Clanwilliam F.C.
Clanwilliam Football Club is the sixth oldest rugby union club in Ireland. The club is based in Tipperary Town, County Tipperary. Clanwilliam FC has a proud tradition of playing rugby and developing young players, a number of whom have represented Munster and Ireland at Youth, Junior and Senior levels, including players such as Alan Quinlan, John Lacey, Tommy O'Donnell and Amee-Leigh Costigan.
Clanwilliam FC currently caters for all age groups including Mini’s Rugby (U7s to U12s for boys and girls), Youths Rugby (U13s, U14s, U16s & U18s) and the club has two adult teams (1st XV & 2nd XV). The 1st XV currently compete in the First Division of the Munster Junior League.
History
[edit]Clanwilliam Football Club were founded in 1879, making them the sixth oldest rugby club in Ireland.[1] It is not known why they were founded however, it is speculated that it was to capitalise on the popularity of rugby at The Abbey School.[2] It is also speculated that the growth of rugby in the area through the school and Clanwilliam led to a resurgence in gaelic football leading to the eventual foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in nearby Thurles.[2] The club lived a nomadic existence until 1956 when they moved to Clanwilliam Park and later opened a second team pitch at Collegelands, Tipperary. Clanwilliam Park has been used as the venue for the Munster Schools Junior Cup.[3] In 1947, the club won the Munster Junior Cup.[4] They also won the Munster Challenge Cup in 1996.[1] Former Munster Rugby and Ireland national rugby union team player Alan Quinlan started his career at Clanwilliam prior to rugby union permitting professionalism.[5]
In 2018, when the Irish Wheelchair Association in County Tipperary required additional funding, Clanwilliam took it upon themselves to raise €112,000 for the charity.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Historic Clanwilliam taking major steps with mini rugby". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ a b "Focus on The Abbey School, Tipperary Town". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "St Munchin's learn Munster Schools Junior Cup semi-final opponents". Limerick Leader. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "Laying the foundations for future success". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "It was the biggest let down of my career - Alan Quinlan". Herald. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ^ "Clanwilliam RFC [sic]: Tipp club puts in the hard yards to benefit everyone". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.