The official opening of Willie Duggan Park in Rockwell College took place on Saturday 19th September 2026 in glorious sunshine and brought together a large gathering with members of the Rockwell Community, including the Provincial of the Spiritans in Ireland and past pupil Fr Brendan Carr (class of 1971), past pupils, families of current students and teachers all present . Invited guests included the Duggan family, Immediate Past President IRFU John O'Driscoll, Munster great Brendan Foley and past pupil former Irish International Denis Leamy who officially opened the new rugby facility and former Principal Pat O'Sullivan to name but a few, and all present to celebrate the completion of this significant development. In attendance also were past pupils & Munster Players JJ Hanrahan (Class 2010), Brian Gleeson (Class 2022) , Diarmuid Barron (Class 2016) , and Munster Branch Development Officer Brendan O'Connor (Class 2001).
The day began with a Donors’ Lunch in the Senior Refectory where those who contributed to the development were welcomed by the College Principal Audrey O’Byrne and thanked for their generosity and support. Following the lunch, guests gathered pitch side at Willie Duggan Park for the official opening ceremony where speakers included President Munster Branch IRFU Peter Silke, Willie Duggan’s daughter Cliona, promoters of the development Gay Mangan (Class 1959) & Patrick Curran (Class 1975), former Irish International & current Munster Defence Coach Denis Leamy (Class 2000) and President Rockwell College Union Gerry Rockingham (Class 1991).
Many references were made to Willie Duggan of his success as the stand out #8 in world rugby of his time, ferocious competitor on the pitch and a gentleman off it, his dislike of training !, a humble man who wore his success lightly and never forgot his alma mater Rockwell College where he happily attended coaching sessions with SCT over the years.
The College, Rockwell College Union, and past pupils are delighted to see this new rugby facility being named " Willie Duggan Park ".
The new facility was only made possible through the hard work and commitment of past pupils Gay Mangan and Patrick Curran and the College thanks them for their vision and fundraising efforts. They were supported by a large number of Rockwell past pupils and parents of existing students who came together to support the project, and this has resulted in a first-class World Rugby Accredited rugby facility which will benefit future generations of students for years to come.
Denis Leamy’s return to Rockwell provided a fitting link between generations of the College’s proud rugby tradition.
Speaking at the opening, Leamy (Class 2000) said: “Thanks to all for building this wonderful facility, and for giving the College the opportunity to invest in rugby and to develop all that’s good about the game of rugby.” He added " The new floodlit rugby facility represents a significant addition to sporting life at Rockwell College, providing students with a high-quality, all-weather environment for training, development and competition. It will offer generations of students greater opportunities to participate in, develop and enjoy the game of rugby."
Rockwell College Union President Gerry Rockingham (Class 1991) stated that the Union were delighted to support this project with a donation for €70,000. Rockingham further added that on this special occasion of the official opening of Willie Duggan Park, he was pleased to announce that the Rockwell College Union would fund a new Sports Scholarship with a rugby focus for the academic year commencing September 2027.
This scholarship will provide an exciting opportunity to support a student who shows an aptitude for rugby and will encourage talented young athletes to attend Rockwell College. The initiative reflects the Union’s commitment to the long standing tradition of rugby in the College and to supporting the development of students both on and off the field. Further details on the scholarship, including eligibility and the application process, will be announced in due course. The Union is also looking forward to supporting other projects at Rockwell in the future.
The Union Wall.
The " Union Wall " celebrates the Centenary of the Rockwell College Union in 2025 - 2026 and acknowledges the generous support of the Union, Past Pupils and Parents of Students in the development of " Willie Duggan Park "
