Suttonians RFC
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| Union | IRFU; Leinster Branch |
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| Emblem(s) | Crest features three castles representing Dublin roots, the coat of arms of the St. Lawrence family and the harp of Leinster "Fág an Bealaċ" (Clear the way) |
| Founded | 1899 (re-formed 1924) |
| Location | Sutton, Dublin, Ireland |
| Ground(s) | JJ McDowell Memorial Ground |
| President | Ronnie Maher |
| Coach(es) | Aidan Kearney |
| Captain(s) | 1st XV - Brian Digan J2 - TBC J10 - TBC U20 - TBC Ladies - TBC 35s - Steve O'Grady |
| League(s) | Leinster League Division 1B |
| Official website | |
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Suttonians Rugby Football Club is affiliated to the Irish Rugby Football Union. The 1st XV team plays in Division 1B of the Leinster League.
The clubhouse and grounds are based at the JJ McDowell Memorial Grounds on Station Road, Sutton, Fingal.
The club fields five senior sides with underage teams from under 6 age grade up to under 20. Suttonians is one of only three Northside Dublin Clubs (Clontarf RFC & Skerries RFC being the other) to have played in the All Ireland Leagues.
The Hill of Howth overlooks the northern shores of Dublin Bay. It is situated on the Howth Peninsula and slopes down to the old village of Sutton. In Sutton in September 1899 the club was founded as Sutton Rugby Football Club. It was largely made up of members of the police force and the coast guards. The Great War was responsible for the disbandment of the club and the scattering of its members. The club was re-formed in 1924 as Suttonians Rugby Football Club.
The famous 'tin shed' clubhouse, which was located at the main Howth Road entrance to the grounds, remained in use until a new clubhouse was built in the present location on Station Road in 1970/71, through the support of Jack Mc Dowell.
With little or no direct association to the old club a group of young men banded together in the summer of 1924 to reform the club with the new name of Suttonians Rugby Football Club with a membership of about eighteen. Local politician Senator Andrew Jameson provided financial assistance and assistance in the procurement of playing grounds from Howth Castle, off Saxe Lane, Sutton. Suttonians RFC became affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union in 1927 and has since then taken part in branch competitions at all levels.
By 1930 the membership had expanded to include over fifty players turning out in the club’s strip of the time which was a blue shirt with an emblazoned white star. This strip was abandoned in or about 1932/1933 and the present colours of royal blue, white and emerald green were adopted. These colours were those worn by Jack Mc Dowell's horse 'Caughoo' in winning the English Grand National in 1947.
The club crest and motto (which include the mottoless Dublin and part of the St. Lawrence coats of arms) were adopted by the club at a general meeting held in the Royal Hotel Howth presided over by W.H.S. Campbell, the President during the early 1950s. “Fag an Bealach” which translates from Gaelic as “Clear the Way”, was chosen as the club motto. This is also used as the war cry for the Royal Irish Fusiliers and Faugh A Ballagh.
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Wikipedia