Last issue we reported on the successes of the Railway Union RFC Women’s team, who in their inaugural season, won their league campaign, while maintaining a perfect record of conceding no scores.
Now it seems that Railway’s men are following suit with both the men’s 1st XV and 2nd XV winning their respective leagues.
The men’s 1st XV took the Leinster Division 2B title back in February when they beat Edenderry 11-10 away from home. This left Railway top of the table with one game in hand and left nearest rivals unable to catch up.
This is the club’s first league title since winning the old Division Three title in 1995/96 and there are two connections between the Railway side then and now. Current 1st XV team manager Jack Walsh played on that team and, even more remarkably, John Fitzgerald played both in 1995/96 and 2013.
The men’s 2nd XV confirmed their position as league champions the following week, rounding off the most successful season in the club’s history. The Club’s annual dinner dance will take place on Saturday 20th April in the Aviva Stadium where the successes of the season will be deservedly celebrated.
Since winning their leagues, the teams at Railway have not been resting on their laurels. Cup season has begun and both women’s teams have won all matches to date. Railway’s very own Gathering took place at the end of March when a French side Les Gasbarians and the Monmouth Renegades from the USA took on the Railway Legends and Railway Women respectively. The Railway Legends found tough opposition in the Frenchmen, going down a try in the opening minutes. However, Railway began to climb back into the game and produced 5 tries to win the match 31-5.
The women’s match followed and the Renegades proved the toughest opposition to date, dominating field position, possession and up front in the first half. However Railway defended resolutely with the stronger US pack exerting a lot of influence and the home team did superb to keep the visiting team scoreless. Railway went on the attack in the second half and produced 4 tries to win the game 24-0.
In a busy month of cup campaigns and hosting touring teams, Railway then found time to go on a tour of their own. Both men’s and women’s teams travelled to Madrid for the St. Patrick’s weekend, and after spending two days taking in the sights of Madrid, both teams played a match against local team XV Hortaleza. Both teams recorded wins against their Spanish counterparts and afterwards enjoyed the hospitality of their hosts with a traditional Spanish meal.
To say that the first few months of 2013 have been busy would be a huge understatement. In addition to all the action on the pitch, the Club has announced several new initiatives, including the Jones Lang LaSalle Girl’s Rugby 7s School’s Programme (which is already underway) and both a Women’s Rugby 7s Academy and Girls Rugby 7s sub-academy kicking off in April.
As always, new players are always welcome at Railway, particularly now with the advent of the Rugby 7s season. Further information can be obtained from info@railwayunionrfc.com or by checking out our website (www.railwayunionrfc.com) or Facebook (www.facebook.com/railwayunionrfc).
by Kirstin Smith
