We’ve spoken to three Tallaght players, two from the men’s team and one from the women’s team.  Willie Lambe from Tipperary joined the club two years ago and has become a key man in the first team.  He has played in every position in the backline and this season will take over as team captain. Kilnamanagh native Ken McGovern also joined the club two years ago.  He established himself at the club as a prop and converted to hooker last season with great success. This year, he will be vice-captain and pack leader.

Lisa Maguire from Dundrum was one of the original members of the Tallaght women’s team when it formed last February and her courageous runs on the wing have been a highlight of their games so far. We asked all three of them to tell us about their experience at Tallaght Rugby Club. 

What first made you join Tallaght Rugby Club?

Willie Lambe: I was looking to join a rugby team after moving up from Tipperary, as the travelling home to play at weekends was starting to hit the pocket!  After looking into a few places I chose Tallaght RFC as I thought there would be no old boy network and they would welcome everyone. I was delighted when this proved to be the case!  I love the fact that Tallaght has a philosophy where rugby is a workingman's sport and everyone is welcome to join and enjoy one of the greatest games in the world. I have never once regretted the choice and love representing Tallaght RFC.

Ken McGovern: The reason I joined Tallaght was it was my local club.  I had dwelt on the idea of going back playing rugby for a while.  So I emailed the club captain and was told when training was on next.  I turned up and that was that, I played a game the following Saturday.

Lisa Maguire: I had played Tag Rugby in the Club for a year or two and another club approached me to try out for their Women’s team. I fancied playing full contact and I heard Tallaght were going to be starting up a women’s team the following year.  I held out and the following year the first Tallaght Women’s team was formed. I also got some gentle persuasion from one or two club members?

How have you enjoyed your time at the club so far?

WL:  I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the club. I have made a number of friends and the craic is mighty with the lads. In Tallaght RFC all of the players actually are mates, and in any team sport when you are playing with your mates you always enjoy it more.

KMG:  It’s been a very enjoyable time so far, loads of ups and downs as with any club. The banter between the lads is great; nobody escapes abuse, but it’s all in good fun. 

LM: Last year was a very short season for the Ladies as we only formed in February but in that short time we all got on well together and formed a very strong-hearted team. We have all gotten to know the other members of the club and the coaches.  I had a ball last season and I can’t wait for this one to kick off!

Q3:  What has been your best moment so far at the club?

WL: I’d prefer not to pick out an individual moment, but instead focus on the unbelievable improvement we made last season. We went from not winning one game in the league in the 09/10 season to only losing two in the 10/11 season and finishing second in the table. I think this is a testament to the great work Tallaght RFC's coaches are doing. We have also managed to attract some seriously talented players to the set up and this shows that as a club we are going in the right direction. We hope that we can still make further improvements this year and attract more quality players. We also have a cracking youth set up which from the last few sessions has shown the hard work at under age level is paying off. I would highly recommend any parent that is looking to get their children into sport to seriously consider Tallaght RFC. Rugby is great for the children's social and physical development. It gives great discipline and respect and also give the kids chance to socialise and make friends.

KMG:  The best moment was winning the Spencer Pennant last year, it was great to get a piece of silverware after such a hard season.  It was also the first silverware in the history of the club.  Beating Garda RFC in the Jim Byrne cup was a pretty big win as well.  Being a prop I was particularly pleased with the scrummaging that day.  As a pack we were immense and we pushed them back and robbed countless balls against the head. 

LM: For me my best moment so far has been actually going out and playing the matches. You spend a lot of time training and learning the game from scratch, as I have never played before, but you cannot beat going out on the pitch and getting match experience.

Q4:  What are your hopes for the forthcoming season?

WL: I hope this season that Tallaght RFC continues on the upward curve that they have been on in recent years. I would like to continue the success of Tallaght RFC on the field as well but I have no doubt that this will be the case.  I would encourage anyone with even a passing interest in Rugby to come up and give it go. We are a friendly bunch of lads and welcome everyone (they even have made Munster Men welcome!)

KMG:  Hopefully, we will settle ourselves in the Leinster league that we are playing in for the first time.  It will be a challenge with Sunday games but there’s great enthusiasm to test ourselves at a higher level.  It would also be nice to progress in a few of the big cups because you can’t beat knock-out rugby. 

LM: As this is the 1st official season for the Tallaght women’s rugby team I hope we bring great success to the Club.  We have been training very hard and I hope this will show in our matches and our results.  I would also like to see the girls youth teams set up to ensure the growth of the Women’s team down the line.  Tallaght is said to be around the same size as Limerick in terms of population, therefore that should mean a massive amount of women out there in Tallaght just waiting to be recruited!

Tallaght Rugby Club is a community club and everyone is welcome to come down to training, even if they have never played before.  Many of Tallaght’s players only took up the sport recently but they adapted quickly to the new game.  Regardless of experience or fitness levels, everyone who's interested is welcome to train with us.

The senior men’s team train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ballymana lane training ground in Kiltipper. Training starts at 7pm sharp.  The women’s team train on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm in Ballymana lane. 

Tallaght RFC Under-21s and Under-19s are back training Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm and 10.30am on Saturday mornings in Ballymana lane.  The youths will be also be holding an open day on the 17th September, after the Ireland v Australia World Cup match.  Prospective new players will get a chance to try out the game and afterwards will be able to get their picture taken with the Heineken Cup, which will be present. 

For more details on joining any of the teams or directions to the training ground, log onto www.tallaghtrugby.com

Tallaght Rugby Club has made remarkable progress in the last couple of seasons, come up now to be a part of it.