It is with immense honour and a profound sense of privilege that I take up this role as the 46th President of UCC Rugby. I am delighted to follow in the footsteps of my predecessor, Mr Charlie Haly, whose dedication and energy has contributed enormously to our Club’s ongoing success.

Sharing the sentiments of Dr. T.A. Neville, the Centenary President of UCC Rugby:
"In this office I feel that I represent not only the present members, but several generations of students who, by their activities and sportsmanship, have placed the club amongst the foremost in the country."

To my fellow Management & Rugby Committees’ members – thank you for your enormous efforts and hard work over the past seasons. I look forward to working another year with you to guide the Club and tackle the various challenges during the forthcoming season.
We are profoundly grateful to our sponsors. Your generous support is integral to our success, and we thank you for your unwavering partnership.

To our Club Captain Sam O’Sullivan, our Women’s Captain Brighid Twohig, and all our players, volunteers, coaches, and management of all our teams – please enjoy the year ahead and I hope you all have a successful and enjoyable season.

On behalf of everyone in the Club, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Mardyke to all members and guests along with their families and friends. I would also like to welcome all visiting teams and match officials, and I hope that you find the Mardyke a welcoming environment.

Our financial needs continue to grow and without you, our members, supporting the Club’s activities, we cannot develop our Club’s ambitions. Please attend a lunch, meet friends and enjoy the rugby, and our Club will continue to thrive.

Our stated mission is to nurture & develop the characteristics and skill essential in the pursuit of excellence on and off the pitch. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Believe you can and you're halfway there". This simple yet powerful quote encapsulates the essence of the human spirit and the incredible potential we possess. It speaks to the importance of self-belief and how it can propel us forward on the path to achieving our goals and dreams. When we have faith in ourselves and our abilities, we are already halfway towards success. We have great coaching tickets in place for all UCC Rugby teams, ably led by Head Coach Tomas O’Leary, to achieve our mission.

Thank you all for your ongoing support and passion for our Club as we embark on another exciting season. Together, by upholding the values of sportsmanship and excellence that define UCC Rugby, we will continue to achieve great things.

John J. Fitzgerald
UCC Rugby Club President 2025-26