Thomond RFC was officially formed in 1944 and in that season played its inaugural competitive match against Garryowen FC at Thomond Park in the Junior League.
With this demanding first game in prospect, preparations began on Sunday 17th September of that year when the first practice was held at Shelbourne Park.
Shelbourne Park was to be home of Thomond RFC until 1978 when the club secured a pitch in the area between Woodview and Moyross known today as Liam Fitzgerald Park.
A long serving stalwart of the club, Liam Fitzgerald’s sister Hilary Dillon later became president of Thomond RFC, the first lady president in rugby history of the All Ireland League.
“Following our move we played our first match at Liam Fitzgerald Park in January 1980 and in January 1982 we opened our clubhouse”, said Declan Cusack, former Senior Coach, Captain of the club.
“Since our formation we played in the Junior League until season 1999/2000 when we were promoted to a senior club.”
“Soon after the move, the Moyross houses started being built around us which created a huge catchment area for the club, added Cusack.
“We are currently fielding three adult teams and Under 6s age grade right up to Under 16s”.
Thomond have been represented at international level by some of its members Jimmy Tydings, and more recently Keith Earls.
Earls’ father and former Thomond Head Coach Ger Earls has also represented Munster as well as out-half Declan Cusack (Junior) who now plays for England side York.
“It is very much a family club”, said McNamara. “You’d still see Keith up at the club on occasions. He has a lot of family members involved with Thomond and has a few of cousins who have played, including our former captain Eoin O’Neill, so he often comes up to support them.”
Also actively involved with Thomond is international referee Peter Fitzgibbon who Cusack says plays a huge part in the club’s development. “It’s great to have a referee of Peter’s standard involved and I would like to acknowledge all his hard work, he said. “He will always oblige and make himself available to help in any way he can, and is also on hand to up-date our coaches on law changes and so on which is a huge advantage.”
“We are also very proud of Thomond’s long serving club man and the 2014 season Munster Rugby President, John Hartery. John was a PRO with the club in the ‘70s when he was only 15 which is pretty impressive. He also coached with us for years and was part of the 1991 Junior Cup winning side.”
“He has a long history with Thomond as does his entire family who are massively involved also. He is very busy this year but still finds the time to support all our adult and underage teams as much as he can.”
“Like John, we have a lot of former players who give back to the club. As well as being part of our committee, many of our ex players are happy to help out at underage and pass on the values we have all been brought up with at Thomond Rugby Club. It is not about the winning of the trophies, it’s about getting players involved and making sure they are enjoying themselves while developing life long friendships – that is what we are all about.”
Thomond was relegated from the Senior Ranks after 19 long years in 2019 after finishing last in Div 2C with only 5 wins to their name.
Thomond then went back down to the Junior ranks to try and rebuild and make their way back to AIL glory.
While in the Junior ranks Thomond collected a first ever 3 in a row of the Transfield Cup in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
The Limerick side also went back to back in the J1 league with them getting a chance at promotion in 2023 going against Leinster side Monkstown in the Round Robin Semi-Final in Ashbourne RFC.
Thomond unfortunately lost to Monkstown 33-17 and had to go again next year.
In 2024/25 season on their way back to promotion Thomond ended up with 5 trophies across the 2 adult teams, The J2 with the Gleeson League and McInerney Cup and the J1 with the Transfield Cup, Challenge Cup and J1 league.
Even though Thomond were were reeling from relegation they made Junior Rugby history being the only team to win all 13 games with 13 bonus points in a competitive season.
Thomonds only loss during that run was to Northern Ireland side Dromore in the AIL Junior Cup, a team they would later meet in that years Round Robin.
Thomond once again qualified for the Round Robin pitted against Dromore in Cill Dara RFC which they won 17-10 and Booked their place in the final against yet another Leinster side Bective Rangers RFC.
After coming back from 33 points down it wasn’t enough for Thomond as Bective edged out the Limerick side 39-34.
Thomond weren’t out and done as they still had a final chance to get promoted in a playoff game vs Omagh Academicals in their grounds Thomas Mellon Playing Fields.
Unlike previous efforts Thomond start off well with their season on the line and beat Omagh Accies 23-15 to reach the Senior Ranks once again after a 6 year period.
In the season 25/26 Thomond will play their Rugby in Division 2C.
Read all about the action down below.
Thomond R.F.C 
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