Club Notes | Centenary Celebrations In Castleisland RFC

11th March 2026 By Annie O'Toole

Credit Castleisland RFC

Saturday, March 7th marked one of the main events in our centenary celebrations.

One hundred years ago, a team from Castleisland played a team from Tralee in our very first game of rugby. So it was fitting that our closest neighbours joined us to mark the occasion.

The day’s games began with our minis. Bantry, who are also celebrating the same milestone this year, were kind enough to make the journey and take part in the celebrations.

A great morning of rugby was enjoyed by all, with over 160 children from the three clubs, from U12s down to U6s, taking part.

The players were presented with commemorative centenary medals before making their way back to the clubhouse for food and the ever-popular ice-cream van. We would like to thank Tralee and Bantry for helping to make the morning very special.

The minis had barely left the field before it was the turn of the U14s to take on Tralee in a very entertaining and sporting match, with Tralee coming out on top. The result was quickly forgotten as both teams tucked into pizzas afterwards. Once again, thanks to the Tralee U14 team and all their coaches for making the trip to the Craggens.

Unfortunately, our U16 girls were away to Mallow, drawing the game 14 all but losing on first try scored, and the U18.5s were also on the road in Thurles and came up short on the day, so were unable to take part in the festivities.

The final match in the series against Tralee saw the Golden Oldies take to the field on Saturday night. This was a hotly anticipated game, with player recruitment having started not long after Christmas. Training may not have begun quite as early, but those who took to the field served up a very entertaining contest.

It may not have been the free-flowing rugby we associate with the French or the intensity we associate with England, but it was played with passion and a strong will to win, finishing with a score line of 15–7.

The game also gave younger members of both clubs the chance to see their coaches and fathers play competitive rugby—some for the first time—and decide whether they lived up to the stories they had heard about their exploits on the field.

After the match, both teams took a quick shower to try to ease the aching muscles before heading back to the clubhouse for refreshments and to relive stories of battles past.

A great day was had by all, and we are indebted to Tralee RFC and Bantry RFC for joining us in our celebrations.

Our centenary celebrations continue, and if you have not yet had the opportunity to join us, we would love to see you at one of our upcoming events: our club social on Friday, April 18th; our Golf Classic on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd at Maine Valley Golf Club; and the Munster v Connacht Interpro on Saturday, May 9th.

Check out some of the best shots from across the day below.