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13 Oct 2025
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13 Oct 2025
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Portlaoise RFC President David Kerr welcomes Bryan Croke back to the club, with Ciaran O'Reilly (Rugby Chairman) and Harry Nicholls (Club Chairman) Photo: Denis Byrne
Portlaoise RFC are already planning for the season ahead. Last week, they revealed the club's captain for the 2025–26 season along with the coaching team, and they also welcomed back a former player.
The new captain is Ryan McEvoy, ably supported by Vice-Captain Mark Kelly. Both players hail from proud Portlaoise RFC families that have been involved with the club for many years. The coaching group for the adult section will again include John Bagnall, Paddy McEvoy, Rachel Walshe (Athletic Therapist), and Lar Hogan (Manager).
Portlaoise RFC also announced that Bryan Croke has returned to conclude his career with his home club. This is a clear statement of intent from the club as they aim to build on their positive work from last season and target promotion for the next.
Bryan left Portlaoise in 2010 to pursue senior rugby, with his playing career taking him to Boyne RFC, Waitamata in New Zealand, Randwick (Sydney), and Wimbledon RFC (English National League). He also played 72 games for Naas RFC in Division 1B of the All-Ireland League.
Of his move, Bryan said: “This was always an ambition of mine, to return and give back to the club that gave me so much starting my rugby career.”
This year, the club’s Academy will feature over 60 players competing in two Under-18½ competitions. They hope to enter the Under-20 Harry Gale competition after Christmas, as they expect to have enough players to compete at that level. It is also the club’s target to enter a team in the JP Fanagan Under-20 League in 2026–27 as part of their Strategic Pathways for Rugby participation.
The Academy coaching group welcomes Dermot Dunne as overall head coach and Phil McGowan as overall manager, ably assisted by an energetic team of coaches including Peter O’Neill (Backs Coach), Johnny Butler (Skills Coach), Glen Adams, Mark Phelan, and Glen Cooper (Forwards Coaches), Karl Byrne, Thomas McCormack, and Liam Culliton (Backs Coaches), Pat Cuddy and John Ging (Strength & Conditioning Coaches), and Mick Comer (Sports Therapist), most of whom have come up through the ranks with the players.
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