In recent years Rugby has become one of the main sports in St. Dominic’s College Ballyfermot. Ciara Daly, a French and Irish teacher in the school who also plays and coaches in MU Barnhall R.F.C. introduced Full Contact rugby into the school in 2015. Rugby is a sport which fosters courage, fitness, team effort and togetherness, bringing girls from all backgrounds. The students have not only learned rugby skills but they have also learned to work as a team and follow rules while respecting one another. The sport has gone from strength to strength in the school with over 20 girls in the Junior squad.  The team which ranges from 1st – 3rd years train weekly and last year they competed in numerous blitzes organised by Leinster Rugby in Dublin.  The junior teams were also Bowl Finalists in the National Rugby Sevens Competition in May. According to teacher Ciara Daly, the real success of this school rugby team is the progression many of the students have made from school rugby to club rugby. Ten girls are registered with MU Barnhall R.F.C. in Celbridge. Every Wednesday the girls travel to Barnhall to train and they play club rugby each Saturday morning in the Leinster League.  Club President “Grainne Carroll” praised the students for their attitude on and off the pitch and is delighted to see so many students from Ballyfermot  registered with the club.

During “Stand Up Week” 2 weeks ago the Rugby team met Irish International Rugby Star Hannah Tyrell who highlighted the importance of sport for young people’s mental health and she commended the team for their commitment to the sport. Last week during College Awareness Week the girls met another Irish Rugby Star, 2nd Row, Mazzie Reilly who praised the school for introducing Rugby into the school and she gave the girls some great motivating advice and highlighted how there’s a place on the rugby field for everyone from every background.

The students will compete in a Leinster Rugby Junior Blitz on December 5th while the Senior Tag Rugby Team will be in Donnybrook on the 6th! It’s safe to say that Rugby is definitely alive and growing in Dublin 10!R