Update on SRFC Under 14’s (born in 2012!) thanks to Kieran Cussy

We caught up with Cussy this week and he filled us in on the progress of the under 14’s so far this season.  

We have had a great season so far with new and improved players squad who are really improving in terms of their fun can do attitude ..tackling and passing amongst others are key 🔑 to rugby 🏉

We train under lights on a Friday evening between 6-8pm (followed by pool & pizza 🍕) and also on Sunday mornings when games and blitz’s are also held, it’s great to see the lads being put through their paces.

A special word of mention to our high calibre coaches;  former Italian international Simone Ragussi senior and squad players Dan Flood (ex Old Belvedere) and Jack Gallagher (ex St. Michael’s) to name a few coaches who mentor and spur on our squad of 23 players. 

Cussy goes on to reflect on a number of successful tours completed and looks forward to this years tour. 

After success with rugby fun filled tours Westport in 2024,  Tenby wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 in 2025 and this year we tour Belfast from 17-19 April being hosted by former Suttonians’s player & captain Willie Whelan’s club Malone RFC taking in a Ulster v Leinster tie with player meetings and other fun events .. 

Rugby 🏉 progress wise by continuing to play in many pre Christmas grading ties in Leinster and with ongoing current league level games going strong - school and club level rugby is strengthening our squad and new players to name a few Alex Duignan St Fintans High School scoring a try on his debut of ‘26 v Greystones , Roman Daly who only took up rugby in September courageously arriving on his own one Sunday morning to train from Portmarnock Community School guess what, he won 🥇 ‘man of match’ with 2 try’s v Balbriggan. But we all know that rugby is a great team sport the ever strong camaraderie and support each player gives is a joy to watch a special bond between them all in joyous and sad moments off field rugby 🏉 is a community sport to take any part.. it is a special gift to behold.

We would like to thank Balbriggan who hosted us recently, and for the first time ever awarded the coveted Broccoli prize to a visiting player.  Darren Plant (Balbriggan RFC) explained the award.

“The broccoli award was started when we travelled to one of the junior blitz out in Suttonions ground . Always a pleasure to travel to a blitz there , we thought it would be great for them to have a unique award something that would bind them together and this being a large blitz playing against new teams was a great opportunity ( also a bit of craic as most kids won’t eat broccoli and it’s incredibly good for them ) . It is awarded to the kid on the day that embraces team spirit and effort. As they were all going to be getting sweets as treats we thought this would be a great point of difference and a way for them to remember the performance . One point is that the kid has to either eat the broccoli in front of the other kids, or send a picture into the group of them taking a bite . And the tradition has stayed and they love it”.

Thanks to Cussy and the entire Under 14’s, team, coaches, management and supporters for this insight into youths rugby in Suttonians.  Personally I can’t wait for these lads to play for the senior team in 2032 !!! OMG.