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Young Munster Top The Table

7th December 2011 By Munster Rugby

Young Munster Top The Table

Within ten minutes of game seven in the Ulster Bank League last weekend, Young Munster had six points up on Cork Constitution in Temple Hill thanks to the boot of William Staunton.

Courtesy of:  Olivia O'Sullivan, PRO, Young Munster RFC

Not only that, but Andrew Burke had come close to scoring a try, and Con had their wing forward Brendan Cuttriss sent off for a strike against Liam Og Murphy following a punishing, dominant scrum by the Limerick pack.

Mike Prendergast and John Broderick couldn’t have scripted a better start for the visiting side as we went seeking our fifth win in a row to ensure we remained top of the table going into the Christmas break.

Hurley got one back for Con on 15 minutes bringing it to 3-6 and Willie had an attempt 45m out drift right of the posts five minutes later.

Our scrum continued to dominate throughout allowing us to setup our attack and continue to repeatedly press their line. While one set-piece proved an awesome artillery for us however, the other was perhaps the weakest part of our game on the day. Neither side was having a great day in the lineout and this is one area that Forwards Coach John Broderick will surely focus on in the December training sessions.

The first try of the game came on the half hour mark with a maul off our lineout on their 5m line. There was no stopping the momentum of the pack as they powered over. The eventual touchdown was credited to flanker Liam Og Murphy. Willie Staunton converted to take the score to 3-13.
Con responded with an immediate attack which might have proved fateful but for an important tackle by Aaron Carroll in our 22. Aaron is just back from injury with this his first game in the Ulster Bank League and it was great to see him back on form and playing some great rugby.

Con did get another score in before half-time with Holland landing a drop goal in front of the posts but before the whistle Willie opted to attempt a penalty on the right touchline 40m out which he landed to leave the score at 6-16 going into the break.

As the clouds parted for the second half, the sun decided to make a timely appearance glaring right into our boys’ eyes. This wasn’t to quell our hunger however, as we continued to apply immense pressure in the scrum. It was this pressure that led to the next score, as, ten minutes into the second half, Con collapsed the first of a series of scrums on their 5m line. At the third infringement Referee George Clancy put his whistle to his lips and made for the posts to call the penalty try. A momentous moment for our pack in Temple Hill and they certainly deserved it. Andrew Burke converted for us this time to bring the score to 6-23.

Our confidence was high now but we had a lot of work yet to do with a half hour still left to play. Willie had a penalty edge to the right and wide five minutes later, and Con got one back soon after to bring the score to 9-23.

We had some great play in the following quarter with Neville Melbourne getting a great steal at the lineout, and both Andrew Burke and Willie Staunton kicking great out of hand.
In the 77th minute of the game however, our defence – which is the best in the league this season – somehow opened up for Con centre Niall O’Driscoll and he ran in a try from 50 metres with Hurley converting to recover a losing bonus point for the Cork side. Our boys won’t be happy they let that one in having held solid throughout.

We now remain top of the table going into the Christmas break with four points clear of second place Clontarf. Our next fixture in the League is at home to St.Mary’s College on January 7th. Mary’s have climbed to third position in the table so will be keen to take points in this encounter but our boys will hope to start 2012 on the same winning form we have ended 2011.

Final Score: Cork Con 16 – 23 Young Munster

Team: Ray Moloney, Aaron Carroll, Matthew Costelloe, Andrew Burke, Darragh O’Neill, Willie Staunton, Mike Prendergast. Ger Flaherty, Ger Slattery (Capt.), Alan Cotter, Darren Gallagher, Shane O’Neill, Liam Og Murphy, Shane Hassett, Neville Melbourne.

Replacements (all used):
Ger Bourke, Hugh McGrath, Sean Duggan, James O’Neill, Brian Haugh

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Charity Cup Final & Young Munster Christmas Party

The Limerick Charity Cup Final v Shannon has been fixed for Friday December 16th in Dooradoyle. Following the match, the Young Munster Christmas Party will take place in the Clubhouse with live music, raffle and more. Open invitation to players, friends and supporters. No cover charge. All are invited. A limited shuttle bus from Martin’s Coaches will be in operation from Dooradoyle to Tom Clifford Park after the game for those who wish to leave the car at home and join us in a festive night to toast 2011.

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Seconds bonus point win over Thomond

Our Seconds XV continued our winning ways last Sunday against a strong Thomond side. We started very well and scored our first try after five minutes through Ger Bourke after good work by our forwards that resulted in turnover ball just out the Thomond 22.

Quick hands by our backs created an overlap for Ger to score in the corner to put us 5-0 up. We scored again after 14 minutes, this time through a Owen Tarrant try, after a great skip pass from our captain Declan Brown to bring the score to 10-0 after 14 minutes.

Thomond came right back at us and scored a penalty after 25 minutes. This score helped Thomond to raise their game and they scored a second penalty after 35 minutes to leave the half time score at 10-6 in our favour.

Some strong words at half time by our coaches Gearoid Prendergast and Mark Hayes seemed to have the right effect as we scored our third try four minutes into the second half through Jake Considine who broke through two tackles to score in the corner to put us 15-6 ahead.

Thomond again came back at us and would have scored again only to be denied by great defence. We got the all important fourth try after 68 minutes when a great break from Mark Doyle from inside his own half left the Thomond cover for dead to score under the posts. Shane O’Leary kicked the easy conversion to finish the game 22-6.

Management want to thank both Derek McMahon and Conor O’Brien for turning up at short notice for this game, it was great to see both of them play their part in this good win.

Final Score: Young Munster 22 – 6 Thomond

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Good league win for Under 14’s over Garryowen

Last Sunday saw our Under 14 side make the short journey to Dooradoyle for round 5 of the North Munster League. Played in poor weather conditions, with cold sleety rain, both sides endeavoured to run the ball whenever possible, in what was a closely fought local derby.

From the kick off, Garryowen applied pressure on the Munsters’ rearguard, but sound defence from our three quarters enabled us to weather this early storm. We gradually began to gain ascendency in the tight exchanges, which enabled us to play most of the first half deep in Garryowen territory.

After 20 minutes, the home side were penalised for a line-out infringement, and with our pack on top, we opted from a scrum 10 metres from the Garryowen line. Our No.8 Brendan Kelly drove off the back of the scrum and went for a blind side break, but was held up just short. Further chances were at a premium during the opening half, with defences dominating.

Eoin Carey was replaced by Shane O’Connell at half time, and we were unfortunate to lose hooker Emmett Connolly to injury in the second half. A newcomer to rugby, Emmet put in a great performance and continues to improve with every match. Our back row was now exerting far more control and some typically barnstorming runs from Dan O’Brien and Jake Fitzgerald gained valuable ground.

At half back, Josh O’Donoghue and Dean Garvey varied their game intelligently, and wings Damien Benson and Kelvin Brosnahan always looked dangerous when in possession. Full back, Alex O’Callaghan dealt capably with anything that came his way, whilst always looking to counter attack.

Good work from our pack eventually saw us cross for a try from Aaron McNamara, who gained possession on the right, 22 metres out but was helped over by his pack.

A further try followed ten minutes later when our forwards went through several phases, with Calvin McDonagh and Caylum McDonagh prominent, when Dean Garvey fed centre David Benn on the short side, and after a typically mazy run, our centre touched down. Dean Garvey landed the conversion to leave the score 12-0.

To their credit, Garryowen continued to run the ball at every opportunity, and were rewarded when prop Paddy Tobin crashed over following a line out 5 metres from our line. We finished the game on the attack, and with a little patience and correct options being taken, perhaps we could have had another score. Final score 12–5, well done to all.

Team: Alex O’Callaghan; Kelvin Broshnahan, Aaron McNamara, David Benn, Damien Benson; Dean Garvey, Josh O’Donoghue; Jack Finucane, Emmett Connolly,
Calvin McDonagh; Caylum O’Dwyer, Eoin Carey; Jake Fitzgerald, Brendan Kelly, Dan O’Brien; Subs: Shane O’Connell for Eoin Carey, Jake Bennis for Jack Finucane, Jordan McKnight for Emmett Connolly.

Final Score: Garryowen 5 – 12 Young Munster

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December notes from the Underage and Minis

HO-HO HO, yes it’s that time of the year again! Santa will be in Limerick for the Munster match on Sunday the 18th and yes, he will be in the Young Munster Clubhouse from 4.30pm to 6.00pm that evening. All kids are welcome, meet Santa, see the magic show and enjoy yourselves… Entry €;5 per child.
Please note that we will not have training that morning and so all training will finish for the mini groups on Sunday 11th of December and we will return on Sunday 8th of January.

CLUB SHOP
For all parents looking for that extra present for Christmas, remember that we have a selection of hoodies, polo tops and jackets available from the club shop. Also this year the Young Munster women’s team have produced their calendar and have a selection of mini photos within it. This can be purchased from the club shop along with all the selection of club gear.

COACHING COURSES
To all six new coaches that completed the mini branch course last weekend, it’s great to have you with us. The next course will be early next year and if you are interested in helping please talk to Anne-Marie in the club shop.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Please note that accident insurance is not provided by the club, and all are urged to take out whatever insurance which they deem necessary for their time with us. We would advise that you check your child’s school’s onsurance policy to determine what type of cover 24-hour or school-only activities that the policy will cover.

SCRAP METAL/WHITE GOODS DAY
By way of fundraising for the club we hope to organise a scrap metal/white goods day. This will involve having an open return day at the Clubhouse and we are asking all for support in collecting and returning the above to us. We will get back to you early in the new year about this but we would greatly appreciate your help.

CLUB LOTTO
The club lotto is now €;13,000 with €;2.00 entry tickets available at the club shop.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS
On behalf of the all concerned with the varying teams from the underage coaches to underage committee, from all in the shop to all who help out on match days can we wish you all a pleasant Christmas. Again the big man himself is with us on the 18th. All welcome including parents (Santa will listen to you too!)
 

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