Devils Confident About Season Ahead

Last year, women’s rugby has experienced a sudden rise to prominence in DCU, with the DCU Women’s Rugby Team enjoying their most successful campaign to date. Following an unbeaten season, the Devils were crowned CUSAI Division 2 Champions, the first major accolade for this relatively new team. This remarkable achievement did not go unnoticed by the rest of the DCU community, with the Devils winning yet another piece of silverware in April’s Clubs and Societies Awards, taking home the award for Most Improved Club.

So what changed in women’s rugby in DCU last year? What factors contributed to the fledgling club becoming one of DCU’s most high-flying sports teams? Club chairperson, Carmel Connaughton, put the Devils’ success down to several factors. “The organisation within the team changed a lot last year,” said Connaughton, “as well as that we had huge numbers at training, with over 80 members signing up on Clubs and Socs Day last year.” The Devils increased this number even more during last weeks Clubs and Socs Day, with close to 110 members joining. “Everyone wanted to be involved with the Devils from day one,” Connaughton added, “and it seemed that from the first training session everyone within the club was focussed and determined.”

The Devils are already in preparation for the new season ahead, with training already underway every Tuesday and Thursday. “We’re serious about defending our league title,” said Connaughton, “but we know it’s going to be a lot harder than last year.” Although the Devils went unbeaten last season, they played numerous tough matches throughout the year, most notably the league final in the Belfield Bowl. While having beaten Tralee IT convincingly earlier on in the season, the Devils were involved in a hard-fought, gritty battle, eventually running out a 25-17 win. “It’s not going to be easy this season,” said Connaughton, “but we’re confident and we believe we have the skills and determination to go up yet another level.”

With over 100 members joining the team during last week’s Clubs and Socs Day, the Devils are growing even more on last year. “We’re delighted with the numbers that we got… it is such an achievement for the club to get so many new players.” Connaughton added that new players should expect great things from playing with the Devils, saying how they can learn “to play on a successful team with a great bunch of girls, and participate in a sport that is more popular than ever.”