Christmas Club Notes: Week Ending 25.12.16

This week’s Club Notes come from Waterford City, Dolphin, Newcastle West, Thurles and Old Crescent.

Waterford City RFC Notes
Courtesy of Deirdre Barry

Munster Junior Cup: Waterford City 37-17 Thurles

Tries: Alex Fitz, Ben Duggan, Michael Hayes, Liam Hayes, Darren Walsh,
Cons: Michael Hayes 3 Pens – Michael Hayes 2
Man of the Match: Alex Fitz

Thurles were the visitors to Kilbarry on Sunday last in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup. The City lads knew it was going to take a huge effort to beat a Thurles side that have only been beaten once this season. From the off it was clear City were very much up for this game from 1 – 15. After good approach work, Captain Ben Duggan drove over for the first try. Michael Hayes added the extras. Michael Hayes added a further try, conversion and two penalties to leave the half time score at 20-3.

The message at halftime was to keep the work rate up and a good start to the second half was key to success. Unfortunately Thurles got the first score of the half when a high kick wasn't dealt with; it allowed the Thurles number 13 Peter Coman gather and race under the posts. From here City really upped the ante and after multiple phases Alex Fitz crossed in the corner for as good a try that has been seen in Kilbarry for a long time. Michael Hayes added the conversion once more.

Thurles came roaring back and after putting together a number of phases they scored beside the post to leave the score at 25-17 in favour of the home side with 12 minutes left on the clock. Once more Thurles came on the attack, looking very threatening they were eventually forced into a knock on after some great defence from City, Jason Power popped the ball up off the ground to scrum-half Darren Walsh (left) who raced all the way up the pitch to score under the posts. Again Michael was accurate with his kick.

On the last play City scored a cracker of a try, after sublime handling from Aaron Foskin and James Halligan, Michael Hayes punched a hole in the Thurles defence on his own 22 metre line, from here he fed his brother Mark who was eventually brought down in the Thurles 22. A number of hard carries from and clear outs from the forwards set the platform for the ball to go wide where Liam Hayes scored in the corner. A brilliant team try. A great team performance from the lads which sets us up nicely for the New Year.

Minis Rugby
An exciting morning at the clubhouse on Sunday as Santa came to visit all our Mini’s players. Enjoy the Christmas break and training will resume on Sunday 15th of January.

Christmas Raffle
Thanks to all who supported our Christmas raffle. The winners are Rebecca Irish, Liz Ferguson, Carol Kehoe, Melissa Evans,
Lilly Walsh, Niamh Corcoran, Denise Gailbert, Brian Upton, Monika Burns, Chris Murray, Jack Doheny, Stephan Gillen, John MacNamara, Jim Madigan and Mrs Coady. Well done to all, prizes can be collected from Jemma Jacob at the clubhouse on Monday evening at 7pm.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year from all in Waterford City RFC.

Dolphin RFC Notes
Courtesy of Deirdre McCarthy
Recently one of our U16 Players entered a competition on Facebook and was lucky enough to win a set of jerseys for his team.

Newcastle West RFC
Courtesy of Martin O'Sullivan

Christmas Wishes
Newcastle West RFC would like to wish all our supporters, players, mentors and coaches a very happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous and successful 2017. Here’s hoping for many success for the club on and off the field for the rest of the season

Club Shop
What better way to start the Christmas than paying a visit to our Club Gear shop in Kilelline on Sunday. Even Santa has stopped over for a look already this month. We have Mini, Youths and Adult's socks, togs, jerseys, jackets and fleeces to get you match ready or dressed up for the match or leisure time. If you are not available Sunday please inform your coach and we can get shop opened to facilitate the mid-week customer in need of Merchandise. Remember shop local and support your club

Newcastle West RFC 50/50 Draw
Newcastle West RFC will run a Christmas 50/50 jackpot draw on Friday night December 23rd in The Cleary’s Bar. Tickets are €;2 each or 3 for €;5.

The idea of the draw is the winner receives 50% of the total pot so the more tickets that are bought, the more the winner takes home.

There is a guaranteed winner and someone will get a nice Christmas bonus on Friday night.

Lotto
Results from Friday 16th December Lotto Draw

Numbers Drawn 1, 4, 12, 24 – NO WINNER

GERRY O’BRIEN C/O MAGS BAR
AARON WINEUOSTER, TOURNAFULLA
MEAGHAN HENNESSEY, KNOCKADERRY
JOHN BOURKE, ARDAGH
STRAND BAR C/O MICHELLE
THERESA BOURKE, NCW
JER HENNESSEY, RATHFREDAGH

Promotors Prize Richard Sheehy

Next week’s draw will be in Cleary’s Bar on Friday 16th December The jackpot stands at €;8,800.

Thurles RFC Notes
Courtesy of Brian Scanlon

Munster Junior Cup: Waterford City RFC 32-17 Thurles RFC
The Thurles RFC 1st XV travelled to Waterford on Sunday last to take on Waterford City in the opening round of the Munster Junior Cup. Thurles took to the road minus the services of a number of players due to injuries, work and exam commitments and had to call on a number of players to play for the second time in 24 hours following the 2nd XV game which took place on Saturday.

Thurles found themselves up against a City side who were well up for this encounter and the Tipp men found themselves an unfamiliar position trailing 17-0 after the opening quarter. Thurles started to make their way back into the game and earned a penalty just outside the opposition 22, they decided to take the points on offer and despite the kick clearly sailing between the sticks the appointed touch judges inexplicably waived it wide of the mark.

Minutes later Thurles were awarded an identical penalty which John Lillis duly obliged by slotting between the posts, as he had done with the previous attempt, the only difference this time being the match officials raising their flags.

Thurles continued to put the pressure on before the half time break but a long range penalty from Waterford City left the score reading 20-3 at half time. The home side restarted the game for the second half and an excellent clearance kick and chase from Thurles saw Peter Coman gather the ball race under the posts from near the half way line, Aidan Dwyer added the extras to bring Thurles within two scores (20-10).

Thurles did manage to secure another try with Ger McCormack (left) getting the credit following some great work from the pack with Dwyer adding the extras again, unfortunately for Thurles it was in between two further Waterford City tries, only one of which was converted to leave the final score reading 32-17 to the home side.

Thurles will be disappointed not to progress further in the Munster Junior Cup as they now drop into the Plate Competition but attention will be focused towards the return to League action in the New Year as the push for promotion continues into 2017.

The players and management would like to thank all those who made to journey to Waterford and to all those who came to support us both home and away in 2016, it was greatly appreciated by all involved.

Finally, a massive congratulations to first team player, Mark Cummins and his family, Ciara, Jim and Henry on their success in RTE’s Ireland Fittest Family, a great achievement capped off by excellently by their powerful performance in the final which aired last Sunday Evening.

Thurles Scorers: Peter Coman & Ger McCormack (1 Try Each), Aidan Dwyer (2 Conversions) & John Lillis (1 Penalty).
Thurles Starting XV vs Waterford City: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Shane Nugent 3. Michael Ely 4. Shane McHugh 5. Phil Kelly 6. Mark Cummins 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Larry O’Gorman 9. Ollie Delaney 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Robbie O’Dwyer 12. Eoghan O’Dwyer (c) 13. Peter Coman 14. Brandon Shanahan 15. John Lillis Subs Used: Tommy Connolly, Joey Kelly, Ciaran Ryan, Dylan Dorney.

Old Crescent RFC Club Notes
Courtesy of Frank Larkin

Santa Clause made an early visit to Rosbrien last Sunday morning to meet the younger members of Old Crescent. He arrived in a red Mustang car courtesy of Lyons of Limerick. Thanks to John Hassett, Anthony O'Dwyer, and Liam and Eileen Noonan, for arranging Santa's visit.