St Mary's College RFC Yearbook 2020-21

particularly notable contribution as chairman
of the competitions’ committee. This is an
especially difficult area to deal with, as junior
rugby was, and is, undergoing significant
changes in player numbers and attitudes,
requiring innovative rearrangement of leagues
to compensate.
Off Field Activity
Since arriving in the club, Niall’s enthusiasm
and willingness to help and get involved in all
aspects of club activity was notable and he
has become so much in demand that there is
hardly a development or change that he has
not led, or had a hand in. His personality and
ability has meant that many events requiring
host or frontman relied on Rynner. And he has
become the consummate MC. He has the
added ability of being a very fine singer. He
loves the microphone and once won a
wrestling competition for a microphone. In
fact he has little need for a microphone with
his built-in PA system, and many a Marys’
team or indeed Leinster or Logue team has
felt the benefit of it. As he got less involved
on the field, he became more involved off the
field. He was the first Junior Vice President in
2007-08 season and followed up as a most
successful and personable club president in
2009-10. Since then, he has been deeply
involved in all aspects of club activity and was
a marvellous MC for the highly successful
“Strictly Marys” series in Croke Park.
Leinster
In 2012 Niall took over as the club’s Leinster
Branch IRFU representative and, as he had
been imbedded in the Leinster culture from
his acclaimed and assiduous work in the
junior committees, he was an immediate
success and an exceptionally popular member
of the executive committee. He became
Leinster junior vice president for season 2015-
16. Having vibrantly supported his senior
colleague last season he now steps up as
president. He has many positive plans for the
domestic game and already has been a
devoted and integrated supporter of the
professional game. Rugby, and particularly
Leinster and IRFU, have much more to get
from Niall.
Family Life
Even Rynner has a life outside rugby. He is
married to Claire, a highly qualified and
71
Niall Rynne with Dan Carter
successful business woman, who is happily,
dedicated to supporting her man in all his
endeavours. As he himself admits, he could
not undertake anything like the amount rugby
related activities, without her forbearance and
positive help and support. Their three girls, all
talented students and daughters, also proudly
support their dad.
He could not have achieved any of this
without that support and help. Neither could
he, without his having a successful insurance
and mortgage consultancy, developed
through hard work, ability and a congenial
personality. Academically, he has achieved
much, with several insurance and banking
qualifications and in 2002 he gained a
coveted MBA from Dublin City University.
On top of all that he finds time to train and
keep fit. He even managed to complete the
Dublin City Marathon.
The club, including all members and
supporters are proud of Rynner and everyone
wishes him a dream year of social enjoyment,
fulfilment and rugby success at Leinster.
D O’Brien