Club News Weekending May 13th 2007

Final reports from clubs around the province

OLD CRESCENT RFC
Pat Rickard PRO

The curtain came down on the season on Friday night last with the first holding of the Bill Mardell Memorial Trophy between the under 15s of Old Crescent and Newcastle West at Rosbrien. It was an excellent display of open attacking rugby by both sides and fully in keeping with the spirit which Bill himself held for the game. At the final whistle the home side took the spoils and they were presented with the trophy by Mrs Lisa Mardell (Bill’s wife) on behalf of the Mardell family.
The end of season party for the youth teams also took place on Friday night and an enjoyable nights entertainment was had by all who attended.

So as the summer comes into view , there are still places available in the Old Crescent Summer Camp which will take place during the last week in June and the month of July at Rosbrien. Details of the camp can be obtained by contacting Mark Ring at 087-2796954 or Gerry Reynolds at 087-2905490.

Finally this week a reminder that the club AGM will take place on Wednesday May 23rd at 8pm in the clubhouse at Rosbrien.

GARRYOWEN FC
Christopher Barry PRO

Last Saturday brought the end of a great season to a close when we won the AIB League in dramatic style by 16-15 over a gallant Cork Con side in Musgrave Park. For Paul Neville it was a proud moment to lift the AIL silverware for the third time after 13 long years. It was an almighty struggle and the last 15 minutes of the game were certainly nail-biting. It looked like we were in big trouble when Con raced into a 15-9 lead but this unique group of players were not to be denied and after Damien Varley replied almost immediately with a try converted by Eoghan Hickey ( he also kicked three penalties), one felt it was going to be our day. The late Mick Ryan surely had something to do with that little gust of wind that pulled Con’s last-ditch drop-goal effort wide of the posts. Our supporters were there in huge numbers and the far side of pitch was a sea of light-blue and white. The joy and emotion of the day was indescribable and the sight of all those young Garryowen boys and girls in their jerseys singing and waving their flags cannot but have spurred on our players. We are fortunate to have had superb coaches in Paul Cunningham, Killian Keane, Dara O’Sullivan, Ray Egan and Tom Cummins. To the medical team of Dr. Mick Lucey, Mark Van Drumpt, Mike Cantillon, Don Murphy and the team management of Mark Keane, Matt Joyce, Mark Barry, Paul Keane, Patrick Chesser and Fintan Richardson, a sincere thank you. I am still trying to collate all the congratulatory messages received from members and supporters of our club and indeed other clubs both here and abroad. The players and coaches have brought great honour and pride to our club. We have had some great seasons in our illustrious 123 year history. None could surpass that moment last Saturday when Alan Lewis blew the final whistle and the AIB League Trophy was added to the AIB Cup, Munster Senior Cup and Munster Junior Cup. The sight of the team Bus coming up the drive in Dooradoyle on Saturday night was a moment to savour for everyone. The players returned to great fanfare and a heroes welcome. We partied into the early hours (many thanks to JJ Gunning our steward) as the players shared their success with their fans. Man of the Match Peter Malone’s "erroneous call" for a three-year celebration made us all groan while watching replays of the game over the weekend. There were a lot of tired bodies and throbbing heads but it was all worth it. For the moment we will enjoy this year’s unique achievement knowing that once the shadows lengthen, we will return to Dooradoyle for the new season when our players file out on the hallowed turf to again do battle with the great teams that make the club game unique in the quest for honour and glory.