As we approach the end of December and prepare to welcome in 2021, we look back on a year of great turbulence and uncertainty in our club. A year in which we were unified in our endeavours to navigate the guidelines and restrictions put in our way by Covid 19.
The year started brightly for our club with a resurgent senior team led by the inspirational John Maher winning the Leinster league Div 3 Championship. Indeed, the sky was the limit as a superb win against Balbriggan RFC who ply their trade 2 divisions above meant a dream Towns cup run was on the cards. However, it was not to be and soon afterwards Covid 19 put a stop to all sporting activity and the season came to a very sudden and painfully abrupt halt for everyone at the club. It is the senior players who have in so many ways experienced a disproportionate amount of disruption to their sporting opportunities with the guidelines affecting them more than any other group. Almost immediately the pandemic began to have an overwhelming influence in every facet of our day to day lives. Sports training did eventually restart, but at a much-reduced level with constantly evolving layers of guidelines and procedures introduced to keep everyone safe and comfortable with their involvement.
We are extremely fortunate within our club to have many dedicated volunteers who have wholeheartedly and without reservation endeavoured to keep things running smoothly during this difficult time. With player safety and welfare always being the main priority, our club Covid committee led by Serena Cooper Brady have been instrumental in creating an environment where training has been possible in a safe and comfortable fashion, while always adhering to the guidelines. As such all-age groups were able to commence training this Autumn for the 2020/21 season. Much gratitude must be given to our coaches who have returned, as dedicated, and determined as ever. To their credit, they have followed unreservedly the guidelines and procedures put in place and have made the club as welcoming and training as positive as is possible given the restrictions.
We must also thank our sponsors who have been as generous as ever, their patronage has kept the gates open. Local government agencies and our local county council representative have been influential in providing much needed funding for the club throughout the season.
In September we witnessed the Changing of the guard as Brendan Hyland handed over the mantle of Club President to Terry Farrelly, the transition was seamless, and we thank Brendan for his commitment and leadership during his 2 year term.
Perhaps most importantly we want to thank the players of all ages and the parents of the younger members who have supported and encouraged us during the year. We thank you also for always adhering to the rules and guidelines we have asked you to observe, this necessity has helped things to run in an orderly and safe fashion while we happily provide a much-needed sporting outlet for our members. It is without doubt your dedication that has helped us navigate these difficult times.
We have great hopes that as we embark on a new year, things will slowly improve in the world around us and this in turn will have a positive effect for all sporting activities. The trials and tribulations of the last 12 months have galvanised our great club and without doubt we will be stronger for the experiences we have endured. We look to the future with much enthusiasm and an appetite to develop our facilities and with a motivation to inspire future generations of players at Roscrea RFC for years to come.
We wish all our members, players, parents, sponsors and followers a very happy Christmas and a safe and positive new year.
The Roscrea RFC management committee