Club Notes: Week Ending 18.10.15
14th October 2015 By Munster Rugby
This week’s club notes come from Newcastle West, Thurles, Waterford City and Young Munster rugby clubs.
Mini Fixtures For Next Week
| Date | Time | Pitch | Fixture | Host team | Team 1 | Team 2 | Team 3 |
| 18-Oct | 10:30 | Kilelline | U12 Biitz | Newcastle West | Abbeyfeale | Old Crescent – 1 | Bruff Bulls |
Youth Fixtures For Next Week
| Date | Time | Fixture | Team 1 | v | Team 2 | Pitch |
| Tue 13-Oct | 10:30 – 14:00 | School Blitz | Various Schools | Various Schools | Kilelline | |
| 18-Oct | 10:30 | U14 League | Garryowen | v | NCW/Estuary | Dooradoyle |
Courtesy of:- Brian Scanlon, Club PRO
Munster Challenge Shield
Thurles RFC 32 – 25 Waterford City RFC
On a lovely day for rugby Thurles entertained Waterford City in the first round of the Challenge Shield This match had plenty of talking points for 60 minutes Thurles played solid rugby to move into a 32 points to 10 ![""]("//db0847ijr709w.cloudfront.net/munster/Thurles_Content.jpg")
lead, and seemed to be coasting to a comfortable victory, but taking the foot after pedal can be a dangerous thing to do as Thurles almost found to their cost as Waterford city came back into the game to close to within five points
The first score of the game came when Thurles were successful with a well worked try after Larry O Gorman had made a superb break with support from Shane Moloney and some slick inter-passing moves sent hooker Teddy Skehan in under the posts which Shane Moloney converted A penalty soon after was also kicked by Moloney to put Thurles 10 – 0 ahead
Waterford city replied with a penalty of their own but another Shane Moloney penalty left Thurles with a 10 point lead with 20 minutes gone A quickly taken penalty with Thurles players in sleep mode allowed the Waterford blindside winger to score under the posts bringing the score to 13 – 10 and a serious wake-up call for Thurles
The following 30 minutes were all Thurles. A series of forward drives opened up the Waterford defence and Nicky Irwin didn't need a second invitation and raced in under the posts to score a try which Shane Moloney converted
Thurles were back in control and a great drive through the centre and Rory O Dwyer created space for fly half Peter Coman to put his backs in motion with Shane Lanigan Ryan slicing through to feed Declan O Rahilly who put the burners on to score in the corner. Shane Moloney added the points The half time break allowed head Coach John Lillis to introduce Jason O Mahoney , Joey Kelly and Luke Kelly to add some fresh legs and a very hot day
The second half began with Thurles once again on the attack and when Sligo man Ross Chrystal made a well worked break down the blindside, he put Waterford City under serious pressure once again before second row Philly Kelly carried to within a metre of the Waterford City line. The try looked on the cards but Waterford City killed the ball repeatedly and were able to relieve the pressure with a well placed kick for touch. The resulting line out allowed:Colin Feely to feed Davy Kelly who drove for the line. Once again Waterford city killed the momentum resulting in another penalty converted for Thurles by Shane Moloney.
A superb take from there restart by Paddy Phelan set the Thurles Pack on the front foot and the patient drive paid dividends with a try for Larry O Gorman. Thurles confortable at 32 to 10 or so it seemed.
With Thurles feeling their job was done Waterford City put in a surge to push Thurles back into their own half. A drive from the resulting line out earned Waterford City a seven pointer and within five minutes, some slack tackling allowed them to score again and convert to put eight points between the teams with ten minutes to go. A penalty five minutes later reduced their deficit to 5 points, and what had seemed like a comfortable win now became a dogfight
Changes were needed and prop Damian Dunne came on to make his seasonal debut and his experience was vital in steadying the ship. With Peter Coman Colin Skehan and Nicky Irwin on the sidelines Thurles needed the more experienced players to calm the turbulent waters. Full credit to Shane Moloney, moved to flay half from full back, who managed to keep Waterford City pinned back in their own 22.
Thurles held on in the end for a victory but got a serious warning about how important it is to finish out a game and not lose concentration no matter who the opposition is. They play CastleIsland in the next round with an away fixture. This is a trophy that is there for the taking and Thurles can have a big say in this, but they will need at more concentrated performance if they want to be serious contenders
Thurles.
Rory O Dwyer, Dave Kelly, Colm Skehan, Phil Kelly, Colin Feely, Ciaran Ryan, Larry O Gorman, Paddy Phelan, Nicky Irwin, Peter Coman, Declan O Rahilly, Shane Moloney, Shane Lanigan Ryan, Ross Chrystal, Shane Moloney, Jason O Mahoney, Damien Dunne, Joey Kelly. Luck Kelly , Ollie Delaney
Courtesy of:- Deirdre Barry, Club PRO
WCRFC Senior – Thurles 32 V WCRFC 27
Tries: Simon O Hara, Michael Hayes, Cian Foskin, Aidan Power
Conversion: Michael Hayes x3
Penalties: Michael Hayes
Man of the Match – Kevin Whelan
Dave O'Connor, Brian Walsh, Alex Fitzmaurice, Simon O'Hara, Eamonn O'Keeffe, Kevin Whelan, Cian Foskin, Joe Delahunty, Michael Hayes, Aaron Foskin, Damien Kennedy, Connor Power (captain), Aidan Power, James Halligan Mark Hayes
Andrew Condron, Stephen O'Rourke, Connor White, Darren Walsh, Jack Caffrey
On Sunday 11th October Waterford City travelled to Thurles to test themselves against one of the favourites for promotion in the league and a team City had two tight battles with last seasons with both games ending with only a score between the teams. As the rest of the country, the squad were waiting for the tremendous Ireland France game to start, and by all accounts seemed to leave there rugby heads in the changing room.
City, with a number of players being given a chance to impress began poorly and were 13-3 down after 15 minutes as Thurles had the upper hand at scrum time, something City will look to fix in the future. Too often city were held up in contact and, surprisingly, missed tackles against their Tipperary counterparts.
It wasn't until the 65th minute that city began to play, and as such, after being 32-15 down clawed themselves back to 32-27 with 5 minutes left to play. City had chances to win the game, but fell short in a cup they would have fancied wining after last season's successes.
The dressing room post-match drew a reaction from the squad, who after two consecutive league victories, are focused solely on putting this right in training over the next two weeks ready for league action against table toppers Cobh.
As always, many thanks to all of our supporters and sponsors Done Deal and the Kingfisher club.
J2 – WCRFC 19 V Clonmel 21
A much improved City squad hosted Clonmel RFC at home in Kilbarry on Saturday night. Clonmel were first on the scoreboard with a penalty and then a try. 20 minutes into the game, saw a set piece move from a City scrum passed to Arron Whelan who got over the gain line and delivered the ball to veteran full back Eoghan Hartery who crashed over the line from 15 meters out. The try was unconverted leaving the sides at 8-5 to Clonmel. City and Clonmel were by now both very much into this game with powerful displays of set piece moves and open field play. Our scrums held on all accounts and we were winning our lineout ball. However repeated infringements by City gave Clonmel another advantage with a converted penalty but the deficit was quickly narrowed by a superb try from Liam McCarthy to put us in front on a score of 12 points to 11.
More infringements and sloppy play by City allowed Irish International Dennis Leamy's, Clonmel side another shot at goal for a further 3 points. City regained their composure and were firing on all guns passing the ball from left to right and back, gaining hard yards up the pitch. City got a scrum in the middle of the pitch 40 yards out and worked the ball over 7 phases with some fine rucking by the pack to ensure we got the ball back. Our lads brought the ball into contact and drew their forwards in, Liam McCarthy flashed the ball to Jack Caffrey, who in turn skipped our inside centre to Peter Jones at 13. Jones drew in two players and with a one handed pass found Arron Whelan back inside who sprinted for the line to ground the ball in impressive style. Caffrey converted and City went ahead again -19 -14. A case of bad luck and bad decision making, gave Clonmel their winning try inside the last 10 minutes. The final 5 minutes of the game was marred by a Clonmel player getting sent off for hitting one of our guys on the ground. However, this yellow card although to our advantage was just not enough and we could not muster the clinical finish that was required to win. A penalty kick from the halfway line by Man of the Match Jack Caffrey fell just short of the sticks and Clonmel won on a score line of 21-19. This was a very disappointing defeat but on the positive side, we nearly got the scalp of a team who were the best junior team in Munster last year. Well done to Cian McCarthy (making his first start for the Club), David Healy, Liam Hayes, Elliot O Mahoney (Vice Captain), Conor White for solid performances and also to some great leadership from captain Liam McCarthy, Tom Bowes and Aaron Whelan.
Courtesy of:- Glen Blake, Club PRO
This week we travel north to play Ballinahinch in a UBL league game and here's hoping for a much needed win. It is with deep regret we announce that Tony Mathison has resigned as head coach of Young Munster's with immediate effect for personal reasons, and is returning to Australia. This obviously is not ideal when we are into the AIL season and facing a massive period of games in the next 7 weeks starting with the crucial trip to Ballinahinch on Saturday but unfortunately is beyond our control.
In the Short term period until we decide what will do John Staunton our director of Rugby has kindly agreed to step back in as head coach and work with Ian Keatley, Conor McPhilips. Ger Slattery and Dave Moriarty in preparing the seniors.
The thirds take on Crescent on Friday night under lights at 7pm in Tom Clifford park.
The seconds play Crescent also on Monday night at 7pm in Tom Clifford park your support would be welcome.
Our U16's play Thurles at 11am Sunday morning in the Pan Munster.
Our U14's Play St Sennans at 11am in Derryknockane in a league game.
The club is selling tickets for the IRFU draw at the moment with great prizes including a trip for two to South Africa your support for this would be appreciated.
Celebration Club 120 year ties are also available from the club shop or you can book one through email.
