Ratoath College is a relatively new school having first opened its doors in 2005 but in its brief history the success of Rugby in the school has seen a swift and meteoric rise!
Rugby was first introduced in the school in 2006 in the form of Tag rugby and with some short modules in the P.E. curriculum. In the years that followed Rugby became a mainstay in the extra-curricular programme.
With the help of the local CCRO’s over the years rugby has developed into a hugely popular sport for the school and the school has the support of the local rugby club Ratoath RFC at all times which has contributed greatly to the recent successes. The school has a large sports hall and state of the art gymnasium also. The senior team take 1 hour gym sessions in the mornings before school and use the hall for short fitness sessions with their fitness and conditioning coach.
The school play in the Leinster Junior & Senior Development Cups and over the years the school has climbed the ladder in these competitions and cemented its place as a serious contender in both competitions. The success has been gradual and steady over the years. In 2010, the Senior Rugby team reached the Leinster quarter-final and in 2011 reached the Semi-final. But this year the Senior team have gone one step further and have reached the Leinster final.
Along the way they have played and beaten, Dunboyne College, Athboy C.S, Drogheda Grammar school, Malahide CS and St. Colmcille’s, St. Mels, De La Salle Churchtown 2nd XV. They played out a hard fought final against Wexford CBS in the final on the Devolpment Cup but came up short in the end. The large number of school supporters that travelled to the game on the day is testament to the growing popularity of rugby in the area.
This year the schools’ Junior team reached the Semi-final of the Leinster development Cup loosing narrowly to Moyne C.S. but they too have risen up through the competition. Reaching the quarters and semi-finals over the last four years. Success is imminent for this team with an enthusiastic and hardworking bunch of 1st and 2nd years already eagerly awaiting their Northeast tournament to begin.
Girls, competitive and full contact rugby began this year and they remain unbeaten in their respective Leinster competition. Interest from the girls in the school is massive with a squad of 35 girls competing for places on the team.
Massive credit goes to the small team of teachers who have worked tirelessly on developing rugby within the school Dave Nelson, Ivor Keane, Mohammad Nassar and Nicola Kearney over the past few years but also to the local CCRO Darren Kenna.
