{{Short description|Irish rugby union club, based in Kinsale, Co.Cork}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Use Irish English|date=August 2021}} {{independent sources|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox rugby team | teamname = Kinsale RFC | image = | imagesize = <!-- If the image is huge, insert dimensions here, if not, default is set to 125px --> | union = Rugby Union | fullname = Kinsale Rugby Football Club | nickname = K R F C | shortname = | countryflag = IRE | countryflagvar = rugby | founded = {{start date and age|1982}} | region = Cork | ground = Snugmore, Kinsale, County Cork | capacity = 7500{{fact|date=October 2025}} | url = kinsalerfc.com | league = | season = | position = | pattern_la1=_blue_green_hoop |pattern_b1=_blue_green_hoops |pattern_ra1=_blue_green_hoop |leftarm1=ffffff |body1=FFFFFF |rightarm1=FFFFFF |shorts1=FFFFFF |socks1=339900 }}
'''Kinsale RFC''' is a rugby union team located in the town of Kinsale, County Cork, Ireland - approximately {{convert|18|mi|km}} from Cork City. Founded in 1982, the club's first team was competing in Division 2 of the Munster Junior League since 2010.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url = https://archive.today/20120714035411/http://munsterrugby.ie/148.php?includeref=362&season=2009-2010&comp=2106&stage=D2 | url = http://munsterrugby.ie/148.php?includeref=362&season=2009-2010&comp=2106&stage=D2 | archivedate = 14 July 2012 | title = 2009-2010 Fixtures | website = munsterrugby.ie }}</ref> In the 2013/14 season, Kinsale RFC achieved promotion to Division 1 of the Munster Junior League, for the first time in its history, after finishing second in Division 2. They were relegated the following year and did not return to Division 1 until the 2025/26 season, when they once again secured promotion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Weekend Rugby Roundup |url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic_news/weekend-rugby-roundup-63/ |website=Munster Rugby |language=en-GB}}</ref> Kinsale also fields various other teams including Ladies, Veterans, and have underage teams from U-8 up to U-18.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.kinsalesrfc.com | website = kinsalesrfc.com | title = Kinsale RFC - Official Site}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Kinsale RFC is also home to Europe's largest Rugby Sevens event, The Heineken Kinsale Sevens, which is held at its Snugmore grounds every May.
== Kinsale Sevens == Kinsale RFC hosts the annual Kinsale Sevens rugby tournament.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url = http://www.kinsalesevens.com | website = kinsalesevens.com | title = Kinsale Sevens Official Site}}</ref> This tournament (also known as Heineken Kinsale Sevens, Kinsale Sevens By The Sea) is one Ireland and Europe's premier seven-a-side club rugby events.<ref name=":0" /> It traditionally takes place across the May Bank Holiday Weekend and draws teams from around the world compete against each other in ladies, men's (junior and senior) and veteran competitions.<ref name=":0" />
== Honours == * '''Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Shield''' (1): 2026<ref>{{Cite web |title=Provincial Rugby Roundup |url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic_news/provincial-rugby-roundup-63/ |website=Munster Rugby |language=en-GB}}</ref> * '''O'Neill Cup''' (3): 2017, 2019<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bandon and Kinsale end their campaigns well with cup wins |url=https://www.southernstar.ie/sport/bandon-and-kinsale-end-their-campaigns-well-with-cup-wins-4172558 |website=The Southern Star |language=en}}</ref>, 2022 * '''Munster Junior League Div3''' (1): 2001<ref name="websiteHonours" /> * '''Tait Cup''' (2): 1983, 1987<ref name="websiteHonours">{{cite web|url = https://www.kinsalerfc.com/honours | website = kinsalerfc.com | title = Kinsale RFC - Roll of Honour | accessdate = 11 October 2025 }}</ref> * '''McCarthy Cup''' (3): 1984, 1985, 1986<ref name="websiteHonours"/> * '''Kelly Cup''' (4): 1986, 1989, 1992, 1996<ref name="websiteHonours"/>
== Notable former players == *Darragh Hurley *Scott Buckley
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *[http://www.kinsalerfc.com Official club website] *[http://www.kinsalesevens.com Kinsale Sevens]
Category:Rugby union teams in Ireland Category:Rugby clubs established in 1982 Category:Rugby union teams in County Cork Category:Sport in Kinsale Category:1982 establishments in Ireland