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Like a good wine, rugby players get better with age. While the legs may not move as fast as younger days, the rugby brain gets sharper the more you play... Vets rugby has always existed in Leinster, where clubs like St. Mary's and Seapoint have always had a band of 'mature' players, meeting on a weekly basis to play the oval game. While a structured league did not exist in the past, these clubs played a number of 'friendlies' against touring sides, particularly on International weekends. In addition, clubs would venture down to Munster to play Vets games, before their First XV's AIB League fixtures. These friendly games have always been an important social aspect of rugby and long may they continue. About three years ago, a Bective Ranger, suggested a Vets League in Leinster.
The idea was to provide a fun but competitive League for Veteran players in Leinster, while raising much needed funds for the Children's Medical and Research Foundation, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. All scrums are non-contested in the League, with matches played over two 30-minute halves. The league has proved to be very successful, with many mature players returning to the game. The teams consist of a mixture of former first team players and Junior rugby players of all levels. The quality of the rugby played has improved each year. The league is open to all clubs in Leinster. Over the last three seasons the following clubs have played in the league: Coolmine, Malahide, Bective Rangers, Co. Carlow, Kilkenny, Wanderers, Lansdowne, Suttonians, Seapoint, St. Mary's College and Old Belvedere. A number of excellent players have played in the league, including former Irish international, Paddy Kenny (Wanderers), Damien Torsney (Old Belvedere), Fergal Campion (Bective Rangers) and David Lyons (St Mary's College), among many others. Over the last three seasons, over €5,000 has been raised for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin, by the players and supporters of Leinster Vets rugby. While there is no compulsion to pay to play in the League, players and supporters are asked to make a small contribution to the fund, only if they can afford to do so. Gerry Cully of the CMRF has represented the Charity at our League Finals and has spoken of the great work carried out by the hospital for the sick children of Ireland. The inaugural league in 2007/08 was won by Old Belvedere, beating Suttonians in the Final. Last season, Wanderers defeated Co. Carlow, to complete a League and Cup Double. 2009/10 Vets League FINAL RESULT: BECTIVE RANGERS FC 13, ST. MARYS RFC 7 In a super game of rugby, Marys struck first, through former Ranger, David Lyons, to take a 7-0 lead. Bective fought back with a try by former Mary's star Fergal Campion scoring under the posts, which he duly converted. An additional penalty by the same player, gave Bective a 10-7 half-time lead. The second half was end-to-end-stuff, with desperate defence by both sides, keeping the half tryless. The only score came from a Campion penalty, giving Bective a deserved victory. The CMRF 'Man of the Match' award went to Ross Sheridan, the Bective openside flanker. If your club would like to play in next season's Vets League, please contact Joe Osborne at:
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http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/domestic/4601.php 
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