Wanderers F.C. (rugby union)

Wanderers FC

Full name	Wanderers Football Club
Union	IRFU Leinster
Nickname(s)	The Chaps;
Founded	1870
Region	County Dublin
Ground(s)	Lansdowne Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Merrion Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4
President	Andrew Whelan
Coach(es)	Greg Lynch[1]
Captain(s)	Eoghan Nihill
League(s)	Ulster Bank League Div 2B
Team kit

Wanderers Football Club is a Senior rugby union club based in Dublin, Ireland, playing in Division 2B of the All-Ireland League.^[2] It is one of the oldest rugby clubs in Ireland,^[3][4] however its exact date of foundation is open to question. In 1860 a team by the name of Wanderers played against Dublin University. However the current team gives its foundation date as 1870. While the link between the two teams is unclear, they both seem to have been founded by former Dublin University players.^[5][6] In 1879 Wanderers were among the founding members of the Irish Rugby Football Union. They have also regularly provided international players for Ireland, including five captains. In 1959, Ronnie Dawson also went on to captain the British Lions. They have also provided one captain each for both England and Australia.^[7]

Since 1880 Wanderers have shared Lansdowne Road with Lansdowne Football Club, with each club having their own clubhouse at opposite ends of the ground. However, since 1974 the ground itself has been owned by the IRFU.^[8] Between 2005 and 2007, Wanderers and the IRFU were involved in a dispute over the redevelopment of the ground. Wanderers were demanding compensation while Lansdowne Road was unavailable and for their clubhouse being knocked down. The case eventually had to be resolved by the High Court. The settlement saw Wanderers gaining a corporate box and a new clubhouse.^[9]

Notable players

^[10]

Ireland

At least 87 Wanderers players have represented Ireland. These include the following:

Ned Byrne Padraig Kenny Tom Crean Ronnie Dawson Tony Ensor Kevin Flynn Mike Gibson Bob Graves Frederick Harvey Robert Johnston

Phil Matthews Paul McNaughton Andy Mulligan Paul Murray Bethel Solomons Mark Sugden James Wallace Joseph Wallace

British and Irish Lions

As well as representing Ireland, several Wanderers players have also represented the British and Irish Lions.^[4] These include:

Andrew Clinch: 1896 Tom Crean: 1896 Robert Johnston: 1896 Robertson Smyth: 1903 Joseph Wallace: 1903 James Wallace: 1903

Paul Murray: 1930 Bob Graves: 1938 Ronnie Dawson: 1959 Andy Mulligan: 1959 Mike Gibson: 1966, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1977

Other internationals

• Pat Howard
• Andrew Slack
• Jack Gregory

Ireland coaches

Ronnie Dawson Roly Meates Gerry Murphy

Victoria Cross

Three former Wanderers players and Ireland internationals have also been awarded the Victoria Cross. Crean and Johnston served with the British Army during the Second Boer War while Harvey served with the Canadian Army during the First World War.^[11]

Tom Crean Frederick Harvey Robert Johnston

Honours

^[12]

• Leinster Senior League
  • Winners: 1885, 1888, 1894 1906, 1911, 1947, 1954, 1959, 1973, 1978, 1982, 1984, 1990: 13
• Leinster Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1973, 1976, 1979, 1985, 1990 : 5
• Leinster Club Senior League Shield
  • Winners: 2014-15: 1
• Metropolitan Cup
  • Winners: 1924, 1954, 1986, 1987, 1992: 5

References

1. www.wanderers.ie
2. http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/wanderers-back-in-big-time-thanks-to-flawless-campaign-30196167.html
3. www.irishrugby.ie
4. The Ireland Rugby Miscellany (2007): Ciaran Cronin
5. www.dufc.ie
6. www.wanderers.ie
7. www.dublinevents.com
8. www.independent.co.uk
9. www.independent.ie
10. www.wanderers.ie
11. www.timesonline.co.uk
12. www.wanderers.ie

External links

• Wanderers FC Rugby