Club Notes

This week’s club notes come from Newcastle West RFC, Thurles RFC, and Waterford City RFC

Newcastle West RFC
Courtesy of Martin O’Sullivan

Tough day in Clonmel

Clonmel – 13 Newcastle West – 0

The long trip to leaders, Clonmel yielded no reward on Sunday. A cold blustery day in Tipperary didn’t contribute to a game of beauty but the effective home side managed to use the conditions to their advantage in the opening 40 to take a 10-0 lead into the break. Newcastle West noticeably upped the pace in the second and used the elements to pin the home side in their own half for the majority of the second 40 but the home defence was outstanding and held out to keep the West Limerick lads scoreless. Clonmel now lead the table by 7 points.

A huge thanks to the travelling supporters and the team and management for the massive effort put in on Sunday.

Fixture
We play Richmond in Cullinagh on Sunday next Feb 12th in the league. Kickoff is at 2.30pm.


U16s
Pan Munster Plate Group 1
Newcastle West/Estuary RFC 24 Kanturk RFC 15

Last Sunday we faced Kanturk in Cullinagh first time we have played there all year a new venture for us. We started well from the kick off we carried the game to Kanturk through our forwards Aiden Shanahan and Diarmuid O Flynn. unfortunately we were turned over and Kanturk came storming into our with good tackles from John O Connor and Daniel Normoyle we prevented a certain try down out right wing. We began to get the upper hand at the break down with, Christopher Walsh and Kevin Sheahan counter rucking well. We were able to win back the ball and use our backs Turlough O Connor getting our backs flowing we got a penalty near 10 metre line unfortunately it dropped short. we were in a battle both teams playing their best. We got back into their twenty two where Kanturk knocked on.

We went with one of our pre plan moves off the back of the scrum For Alan McGrath our scrum half to go over in the corner the conversion was missed the game remained this way until half time. We started the second half well with great forward work from Daniel Collins and Eoghan Heffernan where we gave Kanturk a lineout but they got poor ball we were able to force them back over their line to give us a 5metre scrum. David Massey our no8 went over in the corner and injured himself in the process. We hope it not a serious injury and he will be back soon. We missed the conversion to the try we were 10 to 0 up we were well on top. We went back on the attack good carries from Sean Bourke who replaced the injured David Massey set up a ruck on the half way with some slick passing from Alan McGrath to Robert O Grady who sent Tom Murphy storming over for his first try we converted the try and led 17 to 0.

We again took our eye of the ball and Kanturk Ran in a try to leave it 17 to 5 missed conversion. From the resulting kick off we turned over the ball Liam Callanan carried well set up a ruck he was having a good game at hooker for his first game in this position. we again spread it wide and Killian Collins off loaded to Aiden Shanahan Who in turn off loaded out of the tackle to Tom Murphy to run in his second try leaving us ahead by 24 to 5 with ten minutes to play we brought on Cian Doody and Keith Begley for Christopher Walsh and Kevin Sheahan.

This change however gave Kanturk a chance running in 2 more tries leaving it 24 to 15 with 5 minutes to go we held out for the win in the end. We would like to thank all the parents who brought a good spread off food for both teams to enjoy. We wish Kanturk all the best for the rest of the tournament. We Face Sundays Well on Saturday 11th of February in their home ground.

The team was as Follows:
1. Kevin Sheahan. 2. Liam Callanan 3. Christopher Walsh 4. Daniel Collins 5. Aiden Shanahan 6. Eoghan Heffernan 7. Diarmuid O Flynn 8. David Massey 9. Alan McGrath 10. Turlough O Connor 11. John O Connor 12. Tom Murphy 13. Robert O Grady 14.Killian Collins 15. Daniel Normoyle 16. Keith Begley 17.Sean Bourke 18. Cian Doody

U15s
U15 rack up another win

St. Senans/Shannon 5
Newcastle West/Estuary 36

It was a cold frosty morning in Coonagh this past Sunday, as we travelled to play an amalgamation of St. Senans and Shannon. For pretty much the entire first half, we were under pressure with Shannon being camped on our line for the majority of it. But we never let them over for the score. About half way through the first period, Jack Corkery made a break from the half way line to score under the post. Aaron Heffernan added the extras. As the clock ticked closer to the break we once again managed to get our hands on the ball. We secured a ruck on our own 10 meter line. Shannon left a short blind side undefended, a gap which Jack Kiely saw and took full advantage of by dotting down in the corner to leave the half time score a hard earned 12-0 in our favour.

In the second half we were able to improve our rucking, retain possession and put pressure on the Shannon defensive line. Sean McMahon was the bane of Shannon in the second period as he racked up a hat-trick. His three tries came in three very different ways. He outpaced the entire defence for his first, overpowered his man for his second and a lovely little chip and chase for the third. We took the foot off the pedal after this and let Shannon in for a deserved score. But with the last play of the game Mike Cremin powered over after great carrying by David Walsh. This left the full time score 36-5 and left us top of the table with one game to go

Panel: Bobby Donovan, Cormac Browne, David Walsh, Jack Kiely, Chris O'Riordan, Darragh Lyons, Mike Cremin, Jack Corkery, Ruadhan O'Connor, Aaron Heffernan, Jack Duggan, Eddie Murphy, Sean McMahon, Kevin O'Connell, Andrew Mortell, Oliver Flanagan, Cormac Lyons


Lotto

Results from Friday 3rd February Lotto Draw

Numbers Drawn 7, 10, 15, 24 – NO WINNER

PAT DALY, KILLELINE RUGBY SHOP
PATSY CURTIN C/O MAGS MOTORS
PAT LENIHAN C/O TONY HAYES
TOM CORBETT C/O JOHN O’ RIORDAN
DONIE COLLINS, CORK ROAD, NCW
JOE LEE C/O LEE’S BAR
FRANK MCENERY C/O BALLYGOWAN

Promoters Prize. Joe Lee

Next week’s draw will be in Cronin’s Bar on Friday 10th February. The jackpot stands at €;10,100

Thurles RFC
Courtesy of Brian Scanlon

RIP Tommy Lyons

All games were postponed last weekend at Thurles RFC as a mark of respect to the late Tommy Lyons who was laid to rest on Sunday. Tommy was a familiar figure at all our games and will be greatly missed by all at TRFC. Our sympathies go to the Lyons Family at this sad time

Tommy was a life member of Thurles Rugby Club and father of former club captain Brian, pictured above, celebrating the Munster Plate Final victory in 2015.
RIP Tommy.

Waterford City RFC
Courtesy of Deirdre Barry


Weekend Results
Munster Junior League – Castleisland 14 Waterford City 13
U 18's – Pan Munster Plate – Ballincollig 17 Waterford City 27
U 16's – Pan Munster Bowl – Waterford City v Fermoy
U-14 Munster Plate League – Waterford City 26 v Kilfeacle 12

This game was played in muddy conditions in Kilbarry on Sunday but that didn't stop either team from giving 100% commitment. The game started with City defending from the off and showing great patience until the 5 min mark when a quick turnover saw the ball come to inside centre Ryan McCarthy who put a clever kick behind the Kilfeacle defence which allowed his centre partner Luke Doyle show his pace and collect the ball to score a great try. City were having to play the waiting game with this Kilfeacle side who were keeping possession very well despite the conditions but City's defence held firm. On 15 mins a quick turnover saw a well timed pass find winger Kieran Kennedy who beat his man and out sprint the cover defence to score under the posts.

Just before halftime Luke Doyle added his 2nd try with a brilliant run from halfway beating 3 defenders to score under the posts. Despite this lead Kilfeacle did not lay down and at the start of the 2nd half showed great composure to work themselves up the field and score a try in the corner which was converted to put the score 19-7 in City's favour. A reaction was needed and almost immediately the City pack led by captain Niall Gerathy reclaimed the ball off the restart and moved the ball quickly to Ryan McCarthy who stepped inside the defence and powered his way through for a great try. City were now 26-7 up but yet again, this Kilfeacle side would not lay down and began to build momentum through City indiscipline which saw far too many penalties conceded.

Kilfeacle maintained possession well and scored in the corner through a number of pick and go's from their pack. The final 5 minutes saw both side try breaking each other down but the ref called time to leave the score in City's favour. A good win for the lads who had very little possession in this game but still managed to score 4 great tries. Many thanks to Kilfeacle for a good hard honest game of rugby and to all the parents for their continued support.

Minis Rugby
Training for our Mini's section takes place every Sunday morning from 11-12pm, new members are always welcome.

Upcoming events

• East Munster Blitz – in Kilbarry on Feb 19th against Clonmel and Carrick
• Blitz in Kilbarry on March 5th against Dungarvan
• Blitz in Dungarvan Sunday March 19th

• We are walking in the Waterford St Patrick's Day Parade again this year. We would love if you would walk with the club. Please give Isobel or Lillian your name if you are joining us.

• Day trip – On Thursday 20th April we are heading to Dublin to do the Aviva Stadium tour as well as a trip to Dublin Zoo. we will stop in Supermacs on the way home. The cost will be €;30 per child. Anyone who would like to go please give your name to Isobel or Lillian on Sunday morning – you have until the end of the month to decide. Under 6's must be accompanied by an adult.

Annual Club Dinner Dance
Dinner dance is on Saturday 22nd April in the Woodlands. Tickets will be on sale shortly. All are welcome.