Remarkable 'royal flush' of rugby internationals celebrated by Offaly club

THERE were mixed emotions as Tullamore Rugby Club staged their annual awards night in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Friday evening last.

On the one hand, there was bitter disappointment that the club's eleven year stay in the All-Ireland League ended with relegation back to Leinster junior ranks for 2025-2026.

However, there was also a deep glow of satisfaction with former club player, Cormac Izuchukwu becoming the first club player to win a full senior mens' cap for Ireland in 2024.

Now playing with Ulster, Izuchukwu started his rugby career with Tullamore, making phenomenal progress in recent years, culminating in the highest possible recognition.

His appearance in the big Autumn series win over Fiji was a very sweet moment for his home club and president John Burns spoke with great pride about it on Friday evening.

Mr Burns noted proudly that Aoife Dalton and Megan Burns have won caps for the Irish senior ladies 15s and 7s teams, respectively, Izuchukwu and Jordan Conroy have done the same for the full mens and 7s teams and Paidi Farrell is on the Irish U20 squad.

He also congratulated Aoibhe Kelly who played for Ireland U18s and Paidi Farrell and Conor Kelly who were selected for the Leinster A squad. In addition Sean Rigney was capped by the Irish clubs' team, presenting a jersey to the club.

“We now have the full deck of internationals at senior level. A royal flush was completed. What makes this all the more remarkable is that all these achievements happened in the one season which is fantastic. Truly an amazing record, unparalleled by any other club. We are so proud of them all,” Mr Burns smiled.

He spoke about the well-being of Tullamore Rugby Club who fielded five adult teams, nine youth teams, mini teams and a special needs team, the Tigers in 2024-2025.

Their senior mens' and womens' team had a “challenging year” but their junior men sides went well with the J1s third in their division, the J2s winning their league and the J3s winning the cup.

The big disappointment was relegation out of the All-Ireland League for their senior mens' team. Mr Burns reflected:

“Our senior men had a tough year in the league which was probably the most competitive ever, losing in three games to the final score of the match. It is a testament to both the coaches and playing staff that the team was competitive in almost every game, making eight losing bonus points but sadly it wasn't enough.”

He thanked the coaches and management, Dave Hanlon, Aidan Wynne, Ian McGlinchey, Shane Delahunt, Colin Malone and James Joye for their “hard work and dedication” and Ciaran Lynch, the chairman of rugby – he congratulated Ciaran Lynch on his impending appointment as chairman of the Leinster Rugbyt Facilities and Admininstration Committee.

Mr Burns threw down the gauntlet to the senior mens' team to embrace Leinster junior rugby and to try and get back into senior ranks,

“Sport and life doesn't go in a straight line and our club must embark on a junior rugby journey now. An extremely competitive 1A league and Towns Cup along with the Midland League awaits. This is the new journey for a lot of the current squad, many who are very young. We have competed at senior level for eleven years now but it is one we must embrace with confidence and enthusiasm for the coming year.”

He also discussed a tough year for their senior ladies team.

“Again this was a challenging year. Having struggled in their league Division 1 campaign, survival came down to the last game versus the old enemy Mullingar. Due to an excellent first half, we got over the line and compete again in Division 1 this season.”

They had a good end to the season, beating Edenderry in the Midland League final and Mr Burns revealed that Dermot Tierney has been appointed as their head coach for the coming season.

The club president added:

“It is fantastic to see our U18 boys and girls with us today. You are the future of the club and it is wonderful to see so many of you integrate with the senior mens' and womens' teams towards the end of the season.”

Mr Burns praised all who worked on the development of their new pitch, led by Archie Lynam and Paddy Galvin. “A lot still remains to be done and it is vital we pull together to make the club even stronger and more sustainable going forward,” he said.

He thanked all who helped the club run efficiently and praised last year's president Willie Farrell while welcoming the incoming one, Jimmy Martin.

He concluded: “A club is only as successful as the volunteers who give their time eagerly and freely. The success we enjoy is possible through the dedication of our committees, players, coaches, grounds people, bar staff, fixtures secretary and executive.”

Players of the year award winners

Senior mens

Players player of the year and player of the year – Scott Bradley;

Most improved player – John Dunican.

Senior womens

Players player of the year and player of the year – Aoibhe Kelly;

Mens Junior 1

Players player of the year – Adam Molloy;

Player of the year – Rory Lynch.

Mens Junior 2

Players player of the year – Geoff Scully;

Player of the year – Ethan Hanlon.

U-18.5 girls

Most improved player – Ellie Fox;

Player of the year – Hannah Kennedy.

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U-18.5 boys

Most improved player of the year – Gavin McDermott;

Player of the year – Daniel Mealiffe.