Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club
Encyclopedia
Rainey Old Boys Rugby Football Club is situated in the market town of Magherafelt
, County Londonderry
. It is one of the eleven current senior rugby union
clubs in Northern Ireland
. Rainey Old Boys currently compete in All-Ireland Division 3.
At present, they field 4 senior teams and 4 youth teams (the Rhinos) under-19s, under-17s, under-15s and under-13s.
. After initial success, a barren period followed and it was not until the mid-1960s that the club began to go places.
In 1983 they won the Towns Cup for the first time. On that team were twelve times capped Harry Steele and brother-in-law, Alan McLean, an Ulster regular who toured Australia with Ireland
in 1979.
The President from 1984-1990 was Dr. A.A. McConnell, who was a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam
side in 1948.
Rainey proved to be a good cup side but were relegated to Section 2 in 1986. They won Section 2 the following year but slipped back down again in 1994 despite reaching the Towns Cup final for the sixth time in twenty years. With former Ulster lock Charlie Simpson as player/coach, they won the Towns Cup in 2001 and were promoted as champions the following season.
Former Ballymena RFC
No. 8, John Andrews, took over as player/coach when Charlie moved on to Dungannon RFC
, and led the side to the Qualifying League 1 title in 2005. In the play-offs they beat Monivea
21-8 at home before losing 14-13 at Naas
and 18-17 at Nenagh Ormond
.
Having added some strength in depth to the squad, they started last season by beating Ballymena 2XV in the Past Players’ Cup Final. After twelve straight wins in the league, they came unstuck at Armagh on New Year’s Eve but regrouped to beat second placed Limavady 53-3 and retain the title. In the inaugural All-Ireland Junior Cup the luck of the draw helped them to beat Cork side Kanturk 47-9 and south Dublin outfit, Seapoint 31-12 at home. A big crowd travelled south to see them beat Youghal 27-5 at Lansdowne Road in the final. Then on successive Saturdays, they beat Westport 36-0 away, Youghal 34-0 and Monkstown 32-16 at home to win the round robin play-offs and clinch their place in the All-Ireland League.
At the end of the 2006/07 season John Andrews left to join Dungannon RFC
as their new Head Coach. In his 5 years at the club he guided them to 2 Ulster Qualifying titles, the Past Players' Cup, the All-Ireland Junior Cup, runners-up in the Towns Cup and qualification into the All-Ireland League.
The 2006-07 season featured Rainey's first appearance in the AIB League
. Rainey finished in a mid-table seventh place in Division Three. In addition Rainey finished in sixth place in their first year in the Ulster Senior League
. On 17 July 2007 it was announced that Willie Anderson
had been appointed as club coach. Willie Anderson
left at the end of 2007-08 season and Rainey appointed Rhys Botha from Ballymena
as coach for the 2008-2010 seasons.
in the 2008-09 season.
Rainey Old Boys finished 10th again in AIB Division Three
in the 2009-10 season.
Rainey Old Boys finished 6th in AIB Division Three
in the 2010-11 season.
The two main Junior Provincial Trophies have been won by Rainey.
The Ulster Towns Cup
has been won under the name of Magherafelt on two occasions, in 1983 and 2001, from their eight Final appearances.
The Ulster Junior Cup
has been won twice, 1976 and 1979, from their three Final appearances.
)
1XV Team Manager : Chris Campbell (Ireland
)
1XV Coach : Richard Boyd (Ireland
)
1XV Captain : Simon Hawe (Ireland
)
Nathan Amos
-
Israel Israel
Harry Steele - Ireland
Stephen McKinstry - (Ireland Under 19s
)
Stephen Beattie -
United States Under 19s
Michael Glancy - (Ireland Under 21s
)
Connor Lavery - (Ireland Under 19s
)
Magherafelt
Magherafelt is a small town in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,372 people recorded in the 2001 Census. It is the biggest town in the south of County Londonderry and is the social, economic and political hub of the area...
, County Londonderry
County Londonderry
The place name Derry is an anglicisation of the old Irish Daire meaning oak-grove or oak-wood. As with the city, its name is subject to the Derry/Londonderry name dispute, with the form Derry preferred by nationalists and Londonderry preferred by unionists...
. It is one of the eleven current senior rugby union
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...
clubs in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Rainey Old Boys currently compete in All-Ireland Division 3.
At present, they field 4 senior teams and 4 youth teams (the Rhinos) under-19s, under-17s, under-15s and under-13s.
History
Magherafelt R.F.C. was founded in 1928. Some success was gained up until the Second World War. A few games were played during the war years and from 1947, the club became known as Rainey Old Boys R.F.C., in recognition of its connection with the local Rainey Endowed SchoolRainey Endowed School
Rainey Endowed School,known colloquially as "The Rainey", is a voluntary grammar school in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The school was founded in 1707 and currently has an enrolment of approximately 750 pupils. The school borders three counties and draws its students from each...
. After initial success, a barren period followed and it was not until the mid-1960s that the club began to go places.
In 1983 they won the Towns Cup for the first time. On that team were twelve times capped Harry Steele and brother-in-law, Alan McLean, an Ulster regular who toured Australia with Ireland
Ireland 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...
in 1979.
The President from 1984-1990 was Dr. A.A. McConnell, who was a member of Ireland’s Grand Slam
Grand Slam (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when one team in the Six Nations Championship manages to beat all the others during one year's competition...
side in 1948.
Rainey proved to be a good cup side but were relegated to Section 2 in 1986. They won Section 2 the following year but slipped back down again in 1994 despite reaching the Towns Cup final for the sixth time in twenty years. With former Ulster lock Charlie Simpson as player/coach, they won the Towns Cup in 2001 and were promoted as champions the following season.
Former Ballymena RFC
Ballymena RFC
Ballymena Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland. It is affiliated to the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club fields six adult teams and an under-20 team. In youth rugby there are under-18, under-16 and under-14 teams...
No. 8, John Andrews, took over as player/coach when Charlie moved on to Dungannon RFC
Dungannon RFC
Dungannon RFC is a rugby union club from Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The club first team plays in the AIB League Division One, Ulster Senior League and Ulster Senior Cup.-History:...
, and led the side to the Qualifying League 1 title in 2005. In the play-offs they beat Monivea
Monivea
Monivea It was formerly part of the kingdom of the Soghain of Connacht. It is located approximately 30 km from Galway City and 9 km from Athenry. Monivea is known for its sizable forest, Monivea Castle which now lies in partial ruins, and a well-preserved mausoleum...
21-8 at home before losing 14-13 at Naas
Naas
Naas is the county town of County Kildare in Ireland. With a population of just over twenty thousand, it is also the largest town in the county. Naas is a major commuter suburb, with many people residing there and working in Dublin...
and 18-17 at Nenagh Ormond
Nenagh Ormond
Nenagh Ormond RFC is an Irish Rugby union club based in Nenagh, North Tipperary. It was founded in 1884 as The Ormond Cricket and Football Club. The club plays in Division 3 of the All-Ireland League. The club's ground is New Ormond Park....
.
Having added some strength in depth to the squad, they started last season by beating Ballymena 2XV in the Past Players’ Cup Final. After twelve straight wins in the league, they came unstuck at Armagh on New Year’s Eve but regrouped to beat second placed Limavady 53-3 and retain the title. In the inaugural All-Ireland Junior Cup the luck of the draw helped them to beat Cork side Kanturk 47-9 and south Dublin outfit, Seapoint 31-12 at home. A big crowd travelled south to see them beat Youghal 27-5 at Lansdowne Road in the final. Then on successive Saturdays, they beat Westport 36-0 away, Youghal 34-0 and Monkstown 32-16 at home to win the round robin play-offs and clinch their place in the All-Ireland League.
At the end of the 2006/07 season John Andrews left to join Dungannon RFC
Dungannon RFC
Dungannon RFC is a rugby union club from Dungannon, Northern Ireland. The club first team plays in the AIB League Division One, Ulster Senior League and Ulster Senior Cup.-History:...
as their new Head Coach. In his 5 years at the club he guided them to 2 Ulster Qualifying titles, the Past Players' Cup, the All-Ireland Junior Cup, runners-up in the Towns Cup and qualification into the All-Ireland League.
The 2006-07 season featured Rainey's first appearance in 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...
. Rainey finished in a mid-table seventh place in Division Three. In addition Rainey finished in sixth place in their first year in the Ulster Senior League
Ulster Senior League
The Ulster Senior League is a rugby union competition for senior clubs in the Irish province of Ulster. It has traditionally being ranked second in importance to the Ulster Senior Cup. It has declined in importance due to the formation of the All-Ireland League and growth in importance of the...
. On 17 July 2007 it was announced that Willie Anderson
Willie Anderson (rugby coach)
Willie Anderson is a rugby union coach and former Ireland international. A lock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain...
had been appointed as club coach. Willie Anderson
Willie Anderson (rugby coach)
Willie Anderson is a rugby union coach and former Ireland international. A lock, Anderson was capped 27 times for the national side between 1984 and 1990, some of which as captain...
left at the end of 2007-08 season and Rainey appointed Rhys Botha from Ballymena
Ballymena RFC
Ballymena Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the town of Ballymena, Northern Ireland. It is affiliated to the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The club fields six adult teams and an under-20 team. In youth rugby there are under-18, under-16 and under-14 teams...
as coach for the 2008-2010 seasons.
Current status
Rainey Old Boys finished 10th in AIB Division ThreeAIB Division Three
The AIB Division Three is a rugby union league in Ireland.-Past winners:-Current Teams:*Ards*Banbridge*Barnhall*Connemara*Corinthians*County Carlow*Midleton*Naas*Nenagh Ormond*Old Wesley*Portadown*Queen's University*Rainey Old Boys...
in the 2008-09 season.
Rainey Old Boys finished 10th again in AIB Division Three
AIB Division Three
The AIB Division Three is a rugby union league in Ireland.-Past winners:-Current Teams:*Ards*Banbridge*Barnhall*Connemara*Corinthians*County Carlow*Midleton*Naas*Nenagh Ormond*Old Wesley*Portadown*Queen's University*Rainey Old Boys...
in the 2009-10 season.
Rainey Old Boys finished 6th in AIB Division Three
AIB Division Three
The AIB Division Three is a rugby union league in Ireland.-Past winners:-Current Teams:*Ards*Banbridge*Barnhall*Connemara*Corinthians*County Carlow*Midleton*Naas*Nenagh Ormond*Old Wesley*Portadown*Queen's University*Rainey Old Boys...
in the 2010-11 season.
Honours
In 2004-05 Rainey won the Ulster Qualifying League Division One. This achievement was repeated the following season and in addition the inaugural All Ireland Junior Cup was won. Qualification for All Ireland Division 3 was gained through winning the Round Robin Cup against the championship winning teams from; Leinster, Munster and Connaught at the end of the 2005-06 season.The two main Junior Provincial Trophies have been won by Rainey.
The Ulster Towns Cup
Ulster Towns Cup
The Ulster Towns Cup is a rugby union competition organized by the Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union.It is confined to teams outside of Belfast...
has been won under the name of Magherafelt on two occasions, in 1983 and 2001, from their eight Final appearances.
The Ulster Junior Cup
Ulster Junior Cup
The Ulster Junior Cup is a rugby union competition for clubs in the Irish province of Ulster that are not considered strong enough to play in the Ulster Senior Cup. It also includes the second teams of the senior clubs...
has been won twice, 1976 and 1979, from their three Final appearances.
Management 11/12
Director of Rugby : Oliver McShane (IrelandIrish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
1XV Team Manager : Chris Campbell (Ireland
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
1XV Coach : Richard Boyd (Ireland
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
1XV Captain : Simon Hawe (Ireland
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
Internationals
Dr A.A McConnell - 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...
Nathan Amos
Nathan Amos
Nathan Amos is an international rugby union player for Israel. As of 2010, Amos is only one of a few Israeli rugby players who ply their trade abroad.- Northern Ireland :...
-
Israel IsraelIsrael national rugby union team
The Israel national rugby union team represents Israel at a national level in international rugby union competitions. The team is governed by the Israel Rugby Union, which oversees all rugby union in Israel...
Harry Steele - Ireland
Ireland 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...
Stephen McKinstry - (Ireland Under 19s
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
Stephen Beattie -
United States Under 19sMichael Glancy - (Ireland Under 21s
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)
Connor Lavery - (Ireland Under 19s
Irish Rugby Football Union
The Irish Rugby Football Union is the body managing rugby union in Ireland. The IRFU has its head office at 10/12 Lansdowne Road and home ground at Aviva Stadium, where Irish rugby union international matches are played...
)