UCC Rugby Seniors ended the first half of the AIL 2025-26 season with a 3-6 record having won three of their last four games. It feels like this team is starting to grow into their game plan. With two first-years starting at half-back on Saturday vs Naas, UCC controlled most of this critical game and earned a hard-fought 24-34 win on the road. Christopher Barrett and Charlie O'Shea led from the front and Kamil Novak scored two tries. Both tries were hard earned against a very strong Naas pack. Two other first-year players, O’Sullivan and Cournane, came off the bench and also contributed magnificently.

Michael O’Sullivan has shown his ability both for UCC Rugby and Ireland U20s against South Africa earlier this season. But how exciting to see him and his Iveragh Eagles teammate Conall Cournane play together for UCC Rugby Seniors for the first time. Iveragh Eagles were founded in 2009 and are based in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. Incredibly for such a young club, both players won Schools Senior Cup medals earlier this year (Conall with CBC and Michael with Blackrock College) and now look set to be part of the UCC rugby fabric for many years to come. Iveragh Eagles both living up to their youth club motto – “Small Yet Mighty!”

Special mention to the UCC Rugby coaching staff. Seven senior players left UCC Rugby at the end of last season. Rebuilding a playing squad takes time and the first five games were definitely a mixture of emotions. But Tomas and his team stayed true to the talent in the squad and now look ready to push on in the second half of the season and climb the league table. January sees two home games (10 Jan vs Naas and 31 Jan vs Blackrock College) and a tough fixture on the road vs City of Armagh on 24 Jan. Please come out and show your support for this fun team to watch.

Finally, in this roundup. Special mention to our Munster Rugby Seniors. Last Saturday Ben O’Connor played a star role in helping Munster defeat Gloucester down in the Pairc. Ben has been almost ever-present for UCC this season and everybody in the Club looks forward to seeing his star continue to rise after this performance. Also, mention to Edwin Edogbo who came off the bench and helped the Munster pack turn the screw on Gloucester in the last quarter of the game. While we didn’t see him on the pitch last Saturday Conor Ryan has been an integral part of Munster Rugby this season.

He didn’t play against Gloucester, but this writer’s moment of the season was seeing UCC Rugby's own Alex Kendellen wear the Skull & Crossbones versus Blackrock College on 29 November in Dublin. Alex became the first current Irish International to play for UCC in 45 years. We wish Alex continued success and hope he adds to his Ireland cap total in 2026.

And that’s it folks! This is why we love College rugby. It is emotional. It is exciting. It is fun to watch young talent learn to express themselves on the rugby pitch. Happy Christmas and I look forward to seeing you in the Mardyke and on the road in 2026.

John Fitzgerald