFC 16th April 1982 Left to Right: Wllie John McBride, Captain of British & Irish Lions. Dr. Eugine McDonagh, Moss Ryan, Secretary & Trustee, Tim McCormick Trustee,Wilson Greene President & Trustee, McDonagh | 1983 Virginia 1st XV Back Row Left to Right: T, Fitzpatrick, C. Frazer, T. McHugh, J. Brady, G. Frazer, N. Coyle, P Shackleton, M. Ryan.Middle Row: G. McCartney (R.I.P.), B. Clarke,Wilson Greene President, David Sloane, Captain, N. McDonagh, L. Dancey.Front Row: A. Carroll, P. Gargan, N. Hall, G. Hopkins, F. Gillick |
The club house was built in 1982 providing Virginia RFC, at the time, with one of the finest facilities in one of the most beautiful settings.
All through the 80's the club enjoyed great success gaining 6 promotions from Minor league 6 up to Intermediate League 5. Virginia also had great success in the McCambley Cup, reaching regularly the semi-final or final stage, and winning the trophy on 1982. The late 1980's and early 1990's was a quiet period, the club decided to play their league in North Leinster but remained in Ulster for cup competition. 1993 saw the return to full time Ulster competition.
Virginia RFC gained promotion for 4 years in a row, winning their league each time and still reaching cups semi finals or finals in the mean time, teams were led by Cyril Frazer, Michael McCormack and Neville Hall.
Not much happened in the late 1990's, the Senior team reached the McCambley cup final in 1997 with Dessie Higgins as captain. The club had to wait until the season 2000-2001 for more silverware. In that year Virginia RFC won the Minor League under the captaincy of Fergal Brady.
2000 was also the birth of Virginia RFC under age section, the section was launched by Malachy McNally and since it grew from strength to strength. Results weren't long to show, when in 2004 young Breifne Reilly was selected for Ulster under 18 panel and captain the team the following year. He was followed in the Ulster Under 18 panel by prop forward Fergal Lynch during the season 2006-2007.
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| 1997 McGambley Cup finalist |
Five years after the creation of the Youth section the Ladies team started coached by Jason Fowley. The team entered the Under 14 league in 2006 and finished second for their first year of competitive rugby. In 2007 they played in the Under 18 League and saw their effort rewarded by 4 selections for Ulster Under 18 panel, Alannah Fowley, Cashia Wlodarski, Sarah Harte and Sanuagh Keoghan.
Nowadays the under age section is thriving, the Minis section gather over 100 children on a weekly basis under the guidance of their army of coaches. The Youth section managed by Malachy McNally is also flourishing with teams playing competitions at all level from under 14 to under 18.
The highlight of the 2008 season was Fergal Lynch selection for Ireland Under 18 squad, the first ever Virginia player to represent his country. His selection brought a great sense of joy and pride among club members.
All the hard work in the youth sections is starting to pay with the various selections and the increasing number of young players now pushing for a spot in the senior teams.
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| 2008 Ladies U18 team | Fergal Lynch in action with Ulster U18 team |
Honours
Here are our Honours
LEAGUES & CUPS:
1980: Winner Minor League 5
1981: Winner Minor League 4
1982: Winner Minor League 3
1982: Winner McGambley Cup
1985: Winner Intermediate League 5
1994: Winner Minor League 5
1995: Winner Minor League 4
1996: Winner Minor League 3
2002: Winner Minor League East
ULSTER CAPS:
U 18: 2003-04: Breifne O'Reilly
U 18; 2004-05: Breifne O’Reilly, Team Captain
U 18; 2006-07: Fergal Lynch
U18 ladies; 2007-08: Alannah Fowley, Cashia Wlodarski, Sarah Harte, Sanuagh Keoghan
IRELAND CAPS:
UNDER 18; 2007-08: Fergal Lynch
Committee
Here is our Commitee
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