St. Mary's College RFC

Founded 1900

Co. Dublin

THANK YOU Joyce

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The next club volunteer who we’ve chosen to be featured as part of our THANK YOU series is a woman famed for her kindness, generosity and dedication to the #BoysInBlue. That woman is none other than the wonderful Joyce Farnan.

Joyce has been an ardent supporter in Mary’s for years. Of course her name is entrenched in Mary’s lore due to her familial connection to 3 former 1st XV Captains and St. Mary’s legends - JB, Richard and Robert Sweeney. Of course Joyce (or ‘Joycer’ to her fans) is a St. Mary’s legend in her own right as a result of being a great supporter of all teams and efforts in the club!

Joyce has been an important part of the St. Mary’s social scene over the last number of years. As a part of the Social and Ladies’ Day committees, Joyce has been instrumental in raising funds for the club; but also for deserving charities over the last number of years. Joyce has also been a permanent fixture on the supporters' buses that follow our 1st XV wherever they may be. These buses don’t organise themselves and without the likes of Joyce and Eileen Fanning volunteering their time we wouldn’t be able to get fans out to cheer on our lads!

Joyce is of course the mother of Richard and Robert (Chips and Chops) and without her we wouldn’t have had such great players and Captains representing the club. And we look forward to seeing her grandchildren lacing up their boots on the 1st team some day in the future – they have some very big boots to fill - literally very big boots!

Joyce always brings enthusiasm and kindness with her wherever she goes and can be heard cheering on the Mary’s boys from all corners of Templeville Road when they’re playing. After the match Joyce is always ready for a chat and is popular with members and friends alike. Joyce is also a favourite of the bar staff and I can speak from experience when I say that Joyce has never been in the bar and not left a tip for the staff serving her – we remember these acts of kindness!

So Joyce, for all you have done and continue to do, please know that it hasn’t gone un-noticed and from us at St. Mary’s College RFC, we want to say THANK YOU!