HIBERNIAN RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

Club History

The Hibernian Rugby Football Club was founded on January 21, 1976 by former Blackthorn RFC players along with some enthusiastic novices to the game.  The club’s name is derived from Latin “Hibernia”, which the Romans called the wild and unconquerable island now know as Ireland. The original club logo was adopted from the Ancient Order of Hibernians, but was later changed in the 1977/78 season to the crest of the Province of Connaught, Ireland.  This Province of Ireland, as it turns out, is the homeland to the ancestors of most of the Club’s Founding Fathers.  The team’s colors are Black and White with Royal Blue trim. 

The Men’s Side has been, throughout its history, a second division team in the Eastern Pennsylvania Rugby Union. It won the EPRU Second Division in 1987 and 1991. In 1992 it was the wild-card team in the ERU 2nd Division Championship.

 The Hibernians are based in Lower Bucks County and have been fortunate to keep a good relationship with the local authorities that control the recreational facilities. We currently play on a beautiful, regulation-size pitch and train under the lights at the Falls Township Community Park in Levittown, Pennsylvania.  The Club also has a scrum-machine at this location. The Club did at one time have a Club-House on the 2nd floor of the AOH building in Bristol, Pennsylvania and later had the use of the German-American Soccer Club in Trevose, Pennsylvania.

 The Hibernian’s Men Side had the great fortune to have hosted several foreign sides in the past, such as: Bridgend Sports, Rhiwbina from Wales, Durban Collegians from South Africa, Old Lambethans, Oswestry, Manchester University and the Old Midwhitgiftians from England, the Bermuda Police and the London Maoris Wanderers.  Many long lasting friendships have developed from these encounters with our more experienced opponents. 

The Club’s greatest achievement has been perpetuating the old rugby tradition of traveling often and extensively, thus fueling the international spirit which is Rugby’s trademark. Besides trips within the USA (Florida, Colorado, Savannah, and the northern reaches of New York), we have visited numerous countries on several continents; the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, England (twice), Wales (twice), Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, New Zealand, Fiji, Bermuda and Ireland.

 Since the very beginning, the Hibernians have concentrated in developing a Club with a strong organization in all aspects of Rugby. We are proud to be able to support a very good Boy's High School Side, and had  a Girl’s High School side from 2003 until 2015. In the spring of 1995 the first ever Hibernian RFC Old Boys Side played a match against South Jersey Old Boys. Also, since 1976 (looking to bring this back in the near future), we have been hosting an Annual Summer Sevens Tournament, which for many years has been granted a USA Rugby-East Qualifier status. Since the spring of 2000, the Men’s Side and this once great tournament have gone inactive.  Like the phoenix of mythology, we all hope the current High School Program will enable the Men’s Side to return to its place of prominence in the EPRU.

 If you like to experience the Hibernian spirit, join the Club as either a player or a social member.

!REMEMBER! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!