Club Focus: Old Crescent RFC

Old Crescent RFC was founded in September 1947 and was largely based on the victorious Crescent College senior cup team who won the Munster Schools Cup for the first time that year.

The guiding spirit was the renowned rugby enthusiast, Fr JG Guinane SJ, ably supported by Ger ‘Spot’ O’Donovan, the first Chairman of the Club. The first President of the Club was Ivan Harris, father of the actor Richard Harris.

Old Crescent RFC achieved senior status in 1952 and continued the level of performance it had shown in the junior ranks. In 1952/53, the first as a senior club, Old Crescent reached the semi final of the Munster Senior Cup, and in 1954/55 the Club was honoured with its first senior interprovincial when Jim Roche was selected for Munster. That year the Club reached its first Munster Senior Cup Final but lost to UCC. In 1961/62, the Club again reached the Munster Senior Cup Final and on that occasion was defeated by Bohemians. The Club reached the Munster Senior Cup Final again in 2009 but lost to Cork Constitution and is still awaiting its first Munster Senior Cup win.

In 1964 the Club was honoured when the late Paddy Lane was selected to play for Ireland against Wales. Old Crescent player, Mike Mullins, was also selected for Ireland against Tonga and Samoa. More recently, Old Crescent RFC is proud to see former club player, Eoin Reddan, play with distinction with Munster, Connaught, Wasps, Leinster and Ireland.

In 1975 the club purchased the Crescent College school playing fields in Rosbrien from the Jesuit Community and in 1983 the new clubhouse in Rosbrien was opened. Old Crescent continued to prosper in its new surroundings and made the breakthrough at national level in 1992 when the Club qualified for Division Two of the All Ireland League.

The Club consolidated its All Ireland status over the next three seasons and in 1995/96 captured the AIL Division Two title going undefeated in the league campaign. Old Crescent played two seasons in Division One but were relegated in 1997/98. The Club returned to Division One in 1999/2000 for one further season and has maintained its Division Two status ever since.

Old Crescent RFC is host to the annual Pig N Porter Tag Rugby Festival every July, The event was first held in 2002 to celebrate Old Crescent’s Third XV win in the All Ireland Junior Two Millennium Cup. It started with just twelve teams and has grown over the last decade to become the world’s largest tag rugby festival with 130 teams taking part this summer from all across Ireland and the UK.

Over 4,500 people attended Pig N Porter this year which opened with a International Tag Test Series on the Friday evening. Since its inception, Old Crescent has played host to more than 18,000 Pig N Porter participants and is delighted to have become a permanent fixture on Limerick’s sporting calendar.

Old Crescent RFC fields four senior teams at First, Second, Third and Under 20 level, under the guidance of Rugby Chairman, Liam Keehan, and Club Head Coach, Gerry Casey. The Club also has a vibrant 300 strong Youth Section, in action every Sunday morning at Rosbrien, with teams in every age grade from Under Eight to Under Eighteen. Club Captain, Simon Malone, says “Old Crescent RFC is an open and welcoming club, and rugby enthusiasts of every age are assured of a hearty welcome in Rosbrien”.

Commenting on the success of the Old Crescent to date Chris Cullinan, club President stated “The Club is proud of its contribution to Limerick, Munster and Irish rugby, and Old Crescent RFC will continue to play an active role in the development and playing of Limerick, Munster and Irish rugby in the years ahead”.

Old Crescent Officers

President: Chris Cullinan
Hon Secretary: Paul Donnellan
Club PRO: Frank Larkin
Fixtures Secretary: Gerard McNamara
Youth Officer: Tim Duggan

Action from the recent Pig N Porter