Club News Week Ending November 24th 2006

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UL Bohemian RFC Rugby Notes
Weekending 20th November

Denis Ryan PRO
On Sunday UL Bohs Women’s team were back to normal service against Clonakilty with a good display to win 28-7.  Scorers with 2 tries each were player of the match Sarah-Jane Belton and Jetty Feighery.  All of the tries were converted by Nicole Fitzgerald.  For the first time this season in wet and windy conditions we showed what we were capable of with good work in both defence and attack against a strong Clonakilty side.  The Clonakilty score came from ex-UL Bohs star Maeve Quirke.  Maeve was prevented from getting a second try minutes from the end when replacement scrumhalf Olivan Vaughan put in a huge tackle to stop her 2 yards from the line.  The league now takes a break for the next 2 weeks while the interpros get underway.  Unfortunately this doesn’t mean a rest for many of our player with 13 involved in the interpros.
The U-20s travelled to Cork on Saturday and returned well satisfied having beaten UCC 32-7, gaining a valuable bonus point in the process.  This win puts them towards the top of the All Ireland League, with a crucial game this weekend in Galway against Galwegians.  Unfortunately, Mick Goggin will be travelling with a depleted squad with four missing due to commitments with Ireland U-21s and Youths, while another couple will be on duty with the 1st XV who play UCC in the Dudley Cup on Saturday.
The 1st XV will use the game as preparation for the resumption of the League, on 2nd Dec, when Cork Con will be visitors to Thomond Park.
The 2nds also travelled to the Southern capital on Sunday, and won an old fashioned physical game, played in appalling weather, by 20-13.  Next up is Garryowen, in Annacotty, and while Ken Rennison is being his usual tight lipped self about how the side is progressing, the squad would welcome all support on Sunday.
The 3rds Gleeson League game against Richmond was again postponed.  The original fixture was deferred when the ref failed to show.  On this occasion the field was flooded.
The U-12s took part in a well-attended blitz in Richmond Park on Sunday morning; the pitch having made a good recovery overnight, the games took place on a perfect surface.
The U-14s played two friendlies against Shannon in Coonagh on Sunday, winning one by 5-0, and losing the other 13-7. The UL Bohs management were extremely grateful to the Shannon mentors who organised the games despite the inclement weather.

Carrick-on-Suir RFC
Promotion hopes dented after defeat in Kinsale
Division Three: Kinsale 17 Carrick 3

Anyone that’s had the pleasure of attending the Kinsale Sevens over the years speaks with justified praise of the Cork club’s excellent facility and the stunning vistas that its hill top location provides.  But on a day like Sunday last, the grounds of Kinsale RFC are exposed to the winter’s worst elements more than any club ground in the province that one can think of.  Unfortunately, our first XV came out the wrong side of a 17-3 result which now leaves an increasingly narrow margin for error in terms of our promotion ambitions.  Both Kinsale tries came off driving mauls, their larger bulk in the forward division proving critical to victory in this fixture.  Both were converted and by half-time, in lashing rain and driving wind, the hosts were firmly in control.  Our solitary score came off the boot of Peter O’ Loughlin on the sort of day that our backs were never going to feature all too prominently.  But there’s little to be gained from self pity.  We travel to Dungarvan for our rescheduled fixture on Sunday next while we face Waterford City in Tybroughney a week later.  The following Sunday we play host to Fermoy and the bottom line is this: we’ve got to win all three matches.  Should we do so, and given the closely contested nature of this year’s division, we’ll be right back in the thick of the promotion hunt.  Congratulations to replacements Kevin Lanigan and Aaron O’ Sullivan, who made their Munster Junior League debuts for Carrick on Sunday.  May there be many more appearances to follow.
Carrick Starting XV: P Downey; S O’Keeffe, P O’Loughlin; A Hunter, R Murphy; J Wallace, J Steele; J Heffernan, E Barry, A Murray (c); B Phelan, J Phelan; J Walsh, P Lanigan, L Phelan.

Division Three Results
Presentation 6 Newcastle West 26
Galbally 35 Dungarvan 14
Waterford City 8 Killarney 3
Charleville 12 Fermoy 28

Tybroughney League: Carrick 12 Waterford City 5

While not as quite as bad a day as it was in Kinsale (but by God, Barbados-like it was anything but), our second XV recorded their fourth win of the season at Tybroughney on Sunday last.  Considering that we played most of the match with 14 players, Sunday’s win was all the more impressive a feat.  Club treasurer member Dermot Fogarty told the team after the match that he was “proud as punch” of Carrick’s effort against a City side which had the full squad compliment of 20 players. 
And it was a day when each player, to a man, could take pride in the manner of the performance.  The support play, particularly in the ruck, was exactly what has been looked for during training.  We hit hard and retained great ball on a day hardly conducive to running rugby.  Jim Bourke kicked all of Carrick’s points, with two of those penalties in particular quite magnificent efforts considering the wind that howled around Tybroughney.  His second success, just on the stroke of half-time, was a monstrous kick from just inside the City half – a morale boosting score before the interval.  Jim, along with David Kiersey (great, incisive running), Shane Hickey and Emmett Lonergan made some terrific tackles, while the front row of Colin Bartley (excellent performance), Dermot Keyes and Noel Phelan gave as good as they got in the tight.  With three players under 20 also featuring (John Hennessy, James Hogan and Martin Gordon), it’s clear that this season’s league has proven enormously beneficial in terms of player development.  Alas, the only black mark on the day was the injury sustained by newcomer Evan Stanley, who was withdrawn during the opening quarter.  We wish him well on his recovery.  We are scheduled to play Dungarvan on Sunday next and will get another crack at Waterpark in the Evans Cup the following weekend.  Could all players please reply to texts regarding their attendance/non attendance at fixtures.  It’s basic good manners, lads. 
Carrick: R Cullen; J Hogan, J Hennessy; G Grant, E Lonergan; D Kiersey, M Gordon; C Bartley, N Phelan, D Keyes (c); R Gough, S Hickey; J Bourke, J Quinlan, E Stanley.

Juvenile News

Our under 8’s, 10’s and 12’s travelled to neighbouring Waterpark on Sunday last.  Our under 8’s drew and while our under 10’s and 12’s went down four tries to three in what proved highly competitive fixtures against Park. 

Welcome back!

Welcome back to second XV flanker Mick Carroll, who had his foot taken out of plaster recently and hopes to resume training this week.  One of the club’s most promising newcomers, Mick has proven a great hit within the club and we look forward to having him back in action.

Email Carrick Rugby
As always, we welcome your comments and contributions via email to carrickrfc@yahoo.ie

KILLORGLIN RFC NOTES

Killorglin Rugby Club travelled to Carraigaline, Co Cork on Sunday last, hoping to continue the momentum achieved the previous week against Dunmanway.  The weather was the only winner on the day though, as torrential rain and gale-force winds made it impossible to play the fast, expansive rugby that Killorglin enjoys so much.  From the very first kick-off, a combination of the wind moving the ball in the air and a mix up in communication among the Killorglin players caused the ball to bounce into touch 5 metres from the visitor’s line.  Carrigaline won back the ball from the line-out and, after a series of pick-and-drives from the Carrig pack, they muscled over the line to make the score 5-0 to the hosts after just two minutes.  However, Killorglin fought back into the wind and ran Carrigaline for the rest of the first half but could not find a breakthrough and went in at half time 5-0 down.  Killorglin, however, came out in the second half with the wind at their backs and some solid kicking from Trevor West, Paul O’Connor, and inspirational fly-half Gareth Sheahan, who came on at half time, allowed Killorglin to play much of the second half deep in Carrigaline territory.  Great interplay between forwards and backs allowed the ball to be spread across the field on numerous occasions which ran Carrig ragged.  The Cork men eventually grew tired, and tried to slow the play down at rucks, which infringed and allowed Paul O’Connor kick two superb penalties in dreadful conditions and was very unlucky not to have a third, the post coming to the aid of the hosts.  Killorglin went into the final ten minutes in the lead 6-5, and spent the remainder of the game getting pummelled by the Carrigaline pack.  However the visitors held out and came away with the win by a solitary point, a fantastic result in hurricane conditions.  A number of players played very well on the day, including Sean Joy and prop Dan Flynn but the stand-out performance on the day was by flanker Raymond Kelliher, who caused nightmares to the opposition number 8 and their fly-half.  Well done to all.
Killorglin team:- 1 D Flynn, 2 JP Kissane, 3 J O’Sullivan, 4 C Stephens, 5 A Hodson, 6 S Joy, 7 R Kelliher, 8 B O’Sullivan, 9 D Coffey, 10 T West, 11 E O’Shea, 12 J Riordan, 13 A O’Reilly, 14 V O’Callaghan, 15 P O’Connor.
Subs:- G Sheahan for E O’Shea, M Kennedy for A Hodson, and A Clifford for JP Kissane.
 
 
Shannon Notes November 25th 2006

 After the disappointment of the preceding two weeks, last weekend’s results were greatly welcomed and with the seniors reoccupying top spot in the AIB league, hopefully the couple of glitches are well passed.  Along with the players, Frankie was itching for it.  Denied on our two previous outings, Frankie O’Flynn bounded into the post match dressing room with a swagger that even during his playing days could be classed as enthusiastic.  His usual rendition of the Isle was probably sung more in relief than exuberance, but nonetheless it sounded sweet.  St. Mary’s had just been beaten by 16-3 but make no mistake about it, this was a far from convincing performance; however on this occasion the result was far more important than the method by which it was achieved.  Our general  dominance territorially and  possession wise could, and should have yielded a bigger winning margin and it took until the 67th minute before we could relax slightly as Les Hogan’s try ensured a reasonably safe distance between the scores.
AIB Man of the Match, Tadgh Bennett scored the rest of the points with the boot which capped a good performance by the outhalf.  We started the game without two of the selected XV as Andrew Thompson and Padraic O’Brien were forced to pullout prior to the start and the disruption didn’t help the game plan, but the squad system ensured that the overall effect was negligible.
So a break from competitive action until the 10th of December will see the seniors play a few friendlies.  This Saturday we head to Athlone to take on Geoff Moylan’s Buccaneers side in what’s sure to be a valuable outing.
Also on Saturday the Thirds kept up their unbeaten record this season with a comprehensive 43-6 win away to St Senan’s.  Thirteen starts and 13 wins is a highly impressive statistic and with superb assistance from James Doran, Pat Mc Loughlin’s side have already been confirmed as winners of the city section of the Gleeson league with one round of games remaining.  Saturday’s result was indicative of the sides performances throughout the season with 7 tries scored. This Saturday their final Gleeson league game sees them play host to UL/Bohs and although the result will have no bearing on the final table, the lads will want to remain unbeaten. Kick-off in Coonagh is at 2.30.
On Sunday the seconds travelled to Bruff for a Munster league game and the abhorrent weather conditions saw the result of the game heading for a 0-0 draw as scoring opportunities were kept to a minimum.  However a strong finish from our lads put paid to that notion and the final score of 15-0 nil in our favour belied the difficulties endured by the weather, and indeed a tenacious Bruff side.
The gale force wind was blowing almost straight across the field so any advantage was negligible for either side.  Brian Hughes opened our account with a penalty and our first try can be deemed as slightly opportunistic, but none the less the lead up displayed the tenacity of our pack. Flanker Niall O’Brien was quick off the mark as Bruff attempted to clear a 5 meter scrum and blocked down the out half. The alert Ross O’Loughlin was on hand to touch the ball down and the advantage was now well and truly on our favour. The result was put beyond doubt soon after when Prop Gary Mc Namara showed a clean pair of heals to sprint over. In the circumstances, this was an excellent win with the only negative coming from the fact that Andrew Finn left the field with an injury which could sideline him for a number of weeks. The lads will want to build on this win and this Sunday they face a difficult tie when Cork Con travel to Coonagh with a 2.30 start.
The U/20’s resume the south western conference of eth AIL after a week off this Saturday when they travel to Bruff. That game also starts at 2.30.
The underage fixture list remained more or less intact despite the weather and we saw good wins for the U/13’s and 14’s while the U/18’s were defeated by Richmond. It’s a credit to the management of our 18’s side that they can even field a side this season as we are very badly affected by the annual schools tied players. The players they do have available are putting in some hard training and are improving. The problem of player numbers is hardly an issue at U/14’s where we have sufficient bodies to field two sides and on Sunday both sides played UL/Bohs in a friendly.  The first game saw our lads take an early lead through a Mark Leonard try which was followed with another from Cormac Ryan. A penalty by Mark Leonard made the score 13 points to nil in our favour at halftime and despite UL/Bohs taking advantage of the strong wind in the second half, our lads held out to record a 13-10 victory Due to the deteriorating weather the second game was a very low scoring event and it took a second half try from UL/Bohs to take victory.
The U/13’s had a brilliant 35-5 win against Bruff and will be hoping to keep up their good form when they play Bruff in Coonagh at 11am in Coonagh on Sunday.
Other fixtures this Sunday sees the U/16’s travel to play Highfield in a friendly and the U/9’s and U/11’s host blitzes.
We remind everyone that the Annual Mass for deceased members takes place this Friday evening in the clubhouse at 8pm.
The news that Danny Howard passed away in Cork over the weekend was greeted with great sadness throughout the club.  Despite residing in Cork Danny was a dedicated Shannon supporter and a fantastic stalwart of the club.  As a player and then as a referee he served the club with distinction and his presence will be sorely missed. To his family and friends we convey our deepest sympathies.
I’ll finish this weeks notes on a positive note and a plea to all in the club to vote for member Meave O’ Donovan who has qualified for the the Galway Regional Final of RTE’s You’re A Star.  Daughter of Niall’ O and Cathy, Maeve will be hoping that everyone in Shannon will get behind her in her bid for stardom.  The television show will be screened next Sunday evening 26th November on RTE 1 at 6.30 so tune in and get voting.
 
 
Andrew Mc Namara
Shannon RFC PRO 

OLD CRESCENT RFC

Another quiet week on the playing front:
 
There was only one adult team in competitive action last weekend. The 2nd XV made the journey to Cork on Sunday to take on UCC in a rearranged Munster Senior Seconds League fixture. This gave a number of the fringe members of our senior panel to impress and to stake the claim for places on the 1st team when the AIL recommences in a couple of weeks.  In terrible conditions the team put in a good performance but the result went against them by 15 points to 9.
 
The 3rd XV went to Spain on the mid season tour and were hosted by RFC Barcelona. A party of 34 traveled and were shocked to play against a fully professional side in their tour game.  They acquitted themselves well and the social side of the tour was enjoyed by all.  This weekend they return to the Gleeson League with a home fixture against St. Senan’s on Saturday at 2.30pm.
 
The 1st XV and under 20 XV are also in action on Saturday with the firsts hosting Sunday’s Well in a friendly at 2.30pm and the under 20s making the journey to Clonmel to play an AIL game at 2.30pm against Clonmel RFC.
 
On the underage front there were a number of age groups in action. The under 12s hosted a club day with Ballyhoura, Bruff and Thomond the visitors on Sunday morning and both our sides put in committed displays. The under 14s traveled to Charleville for a friendly and won an exciting game by 12 points to 10. The under 16s were also in action against Bruff in a friendly and against a spirited performance was delivered by our side.
This weekend the under 11s travel to Annacotty to play in a club day and there is training for all other groups commencing at 9.45am.
 
Finally this week we would like to congratulate John Quill on being the latest winner of a car in our Supporters Club Car Draw.
 
Patrick Rickard
 
CLONAKILTY RFC NEWS
Clon Rue Poor Start
Cork Constitution 31 Clonakilty 14

A poor start and cruel finish put paid to any hope Clonakilty had of reaching their first ever ODM Munster Senior Cup final when they went down fighting to a relieved Cork Constitution in Musgrave Park last Saturday.  Con raced into an 18 – 3 lead after as many minutes and it already looked all over for the very understrength West Cork side at that stage.  Coach Terry Dillon will reflect on what might have been had he had a full strength squad at his disposal.  Deprived of the services of experienced and gifted players of the calibre of Derek Dillon, Paul Dillon, Noel O’Sullivan, Colin Murphy, Declan Coppinger and Joe Knowles all out through injury he might have been less than confident before kick-off.  However he would learn a lot about his back up players as, to a man, they took the challenge and staged a gutsy fight back, which, at the very least, should have seen Clon lead into the final ten minutes.
The game kicked off in perfect conditions and Cork Con’s contracted and Munster academy players were very prominent in the early stages.  They were seven points to the good after only three minutes when a Clon scrum came under pressure and though the ball came out on the Clon side there was collective indecision and no communication between the back row and the scrum half and it allowed the Con blindside to pick and put centre O’Leary in for the softest of trys between the posts.  Gary Cribb cut the deficit with a penalty from 30 metres after good work by David Lombard. The seven-point margin was restored two minutes later when
Richie Lane
kicked a penalty.  When awarded a kickable penalty Con went for the corner to break the spirit of the visitors but Clon, with Mike Keohane prominent, defended the mauled lineout superbly to clear the danger. However the respite was shortlived as the excellent centre Gleeson split the Clon defenders and put O’Riordan away and the winger eluded the tacklers to touch down to put Con out to 15 – 3 and Clon out of the game it seemed after only 15 minutes. When Lane added another penalty four minutes later a rout looked on the cards at 18 – 3.
As ever the players confounded everyone with a spirited fight back. A great period of play with Dan Spencer, Mick O’Hea, Mike Keohane, John O’Donnell and Shay O’Donovan combining well resulted in a fine try for Gary Cribb who bamboozled the defence from an Alfie Harte pass. Clon were now in full control and looked every bit the better side as they had most of the possession and territory for the remainder of the half. Cribb made the pressure tell with two well struck penalties to leave the half time score 18 – 14 to Con.
Clon withstood some early pressure from the restart before again establishing control. They should have gone ahead at this stage. First great play from David Cookson, Padraig Kingston, Alfie Harte, Gary Cribb in particular, Eoin Scannell and Dan Spencer took play into the Cork Con half. A penalty award gave Cribb the chance to narrow the gap to just one point but incredibly the ball hit the upright and Con cleared. Cribb was exuding confidence and the pack took the ball to within metres of he line. Mike O’Hea broke and hurdled the players from both sides on the ground and as he fell he popped the ball but unfortunately there was no Clon player on his feet and the pass went to a white shirt and the danger was averted. Although they created more chances and had other opportunities with Kingston, Scannell, Tadhg Wright and Cribb again to the fore they were unable to improve and Con regained the initiative with a penalty before putting an unreal look to the scoreline with two trys in the final five minutes.
This will have had positives for the losing side as 80 minutes of valuable game time at the highest level was experienced by a number of squad players. They will also be happy that they could compete with one of the top four clubs on the island and will look forward to the resumption of the AIB All Ireland League on December 2nd at 2.30pm when Barnhall make their first appearance in The Vale. Clon will still be short most of the players sidelined but will be happy that there is adequate cover now. The Squad was: Colm McCarthy, Shay O’Donovan, John O’Donnell, David Lombard, Padraig Kingston, Gary Cribb, David Cookson, Eddie Knowles, Alfie Harte, Dan Spencer, Dan Whelton, Mick O’Hea, Eoin Scannell (C), Tadhg Wright, Mike Keohane, Eoin Murphy, Batt Duggan, Gearoid Ryan, Anthony Neville, Matt Kirby and Shane Walsh.
The Ladies also went down in their Division One All Ireland League clash with UL Bohemians in Limerick by 28 – 7.  A Maeve Quirke try and conversion from Lisa Brick was not enough as a full strength UL Bohs with Irish captain Sarah Jane Belton and Munster centre Jeannette Feighery in sparkling form scoring two trys each. It was left to the underage section to provide good news and as usual they did. The under 16s defeated Mallow 43 – 5 and the Under 18s claimed a prestigious scalp defeating South Munster Under 17s by 17 – 0 in atrocious conditions in The Vale.
This Week’s Fixtures:
Sat 25 Under 14s League Highfield Cork 11.30
    Under 16s League Dolphin Musgrave Park 12.00
    Under 18s League Ballincollig Ballincollig 12.15
    Under 20 League Waterpark The Vale 2.30
Sun 26 Bulldogs League University College Cork Cork 12.00
    Extra-Firsts Munster Senior Seconds League Highfield The Vale 2.30*
    *Subject to change. Please check locally
Loose Head