History
The Club was formed in 1880 and is one of the oldest rugby clubs in Ireland. Rugby Union football has only ever been put on hold due to both World Wars with many of its members going off to serve their country.
Our Motto is “Be Just and Fear Not”
Grounds
The grounds are known as Pollock Park, named after Mr Trevor Pollock, the Club’s first Patron who was one of those involved in the re-formation of the Club after both WW1 and WW2
The grounds consist of 15 acres of land with a Club house, 3 rugby pitches, a training pitch and a cricket ground with real and artificial wickets.
We are based in County Armagh (the orchard county), Northern Ireland.
Club Status
The Club has Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC) status.
We are registered with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and benefit from a range of tax reliefs, including Gift Aid, where they meet the qualifying conditions
Teams (Senior Rugby)
Senior rugby currently has two teams in the Ulster leagues.
Our 1st XV play in Kukri Ulster Rugby Championship Qualifying Division 2. They won qualifying 3 and have been promoted up to qualifying 2 for next season 2018 – 2019. What is so encouraging about this is that the 1st XV is a very young side, the majority of whom came through our Tigers coaching system.
They also won the Gordon West Cup for the 3rd time this season (the first club to win it 3 times) at the Kingspan Stadium.
Our Mascot – Turbo the Tiger
Senior Coaching
Our senior coaching staff is headed up by Bruce Cornelius who is from New Zealand.
Bruce has brought a wealth of experience to the Club coaching set-up. Having played rugby to senior provincial level in New Zealand, where he also coached with his local Club in Christchurch, the big Kiwi then moved to Northern Ireland where he joined Instonians as a player and coach.
During the period 2001 to 2005 he brought Inst from 14th in AIL 3 to two AIL Play Offs in the four seasons he was involved there. He then moved in 2005 to Northumbria University in Newcastle upon Tyne where, as Head of Rugby, he brought the University team through to win the BUCS Northern Premier Division in the season 2006/7. After returning to Northern Ireland, Bruce coached Belfast Harlequins in 2008/9 and then Lisburn Rugby Club before joining Lurgan RFC as head coach. Currently Bruce’s Lurgan teams have won two cups. The focus this year is very much on the league.
His assistant is Jason Wallace who has played for Lurgan firsts for many years and has also played for Banbridge RFC in the All Ireland Leagues (AIL).