All the latest club news and reports from around the province including details of Wasps visit to Old Crescent RFC ahead of their Thomond Park tie with Munster
OLD CRESCENT RFC
Pat Rickard PRO
No rugby played last week so the focus of the week from a club perspective was the visit of Wasps to Rosbrien on Friday morning last.
It was a great occasion when Eoin Reddan brought his Wasps team mates coaches and supporters to visit his first club Old Crescent RFC. A number of Old Crescent players, coaches and members were in attendance to welcome our visitors from across the water. The original plan was for the team to have a short training session at the club but due to the condition of the pitches this was not possible. Instead the visit was very much a social one with the visitors mixing with the locals with many photographs taken and autographs signed. The Wasps players in particular showed great interest in the various photographs, jerseys and other items adorning the clubhouse walls. There was a great buzz of enthusiasm around the club and hopefully the visit will help strengthen the relationship between the two clubs for the future.
This weekend weather permitting the 1st XV continue their AIL journey with a trek to West Cork on Saturday to play Clonakilty. The 2nd XV play Ennis in the Munster Junior Cup on Sunday in Ennis at 2.30pm while the under 20’s are away to Clonmel on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Under age training is scheduled for Sunday but this will depend on a pitch inspection on Saturday afternoon.
Congratulations to Munster on their great victory on Saturday and we look forward with interest to the quarter final in early April.
KILLORGLIN RFC
Aidan Clifford PRO
Killorglin Rugby Club’s annual Quiz night will take place in the Soda Club on Thursday February 7th at 8pm. Teams of four cost €;40 and all are welcome.
Killorglin Rugby Club Senior Team travelled to Corbally, Limerick this past weekend to take on St. Mary’s in the Munster Junior League Division Three. Killorglin were on a high after last week’s phenomenal victory in the Cup against Kinsale, however were missing some key players this time. Full-back and goal kicker Brian Gannon, locks Cole Stephens and Colm Conway all were unavailable for the trip to Limerick and alas the winning momentum could not continue. Killorglin did however go into half time with a 10-6 lead courtesy of a penalty from stand-in goal kicker Ronan Curtayne, followed by a try by Vivian O’Callaghan which was duly converted by Curtayne. The out-half added another penalty after the break to put Killorglin 13-6 ahead, but Mary’s scored a converted try to tie up the scores shortly after. The home side then kicked a drop goal to edge ahead but Killorglin and Curtayne responded with another penalty to set up a cracking finale. However the Limerick side had the last laugh with a final penalty to leave the scores at 19-16, with Killorglin picking up a losing bonus point in the process. Centres Andrew O’Reilly and Kieran Crowley, along with along with Curtayne and Tom Healy played well but special mention has to be given to stand in second row Anthony Kelliher who played out of his skin. Killorglin now look forward to a huge away cup-tie against local rivals Tralee. Considering Killorglin are competing in this competition for the first time since 1978, they hope to carry a strong support to O’Dowd Park, Ballyard, Tralee next Sunday 27th January. Kickoff for this game is 2:30pm.
Killorglin Rugby Team: – 1. Karl John Daly (Capt.), 2. Dan Flynn, 3. John ‘Twin’ O’Sullivan, 4. Mike Breen, 5. Anthony Kelliher, 6. Sean Joy, 7. Tom Healy, 8. Ray Kelliher, 9. David Coffey, 10. Ronan Curtayne, 11. Jody Riordan, 12. Andrew O’Reilly, 13. Kieran Crowley, 14. Vivian O’Callaghan, 15. Trevor West.
Subs:- Brendan ‘Fox’ O’Sullivan, Arthur Spring, Ger O’Sullivan, Enda O’Shea. Unused: Mikey Aherne and Brian Keary.
Senior Team Training takes place Every Tuesday at 7pm and Fridays at 7:30pm at the Dragon’s Den All-weather pitch. All new players are welcome.
UL BOHEMIAN RFC
Denis Ryan PRO
On the weekend when Munster were playing such a momentous game (yet another) it was unfortunate that the AIL derby match could not have been transferred to Sunday, to give the wider rugby supporting public a chance to take in both games, but in saying that, there was still a good sized crowd prepared to brave the elements although reassured by the sound of Noah in the background just completing work on his latest Ark.
This game against Garryowen was only playable because of the great work of Dave Mahedy’s team, but even so, the monsoon conditions made the whole experience unpleasant for players, officials and supporters. At the end, it was the Garryowen contingent that went home most satisfied, having used their heavier pack to good effect in grinding out a 19-14 win.
In the terrible conditions, it is hardly surprising that there were mistakes on both sides, but this was still a lively competitive game.
The first half was tied at 6-6 until Garryowen kicked into the lead just before half time, after the UL Bohs support had called for a penalty for offside in front of the visitor’s posts which would have turned the contest the other way.
After the resumption, Garryowen mauled their way over for a try, following another penalty, and this was converted with an excellent kick in the driving rain to give them a 16-6 lead.
UL Bohs refused to buckle, and following a blocked clearance, Coleman Finn won the race to the line for an unconverted try. Once again Garryowen came back with a penalty, and when UL Bohs were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds. Fergal Lawlor put over the kick which at least gave the home side the consolation of a losing bonus.
On the day, Garryowen deserved the win, but for UL Bohs, the game in Dublin this weekend against Clontarf takes on added significance if we are to stay in touch with the leaders.
All other games fell victim to the foul weather. The crucial U-20 game against Shannon has not yet been refixed, nor is the McInerney Cup game for the 3rd XV, but the Juniors have lost home advantage to St Senan following two postponements. Accordingly, the Munster Junior Cup game will be played in Jimmy Slattery Park on Sunday at 2.30pm. Please support this side which has again retained the Senior Seconds League, having completed another unbeaten run.
SHANNON RFC
Andrew McNamara PRO
It may have been top of the table versus bottom, and in many peoples mind a foregone conclusion, but the particular pre-match script that we had hoped for failed to materialise last Saturday in Dungannon. A losing bonus point was all we could muster, and in truth we were probably fortunate to get that. The home side were oozing with confidence as the clock ticked down and while we were desperately looking for a way back from a 25-12 deficit Dungannon could since their first ever victory over Shannon in the AIB league. The fact that we did get to within the losing bonus point is a slight, and I mean slight, consolation in an otherwise dismal day. Last week I mentioned that consistency is required to capture our ninth AIB title, and that result last weekend goes a long way to proving that point. The highs and elations of beating Cork Con turned to deflation in Stevenson Park. While we never really settled all that well in t first half, we never looked in trouble and when we went ahead with Andrew Finn’s try, it was felt that we would use one of our upper ranges of gears and get the rhythm and style flowing. It never relay materialised but despite Dungannon hauling back two penalties, Richie Mullane darted just on the 40 minute mark. That again heralded a false dawn. Just as it looked as if we would lead at the break, Dungannon hit us for six and completely knocked us off our stride in the last play of the half with a try. It was probably the turning point of the game, their self-belief grew before our very eyes and they maintained that status and indeed added to that status in the second half. We did however contribute to our down fall, gifting Dungannon two further tries and for a side that failed to register a score against us in our two previous meetings they now lead by 25-12 and looked most likely to score again. There was a lot of frustration with the performance and result, but every one knows that this bunch of players have an abundance of character and they will certainly be shooting all guns in order to rectify this result. An early opportunity arises this Saturday when Galwegians arrive to Coonagh. No one knows better than the lads what is required.
A brief respite from the disappointment on the long journey home came when we watched Munster’s marvellous performance in Thomond Park. The events have been well chronicled and documented but we take this opportunity to congratulate the entire Munster squad and management, especially the Shannon men involved in yet another remarkable feat. Our own corporate event in the now almost infamous Marquee was a huge success ,and again Jack Keane, Neil O’Carroll and the team ensured another marvellous occasion. The sacrifice of our club members on Munster days is a burden that the executive committee are continually grateful for. Running Shannon RFC continues to be a costly exercise across all diversities of the club and in order to maintain our standard at the top level of the game we need big days like Saturday to alleviate the pressure.
With the Six Nations almost upon us those looking for tickets for the games should contact Tadgh Crowe. There should be enough to go around but to ensure your needs contact Tadgh as quickly as possible. tadhgcrowe@yahoo.com
A major positive note to come in the last week was the news that U/18 player Luke O’Dea is selected on the Irish Youths panel fro a tour to France in the coming weeks. It’s a fantastic honour not only for Luke and his family, but for Shannon also. Luke has played with Shannon since a young age and it’s a deserved reward for a talented player and his coaches throughout his career to date. We wish him well.
All fixtures, as one would expect were decimated with the continuing atrocious weather in the region. Hopefully we can get back on track in what is a hugely important weekend coming.
The Seniors, as mentioned play Galwegians In Coonagh , Saturday at 2.30 While the U/20’s are hoping that their AIL game with Highfield kicks off at the appointed time of 1pm , also on Satuday.The Thirds also travel to Bruff on Saturday for a friendly with a kick off. Sunday sees the Munster Junior Cup scheduled to take place away to Bruff with a 2.30 start.
At underage the U/14’s play Ennis in Coonagh while the U/18’s are away to Newcastlewest.
The club lotto is gathering momentum, but we still need more people participating in order for us to reach the targets we require. Weekly draw tickets are available from any committee member and we also have our direct debit system on place. Further information can be obtained from jleahy@clareviewmotors.com.
