Brian O'Driscoll denied entry to exclusive Dublin club

Officials at one of the country's most exclusive tennis clubs have refused to allow legendary Irish rugby player Brian O'Driscoll to become a member.

It is understood that the decision to block the former Ireland captain from joining Dublin's Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club (FLTC) was made by a nine-member governing committee earlier this month.

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Officials at Fitzwilliam - one of the world's oldest tennis clubs - declined to answer any questions about the 141-times capped rugby player's application.

Amy Huberman and Brian O'Driscoll at the launch of her AH wine range in Dublin. Pic: Brian McEvoy

Asked if there was any response to queries about why the 46-year-old father of three's bid to join the club was rejected, a spokesman would only say: 'Nothing.'

Pressed further about whether his membership application failed because demand exceeded the number of spaces available, the club declined to comment.

Writer and star of Finding Joy, Amy Huberman with husband Brian O'Driscoll. Pic: Conor McCabe Photography

The decision to refuse membership to one of Ireland's greatest ever sportsmen has bewildered many of its 2,000 members.

One insider told the Irish Mail on Sunday: 'It is the talk of the place. No one can understand why Brian O'Driscoll was refused. People would have loved if he had got in, can you imagine the cache?'

Another club member described the 'secretive' membership process at Fitzwilliam. They said: 'No one gets in unless they are deemed to be suitable.

'The list of all new members are posted on a board in the club. When I became a member, my name was put up on that board for a month so that all of the members had a chance to "blackball me" - they could have objected to me becoming a member.

Pic: Amy Huberman/Instagram

'Once people join, they never leave, because if you do you'll never get back in.'

In order to become a member of Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club, two current members must provide letters of support. However, there are strict conditions as to which members are eligible to propose and second applicants. Both must be members for at least 18 months, and they must also know the potential candidate for at least two years.

The club's annual membership fee is just over €2,500 but new members are also obliged to pay a once off joining fee of €8,000.

When the current president of FLTC, located in upmarket Ranelagh, Dublin, opened applications for new members last December he reminded those considering nominating new members about the club's ethos.

Brian O'Driscoll and Amy Huberman. Pic: Getty Images

President Bryan Smyth told members in a letter: 'As you are aware, the prime ethos of Fitzwilliam was and remains racket-focused. In considering applications for membership the Governing Committee places particular emphasis on demonstrated previous involvement and ability in tennis and/or squash.'

Up to 292 people applied to become members between last December and January, but only 80 of these were successful.

Those familiar with the application process speculated that O'Driscoll - who was granted honorary membership of Fitzwilliam at the height of his rugby fame - failed to get membership because he is not a noted tennis player.

He retired as a rugby professional in 2014. Like many other high-profile retired sportsmen, O'Driscoll, who is married to actress Amy Huberman, has become a recent convert to the hybrid game of padel.

In February 2023, he posted a photo of himself with members of the Bushy Park Tennis and Padel Club on his social media account with the caption: 'And so the journey begins now I get all the fuss.'

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