CLUB SCENE: MY CLUB
By DAIRE WALSH
UCC RFC
UCC Rugby Club,
Ferry Lodge,
Mardyke Walk,
Mardyke,
Cork.
www.rugbyucc.ie
WITH last Saturday’s 22-15 success away to UL Bohemians marking their fifth win from six matches), UCC RFC currently find themselves occupying a play-off position in the Ulster Bank League Division 1B table.
The Cork students finished just outside of the top four at the end of the 2016/17 season, and with new coaches Brian Walsh and Stephen Knoop making significant strides at the moment UCC club President Matthew Morehan acknowledged that the progress of the first team has been extremely pleasing.
“This is their second season in 1B. We were just outside the play-offs last year, and so far this season we’re quite competitive. We dropped a couple of points that we regret, but I suppose every club can say that. So far we’re happy enough with the progress this year,” said Morehan.
“Brian Walsh is a great addition [as head coach], and he’s coming from the professional game [with Munster]. His experience, and his stature, and his ability is a great asset to the players. Stephen Knoop looks after the forwards, and he’s very, very good too. He’s a South African who played with Connacht and Leinster in his time.”
After five years as Secretary, Morehan took on the role of President for the current campaign. The transient nature of the club makes it different to their city rivals Cork Constitution and Dolphin, but he has played his part in maintaining its vibrancy.
“I’m not directly involved in the rugby. I’m more a figurehead if you like really, but it’s very, very enjoyable. Our club is a little bit different to say a Con or Dolphin or Shannon. It’s a transient club, where the students play for us for their couple of years when they’re in the university, and then they’re gone.
HARDCORE
“We’re relying on a hardcore of ‘alicks’ to kind of keep the show going long-term. I suppose I would be one of them, and we’re very proud that we’re going for nearly 150 years now.”
Down through the decades, a number of future Ireland internationals have passed through the halls of UCC RFC. This includes present stars like John Ryan and Darren Sweetnam, and as Morehan explains, there is a strong link to a couple of former Ireland greats in the current senior squad.
“Through the Heineken Cup years, or indeed even the current time, a lot of those players would have done a season or two at least with UCC. They might better known for Con or Shannon or something, but Darren Sweetnam played with us for a couple of years.
“Going back along then in the glory years. Denis Leamy, [Ronan] O’Gara, [Peter] Stringer, Mick O’Driscoll, all those guys. They all played with UCC. Our current captain is Paul Kiernan. He is Michael’s son, who won the Triple Crown for us in ’85, and he’d be a grand nephew of Tom Kiernan,” he added.