Club Notes: Week Ending 24.02.13

This week’s club notes come from Clonakilty, Cork Constitution and Young Munster rugby clubs.

Clonakilty RFC – Courtesy of Roy Maguire, PRO

Pressure Back on Clonakilty

It is too harsh to say that the home side did not turn up on the day as there were some exemplary individual performances – David Lombard, Sean White, Tomas Keogh, Aidan Foley and Batt Duggan immediately come to mind but it is possible that the general air of expectancy that a win was a foregone conclusion may have created a subconscious underestimation of the Ards threat. Ards completely belied their league record to date with a gritty performance with a deserved win their reward. Led by a man of the match performance from their No. 10, Scott Young, and a superb supporting role from their No. 8, Jonny Beggs they weathered the Clonakilty pressure that lasted the whole first 25 minutes without conceding a score and on their first visit to the Clon half returned with a converted try.

Clon continued to believe and James Deasy knocked over two penalties to leave just a point between the sides. They were perhaps robbed of a potential match-changing, if not match-winning, score when a great move from a Lombard break with White at his shoulder was thwarted when a desperate slap down by the Ards winger who, faced with a four on one overlap, sacrificed himself to the bin to prevent the pass going to hand and a definite score. There were many, perhaps all bar the referee, who saw this as a penalty try and with the conversion and a 13 – 7 lead, Clon may well have gone on to win. When the same player did the same thing again it is difficult to see why only a scrum to Clon was the result and again, another Ards player repeating what was beginning to look like a training ground tactic was also only penalised by a scrum to Clon. All this said it was a great performance by the Northern side to take their first win against Clonakilty in five meetings.

The Clon lineout was superb with Duggan finding Keogh who was in outstanding form winning all his own ball and pinching a couple of the oppositions. The scrum was not found wanting and the Ulstermen may well have expected an advantage in that area as they opted for scrums when kickable penalties were awarded but got no change from Derry O’Neill, Duggan and Foley in the front row. However Clon indiscipline was to be their undoing as they gifted points, territory, possession and numerical advantage to the visitors at various crucial stages. Another penalty to stretch the lead to 6 – 10 was not the end of the world but with 15 minutes to go Young capped a marvellous performance with a try to seal the result. The conversion left the final score 6 – 17 and not even a bonus point to console The Faithful.

Clon now are back in the dogfight and will need to focus a lot better going into the game with Instonians this Saturday in The Vale at 2.30pm. There should be strong home support on the day as the pre-match reception will honour the men of ‘82 and ‘96 who won the O’Neill Cup in those years and set the foundation for the exceptional success enjoyed by Clonakilty in the subsequent decades. The squad was James Deasy, Jason Wycherley, Alan Long, David Lombard, Kieran Howlin, Joe Lee, Mark Purcell, Courtney Canning, Tony Illston, Alfie Harte, Sean White, Tomas Keogh, Aidan Foley, Batt Duggan (Capt), Derry O’Neill, Stephen Cotter, Mike Keohane, Ger McCarthy, Kieran O’Donovan, Gary Shannon and Luke O’Shea.

Last weekend the Under 15s continued their winning streak with a 12 – 5 victory over Bantry.The 17s unfortunately lost to a good Waterpark side in Waterford by 20 -14 and the 19s were most unfortunate to lose against Skibbereen 15 – 13 as they were only able to field 13 and the numerical advantage over 80 minutes was too great.

Thanks to all players, officials and spectators who before the game respected the memory of past president of the Munster branch and stalwart of neighbouring club Bandon, Niall O’Driscoll and Mary Moloney, Mother of Clonakilty RFC’s Medical Officer, Dr. Tom Moloney both of whom passed away during the week.

Thanks to all who participated in the club Lotto draw for Week 19/2/13 The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 5, 11 and there was no Jackpot winner. Lucky Dip winners were Andrea Deasy, Timoleague, Mike Leonard, Ballydehob and Adrian Spence, Ards RFC. Next Weeks Jackpot will be €;8100

This weekends fixtures:
Saturday 23rd
Munster Under 15 League Semi-Final, Clonakilty v Charleville, The Vale, 11.30am
South Munster Under 17 League Quarter-Final, Tralee v Clonakilty, Tralee, 12.00pm
South Munster Under 19 League Phase 2, Clonakilty v Dolphin, The Vale 12.15pm.
Ulster Bank All Ireland League, Clonakilty v Instonians, The Vale, 2.30pm
Sunday 24th
George O’Connell Cup Semi-Final, Clonakilty v Shandon, The Vale, 2.30pm

Cork Constitution FC – Courtesy of Pat Twomey

Ulster Bank League – Division 1A
Cork Con FC 1st XV V St Mary’s College

Score: 12 – 30
Venue: Temple Hill
Date: 16/02/2013
Referee: S.Gaffikin

St Mary’s College had a comprehensive victory over Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League tie at Temple Hill on Saturday. They racked up seventeen points without reply in the first half, and added another thirteen points before Constitution made a late rally to put a little respectability on the score. Constitution won the first meeting between the sides at Templeville Road last month, but it was clear that the Dubliners had revenge in mind.

Constitution started well enough, but Johnny Holland missed the first scoring chance from a penalty in the 9th minute. St Mary’s took the lead from a Gavin Dunne penalty in the 26th minute after James Ryan was yellow-carded for an indiscretion. From the kick-off, St. Mary’s No 8 Darragh Keller made a powerful return run, to set up a scrum inside the Con 22 metre line. From there they mauled to the line, and then released winger Steve Toal-Lennon to score a fine try. Dunne added the conversion for 10-0.

Then in the 38th minute as Constitution attacked inside the Mary’s 22 metre line, Toal-Lennon intercepted and sprinted away for a fortunate, but vital score. Dunne added the points for 17-0 at the break.

Dunne kicked a penalty in the 43rd minute to bring up 20 points for his side. A fracas at mid-way in the 47th minute saw a player from each side dispatched to the sin bin. Dunne kicked a second penalty in the 51st minute when Constitution wing Cronan Healy became the fourth player to be sin-binned for an off-side offence. St Mary’s captain Matt D’Arcy ended the game as a contest when he stole away from a maul to score in the 58th minute. Dunne again added the points for 30-0.

Despite the daunting task, Constitution rose to the challenge however, and once they got back to fifteen players, they forced some good possession and were rewarded when Brian Hayes got over for a try from a 5-metre scrum in the 66th minute. Gerry Hurley converted, but he failed to add the points to a last minute try by Conor Desmond in the left corner.

Constitution Team:

D.Lyons; N.O’Driscoll, S.Deasy, R.Clune, C.Healy; J.Holland, G.Hurley Capt.; P.Galvin, A.O’Driscoll, B.Cagney; P.Donnellan, B.Hayes; G.Lawler, B.O’Hara, James Ryan.

Constitution Subs:

B.Vaughan (2), J.Rochford (1) C.O’Flaherty (6), A.Ryan (10), C.Desmond (14).

Constitution Scorers:

B.Hayes 1T; C.Desmond 1T; G.Hurley 1C.

St Mary’s College Team:

C.Horgan; S.Toal-Lennon, M.O’Driscoll, RR.Hudson, D.Fanning; G.Dunne, M.D’Arcy; C.McMahon, D.Fawcett, A.Lyons; S.Bradshaw, G.Sexton; C.Ruddock, G.Austin, D.Keller.

St Mary’s College Subs:

R.O’Donovan, T.O’Reilly, M.Fallon, R.O’Loughlin, A.Burke.

St Mary’s College Scorers:

S.Toal-Lennon 2T; M.D’Arcy 1T; G.Dunne 2P3C.

Junior 2 League South
Cork Con FC J2 V Waterpark

Score: 35 – 7
Venue: Temple Hill
Date: 17/02/2013

Cork Constitution defeated Waterpark in their J2 League play-off game with a convincing performance at Temple Hill on Sunday afternoon.

After a competitive first period, Constitution led 17-7. Two tries by left wing Fergus Rowan set Constitution on their way in the 10th and 30th minutes. Simon Barry converted both before landing a penalty just before the break. In between John Flynn scored an opportunist try for Waterpark, when his chip ahead eluded the defence, he collected to score. Oran Keevers kicked the conversion.

Simon Barry kicked a penalty in the 51st minute and then added the points to a fine try by full back Dave Hayes in the 63rd minute. Five minutes later Constitution scored their fourth try when No 8 Johnny Young set up Sam Singleton from a 5 metre scrum. Simon Barry closed off with a penalty in the final minutes for a clear win.

In the semi final Constitution are likely to be away Highfield next Sunday

Con Team:

D.Hayes; J.O’Sullivan, S.Keohane, C.O’Halloran, F.Rowan; S.Barry, K.Minihan Capt.; S.Murray, D.O’Connell, E.Quinn; C.Fouhy, C.O’Flaherty; N.Murphy, D.Leung, J.Young.

Con Subs:

(all played): D.O’Brien, C.Parkes, C.O’Connor, S.Thornhill, S.Singleton.

Con Scorers:

F.Rowan 2T; D.Hayes 1T; S.Singleton 1T; S.Barry 2P3C.

Waterpark Team:

Y.Kiyotan; O.Byrne, I.Kiersey, J.Flynn, D.Fitzgerald; O.Keevers, J.Frisby; R.Colclough, D.Molloy, P.Quelly; R.Upton, E.Quane; D.Joyce, A.Moore, E.Keane.

Waterpark Scorers:

J.Flynn 1T; O.Keevers 1C.

U 13’s Race
Saturday 23 February 2013

And they're off! Missed Aintree this year? Well do not fret. Join us in Cork Constitution where the real race is on. Our Under 13s Race Night fundraiser 'kicks off' on Saturday February 23rd in Cork Constitution. It'll be all 'hands' on deck as some of the top racehorses take to the field in what promises to be a family fun fill(ie)d night. Prizes for owners and punters on each race with a raffle also being held on the night. First off at 6 sharp. Please support this fundraiser for our under 13s forthcoming trip to France. Thanking you all and look forward to seeing you on the night.

Young Munster RFC – Courtesy of Olivia O’Sullivan, PRO

Young Munster climb to second in league table

Young Munster climbed to second position on the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League table this week with a 13-10 victory at home last weekend over Dolphin RFC.

It was a closely fought encounter at Clifford Park which we led 6-3 at the half-time break thanks to a penalty from Brian Haugh and drop goal from outhalf Mike Prendergast.

On the 55th minute, Prendergast got the ball to Mark Doyle who touched down over the line for the home side’s only try of the game.

Given Young Munster’s defensive record in the league so far this season, the side will be disappointed to have conceded a late intercept try to Dolphin as Miah Cronin sprinted in to secure Dolphin’s losing bonus point.

Nonetheless a victory was what the day required to keep us in the running, and with four points secured, the team will be thinking about the game v Clontarf in Dublin this Saturday.

It’s all to play for with us ten points behind league leader’s Lansdowne but with a game in hand which will be the return visit to Dolphin next month. Although a game in hand isn’t worth much unless it’s a win… Mike Prendergast will want to keep the pressure on Lansdowne now and keep us in the hunt till the very end.

Final score: Young Munster 13 Dolphin 10

Saturday 23rd February:
AIL Div 1A Clontarf V Young Munster, 2.30pm Clontarf

———————–

Other Results

Under 21s:
Congrats to our U21s who won their AIL game 15-14 v Buccaneers on Saturday with tries by Greg Barry and Pat Ryan, and penalty plus conversion by Cormac Murphy.
Final score: Buccaneers 14 Young Munster 15

Seconds:
On Sunday, our Second XV had a comprehensive bonus point win over UL Bohemians in the North Munster Seconds League.
Final score: UL Bohemians 5 Young Munster 43

———————–

20-Year Anniversary

Thank you to everyone who attended the 20-year anniversary event of our famous All-Ireland League win in 1993 last Friday night in the Greenhills Hotel. It was great to see so many faces from that era. We hope to have photos on the website soon from the event as well as some of those classic archive photos from ’93 which went down so well on the night.

———————–

Clubhouse open Sundays and available for functions

The clubhouse at Tom Clifford Park is open every Sunday with all pints just €;3.50. To enquire about having functions in the clubhouse contact Frank Corr 087-2901015.

Ladies Night

On Friday 22nd March, a Ladies Night will take place in the Young Munster Pavilion, for a ladies-only night of fun and frolics! Music with DJ John Crofton, raffle with lots of spot prizes. Doors 8.30pm, limited tickets €;10 available from Anne Marie 086-1599018.

Social Evening

Join us for another great night of music and dancing on Saturday 2nd March for a Social Evening featuring live music from the always popular Harmony in the Young Munster Pavilion. Doors open at 9pm. Raffle with spot prizes. Tickets €;5 available from the club or pay at the door on the night.

———————–

Underage Results & Fixtures

Results from Sunday 16th February:

U17s Friendly: UL/Bohs 12 Young Munster 19
U15s Friendly: Young Munster 12 Bruff 19
U14s League Semi Final: Young Munster 27 Ennis 5
*Congratulations to our U14s Squad who qualified for the Final of the U14 League well done to all concerned.*
Fixtures Sunday 24th February:

U17 Friendly: Young Munster V Kilfeacle, Tom Clifford Park 12.00
U15s Friendly Young Munster V Kilfeacle, venue TBC
**U14 League Final: Young Munster V Garryowen Annacotty 11.30am**
**Please come along and support this team on Sunday it should be a great game between these local rivals**
U12 Friendly: Young Munster V UL/Bohs, Derryknockane 11.00

Underage events
• Coach course next Wednesday 27th February at 7pm. Venue: all-weather pitch, Tom Clifford Park. All coaches and team managers to attend. Course provided by Munster Rugby RDO Fiach O’Loughlin.
• Munster Coaching Conference in LIT Limerick on Monday 4th March at 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Munster Coach Rob Penny and his coaching staff will host this conference. Booking is essential please contact Ann Marie Galvin or Tom Dillon or any of the Youth Committee to book your place ASAP.