Dublin University Football Club
Encyclopedia
Dublin University Football Club (DUFC) is the rugby union
club of the University of Dublin
, Trinity College
, in Dublin, Ireland
.
of 1 December 1855 and is taken to show that it had then been in existence for at least a year:
The club had thus been founded by about 1854, and it has a well-documented, continuous history since then, which gives it a strong claim to be considered the world's oldest extant football club
of any code. Although Guy's Hospital
FC, had been founded in London in 1843, so had existed before DUFC, it later folded up for some years during the nineteenth century. It should also be noted that football in Trinity pre-dates the foundation of the Club itself. A poem by Edward Lysaght shows that it was being played in the College Park in the 1780s.
Being the oldest rugby club in Ireland, DUFC has won its fair share of trophies over the years. Its most notable achievement in recent years was the winning of the AIB League
Division 2 in the 03'-04' season, which also gained the club promotion to Division 1. This level of competition was short lived unfortunately, with the club returning to Division 2 after two seasons.
. The club also fields three Junior teams who compete in the Leinster J1, J3 and J4 Metro Leagues, and two U21 teams who play in the JP Fanagan Premier and Pennant leagues respectively.
The 1stXV plays against University College Dublin
in the annual Colours Match
which has been ongoing since its inception in 1952. Trinity has won on 22 occasions, the latest being the 2010/11 match.
The club also has a Women's XV, which has plays in AIL division 3.
.
since 1875. Some of the most famous and presently memorable are listed below.
Tourists, with the most recent contribution being Jamie Heaslip in 2009.
Roly is also an honorary life member of DUFC, having coached the club for 28 years.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club of the University of Dublin
University of Dublin
The University of Dublin , corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin , located in Dublin, Ireland, was effectively founded when in 1592 Queen Elizabeth I issued a charter for Trinity College, Dublin, as "the mother of a university" – this date making it...
, Trinity College
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
, in Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
.
History
The first known record of the Club appears under the heading 'Trinity College' in the Daily ExpressDaily Express (Dublin)
The Daily Express of Dublin was an Irish newspaper published from 1851 until June 1921, and then continued for registration purposes until 1960.It was a unionist newspaper. From 1917, its title was the Daily Express and Irish Daily Mail...
of 1 December 1855 and is taken to show that it had then been in existence for at least a year:
The club had thus been founded by about 1854, and it has a well-documented, continuous history since then, which gives it a strong claim to be considered the world's oldest extant football club
Oldest football club
The history of the formation of the oldest football clubs is of interest to sport historians in tracing the origins of the modern codes of football from casual pastime to early organised competition and mainstream sport. Many early clubs did not use the word "football" in their name...
of any code. Although Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital
Guy's Hospital is a large NHS hospital in the borough of Southwark in south east London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It is a large teaching hospital and is home to the King's College London School of Medicine...
FC, had been founded in London in 1843, so had existed before DUFC, it later folded up for some years during the nineteenth century. It should also be noted that football in Trinity pre-dates the foundation of the Club itself. A poem by Edward Lysaght shows that it was being played in the College Park in the 1780s.
Being the oldest rugby club in Ireland, DUFC has won its fair share of trophies over the years. Its most notable achievement in recent years was the winning of the AIB League
AIB League
The Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
Division 2 in the 03'-04' season, which also gained the club promotion to Division 1. This level of competition was short lived unfortunately, with the club returning to Division 2 after two seasons.
Present status
The DUFC 1stXV currently plays in the second division of the AIB LeagueAIB League
The Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
. The club also fields three Junior teams who compete in the Leinster J1, J3 and J4 Metro Leagues, and two U21 teams who play in the JP Fanagan Premier and Pennant leagues respectively.
The 1stXV plays against University College Dublin
University College Dublin R.F.C.
University College Dublin Rugby Football Club is the rugby club of University College Dublin, based in Dublin, Ireland. They play their home games at UCD Bowl. The club was founded in 1910 and they won their first trophy, the Leinster Junior Challenge Cup, in 1914. In 1924 they won their first...
in the annual Colours Match
The Colours Match
The Colours Match is an annual rugby union fixture between University College Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin. Traditionally, the match is held at Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin, but at present the fixtures are played at Donnybrook Rugby Ground, the traditional home of the Leinster rugby union...
which has been ongoing since its inception in 1952. Trinity has won on 22 occasions, the latest being the 2010/11 match.
The club also has a Women's XV, which has plays in AIL division 3.
Grounds
The clubs main playing field is College Park, which is within the grounds of Trinity in the Dublin city centre. It also has two other football fields used mainly by the Junior teams on Santry Avenue in the Dublin suburb of SantrySantry
Santry is a suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland, bordering Coolock, Glasnevin and Ballymun. Today it straddles the boundary of Dublin City and Fingal County Council area....
.
Ireland
Dublin University Football Club has a long tradition of its players gaining the highest international honours, with over 160 past players being capped for IrelandIreland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
since 1875. Some of the most famous and presently memorable are listed below.
|
Thomas Ranken Lyle Sir Thomas Ranken Lyle FRS was an Irish-born and educated mathematical physicist and educator. He emigrated to Australia to take up a professorship at the University of Melbourne, where he was a pioneer in the use of X-rays as a medical tool... Mark Sugden Mark Sugden was an Irish rugby union player, and rugby author. An outstanding scrum half in the late 1920s and early 30s, he was captain in the 1931 season when Ireland beat England for the third successive time by a margin of a single point. His main claim to fame as a player is that he is... Robert Barnes (cricketer) Robert James Barnes was an Irish cricketer and Rugby Union player.He made his debut for Ireland against the MCC in August 1928 and went on to represent his country on 14 occasions, his last coming in July 1949 against Yorkshire... Robin Roe Reverend Robin Roe CBE MC was an Irish clergyman known for his work as an army chaplain, and a rugby union player.- Early life and education :... Philip Orr Philip Andrew "Phil" Orr , is a former Irish international and British and Irish Lions Rugby Union loosehead prop. Educated at The High School, Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, Orr played for Old Wesley for over 20 years and was, for many years, his country's most-capped prop with a then world... Dick Spring Richard "Dick" Spring is an Irish businessman and former politician. He was first elected as a Labour Party Teachta Dála in 1981 and retained his seat until 2002. He became leader of the Labour Party in 1982, and held this position until 1997... |
Hugo MacNeill (rugby player) Hugh Patrick "Hugo" MacNeill is a former Ireland international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions and a the time played club rugby for Oxford University RFC.... Brendan Mullin Brendan John Mullin is a former Ireland international rugby union footballer. He played as a centre.-Profile:Mullin was educated at one of the leading Irish schools rugby nurseries Blackrock College, Dublin... Paddy Johns Patrick Stephen Johns, known as Paddy Johns was an Irish rugby union player from 1990 to 2000. He played mainly as a lock and occasionally in the back-row.He won 59 caps, scoring 4 tries and 20 points... Niall Woods Niall Woods is a retired Irish rugby footballer. He retired in 2001 having earned 8 caps on the wing for the Irish national team between 1994 and 1999 as well as playing for Blackrock Coll, Dublin University, Leinster, London Irish, Harlequins and Northern Suburbs.-References:... Malcolm O'Kelly Malcolm O'Kelly is a retired Irish rugby union player who played as a lock for Ireland and Leinster.... Trevor Hogan Trevor Hogan was a professional rugby union player. He attended Nenagh CBS and Dublin City University, from which he obtained an honours degree in journalism. He played rugby with Nenagh Ormond, Dublin University and Blackrock College RFC before joining Shannon RFC in 2002 whom he has helped to... |
Kieran Lewis Kieran Lewis born 10 June 1980 is a Rugby player for Lansdowne Football Club. He previously played for both Munster and Leinster. He plays as a Centre.-External links:*... Matt McCullough Matt McCullough is a retired Irish rugby union footballer. He played for Ulster.McCullough was educated at Ballymena Academy and Trinity College Dublin. He captained the School's 1st XV rugby team 1999–2000, which reached the final of the 2000 Ulster Schools Cup, where they were beaten by... Roger Wilson (rugby player) Roger Wilson is an Irish rugby union footballer. Formerly of Ulster, he now plays for the Northampton Saints. His grandfather, Harry McKibbin and his two uncles, Harry Jnr and Alastair, have also represented Ireland.... Jamie Heaslip James Peter Richard "Jamie" Heaslip is a Leinster & Irish rugby union player.- Early life :Heaslip was born in Tiberias, Israel, while his father, retired Brigadier General Richard Heaslip, was there on duty with UNIFIL. He attended Newbridge College before starring at the 2004 U-21 World Cup in... |
British and Irish Lions
DUFC also has a long history of providing LionsBritish and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
Tourists, with the most recent contribution being Jamie Heaslip in 2009.
|
1903 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1903 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fifth tour by a British Isles team and the third to South Africa. It is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950.... 1903 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1903 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fifth tour by a British Isles team and the third to South Africa. It is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950.... 1924 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1924 British Isles tour to South Africa was the tenth tour by a British Isles team and the fifth to South Africa. The tour is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950... 1938 British Lions tour to South Africa The 1938 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fourteenth tour by a British Isles team and the sixth to South Africa. The tour is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950.... Robin Roe Reverend Robin Roe CBE MC was an Irish clergyman known for his work as an army chaplain, and a rugby union player.- Early life and education :... : 1955 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1955 the British Lions rugby union team toured Southern and Eastern Africa. The Lions drew the test series against , each team winning two of the four matches. They won the first test by a single point and the third by three points and lost the second and fourth matches by wider margins... 1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand In 1971 the British Lions toured New Zealand, also playing two matches in Australia. Despite losing the first match to Queensland the tour was a great success, the Lions winning the test series against the All Blacks. They are still the only Lions side to have won a test series in New Zealand... |
Philip Orr Philip Andrew "Phil" Orr , is a former Irish international and British and Irish Lions Rugby Union loosehead prop. Educated at The High School, Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, Orr played for Old Wesley for over 20 years and was, for many years, his country's most-capped prop with a then world... : 1977 1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand In 1977 the British Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand. The Lions played 26 matches, including four internationals against the All Blacks. They lost the series against the All Blacks by three matches to one. The team played as the British Isles in their internationals against the All Blacks... , 1980 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa . The tour was not a success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth... 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa . The tour was not a success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth... Hugo MacNeill (rugby player) Hugh Patrick "Hugo" MacNeill is a former Ireland international rugby union player. In 1983 he toured New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions and a the time played club rugby for Oxford University RFC.... : 1983 1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand In 1983 the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand for the first time since 1977. The Lions went down to a 4-0 whitewash for only the second time in history - the previous was also inflicted by the All Blacks on the 1966 Lions. Overall the Lions played eighteen matches, winning twelve and...
|
Ireland Coaches
Dublin University past players Roly Meates and Gerry Murphy both went on to coach Ireland at different times.Roly is also an honorary life member of DUFC, having coached the club for 28 years.
|
Honours
- AIB Division TwoAIB LeagueThe Ulster Bank All-Ireland League is the national league system for the 48 senior rugby union clubs in Ireland, covering both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is not, however, the highest level of rugby union in Ireland, as teams representing the four provinces of Ireland play...
- Winners: 2003-04: 1
- AIB Division Four
- Winners: 1999-00: 1
- Leinster Club Senior CupLeinster Club Senior CupThe Leinster Senior Cup is a major rugby competition in Ireland.The Leinster Senior Cup has been competed for by the strongest clubs in the province of Leinster since 1882...
- Winners: 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1890, 1893, 1895, 1897, 1898, 1900, 1905, 1907, 1908, 1912, 1920, 1921, 1926, 1960, 1976: 19
- Dudley Cup
- Winners: 1975/76, 1986/87, 1990/91, 1994/95: 4
- Metropolitan CupMetropolitan CupThe Metropolitan Cup is a rugby union competition for junior clubs in Dublin, Ireland-History:In the season 1921-22, the Leinster Branch established a knockout competition for teams then competing in the Junior League. The “knockout” competition is confined for the teams competing in the Junior...
- Winners: 1923, 1928, 1934, 1967: 4
- Metropolitan J1 League
- Section B Winners: 2009: 1
- Greenlea Cup (J7)
- Winners: 1982: 1
- All Ireland U20 Championship
- Winners: 2002/03, 2004/05: 2
- Runners Up: 2005/06: 1
- McCorry Cup
- Winners: 1983, 2000, 2003: 3
- JP Fanagan 1st Division
- Winners: 2005/06: 1
- Minor League
- Winners: 1908, 1909, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1920, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1932, 1934: 12
- The Colours MatchThe Colours MatchThe Colours Match is an annual rugby union fixture between University College Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin. Traditionally, the match is held at Lansdowne Road stadium in Dublin, but at present the fixtures are played at Donnybrook Rugby Ground, the traditional home of the Leinster rugby union...
- Winners: 1955, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1964, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1995, 1996, 2007, 2009, 2011: 22