"I am looking forward to the start of the 2015/2016 season with great anticipation. We have had an excellent pre season training for our senior men and women with strength and conditioning at NGS and excellent commitment being shown in attendance and effort during training. Together with the successful opening of our new artificial training area and pitch, which has been IRFU approved for match use, we have plenty of reason to be optimistic.

On the playing front, we welcome Dermot Dunne and Michael Walls as head coaches of our senior squad. After our season opener on Saturday 29th against Wilsons Hospital Past Pupils XV, we have Midland League fixtures at home on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th against Midland Warriors and Roscrea (both evening kick offs). We have a great day of mens and womens rugby on Saturday 12th September with the visiting Railway Union and Midland Warriors and then at last, Division 1 rugby in the Leinster League starts on Sunday 27th September against Malahide. Division 1B also includes Cill Dara, Coolmine, Tullow, Wicklow. Longford and North Kildare, so a lot of hard matches to come.

We have great competition for places and a few new faces so it will be an interesting early season to establish our best match day squad for the step up to Leinster League Division 1 Rugby. It is hard to predict where we will finish in our first season at Division 1 level for some years. Gorey showed that successive promotion to Division 1A is possible, but the reality is that we will be playing at a higher level. A step up in class is a good thing for our young players development. Under the leadership of Captain Alan Brabazon, I know that we will certainly give it everything. It is our ambition also to have a successful seconds XV and under captain Eugene Smyth, coach Kevin O’Brien and the high numbers at training, we should be able for the step up. Our seconds team is where our younger players are introduced to senior rugby and develop. We have a strong squad so enjoyable competitive rugby is within our grasp.

What can I say about our Womens section who had such a massively successful season last year. I wish Captain Sarah Crosbie and the coaching team Dave Farrelly & Richard Cowman continued success and most importantly to keep the team spirit so incredibly high. Included in this year's AIL qualifying league are some power houses of the Women's game. Carlow, Old Belvedere (J1) Rathdrum, Railway Union (J1) and New Ross who will be joined by familiar foes Edenderry and Clondalkin.

Our minis and youths are training again every Saturday morning and we have an Open Day on Saturday 5th September for all minis and young players and new members are as always more than welcome. With our new training facilities, there should be an extra momentum for all our coaches and managers. It will be hard to match the trophies of last season, but we’ll certainly continue to develop all of our young players to the best of our ability under our Rugby Development Plan.

The Mullingar Lions continue to build on their success and I know they will have a great 2015/16. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact any of the officers of the club.

We will continue our fundraising efforts through events such as the Rugby World Cup at The Fence, Strictly Scrum Dancing on November 21st, and others. We will continue our capital development work, Phase 2 is at planning stage already to include new improved changing facilities to cope with increased numbers.

I want to acknowledge and thank the work being done by the incoming officers and committees, elected at the recent AGM or volunteering, who include amongst too many to mention:Age Grade Chairman and Vice President: Sean Og BrennanHonorary Treasurer: Mick LambeHonorary Secretary: Alexis TipperHonorary Fixtures Secretary and Senior Squad Manager: Barry CoadeGrounds: Conal FitzgeraldHouse: Damian McCarthyClubhouse Development: Robbie GunneFundraising and Events Coordinator: Donal CoadeChairman of Rugby: Pete FaulknerYouths Coordinator: Anthony DoolanMinis Coordinator: Paul Ennis"

James Murphy, President MRFC.(Photo: Ireland Head Coach Joe Schmidt & James Murphy at the official opening of our new playing facilities, June 6th)