# City of Derry R.F.C.

City of Derry Rugby Football Club is a rugby club, formed in 1881 in Derry, Ireland. They currently play in the Ulster Rugby Championship Division 1 after relegation from Division 2C of the All-Ireland League in 2022.
The club's purpose-built facility is at Judges Road, situated just outside Strathfoyle. The stadium itself was briefly named after the YouTuber Craig "Mini Ladd" Thompson, who sponsored the club in November 2017. The sponsorship ended on 1 July 2020 after sexual misconduct allegations against minors surfaced against him.

## History

The club was established in 1881, winning the Irish Provincial Towns Cup in the following season.
In December 2001, the club was involved in a controversial appeal, involving a £4,000 fine and the deduction of 8 points after fielding an ineligible player. This resulted in the club being relegated from the AIB Division Two. In March 2007, the club hosted a youth project that saw 13 different primary schools compete. Following relegation, the club appointed New Zealander Bevan Lynch in June 2008 as head coach. Lynch set about improving the club's fortunes, and club were unbeaten in all competitions in the 2008–2009 season. In the following 2009–2010 season, they won the All Ireland junior Cup, the Ulster Qualifying League and were promoted back into the All Ireland League. The club also has under 19, under 17, under 15 and under 13 teams, as well as mini and ladies sections

## Honours

* Ulster Senior Cup: 1
** 1999–2000
* Ulster Senior League: 1
** 1999–2000
* Ulster Towns Cup: 12
** 1882–83, 1888–89, 1890–91, 1891–92, 1892–93, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1907–08, 1934–35, 1935–36, 2008–09, 2012–13 (Shared with Ballyclare)
* Ulster Junior Cup: 3
** 1897–98, 1945–46, 2008–09

## Notable players
### Ireland

The following City of Derry players have represented Ireland at full international level.
* Alexander Foster
* Noel Henderson
* Gerald Glynn Allen
* Charles Elliot Allen
* Ken Goodall

### British and Irish Lions

The following City of Derry players have also represented the British and Irish Lions.
* Alexander Foster: 1910
* Noel Henderson: 1950
* Ken Goodall: 1968

## AIB Junior Cup

In January 2010, City of Derry beat Armagh by 2 points to win their first ever AIB Junior Cup title.

## References and Footnotes

* ↑ "City of Derry relegated after victory over Clonmel not enough to retain All Ireland League place". Derry Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
* ↑ Ferry, Gary. "'Mini Ladd' becomes Mega City of Derry Rugby Club sponsor". Derry Now. Archived from the original on 28 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
* ↑ Casey, Theresa. "Local YouTube star apologises for sending 'inappropriate' messages". Derry Journal. Retrieved 5 September 2020..
* ↑ "History of City of Derry Rugby Football Club". www.cityofderryrfc.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.
* ↑ "City of Derry to lodge appeal" retrieved 15 June 2007
* ↑ City of Derry RFC Hosts Area Tag Blitz retrieved 15 June 2007 Archived 28 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
* ↑ "Major changes at City of Derry R.F.C." retrieved 15 June 2007 Archived 27 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
* ↑ "City of Derry Seal Dramatic AIB Junior Cup Win". www.irishrugby.ie. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 February 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2010.