Opening round of AIL & Dinner
Weekly Newsletter (22-28 Sept)
1XV NEXT FIXTURE
THOMOND VS BECTIVE
SAT 27 SEPT 2:30PM | LIAM FITZGERALD PARK | AIL 2C
GENERAL UPDATE
The Back in the AIL Celebration Dinner, in a packed clubhouse last Friday night, was a memorable occasion capped with our special guests for the evening ex-Bective Mini, Leinster, Ireland and British & Irish Lions legend Johnny Sexton interviewed by ex-Bective Head Coach, Leinster & Ireland legend Bernard Jackman. The diners were treated to a fantastic insight into Johhny’s rugby career with some nice additions from Bernard throughout a long chat that no one in the audience wanted to end. The evening was expertly handled by our own MC Simon ‘Chuck’ Byrne, introducing our guests and ensuring the event went smoothly.
The event ended on a high with a birthday cake celebration for Sean Parker. ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEAN’
A massive thank you to both Johnny and Bernard for what will go down in Bective history as one of the all-time great nights.
The 2025/26 AIL season beckons! We all wish the coaches, kit manager, physios, Head Coach Ben Manion, Club Captain Matthew Gilsenan, and the whole squad the very best of luck on Saturday. Seven long years since we last graced its pastures, here we are and it promises to be a titanic opening game as we travel to Limerick for a rerun with our AIL Playoff Final opponents Thomond RFC. Thomond joined us in the AIL by virtue of their away relegation/promotion play-off win over Omagh and will be formidable opponents on their own patch. Limerick is just a two hour trip down the M7, the Ryder Cup kicks off after 5 pm, so let’s get down to Fitzgerald Park on Saturday and support Ben, Matthew and the whole squad as they set out on their AIL journey. Anyone looking for a lift or has a spare back seat, contact Jim Dwyer on 085 280 1421.
JERSEY PRESENTATION
The Bective jerseys were presented to the 1XV for the opening round of the AIL last night by former Bective player Brendan Crowley accompanied by President Jimmy White and Paul Hatton, Ben Kealy.
PRESIDENT, COACH & CAPTAIN MESSAGE
As we approach the beginning of the league starting, check out our 2025/26 messages from this years President Jimmy White, Head Coach Ben Manion and Captain Matthew Gilsenan.
COFFEE MORNING
Charity Coffee Morning in the Clubhouse on this Sunday the 28th Sept 2025. Multiple prizes to be won: Signed Ireland & Leinster jersey, One night stay at the Iveagh garden hotel, bottle of bombay gin and Leinster tops & hats
WEEK SCHEDULE
INTERNATIONAL TICKETS - CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
We have a number of Corporate Packages available for the upcoming Autumn Internationals 2025 and Spring Internationals 2026:
Ireland v Australia, Saturday 15th November 2025 at 8.10pm
Ireland v Italy, Saturday 14th February 2026 at 2.10pm
Ireland v Wales, Friday 6th March 2026 at 8.10pm
Ireland v Scotland, Saturday 14th March 2025 at 2.10pm
These Corporate Packages include:
Quality ticket to the game
4 course lunch with excellent wines
Official match programme
Post match finger food in the Clubhouse
Close proximity to the Aviva Stadium & parking available at the Clubhouse
This is a great way to help our club while having a fantastic day out with your customers.
Packages are limited and in high demand, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. For prices and any other queries, please contact office@bectiverangers.com
UPCOMING YEARBOOK 2025/2026
We are looking for new advertisers for our Yearbook 2025/2026. This is a great way to support our Club while advertising your business or that of someone you know. The advertisers details will not only be in the Yearbook on the website, but their logo will also be added to our website sponsor page for the year. So if any members, their families, friends and supporters would like to place an advertisement in the Yearbook, please contact Valerie Stein at office@bectiverangers.com or 087-2906557.
We would also be delighted to receive articles or if you have suggestions on articles you'd like included in the Yearbook, please contact Valerie.
MINI & YOUTH RUGBY WEEKLY REPORT
We're absolutely delighted to share some fantastic news from this week - we had all sides out either training or playing matches! From our youngest pre-mini players right up to the Under-17s, with only the Under-16s not fielding (which is still tremendous for us and marks the first time in several years we've had so many active teams).
Mike Ross Workshop
Friday night brought a real treat as Mike Ross hobbled into the club to run a scrummaging workshop with our Under-12s. Even though they play non-contested scrums, Mike delivered an excellent session focussing on binding techniques and teaching our forwards the fundamentals of proper scrum formation.
The forwards were absolutely captivated, hanging on every word Mike shared. Despite recently rupturing his Achilles whilst playing for the Golden Oldies Lions in Australia and still wearing a protective boot, Mike was as nimble as ever around the scrum, demonstrating techniques without letting his injury slow him down.
Match Action
Under-9s Home Fixtures in CUS
Bective Under-9s hosted St Mary's to CUS pitches on a beautiful, crisp Sunday morning. We fielded 3 teams, all of which more than held their own against a very organised and well-drilled Mary's outfit.
Under-10s Season Opener
Our Under-10s kicked off their season with their first match against Monkstown on the main pitch at Donnybrook.
What a competitive encounter it was! Both sides scored some excellent tries in perfect rugby conditions, showcasing the skills these young players have been developing. After the final whistle, everyone enjoyed well-deserved hospitality in the clubhouse.
Under-13s Grading Matches
The Under-13s fielded two sides for their grading matches this weekend, showing the depth we're building in the squad. Our team faced a significant challenge against Blackrock, who were able to field at least three teams and possibly a development team.
Under-15s Thrilling Victory
What a way to cap off the weekend! Our Under-15s - last year's Under-14 league winners - played their first match of the season against Old Crescent in what turned out to be an absolute thriller.
In a nail-biting finish, the game came down to the very last play. With everything on the line, Luke Hamilton crashed over the try line to score what proved to be the match-winning try. Harry Lane then stepped up under pressure to slot the conversion, securing a dramatic 26-22 victory for Rangers.
What an incredible way to start their campaign and what a perfect ending to an amazing weekend of rugby!
An absolutely brilliant weekend of rugby for our young Rangers! From Mike Ross's expert coaching to thrilling last-minute victories, the enthusiasm, commitment, and positive attitude shown across all age groups continues to make us incredibly proud of what we're building together.
Fantastic to see back after injury ex-Bective Mini, son of David & grandson of Louis Snr, Louis Magee currently starring with Leinster U19’s. Nice pics with Dad David and with the both Louis’s.
For more information about joining our Minis and Youth programmes, Youths & Minis — Bective Rangers
CHUCKS’S CHATS LIVE - AN EVENING WITH VICTOR MATFIELD
Calling all Irish and Springbok rugby supporters!!! Get ready for Ireland vs South Africa preview night hosted at Bective Rangers rugby club
PLAYER SUPPORT GROUP
Has anyone spare accommodation for a Bective player? Landlord, or even someone with a spare room (remember you can earn up to €14k tax free). Or maybe you want to share your apartment.
Contact Barre Fitzpatrick at the Player Support Group 086 8176936.
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.
