Blitzes Continue To Take Place Throughout The Province

With the domestic season coming to a close, there are still a number of blitzes taking place throughout the province which are providing enjoyable rugby experiences for players of all ages.

Last week, a Transition Year (TY) tag blitz day was held in Cahersiveen. The event was organised by Munster Rugby CCRO Tony Cournane with a number of students competing on the day also volunteering at a National School blitz which is due to take place this Friday in Cahersiveen.

A view of the Transition Year tag rugby blitz which was held in Cahersiveen last week.

A view of the Transition Year tag rugby blitz which was held in Cahersiveen last week.

A view of the Transition Year tag rugby blitz which was held in Cahersiveen last week.

This month, a National School Blitz was held at Munster Rugby’s Regional Centre of Excellence in Fethard Town Park which saw a number of schools from the local area compete on the day; Piltown NS, St Patrick’s NS Drangan, Cloneen NS, St Mary’s CBS Clonmel, Killurney NS, Holy Trinity NS Fethard, Moyglass NS and St Marys CBS NS Carrick-on-Suir.

A view of the National School blitz held in Fethard Town Park on Friday.

A view of the National School blitz held in Fethard Town Park on Friday.

A view of the National School blitz held in Fethard Town Park on Friday.

The Aidan Ross Memorial Blitz was held in Dunmanway RFC which saw Carrigaline CS and MICC Dunmanway compete on the day.

A view of the Aidan Ross Memorial Blitz held in Dunmanway RFC

A view of the Aidan Ross Memorial Blitz held in Dunmanway RFC

An U17 and U15 Emerging Schools Finals Day took place in Shannon RFC which saw 11 teams from nine schools compete on the day; St Anne’s Community College Killaloe, Salesians Pallaskenry, Scoil Pol Kilfinane, St Caimin’s Community School Shannon, Villiers, Newport College, Edmund Rice Secondary School Carrick-On-Suir, Gaelscoil Luimnigh and John The Baptist Hospital.

The U15s competition was 11-a-side while the U17 tournament was 7-a-side.

A view of the U17 and U15 Emerging Schools Finals Day in Shannon RFC. Photo Credit: Munster Rugby / Ray Gadsden

A view of the U17 and U15 Emerging Schools Finals Day in Shannon RFC. Photo Credit: Munster Rugby / Ray Gadsden

A view of the U17 and U15 Emerging Schools Finals Day in Shannon RFC. Photo Credit: Munster Rugby / Ray Gadsden

At the end of April, the County U17s Blitz Day too place in Bruff RFC which saw teams from Limerick, Clare, Cork and Kerry take part. These County Teams consisted of club players from within the respective counties.

Matches were 15-a-side and 20 minutes in duration. The County U17s programme provides another opportunity for young players in the province to get meaningful game-time.

A view of the County U17 Blitz which took place over the weekend. Photo Credit: Calum Nolan

A view of the County U17 Blitz which took place over the weekend. Photo Credit: Calum Nolan

A Rugby Prime Blitz Day was held for local primary schools in Castleisland RFC also at the end of April.

12 teams competed on the day from four schools; Currow National School, Scoil Naomh Chárthaigh Castleisland, Gaelscoil Aogain Castleisland and Scartaglen National School.

Rugby Prime is a non-contact version of rugby which can be played with small and large numbers, in halls, yards, grass areas and on pitches.

The matches were 10-a-side and plenty of game-time was provided for all players. Players came from 4th, 5th and 6th classes.

Transition Year students from St Patrick’s College were also in attendance to provide help with organising the event on the day.

A view of the Rugby Prime Blitz Day in Castleisland RFC. Photo Credit: Ray Gadsden

A view of the Rugby Prime Blitz Day in Castleisland RFC. Photo Credit: Ray Gadsden

Munster Rugby’s summer offerings including the Bank of Ireland Summer Camps, Excellence Camps and School of Excellence get underway in June and July. More info here.