Clanwilliam F.C.

Clanwilliam F.C. is the sixth oldest rugby union club in Ireland. The club is based in Tipperary Town, County Tipperary. Alan Quinlan, John Lacey and Tommy O'Donnell have come through the club.

History

Clanwilliam Football Club were founded in 1879, making them the sixth oldest rugby club in Ireland.[1] It is not known why they were founded however, it is speculated that it was to capitalise on the popularity of rugby at The Abbey School.[2] It is also speculated that the growth of rugby in the area through the school and Clanwilliam led to a resurgence in gaelic football leading to the eventual foundation of the Gaelic Athletic Association in nearby Thurles.[2] The club lived a nomadic existence until 1956 when they moved to Clanwilliam Park and later opened a second team pitch at Collegelands, County Tipperary. Clanwilliam Park has been used as the venue for the Munster Schools Junior Cup.[3] In 1947, the club won the Munster Junior Cup.[4] They also won the Munster Challenge Cup in 1996.[1] The future Munster Rugby and Ireland national rugby union team player Alan Quinlan started his career at Clanwilliam prior to rugby union permitting professionalism.[5]

In 2018, the Irish Wheelchair Association in County Tipperary required additional funding, Clanwilliam took it upon themselves to raise €112,000 for the charity.[6] In 2019, Clanwilliam received €16,973 from the Government of Ireland in a Sports Capital Grant to improved their rugby posts, showers and security fencing.[7]

References
  1. "Historic Clanwilliam taking major steps with mini rugby". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  2. "Focus on The Abbey School, Tipperary Town". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  3. "St Munchin's learn Munster Schools Junior Cup semi-final opponents". Limerick Leader. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  4. "Laying the foundations for future success". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  5. "It was the biggest let down of my career - Alan Quinlan". Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  6. "Clanwilliam RFC [sic]: Tipp club puts in the hard yards to benefit everyone". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  7. "Where is the €37 million in Sports Capital Grants going to? Full list of recipients - Leinster Express". Leinster Express. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
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