O’Connor Cup Winners & U14 Final
Weekly Newsletter ( 28 April - 3 May)
The famous quote from the 60’s “They think it’s all over. It is now, it’s four”, sums up the perfect end to a memorable season.
After the heroics of our 1XV winning three trophies and promotion back to the AIL, it was left to our 3XV to close out an amazing season and make it four trophies for Bective.
On a balmy sunny afternoon in Anglesea Road last Saturday, our 3XV created their own piece of history by coming from behind in a pulsating game to hold on against a classy Lansdowne XV to claim the famous O’Connor Cup for Bective by a tight scoreline, 18 – 16.
Congratulations to the whole squad: Captains Stephen Fox & Ryan Murtagh, Coaches Col Bathe, Dean McKeon, Shane & Johnny Comer on their fantastic achievement. Leinster Rugby Committee Member and Lansdowne Past President Colin Good presented the pennant to Bective President John Bolger and then the medals to all the players and finally the O’Connor Cup to both Stephen and Ryan. The celebrations continued on as the players and supporters headed back over the Dodder to Bective.
FT: Bective Rangers FC 18 - Lansdowne FC 16
Earlier this year at one of our Pre-Match lunches the family of our late Treasurer and esteemed member Paul (Squirrel) Regan presented a new trophy to the club in memory of their late brother. The trophy will be awarded annually to the “Junior Player of the Year”. So, it was fitting that on the day that one of our Junior teams were victorious, Paul’s sisters Helen and Anne were at the club to present the inaugural “Paul (Squirrel) Regan Trophy” to Junior Player of the Year, Kevin Maher. Congratulations to Kevin on a great season!
U18.5s While the senior sides know all about disappointments over the last few seasons, spare a thought for our U18.5s losing out to the Northside Raiders in the Cup semi-final at Coolmine on Sunday. The players fought bravely and did the jersey proud. Well done lads and all the Coaches. Keep going, better days ahead.
Mini’s & Youths
Results:
U17 HOME CLONTARF - The U17 group were together once again for a Friday night clash with Clontarf. With a squad of over 30 players to pick from, there was plenty of talent on show. They came out eventual winners on the night 49-22 with some superb tries scored. This Sunday sees them playing away against a Babas side in Wanderers and we welcome back former Bective Youth Jools White and his dad Anthony, who coached with this group previously.
U14 Photos: Credit to Paul McGirr
U14 AWAY BLACKROCK - Our U14 side once again locked horns with Blackrock but this time in the semi-final of the Youth Cup. Another tense affair saw Blackrock come out winners in the end 14 – 10, with Harry Lane slotting a very difficult kick to put some daylight between them and Blackrock. It’s a busy week for the U14's with 2 Cup finals in 5 days! So it was back against the same opposition last night in the Final of the Metro Cup, alas the same scoreline, but this time it was ‘Rock taking the spoils. Tough luck on the players but they have another bite of the cherry as they take on The Donnybrook Ba Ba’s (Old Belvo/Wesley/Wanderers) next Sunday 4 May in the final of the Leinster Youth Cup in Donnybrook at 11.45am.
Wishing the very best of luck to Dave Lane, Dave Shaw, Mat Shaw, Dave Popplewell and Mike Ross, who are all part of the coaching ticket.
All support welcome.
FIXTURES:
U6/U7 vs DLSP, Away
U12 vs DLSP, Home
U14 vs Donnybrook Babas
U17 vs Babas, Away
Wishing our U6/U7's best of luck in the upcoming Kieran Burke Mini Festival up in DLSP on Sunday 27th April.
UNDER 14 CUP FINAL
BL Rugby vs Donnybrook Babas 3XV
SUN 4 MAY | DONNYBROOK | KO: 11.45PM
CHUCK BYRNE HOSTING NIGEL OWENS
From the rain in Kilbogget Park or the wind of the Wicklow mountains to standing on an old shipping container against the Cooley mountains, all the way to living and breathing the highs and the stress of Bective commentary. Our very own Chuck Byrne has come a long way and now for one night only Chuck takes a break from embracing the Irish weather conditions and swaps his Bective commentary and fireside chats for an evening with the legendary rugby referee Nigel Owens.
On Friday the 27th of June in the Talbot Hotel Stillorgan, join Chuck hosting Nigel Owens as he shares insights, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from his illustrious career. This exclusive event will feature an in-depth interview with Nigel, followed by a raffle and an interactive Q&A session, where you’ll have the chance to ask him your burning questions.
Secure your tickets now and be part of an evening filled with laughter, insight, and plenty of classic Nigel Owens and Chuck Byrne wit!
YEARBOOK 2024-2025
See link below to check out this year’s Bective Rangers Yearbook
Membership Books 2024/2025
Paid up members have collected their Membership Books and any that weren’t collected have been posted out to members.
If you haven’t paid your membership fee for this season, it’s not too late to do it now. Subscriptions are the most important revenue for the ongoing running of our club. See link below………
Please contact Valerie Stein on 087-2906557 or office@bectiverangers.com if you have any questions.
BECTIVE MEN’S SHED
The ‘Bective Men’s Shed’ is for those retired members who can give an hour or two on a Thursday to devote to maintenance and development of our premises and for a meet up for tea/coffee. We are keen to develop the rear of the pavilion so that it can be used during the summer months for outside eating/drinking and the group are currently working on this project. The Men’s Shed meets on Thursdays at 12 noon in the clubhouse.
