Fáilte! Bienvenue! Welcome to Kinsale Rugby Football Club ! Another exciting and challenging season beckons. I  look forward to the season ahead where the Club will compete in Munster J1 and J2 as well as Munster Women’s Development League, U-19;  and from U-17 down to U-8 levels, under the auspices of ‘Kinsale Sharks’, as well as our ‘Vets’ team. I know that all players, coaches and supporters will meet the challenges ahead and win, lose or draw, represent Kinsale Rugby with pride.

This season has all the ingredients for a success, which can be measured in various ways, with the retention and strengthening of our coaching team led by our Director of Rugby, Denis Collins. Kinsale is very much dependent on volunteer coaches, from those involved with all the teams for our youth and adults alike. May I wish you well for the season, the Club very much appreciates your time and effort given to the Club and players. All these teams are deserving of our support on Saturdays and Sundays and I am confident, that with that support, they can look forward to a very successful season.

The Club’s strength is based on all its teams and success is based on their performance, not least of our 1st XV. With that in mind, Kinsale Rugby must continue to progress from the ‘ground up’ building on strong foundations from previous seasons. The club is very much community based and depends largely on local support, as well as those who have come to live in the greater Kinsale area over the years. Kinsale Rugby provides a much needed base, both on a playing and social front, to the local community, and in these present times this is more important than ever.

I would like to welcome all new playing members to the club. I hope you enjoy your rugby with Kinsale and also that you and your families enjoy the hospitality, comraderie and friendship, for which the ‘Kinsale Rugby Family’ is renowned. Good luck and enjoy! I also wish to extend a welcome to past players , other club members, old and new alike, near ‘home’ as well as those who live ‘across the foam’ and hope that you will support our teams playing at home in Snugmore, during the playing season.

For Kinsale to remain a vibrant and successful club, we very much depend on the efforts of various sub committees, the Executive committee, led by our Club Chairman, Paul McCarthy, our Club Officers, as well as our Club Trustees. The Club owes a great debt of gratitude for their continued hard work. Well done to all those involved and thank you for your support.

The close of last season witnessed a superb Heineken Kinsale Sevens. Once again, the Kinsale Rugby Family with ‘Friends of Kinsale Sevens’ gathered in early May in the best of old traditions that still survive in Munster today ... ‘ag dul ar meitheal’ and neighbours gathering together to ‘bring in the harvest’. It was followed this summer by the best Tag Rugby so far in Kinsale. Thank you all who helped the Club.

I wish to thank our close neighbours for their interest, support and understanding throughout the year. It is most appreciated. Many thanks also to our business sponsors with whom we wish to build on the ‘partner’ approach from previous years. I trust that our players and members will support your respective businesses in the year ahead.

Finally, may I wish Club Captain, Andy Lynch, the very best for the season ahead and to all players, may you all enjoy your rugby and have an injury free season. I know that the players’ dedication,  endeavour , commitment and giving that ‘ extra per cent ‘ will positively define the season ahead.

Also, we will meet again with many friends and acquaintances from the rugby world, regardless of the result we invite you to join us in our Clubhouse for some of our Club’s famous hospitality. To all players, members, friends and supporters of Kinsale Rugby: ‘ go n-eirí an bóthar linn ‘. May the road rise to meet us -  the journey continues!

Yours in Rugby,

Ronan Kett

President Kinsale RFC - August 2010