ENERGIA ALL IRELAND LEAGUE – DIVISION 1B
VS NAAS RFC
UCC RFC
Saturday 26 September 2026 Forenaughts, Naas, Co Kildare Kick-Off: 14:30 Match Referee: Ross Whitfield
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE On behalf of everyone at Naas RFC, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to UCC RFC, the match officials and all supporters for todays exciting opening fixture of the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1B 2026/27 season. President Richard Kelleher and his officers can look forward to another fast and competitive match played in the spirit of the game, although I would remind him that it’s our turn for a win! Last season our first XV faced formidable challenges along the way, ultimately showing great guts, resilience and belief. Long a junior provincial club this is now our 10th consecutive season in AIL 1b — a testament to the exceptional ongoing work of our loyal volunteers, coaches, players, parents and members all across the club over the years. There is plenty going on behind the scenes, more on this later. Best of luck to new Club captain Ryan Casey. I’m confident the dedication of all players, including our new recruits, coaches and management will yield results. Two specific acknowledgements — firstly please take note of all our great club sponsors listed at the back of the programme and try to support their businesses just as they support our ongoing efforts. Secondly, I would like to thank all our many largely unheralded volunteers, in whatever capacity, without whom the club would simply cease to function. As our financial needs continue to grow in tandem with the vibrancy of Naas RFC, can I ask all members to support club initiatives. Could I urge you especially to please enter the new club lotto. Signing up is easy – remarkably even I managed it without help from the kids! Just scan the QR code on promotional posters dotted around the club. You can also go directly to the Lotto tab on the club website or tap on any of the links in the programme. For the price of a cup of coffee each week, you could win the €15k jackpot, or better still one of four mega draws for €25k. To the players today from both sides, give your best and enjoy days like this. They don’t last forever. Although I have, as a precaution, restocked on blood pressure tablets, I’m optimistic for a great 26/27 season ahead across all levels of the club. So do play your part and get involved. I promise the rewards are many. It’s both a privilege and an honour to serve as your president this year. My son James is the 4th generation of our family to line out in the green and white of Naas today, a source of great personal and family pride. I want to thank my esteemed predecessor Ross Murphy and all previous incumbents for showing me the way. Sincere thanks to the executive committee for their support and to the many well wishers who kindly warned me not to mess this up! Finally, remember the reason why we all come through the gates at Fournaughts — to have fun. Enjoy today’s match, yours in rugby.
Mark O’Loughlin President Naas RFC 2026/27
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE PACK 2
1
3
Jamie Bohan
Liam Gilheany-Black
Stephen Lackey
Naas AIL Caps: Debut
Naas AIL Caps: Debut
Naas AIL Caps: 75
5
4
Oisin Halpin
James O’Loughlin
Naas AIL Caps: 18
Naas AIL Caps: 51
6
8
Jason Cutler Naas AIL Caps: 1
7
Muiris Cleary Ryan Casey (Capt.) Naas AIL Caps: 123
Naas AIL Caps: 48
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE ATTACK 9
Cormac King Naas AIL Caps: 37
10
Daniel Ticklepenny Naas AIL Caps: Debut
12
Paddy Taylor
Naas AIL Caps: 35
11
13
Charlie Sheridan Naas AIL Caps: 69
15
David O’Sullivan
Naas AIL Caps: 22
14
Donal Conroy Cillian Redmond Naas AIL Caps: Debut
Naas AIL Caps: 90
NAAS RFC SQUAD THE IMPACT 16 17 David Upton
18
Naas AIL Caps: Debut
Jack Walters Naas AIL Caps: 1
Titas Cesonis
19
Naas AIL Caps: Debut
20 Conor Butler
21
Naas AIL Caps: 1 Andrew Sherlock Naas AIL Caps: Debut
James Buckeridge Naas AIL Caps: Debut
UCC RFC MATCHDAY SQUAD
1
Fionn O’SULLIVAN
4 6
2
Stephen O’SHAUGHNESSY (Capt.)
Killian O’CONNELL
Casey WHELAN HOF
8
10 12 11
9
Declan FITZGERALD
15
Dylan MULLEN
7
Ted O’CALLAGHAN
Cian CORKERY
James WIXTED
5
3
Danny McCARTHY
Dawid NOWAK
Jack CASEY
13
Gene O’LEARY KAREEM
Dan MURPHY
14
Neville
O’LEARY
REPLACEMENTS 16. Darragh Prenter 19. Eddie Dooley
17. Alex Hamilton 20. Ronan Byrd
18. Danny Rock 21. Daire O’Callaghan
Fixtures & Results
Date 26 Sept 03 Oct 10 Oct 24 Oct 31 Oct 07 Nov 28 Nov 05 Dec 12 Dec 09 Jan 16 Jan 30 Jan 06 Feb 27 Feb 06 Mar 20 Mar 27 Mar 03 Apr
Home Naas Nenagh Ormond Naas Instonians Naas Dublin University Naas Naas Highfield Naas Barnhall Garryowen Naas City of Armagh Naas Blackrock College Naas UCC
Score 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00 00 – 00
Away UCC Naas Blackrock College Naas City of Armagh Naas Garryowen Barnhall Naas Highfield Naas Naas Dublin University Naas Instonians Naas Nenagh Ormond Naas
Spirit of Rugby
NAAS RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS, PLAYERS, COACHES & SUPPORTERS A person shall NOT ABUSE, THREATEN OR INTIMIDATE a player, referee, touch judge, match official or steward whether on or off the field of play and on club grounds. A person (inclusive of players) shall NOT USE RACIAL, CRUDE OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES TOWARDS a player, referee, touch judge, match official, steward or spectator. CLUB OFFICIALS AND STEWARDS Shall be entitled to request any person to leave the club grounds for behaviour that they deem to be inappropriate or in breach of the code of conduct. THE CLUB RESERVES THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION TO THE GROUNDS.
Respect our Game
Spirit of Rugby
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Spirit of Rugby
Respect our Game
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Respect our Game
Respect our Game
Spirit of Rugby
A message from Gary Ryan, Energia Group On behalf of everyone at Energia, I am delighted to welcome players, coaches, volunteers, supporters and clubs across the country to the start of the 2026/27 Energia All-Ireland League season. The Energia AIL represents the very best of club rugby. It is where communities come together and some of our most talented players showcase their skill each week. Every season brings new stories, and we are excited to see what this year's campaign will hold. As title sponsor, Energia is incredibly proud to support a competition that sits at the heart of Irish rugby. From the opening whistle in September through to the final rounds next spring, the Energia AIL will once again showcase the passion that makes club rugby so special. The strength of the league lies not only in the quality of rugby on display, but also in the people who make it possible. To the players who represent their clubs with pride, the volunteers who give their time, the coaches who inspire, the officials who uphold the game and the supporters who stand on the sidelines in all conditions, thank you. Your dedication and love of the game are the foundation of club rugby and the driving force behind its continued success. We are particularly excited to see the continued growth of the women's game this season. The standard of competition continues to rise, something we saw first-hand in last season's final, which showcased the quality and entertainment that women's rugby delivers. Energia remains committed to supporting this momentum and helping to drive the development of the game. We wish every player, coach, volunteer and supporter a successful season and thank you for the passion and commitment that continue to make the Energia AIL the heartbeat of club rugby in Ireland. #WeAreRugby #ThinkOfThePossibilities
Gary Ryan Managing Director Customer Solutions Energia Group
OUR GENEROUS CLUB SPONSORS Many thanks to all our club sponsors for their continued support. Please, in turn, support them where possible. MAIN CLUB SPONSOR
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