Club Notes: Week Ending 21.09.14

This week’s club notes come from Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne, Shannon, Carrick-on-Suir and Old Crescent.

Click here for Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne club notes.

Click here for Carrick-on-Suir club notes.

Click here for Old Crescent club notes.

Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne

Courtesy of:- Niamh Ní Bhaoill, Club PRO

Tá séasúr an rugbaí chugainn arís agus muid ar bís chuige! Bhí séasúr don scoth againn anuraidh agus gan dabht, ceann de na buaicpointí ab ea cuairt fhoireann iomlán na Mumhan ar Chorca Dhuibhne! Bhí an lá ar fad againn, lá nach ndearúdfaí muid choíche. Cé cheapfadh go gcífeadh muid leithéidí Zebo, Conor Murray, Paul O’Connell agus Peter O’Mahony ag traenáil Thuaidh i mBaile Loiscthe! Má tá sé maith a dhóthain dóibh siúd…!!

Thosaigh an traenáil le seachtain nó dhó agus an cuma ar an scéal go bhfuil séasúr iontach romhainn amach! Beidh lá oscailte againn ar an Domhnach an 28ú Meán Fómahir ag 1pm agus fáilte mhór roimis éinne ar mhaith leo a bheith páirteach sa chlub ar aon slí, idir bhaill, cairde, imreoirí, lucht traenála agus éinne gur suim leo an rugbaí!

Lá mór spraoi a bheidh ann, le preab-chaisleán, cluichí agus deis cláraithe. Beidh na blitz-chomórtas ag na Sinsir ar an lá chomh maith agus an deis ag gach éinne féachaint ar na cluichí idir Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne, Lios Tuathail, Uíbh Ráthach agus Trá Lí agus iad in iomaíocht do Chorn Moss Keane.

Beidh foirmeacha cláraithe ar fáil ag an lá oscailte, agus bíonn siad ar fáil chomh maith ó Adrian i siopa an Mountain Man. Ná dearúd go mbíonn cead ag baill cláraithe iarratas a chuir isteach i gcóir cluichí idirnáisiúnta chomh maith le cluichí na Mumhan. Tá ticéid ar fáil anois do chluichí idirnáisiúnta an Fhómhair idir Éire, an Aifric Theas, an Astráil agus an Georgia. Ná dearúd, ní gá duit a bheith id’ imreoir le bheith i do bhall! Gach eolas ag an Mountain Man agus ag an lá oscailte.

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Rugby season is back! We had a fantastic season last year and of course, the highlight had to be the visit of the entire Munster team to Corca Dhuibhne. It’s a day we will never forget. Who would have thought that we would have the likes of Paul O’Connell, Peter O’Mahony, Simon Zebo and Conor Murray training on our pitch in Baile Loiscthe! If it’s good enough for them….!

Training has re-started and it looks like it’s going to be a great season! We’re holding an open day on Sunday September the 28^th at 1pm and anyone who has any interest in Rugby is welcome to come along – players, trainers, families, friends and basically anyone who loves rugby! It’s a fun day out, with bouncy castles for the kids, games and challenges, as well as the opportunity to see the seniors in action in the Moss Keane Cup blitz against Tralee, Listowel and Iveragh.

Membership forms will be available at the open day, and you can also get them from Adrian in the Mountain Man. Don’t forget that paid up members have the opportunity to apply for tickets for international tickets as well as Munster games. Tickets are available now for the Autumn Internationals between Ireland and Australia, South Africa and Georgia. Don’t forget, you don’t have to be a player to be a member! More information from Adrian in the Mountain Man and at the open day on September 28^th at 1pm. See you there!

The senior season has kicked off with two wins from two. The first pre-season game against Estuary was a slightly uneven contest with a very strong Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne squad running in 12 tries to 0.

Last Sunday’s game was a much sterner test as the lads faces a Killarney side two divisions ahead of them. Right from the off the lads tore into the big Killarney pack and it wasn't long until Shane Griffin kicked a penalty to put RCD in front.

They never looked back after this. Strong carries from Micheál Breathnach and Eoin Firtéar as well as a dominant line out meant the lively back line had plenary of ball to threaten. Following a Mikey Flannery break the excellent Liam Flannery chipped through for Micheál Breathnach to touch down and leave it 11-0 at half time.

With the wind and hill in the second half the lads pushed Killarney back with some great kicking from Ciarán Ó Coileáin and Alan Devane. This pressure resulted in two well worked tries from Cathal Begley and Ó Coileáin. Killarney fought back hard and scored a consolation try with the last play of the game.

Shannon RFC

Courtesy of:- Siofra Scanlon, Club PRO

Unfortunately, the Senior combined AIL and Limerick Charity Cup game did not go our way last Friday in Dooradoyle with Garryowen winning the match and moving on to the next round of the cup. This weekend sees our Senior XV play their first home match of the AIL Ulster Bank League in Thomond Park against Galwegians.

Fixtures for this week are as follows:

McInerney Cup ~ Shannon V Old Cresent, Friday 19th September, 7.30pm, Coonagh, Limerick

Seniors ~ AIL ~ Shannon V Galwegians, Saturday September 20th, 2.30pm, Thomond Park, Limerick

U20s ~ NML ~ Shannon V Old Cresent, Saturday September 20th, 12.30pm, Coonagh, Limerick

Transfield Cup ~ Shannon V St Marys , Sunday 21st September, 2.30pm, Grove Island, Corbally, Limerick

Remember If you cannot come to the matches we would ask that you come out and support any of our upcoming events. All details can be found at www.shannonrfc.com

Events & News

Shannon v Galwegians Supporter Special

Come along this Saturday to Thomond park and support your local club.
We have a great supporters special offer for the Shannon V Galwegians match. Get your AIL match ticket, post match bbq ticket with a drink of your choice all for only €;15!!! This is the first home match of the season and always promises to be a great encounter.

Anyone who wishes to purchase a Supporter Special ticket for this event can contact any of the executive committee members. All contact details can be found at www.shannonrfc.com/contact.html

Ticket offers

A limited number of Category "A" Ticket Packets 2014/15 are still available, at the cost of €;360 per Package. Each Package consists of nine (9) tickets, and includes entry to three (3) x ERCC Pool Games, Leinster and five (5) other Rabo fixtures. If interested please contact Tadhg Crowe, on 087-6524958

Also, some Cat "A" tickets are still available for Friday's Rabo fixture -v- Zebre, at the face-value cost of €;40. If interested please contact Tadhg Crowe, on 087-6524958

Suicide Awareness

As well as being PRO for the rugby club I am also the Mind Your Buddy point of Contact for Pieta House for the rugby season 2014/2015.

Most of you may not be aware but the rate of Suicide, especially in Men and young adults has unfortunately risen significantly in the last few years. I think we can safely say that we all have someone that we know or know of that has been effected by the issue of Suicide.

The Mind Your Buddy initiative is a suicide prevention and intervention strategy delivered by qualified and experienced Pieta House Therapists. It equips the Buddy Supports with the skills to identify changes in their colleagues behavior and potentially save a life.

As a Buddy Support Person (BSP) I will have direct links with the designated Pieta therapist for referrals as well as on-going support and advice. I have been trained by Pieta House and selected by the club as a “Go to person “.

I am not a trained or qualified counsellor, however if anyone wishes to contact me they will be treated with absolute 100% confidentiality and respect. There will be posters with my contact details placed around the club for the upcoming season.

There seems to still be somewhat of an awkwardness around this subject. Breaking the silence and talking are the first steps to awareness and prevention.

All my contact details and Pieta House contact details are as follow:
Siofra Scanlan – Mind Your Buddy Point of Contact For Shannon RFC
086- 3018993 – siofrascanlan@gmail.com

Pieta House Midwest
Ardaulin
Mungret
Limerick
Phone: 061-484444
Centre Manager: Nora Conway

Opening Hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 9am to 5pm
Tuesday and Thursday: 9am to 8pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm

Volunteers Always Needed

All at Shannon RFC would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped out at the club in 2013. It is much appreciated. We are currently looking for people to help out with upcoming fundrasing events. If you are a student doing a course in the media/ marketing sectors or English, retired, unemployed or would like to donate your free time we would urge you to support your Club and Volunteer. It is a great opportunity to develop your current skills and always looks great on a C.V. If you would like to volunteer in the club during 2014 please contact any committee member. All details can be found on our website at http://www.shannonrfc.com/contact.html

SHANNON RFC APP

Please feel free to share the link with anyone who may be interested. We would love some feedback from all of you who are following us on the app so feel free to email me directly at siofrascanlan@gmail.com
If you still have not downloaded yet here is the link. http://clubapplive.com/shannonrfc.

Get Your Name Out There On Our Website

Do you want to get your company name more widely known? Are you a tradesman looking to advertise at a reduced rate? Why not advertise with Shannon RFC. We are currently in the process of setting up a Shannon RFC Tradesperson's page on our website. This will be a one stop contact page for all kind of trades and businesses. We urge any member, supporters or local business to get involved. It is a great way to advertise at a fraction of normal rates. The cost for an advertisement is €;50. Anyone who wishes to place an ad or would like more information please contact Siofra on 0863018993 or email siofrascanlan@gmail.com

A Great Gift for All

Why not give someone near or far the gift of a Shannon RFC membership. A great gift for any occasion with the added bonus of supporting your local club. Packages, including family membership, are available. Should you wish to find out more information or purchase membership please contact Tom Hackett at honsec@shannonrfc.com

PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY THROUGH COONAGH

We would ask everyone to please take care, slow down and observe the speed limit through Coonagh Village on the way to and from the matches and training.

YOUR CLUB, YOUR THOUGHTS

We always like to hear from our members near and far. If you have a story, any interesting historical information or an article about the club that you would like to share we would love to hear it. Any submissions for consideration can be sent to siofrascanlan@gmail.com

Underage Training and Fixtures Sunday 21st September

10.00am
Minis
U6/7/8/9/10 Top Field Use mini area beside "Well Pitch" if you need more space

U11s Blitz Well Field
U12s Blitz New Pitch.


Youths
U13 DRR Shannon (Black) v St Senan’s 11.30 Coonagh, Top Pitch
U13 DRR Estuary/Copeswood Gaels V Shannon (Blue) 11.30 Shanagolden (Estuary)
U14 Training Pitch @ 11.00am
U15 League Old Crescent v Shannon 12.00 noon Rosbrien
U15 Conference UL Bohs v Shannon 11.30 Annacotty
U18 Training Pitch @ 11.30am
Reminder Registration is still ongoing please let your players know that we need registration "no pay no play" policy still applies.
Saturday 20th
AIL V Galwegians Back Pitch Thomond Park @ 2.30


Thought Of The Week

"Virtually nothing is impossible in this world if you just put your mind to it and maintain a positive attitude"

Carrick-on-Suir RFC

Courtesy of:-Dermot Keyes, Club PRO

What a summer it's been for Carrick-on-Suir RFC's Zoe Lynch and Chloe Blackmore, who won international honours thanks to their inclusion in the Irish Under-18 Girls' Sevens squad.

The honour that both Zoe and Chloe have brought to their club, their families and, most importantly, earned for themselves, suggests that this shall not be the last time either player wears the green of Ireland at representative level.

The Carrick duo's international adventure began at the Sainsbury's UK School Games (September 4th to 7th) in which Ireland captured the Bowl title, finished fifth overall.

Ireland, captained by Carrigaline's Jayne Pennefather and coached by Stan McDowell, admirably recovered from three Pool defeats to England South West (26-12), Wales Dragons 'B' (10-5), England North (29-5) and a quarter-final loss to England London/South East (19-0) to see off England Midlands by 26-7 in the Bowl semi-final before defeating Scotland 36-0 in the Bowl Final.

Chloe was among the try scorers for Ireland in the victory over England Midlands and was one of the team's best performers in the quarter-final clash with England London/South East while Zoe crossed the whitewash in the defeat to Wales Dragons 'B'.

"The girls showed great focus and determination throughout the tournament, improving with every single match," according to Irish manager Shannon Reid. "They were able to rely on all of the hard work that they'd been putting in over the last few months.

"I was delighted to see them pull together on the final day and play the exciting and skilled rugby that they're capable of delivering."

The squad in Manchester was composed of: Chloe Blackmore (Carrick-on-Suir/Munster)
Eimear Corri (Portlaoise/Leinster), Meabh Donohoe (Tullow/Leinster), Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster), Irene Herlihy (Mallow/Munster), Jessica Hunt (Wicklow/Leinster), Shannen Lane (Cavan/Ulster), Zoe Lynch (Carrick-on-Suir/Munster), Meabh O'Brien (Naas/Leinster), Aisling O'Hagan (Thurles/Munster), Jayne Pennefather (Carrigaline/Munster – Captain) and Louise Scully (Cill Dara/Leinster).

The momentum generated by the Bowl success was maintained when the squad travelled to Sweden for the FIRA/AER Under-18 European Championships, held in Enkoping, Sweden, where they won the Plate and finished fifth overall.

Chloe, one of seven players retained from the trip to Manchester, scored two of Ireland's six tries in their Plate semi-final win over Italy (36-0), which was followed by a 31-0 dismissal of Portugal in the Final.

Ireland won two of their four pool matches, seeing off Portugal 19-7 and Sweden (31-5) while suffering 43-0 and 12-5 reversals to England and Wales respectively.

"We ended up winning the Plate without conceding a point on the second day," said Shannon Reid.

"Spirits were high after the emphatic wins (on the final day of the tournament) and the girls left Sweden knowing that they can most definitely compete at international level.

"Winning four out of six matches in our first ever international competition is a brilliant result and the tournament gave the girls valuable experience which can only benefit their future development in the game."

Well done to Zoe, Chloe and their Irish team mates for representing their country with such distinction in England and Sweden. Here's to more of the same over the next few seasons. Hon Carrick!

Many thanks to Kieran O'Brien for the below photo of the Irish U-18 squad, which features Carrick-on-Suir RFC's Chloe Blackmore (kneeling, third from left) and Zoe Lynch (kneeling second from right).

Old Crescent RFC

Courtesy of:- Frank Larkin, Club Media Officer

Padraig Monaghan has been selected as club captain of Old Crescent RFC for 2014-15 Season

In selecting Padraig Monaghan as club captain for the 2014/15 season, Old Crescent RFC picked an experienced player who has played all his rugby with the Club, at every level from Under Age up to the Senior team.

Padraig began his rugby in Old Crescent RFC as an eight year old and went on to win cup and league competitions at Under Age level with the Club. He played senior schools cup rugby with Crescent College Comprehensive in 2009 and 2010, and won the Limerick City Cup with the school in 2010.

He played for Munster U19 Schools in 2010 and made his AIL debut with the Old Crescent RFC senior team in 2011. He has been ever present in the Old Crescent senior team since then, and this season he crowns his playing career with the Club by being selected as club captain. Off the field, Padraig is studying for his Masters in UL.

Padraig had the rare distinction last season of playing AIL rugby for Old Crescent with his two younger brothers, Sean and Cathal, and this season the three Monaghan brothers will again feature strongly in the Old Crescent RFC senior team.