Boyne RFC: Two Into One Will Go
Boyne kicked off their Ulster Bank League campaign with a narrow win away to fellow newcomers Sligo. I the third of our features on the newly promoted- clubs, we take a look at club rugby in Drogheda.
Boyne Rugby Club is living proof that the laws of mathematics do not always apply in rugby. Drogheda RFC and Delvin RFC were often bitter rivals on the pitch but off the pitch they knew that a merger made sense.
Both clubs had a strong belief in developing young players and the amalgamation to form Boyne RFC in 1997 has proved to be the happiest of marriages.
Photos from the archives of both clubs adorn the walls in the clubhouse but pride of place goes to international contingent – Niall Ronan, Mark McHugh and of course, Shane Horgan, were all nurtured in Boyne.
Last season saw Boyne translate their frequent Towns Cup success into league form to win promotion to the Ulster Bank League.
They were all-conquering in the qualifying league and a new challenge awaits them as coach Craig McGrath explains.
“Last season we won nearly every game, this season we are moving outside the Leinster comfort zone and it will be a new experience for some of the younger players to travel to Belfast or Cork or Sligo,” he said.
It will be a challenge off the pitch also as the cost of travel increases, but it is one the club is looking forward to.
Boyne continue to attract and develop young players from Drogheda and beyond, and regardless of how the season fares this is a club that is always building for the future.
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