News From Around The Clubs

Club Roundup week ending 6th September

Kilfeacle and District Rugby Football Club look forward with anticipation to a new season!

Its the beginning of a new season, a new year. Another season of memories, of friends, of games won and lost, of battles, of injuries, of near misses and of close calls. Another season where there will be new names, old faces, different positions, conflicting views and raised voices. When a bounce of a ball, wrong decision, miss timed tackle, foot in touch, the weather, the pitch and injuries will be blamed. Where referees and linesmen will be shouted at, spoken to, ridiculed, laughed at, cajoled, codded but always obeyed. When ten minutes will not seem enough and on other days seem a lifetime. When players will be remembered for the knock on not the countless tackles made and endless yards gained. New friendships will be formed, old enemies seen off, tales exaggerated, heroes and legends born.
It’s a new season for everyone and thus for everyone its potential for success is boundless and it’s promise of glory tantalizing. We at Kilfeacle and District Rugby Football Club look forward eagerly to meeting all or opponents and wish you good luck and fortune. May you all end only one position behind us in all competitions! As ever on the pitch we will meet you face-to-face, stand toe to toe. We will contest ever ball, fight for every inch, give no quarter and ask for none in return. Never ceasing until after the final whistle is blown and the result known. Whereas off the pitch we will extend the hand of friendship to all visitors and be as hospitable off the pitch as we are competitive on it!
The summer months were far from quiet "On the Hill" there have been many developments in the club with new coaches, new management systems, new buildings, fundraising, planning and countless meetings. All these ingredients will hopefully provide a recipe for success and will definitely provide an atmosphere for enjoyment through participation for each and every individual that wears the blue. As ever we welcome anybody interested in joining the club or helping in any way, from sponsors to players, patrons to supporters, coaches to physio, grounds men to fundraisers everyone is welcome

Kilfeacle and District R.F.C. start their season in search of Garryowen Glory.

Kilfeacle and District R.F.C. 32
Thurles R.F.C. 7
On Saturday the 7th of September Kilfeacle and District RFC welcomed Thurles R.F.C. to Morrissey Park for the Garryowen Cup Quarter-final.
Thurles started this game like their lives, depended on it. With a strong wind at their backs and in impressive form they had the better of the teritorial advantage. At this stage of the game Kilfeacle looked tentative and Thurles looked menacing. Thurles tested the home side’s defences and attempted relieving kicks were held up in the stiff breeze. Thurles eventually put the advantage of the elements to good use and openned the scoring with a well taken un-converted try. The game was starting to take shape now and Kilfeacle were coming into their own and Thurles were no longer the dominant side. The realisation that unless we raised our game that we could be on the wrong side of a bad, bad result finally sunk in and Kilfeacle began to perform better. After an excellent team effort with contributions from James Mullane, Stephen Flood and Alan O’Mahony in the pack who linked with Packie Burke and Alan O’Doherty in the backs to create a platform for Jack O’Sullivan to score a try which was converted by Shane Looby. In the last 15 minutes of the first half Kilfeacle were very unlucky not to score again try and restricted Thurles to one penalty attempt which they to their credit availed of to leave the halftime score reading 7 points to 5 for the visitors.
Kilfeacle started the second half with the wind at their backs and within 15 minutes had scored 12 points from two well worked trys one of which was converted. The first of these was scored by Noel Leahy after some powerful work by Shane Flavin and Shane Carey. The conversion attempt by Shane Looby was not successful but he ammended this by scoring the second conversion for the try scored by Jack Sullivan after being set up by James Mullane and Stephen Flood. With the territorial advantage having swung in Kilfeacle’s favour it looked as if it was Thurles’s plan to stop them from scoring more than 8 points and hold out for a win was not going to work. When Shane Looby converted a penalty to bring the scoreline to 22 points to 8 in favour of the homeside, it was obvious that Kilfeacle now needed to convert their dominance on the pitch to points on the scoreboard and put the game to bed and not let this game slip out of their grasp. The home side now started to make forays into the opposition’s 22 and it seemed only a matter of time before they would convert them into scores. This they did with two unconverted trys the first of which was scored by Diarmuid Carr after some fine play involving Simon Barry, Matt Earls and Alan Dwyer. The second and final score of the game was a fine team effort involving both backs and forwards and finished by Paddy Noonan. The final score was 32 points for Kilfeacle and District to 8 points for Thurles. Kilfeacle would like to thank everyone from Thurles RFC who travelled on the day and wish the club the best for the coming season.

Underage Ruby returns!
Both mini and youth Rugby training resumes at Morrissey Park, (the Hill), in Kilfeacle on Friday 11th September 2008 at 19.00hrs.With a primary focus on fun, safety, learning the skills and improving the all important agility, balance and co-ordination of each child we welcome back our regular players and we extend a warm welcome to any new players who would like to come and play for the Blues. The underage’s of Kilfeacle have experienced quite a degree of success over the past number of years and it is envisaged this year will be no different.Children from the ages of 6 and upwards are most welcome and importantly parents of the children are encouraged to come to the sessions, meet the coaches of each of the grades, meet the other parents and generally integrate within the groups.So see you all in Kilfeacle on Friday 11th at 7.

BRUFF
This week saw the return of all of the underage teams to rugby. Sunday morning saw the return of the Mini-rugby section to training with an excellent turnout despite the torrential rain.
The U19 Squad received a walkover from Old Crescent. The U17’s game was cancelled by the referee following a pitch inspection as the lines had been washed away by the mornings rain, they went ahead with a friendly in any case and went down against a very strong Old Crescent side.

The J1 Adult rugby season kicked off with their Transfield cup match against UL Bohemians on the main pitch which had been re-lined once the rain had stopped. With the aid of a very strong breeze the UL Boh’s side went into the break with a 10 point lead courtesy of a penalty by Ed Torrie followed with a try by , and the extras again added by.
The second half again saw a fantastic turnaround with Bruff gaining five points back following an extremely well worked try, play passing over and back across the field until Eoghan Maher finally broke the Crescent line from about twenty meters and with a lovely mazy run got in. UL Bohemians fought back to score another five pointer but despite an onslaught on the Crescent line for the final ten minutes the gallant Bruff side were unable to breach the staunch Bohemians defence and eventually came out on the losing side of the 15 points to 5 scoreline.
While not quite a battle of the veterans, It was great to see a return to rugby for former club Captain Brian McMahon who played the full eighty in his usual second Row position. Brian was the club captain in Bruff when we turned from Junior to Senior. While we’re on the subject of Veterans, I was delighted to see life in another old dog with Former Newport Veteran (and I mean veteran, we were in the same class in school together) Shamy Hassett getting the last fifteen minutes as hooker for UL Boh’s, throwing darts straighter than ever.
A good day out for all despite the early morning torrents.

This coming weekend sees a return to Senior Rugby with Young Munster coming out to Kilballyowen following their win over Shannon at the weekend. Kickoff in this first ODM Munster Senior Cup match is at 2:30pm on Saturday in Kilballyowen.
The U17 squad are away to Thomond time TBC and the U19’s are away to Newcastle West.

We still have a small number of tickets for the game in Thomond Park next Friday night and for the following game in Musgrave. Contact the ticketline on087- 1386244 by text or voicemail. Please keep an eye on the website http://www.bruffrfc.com/ for fixtures and times changes.

CLONAKILTY
Shannon to flow in The Vale
This Saturday, 12th September, Clonakilty will host Shannon in The ODM Munster Senior Cup in The Vale at 2.30pm. Arguably the strongest club on the island Shannon could prove too strong for the locals but Clon’s coaches and management will probably be more interested in measuring the potential of their squad against this impressive yardstick. One thing is absolutely clear there will be no lacking in commitment from the West Cork players as their preparation in recent weeks prove. They have trained up to four times a week and will relish the opportunity to test themselves against such vaunted opposition. The visitors, nine times winners of The All Ireland League since 1995, will not take the challenge lightly. As a club in the new division 1A, Shannon, the current All Ireland League champions, will expect nothing other than a comprehensive victory but they will have to earn anything they take home with them.
They will meet a Clonakilty side with a distinctly youthful look. Youth training has always been high on the agenda of the club and the underage section has been the club’s lifeblood over the years. The vast majority of Saturdays squad have graduated through this system. A new underage season is about to commence and the registration day is also this Saturday. The club is enrolling players from under 7s to under 19s. Any player who was born on or after the 1st January 2003 is welcome to come along with a parent or guardian to enrol and meet the coaches in the clubhouse from 11.00am to noon.
The J2 side lost out to Dolphin in the first round of The Dennehy Cup last Sunday. The players annual outing the night before may have had a bearing on the result as they were well in contention at half time, with both sides scoreless, but ran out of steam in the second period to lose 20 – 0. They will try to put that right this weekend when they play Kinsale in the O’Sullivan Cup in Kinsale at 2.30 on Sunday. Meanwhile the J1 competitions kick off with the County Cup and Clonakilty are drawn away to Kinsale on this Saturday at 5.30pm.

OLD CRESCENT

With the schools opening the next thought is usually of rugby and this year is no different! Our senior squad have been in training for the past number of weeks under new coach Andre Human who is returning to us from South Africa. We wish Andre and his management team every success in the coming season.
A large number of teams traveled to Galway on Saturday last to take part in the first Blue Black & Navy challenge for the Dolan trophy against Galway Corinthians RFC. Teams from under 8 through under 16 along with the under 21s & 3rd XV took part in matches which were most enjoyable. Despite victories for the 3rds & under 21s, we lost the trophy by a short head. It was a great adventure and a template which other clubs across the country could replicate to ensure that the relationships between club are strengthened particularly given the pressures that club rugby is under at present. We look forward to hosting Galway Corinthians next season.

Our underage and youth season commence on Sunday with training for minis (under 6 through under 12) at 10am and training for under 13, 14, 17 & 19 at 11.15am. Registration fees for the season are now due and we ask parents to ensure that these are paid promptly to the club.

Fixtures for this weekend :

1st XV away to UL Bohs in the Munster Senior Cup at 1.30pm in Annacotty

2nd XV at home to Young Munster in the Transfield Cup on Thursday evening at 6pm

Under 21s at home to Shannon in the North Munster under 21s league on Saturday at 2.30pm

We express our sympathies to the Rickard, O’Riordan & Tola Families on their recent bereavements.

SHANNON

Shannon Notes weekending September 12th 2009

It was quite apparent after Last Saturdays Charity Cup semi final that there’s still a bit of work to do on the training field for our seniors. It’s been quite a while since Young Munster could celebrate a 12 point victory over Shannon at senior level, but I don’t think anyone leaving Greenfields would argue the case that the Cookies were not the better side on the day. Much quicker and more forceful at the breakdown and very solid in set pieces, Young Munster raced into an early lead and never really looked back. Despite a promising start we failed to match the physicality of the home side and at times were guilty of wasteful possession. Although we trailed by 17 points heading towards the 30 minute mark, the reasonably strong breeze in our faces meant that territory in the second half should’ve been more plentiful. However, what was already an uphill struggle was made all the more difficult when we conceded possession whilst in an attacking position and with oceans of space to utilise, Young Munster scored a breakaway try. It’s not all that often we are forced to turn around a 22 point deficit without scoring ourselves, and although Tadgh Bennett kicked a penalty before the break it was always going to be a tough task given the ferocity of Young Munster’s efforts. A glimmer of light came in the opening foray of the second half when Garry Mc Namara barged over for a converted try , but it was a glimmer that never exceeded a mere flicker. It is disappointing to relinquish the charity cup, but bigger prizes are at stake in the coming months. We may be at disparate ends of the AIB league but an away game against Clonakilty in the Senior cup on Saturday will no doubt be another big task, especially after last Saturdays performance. It’s our second time making the long journey to the west Cork club in the senior cup and memories of a fairly hefty defeat last timeout may surely spur Clonakilty to a big performance. Kickoff is at 2.30 and extra time will be played if applicable.

The U/21’s had their first outing of the season when they played Garryowen in a friendly and although losing to the light blues it was a most useful exercise for the lads. It was a severely depleted panel that travelled the short distance to Dooradoyle with a substantial number of the squad unavailable due to Munster duties and two or three others unavailable for a variety of reasons. Those that did play, done well and gave the management food for thought as the competitive games begin this weekend. They travel to Rosbrien to play Old Crescent in the North Munster league with a 2.30 kickoff.

Our Seconds are due to play Transfield cup on Sunday, but at the time of writing neither opponents nor venue can be confirmed.

Underage training is in full swing and the number of players heading to Coonagh on a Sunday morning continues to astound, but there’s always room for more. Any parent wanting to get their son involved can come along to Coonagh on Sunday Mornings at 10.30.

The women’s and girls sides are also back in full swing and a very effective committee has been instigated this season. Headed by Leonard Cassidy we now have senior women’s committee and girl’s underage committee and as always new players are always welcome (with or without experience). Contact details can be found on www.shannonrfc.com