MIDLETON RFC

🏉 Mini & Youth Rugby Returns to Towns Park!

We’re kicking off the new season and welcoming all new & existing members back to Midleton RFC! No experience needed—just come along, make friends, and enjoy the game.

Here is the breakdown for each age group:

* Minis (Boys & Girls U6 - U9): Starts Saturday 28th August, 9:30am – 11:30am

* Girls (U10 & U12): Starts Saturday 5th September, 9:30am – 11:30am

* U12 Boys: Saturdays at 10:00am

* U14 Boys: Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 7:45pm

* U16 Boys: Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

* U18.5 Boys: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

📱 How to Register: Scan the QR code on the images above to register your player or send us a message for more information!

See you on the pitch! 🔴

🩸 BLOOD DONATION CLINIC 🩸

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be holding a blood donation clinic at The Talbot Hotel, Midleton from Monday 31st August to Wednesday 2nd September, 15:50–20:00 each day.

If you’re eligible, please consider giving blood. One donation can make a huge difference to someone in need. ❤️

📍 The Talbot Hotel, Midleton
📅 Mon 31 Aug – Wed 2 Sept
⏰ 15:50–20:00
📞 1800 731 137 to book
🌐 giveblood.ie

❤️

🏉 WE’RE BACK! 🔴⚫️

The new season gets underway this Saturday as our Senior Men return to competitive action in the Munster Senior Challenge Cup – Round 1

📍 Annacotty, Limerick
🆚 UL Bohemians RFC
📅 Saturday, 29th August
⏰ 2:30pm kick-off

The lads are looking forward to getting back onto the pitch after a long summer of pre season!

“Rugby & Midleton, they’re my life really & have been for many, many years, especially since I retired 16 years ago. I go to nearly every match.”

Humans of Towns Park #12

Name: Joe Murphy
Member since: 1994/95
Positions held: Secretary, Director of Rugby, President

How did you first get involved?

“My son was playing u12s when we moved from Tralee & I got pulled in by a fella called Dave White. A few years later, Dave rang me to know would I come to the AGM as he’d a small job for me, & when Hon Secretary was called out, I was proposed & seconded, and I was Hon Secretary for 10 years after! I was very grateful to the club as they put me forward for Secretary in Munster Rugby & I spent 7 years there before coming back here to be Secretary again, Director of Rugby for 4 years, & finally President in 2023.”

Where did your son play?

“Back row, he played until he was 18, he had potential but didn’t have the interest. My grandson Darragh is playing with the u17s now, he started here when he was 5 & has been playing since. He’s on the Munster Squad for the last 3 years, playing #9.“

What’s your favourite memory as a supporter?

“Going senior in 1998 & the years that followed. I went to every match for many years after that, mostly on the team bus with overnights, great memories but I wouldn’t put it in writing! More recently, it was tremendous to see the u16s win the Pan Munster Cup for the first time ever & the CBS winning the Mungret Cup & Shield.”

Any story you want to tell?

“Not a story, but the biggest shock I ever had in the club was the passing of Mick Cullinane. I was friendly with him, he was chairman of the bar committee while I was secretary. That was one of the biggest shocks I’ve had. It’s fantastic to see his daughter Roisin representing Munster at 18s & his young lad Paddy playing with the CBS u16s.”

What do you hope for the future of the club?

“We’ve 2 girls & 3 boys with Munster squads doing well so I’d be hoping we’d get an international out of them. I also hope to see our all-weather pitch built next door, in cooperation with Midleton College. We’re at an important junction on the legal side & then it’s a case of fundraising.”

🏉 WE’RE BACK!

The new season gets underway this Saturday as our Senior Men begin their Munster Senior Challenge Cup campaign!

🆚 UL Bohemians RFC
📍 Annacotty, Limerick
📅 Saturday, 29th August
⏰ 2:30pm kick-off

📚 BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OUR LEAVING CERT STUDENTS! 📚

A huge congratulations to all the Leaving Cert students receiving their results today!

From everyone at Midleton RFC, we’re wishing you all the very best for the next chapter, whatever that may bring. 👏

You’ve put in the hard work. Now enjoy the moment and celebrate! 🎉

🔴⚪ Best of luck from everyone at Midleton RFC! 🏉

“All 3 of our kids played but they’re all finished & we’re still here.”

Humans of Towns Park #11

Name: Michael Cashman
Positions played: Prop
Member since: 1977 & 2009

How did you first get involved?

“My son Mike wanted to play rugby & my other son Dan came with him. They started in 2007, Jen used bring them because I was working Saturdays. Then in 2009, Paul Simpson asked me to manage the U17s, so that’s why I got involved. They were all fierce nice lads. We used to take them in cars to the matches, Jen used drive one car and I’d drive the other - it was all cars back then.”

Did you ever play yourself?

“I played underage, up to 13s or 14s, a long time ago. I’d have been with Ian Harty & Waxer, Tom Mul was coaching us. I played 3 or 4 seasons as a Prop. I was no good, it was just too rough for my stamina & build.”

Favourite memory as a supporter?

“The best win was the U19 South Munster Plate because two boys were playing. We beat Dolphin 33-17 above in Cork. I love the away ones when we win & the further away we win, the better, because the journey back is just class, in the car with Jen, absolutely brilliant.”

Any story you want to tell?

“I was touch judge for one of Mike & Dan’s games & I put up my flag ’cause your man had stepped in touch. So he came up fuming and challenged me face to face & all of a sudden Mike was in between the two of us & Dan was right beside him…and there was no problem after that!”

Any advice for a new member walking into the club today?

“Come in open-minded. That’s all we did. We were nobody’s coming in and all of a sudden we just got roped in. We enjoy it & that’s the most important thing, that’s why it’s easy to come back.”

What’s your favourite thing about Towns Park?

“I suppose the AIL games if Rossa is on form with his DRIVE!”

Finally, what does Midleton RFC mean to you?

“It’s fabulous as a club. Brings out the best in a lot of people. Volunteering is great once everyone puts their mind to it and gives a hand.”

“Be active in here, the more you put in the more you get out.”

Humans of Towns Park #10

Name: George W. Jeffery
Member since: 2008

How did you get involved in the club?

“My late father, George, was one of the founding members when the club was revived in the mid ‘60s. At the time of his death, he was honorary vice president. But it was Paul McCarthy who invited me into the club to a prematch lunch. My brother and I went, we ate & we drank possibly too much, but really did enjoy it, especially the friendship at the table, the banter, as well as the match! And I’ve been coming back ever since.”

How was your time as president of the club?

“I was blessed that we two good treasurers in Jason Boyle and Rob C, we tightened the whole thing up to have it run in a more business-like, professional manner & the finances very much improved, I’m very proud of that. Also credit to Mary McCauley who was administrator & Dave Ryan who was director of rugby.”

Any story you want to tell?

“The saddest story was the untimely death of Mick Cullinane which really shook the club to its very foundation. We all came together and did what best we could for the family. We also lost a few players & members, Pierce Smith, Pierce Young, John Levis and other prominent people who are missed around the place.”

“Then there was the flood. I remember Michael Cashman going out in the Currach. It did quite a bit of damage, but it could have done worse. We all rallied around again, and we put things back together.”

Any advice for a new member walking into the club today?

“Embrace it, enjoy it, and get involved in any way they can. There’s always jobs to be done here, big & small.”

What is your favourite thing about Towns Park?

“On a personal level, I lost my brother, Norman, which was a desperate time for me & there were a few members who rallied around me. They know who they are and they’re the unsung heroes who work behind the scenes. The club just would not operate without people like that.”

What does Midleton RFC mean to you?

“A place to come, to relax, to meet friends, to enjoy good meal, a pint, a bit of a banter, and of course, hopefully a good game of rugby.”