Newport rugby revival with first silverware in 26 years
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Newport RFC - Munster Junior Carroll Plate winners. Back row: Ben O’Dea, Seamus Carey, Diarmuid Cantillon, Shane Murray, David O’Toole, Eoghan Browne, Rhys O’Malley, Paul Bourke, Danny O’Keefe, Oisin Kennedy, John Lee, Sean OBrien. Front row: Michael Ryan, Chris Egan, Oisin Holmes, Tom Allen, Ethan O’Flaherty, Conor Barry, Mark Nicholas, Jack Nicholas.Image 2 of 2
Lena Carroll, wife of the late Brendan Carroll presents the Carroll Cup to Newport captain David O’Toole in the presence of Bruff RFC chairperson John O’Grady.For the record, the resurrection was made complete on Saturday, 19th April 2025 at 4:15pm.
Newport RFC didn’t need to wait until Easter Sunday as its own resurrection which began at Kilballyowen Park as they beat Newcastle West 18-8 in the final of the Carroll Plate.
The supporters began arriving, each one carrying hope in their hearts, all knowing what this moment meant not just for the team but for the club, the community and especially the minis and youths dreaming of future days in Green and Red.
This revival was led by the clubs own three wise men, true clubmen through and through.
The first, Henry O’Neill, a former Thomond player but now well and truly ensconced in Newport. His love for the game knows no boundaries.
The next is James Lee, a Newport clubman to his core and the glue that’s held this club together for years.
Lastly but not least, Tom Clifford, another proud Newport man and a former Irish Under 20 international whose passion for rugby burns bright.
Twelve months ago, these three met sat around a table with little more than a notebook and a dream to bring Junior rugby back to the Newport parish, to give young men the chance to wear the jersey and play the game.
Slowly but surely, it began to come together. Fast forward to today where a group of young men stepped out onto the field in Bruff, ready to go to the edge and beyond for each other. From the very first whistle they played with heart, playing a brand of rugby that was nothing short of electric.
Newcastle West came with a plan, and they wanted it badly but from the stands you could sense it, Newport were playing for more than just the Carroll Plate, they were playing for the crest and for the parish, for the people young and old, to bring a spark of hope and lay a path for the future.
When that final whistle blew you only had to look around. Mothers with tears in their eyes, tears of pride and joy. Former players standing tall in the stands beaming with the knowledge that their club was back on the right path.
Then came the moment they had all been waiting for as captain David O’Toole lifted the Carroll Plate.
What a special moment for everyone connected to Newport RFC. For the next few days, they’ll all walk a little lighter.
It’s 26 years since a Newport junior team won anything and have struggled to even have a team and could only amalgamate each year to keep it alive so the players deserve immense credit for reviving the club and have the club bursting with pride.