Rugby in Limavady started in 1922 at the Drennan home, Carse Hall, with a friendly game between Foyle College and a local side gathered up for the occasion. The occasion seems to have overshadowed the game, however, since the merriment before and after still lives in the memory but the score line has long since been forgotten.

They both relate an amusing story of a local soccer star drafted into the side who pushed in the scrums with his rear end instead of his shoulders.

An organised club, playing at Roe Mill Road, flourished between the years 1923-26 but the supply of rugger players was sparse and was often supplemented by soccer players or indeed sometimes by non-players.

The club ceased to function for a period of years, 1926-31, due to the loss of three or four regulars all at once. Two of these, the Drennan brothers Wallace and Matt, returned to this country from New Zealand in 1931 and a few friendly fixtures were arranged. Wallace Drennan, who later played for Junior Ulster, prompted the club to adopt an All-Black strip from his experience and admiration of the game in New Zealand. The club colours have proudly remained unchanged to this day.

In 1932 the club joined the Northwest league under Drennan's captaincy and John Thompson, a local schoolmaster, as secretary. Players were still scare but enthusiasm was unlimited and although club funds were small the expense of bringing members studying in Edinburgh and Dublin for important matches was often thought worthwhile.

The playing arena was now in Killane Road and on the day of a very vital cup match the teams found the way blocked by a police constable. He was acting under orders of a local solicitor and only a mad dash to settle an overdue account enabled the game to take place on schedule.

The highlight of this era in the club's history was reaching the Town's Cup Final in 1938. Unfortunately they were defeated by local rivals Coleraine by the score of eleven points to five.

Registration of players for these events was perhaps not as efficient as it is today and rumour has it that the claim for O. B. Glasgow (later to become president of the I.R.F.U) to be on the Limavady side was that his girlfriend lived in the town.

Play was called to a halt when war broke out but a game was played around 1940 against a Royal Engineers team. Gus Risman, English rugby league star, played for the Army sid and apparently did not relish the hard tackling of Limavady's John Mark and Billy Moody.

In the local Grammar School boys' numbers were small and hockey and rugby vied for popularity through the years. However, in 1947 rugby restarted in the school after a lapse of several years. In the school magazine of 1948-49 the rugby club notes contained this statement: 'Is it too much hope that there will ever again be a Limavady Town XV?'

Soon after this a meeting took place. Among those present were - John Mark, Matt Drennan, Jas Shannon, Rev. Matt Evans and S. C. Clayden, headmaster of the Grammar School. Training sessions were arranged and the team entered the Northwest Minor League.

The Showgrounds in Rathmore Road became the new playing home of the club where, in the early fifties, Ernest Barrett, Fred Wakefield, Billy Thompson, Bill Bryans, etc., played regularly for the club. Schoolboys of talent were now more readily available, among these being Warren Trotter and Morrell Lyons.

Warren later played for London Irish before returning to serve Limavady again in the early sixties. Morrell unfortunately gave up the game after breaking his leg playing for Ulster.

In the late fifties the organisation of the club fell mainly to Ernest Barrett and John Hunter and during this time Limavady won the Northwest Minor League and Cup. Many of the players in the side were just out of school - Jack Heaney, Ken Austin, Stuart Bonar, Doug Archibald, Tom Allen and Tom Barnett.

The season 1960-1961 saw the formation of a second XV which was immediately successful in its own playing record as well as supplying reserve strength to the first XV. Indeed the only problem which occurred was how to get enough transport if both teams played away on the same day.

A visit to Edinburgh to see the Scotland v Ireland game and to play Leith in a friendly was the highlight of 1961. The game with Leith was definitely the most friendly thing imaginable, neither side being fully recovered from their Friday night exertions. However, the weekend was successful, if perhaps noisy, and the only thing which really dampened spirits was a bumpy flight home.

Around 1960 ex-Grammar School pupils returning from colleges, etc., to settle at home, began to make great efforts to raise funds. Debts were cleared off, rents paid and the club moved to its present home at the Demesne. Under the captaincy of Tom Barnett the club had a very successful run in the Town's Cup in 1963.

The late 60's saw the club grow in strength and a 3rd XV was now being fielded each Saturday. This meant extra problems if all these teams were at home for playing pitches and changing facilities. However, excellant support from the local schools - Technical College, Grammar School and Intermediate School solved these problems but the Alexander Arms Hotel did get a little overcrowded some Saturday afternoons.

Moves were also afoot at this time to realise a cherished dream of many club members - the amalgamation of the Rugby and Crickets clubs into one club. Various attempts had been made over the years to do this without success but on September 14, 1968 the move was finally declared. The event was marked by the formal opening of the John Hunter Memorial Grounds as the club's permanent home. The day will always be remembered for the rugby match between an Irish XV led by Noel Murphy (former British and Irish Lions coach) and senior side Civil Service and a cricket match between the full West Indies side led by the great Gary Sobers playing against an Ireland XV

The new club grew in stature and with the introduction of a 4th XV sights were now firmly set on the next landmark - our own clubhouse.

A very enjoyable tour was made to Paris in January 1972 to see the France - Ireland game and a game against Stade - Francais. This tour will always be remembered for different events by those who toured some of which cannot be put in print.

Our new clubhouse was opened on April 28, 1972. This was the realisation of a dream for all club members and a great day was had by all although some memories are still a bit fuzzy. The occasion was marked by a visit to the club of many rugby and cricket personalities. The rugby match featured a match between the Ulster President's XV and a Limavady Select side which contained many internationals led by Syd Millar (Ireland and British Lions).

The highlight of the 1975 season was an Easter tour to Wales to play three matches against teams from the Cardiff area and to see the Barbarians play. This was followed by a short tour to Edinburgh in 1978.

In 1979 the clubhouse extension was formally opened and this added the new dimensions of squash, and indoor bowls to the club's sporting life and further increased club membership. Another highlight of this era was the 1980 tour to Canada.

It was really a case of 'what might have been' in the 1980's. The club fielded some very talented teams with players such as the young Derek McAleese, Stanley Nicholl and Robin Pigott. Derek McAleese captained the side which won the old Junior League Section 4 in 1984-85, and Stanley Nicholl's side lost the section 3 title in 1986-87 to a last minute drop goal against Holywood. The same team also lost out on a visit to Ravenhill, going down to Rainey Old Boys in a Town's Cup Semi-final 0-3, played on a horrendous night in Magherfelt. It was generally agreed that the Roesiders deserved to win. Another highlight of that period was the 1986 tour to Cyprus. As well as winning all their games on tour, the Limavady side also captured the Island's Easter Seven's title. However, towards the end of the decade this squad of players had started to break up.

The beginning of the nineties saw a period of decline for Limavady rugby and by the middle of the decade the 1st XV was playing in Section 5 of the Qualifying League. However, in 1995 Limavady appointed former Ballymena and Bangor full-back Terry McMaster as player coach. McMaster's arrival saw a turn about in the fortunes of Limavady Rugby Club and that season they won Qualifying Section 4. Unfortunately the Ulster Branch saw fit to rearranged the Qualifying leagues formats that season and Limavady remained in Section 4 for another season.

McMaster introduced a policy of bringing in an overseas player to help the club progress and the 1996/97 season saw the arrival of New Zealander Gerard O'Loan a former Number eight with the club Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty. O'Loan brought over his friend, Blair Cashmore, brother of the New Zealand full-back Adrian Cashmore. With typical All-Black flair Limavady cruised to the League title, and promotion, losing only one match under Captain Peter Kennedy.

The 1997/98 season saw the arrival of two new overseas players, New Zealanders Kerry McGinity an open-side flanker from Te Puke Sports also in the Bay of Plenty and Scott Taylor at centre who stayed after touring the British Isles with the New Zealand Under 21 side. Section 3 was again won with ease under captain Peter Kennedy. The following season was another successful season for Limavady under captain Nigel McAllister. Appearing in the semi-final of the Town's Cup and the semi -final of the Junior Cup only to be beaten by senior clubs Ballymena and Dungannon and just missing promotion behind Lisburn.

However the 1999/20 was Limavady most successful ever season, seeing them win Section 2, getting to the Town's Cup final at Ravenhill only to be beaten again by senior club Ballymena, and winning the Bank of Ireland Floodlit Cup against hosts Coleraine. Limavady also had a new captain in Mark Nicholl. Limavady also hosted the Interprovincial between Junior Ulster v Connacht, with Limavady second row Glenn Crawford starring for an Ulster win.

So by the start of the 2000/01 season Limavady, under the coaching of Terry McMaster, had come from section 4 in 1995 to the top junior league in 4 seasons, a great feat for a small Provincial Town. That season Limavady finished a very creditable 3rd place in Qualifying, and also reached both the semi-finals of the Junior and Town's Cup. However, Terry's success led to him being approached by City of Derry and at the end of the season he left the club to coach Derry in the All-Ireland league.

Keen to continue the success the club had been enjoying they appointed, another coach with a proven track record, Herbie Parkhill, was appointed. Herbie was one of the men behind Ballynahinch R.F.C's rise to senior status and was a loyal Limavady supporter.

Limavady enjoyed 4 successful seasons with Herbie Parkhill at the helm. The club is now established in Qualifying One, and in the past season have shown that they can compete with the best.

Herbie decided to stepped down from coaching forom the 2005/06 season, and handed the reigns to Terry McMaster along with Andy Jackson to take the club another step further.

Remaining undefeated for most of the 2005/06 season, Limavady appeared to be on the verge of Senior Rugby, before losing form late in the season.

Buoyed by their experience, both players and supporters are looking forward with anticipation to the 2006/07 season, with Mark Nicholl as Head Coach.

Meanwhile, both the Youth and Mini Sections continue to go from strength to strength, which augurs well for future seasons.