New Beginnings at Swords RFC

It's the beginning of a new chapter in the history of Swords RFC - and you could be part of it. Preparations for the ALSAA-based club are already well underway, both on and off the pitch, ahead of the big kick-off in September.

A new breed of players and new coaching staff currently bedding down, while the club's recruitment drive is in full swing.‘It's a period of transition,' President Richard Cowman said. ‘We've had a number of high profile retirements from the first team and our coach has also decided to step down.‘At the same time, we have our first batch of youth players stepping up to senior level, which is a big achievement in itself.'

Indeed, it's the culmination of four years hard work at underage levels, during which time the club have built up a youth development system from scratch. The first U-14 side to represent Swords back in 2004 are now at U-18 level, while the likes of Dave Reilly, Ray Boland, Gary Byrne, Daniel John and Stephen Conkey are all in the frame to play senior rugby this year.

Promising outhalf Peter Carr will line-out for the youth sides for another season, having been selected for the Irish U-18 rugby league for the European Championships, the first home grown player to represent his country. The club made a significant financial investment in employing its own youth development officer last year, first team member Jamie Gormly, who has made huge strides in his first season in the role. Hundreds of Swords pupils took part in Gormly's training sessions around the schools in the town, while many of them took up the game outside of school hours with the club's mini rugby teams, which were launched earlier this year.

Plans are already in place for the coming season, with the club aiming to field teams from U-10 right up to U-18s.‘Jamie made a real impact this season and made a lasting impression wherever he coached,' Cowman added. ‘We are eager to continue to develop our youth system, which is effectively the lifeblood of our club.'

On the senior front, Swords are in the process of putting together a coaching team for next season, following the departure of first team coach Tony Lawless. A club stalwart from the Aer Lingus hey days or the early 2000s, Lawless will be missed around ALSAA. ‘For two seasons, Tony put his heart and soul into the rugby club and brought a professionalism and discipline that I felt we were lacking,' Cowman continued. ‘On behalf of the entire club, I would like to thank him for all he did for us and wish him well in the future.'

Lawless' assistant coach, Ivan O'Kelly, is likely to be involved again next season, while former captain Matt Corbett has had a big hand in pre-season preparations so far. As always, the club are on the lookout for new players and are planning a recruitment day on Saturday, July 26th, starting at ALSAA.
‘Anyone interested in playing rugby next season, at any level, is more than welcome to come down and take part,' Cowman added. ‘The club is moving in a new direction and new faces and ideas are going to be at the forefront of that.'

Visit www.swordsrfc.com for more information.