Club News

A round up of club summer activities

WANTED FOR THE NEXT RUGBY SEASON

COME AND HELP US AT KINSALE RUGBY CLUB

Along with the increase in popularity of the Sport of Rugby, Kinsale RFC Underage section is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the number of players. We are looking for both male and female volunteers as

TEAM MANAGERS
COACHES

For all age groups. Experience desirable but not essential as full IRFU training is available.

You are assured of a friendly welcome at the Club, for an initial chat please call Peter Elliot on 086 284 1747 or Maria O’Mahony 087 2406747

CARRICK ON SUIR RFC

Carrick-on-Suir rugby club held its annual general meeting recently. A night of brisk discussion and elections saw the club elect its committee and new captains for the coming season.

Willie Stokes was elected captain of Carrick’s first fifteen, James Wallace will capably assist him as the teams Vice-Captain. Congratulations to both men and lets hope their leadership skills will lead to a successful season on the field.

Roger Gough accepted the second’s captain position. He has become an integral part of the playing set-up in the club in his short time with us and is very deserving of this accolade. Congratulations to Roger and best of luck for the coming season.

The off-field activities of the club were discussed at length and again great credit must go to all the committee for returning great figures for such a small club. The effort of the committee is massive and noted.

The future of the club was discussed and plans for pitch and facilities agreed to, by the members present. A lot of work will be necessary by all members and associates of the club, if these ambitious plans are to reach fruition. The reaction to them at the meeting was positive, so we can only assume that the plans will reach a successful conclusion.

The committee was re-elected with just one change. Dermot Keyes has left his position as PRO. He has done great work for the club in the position over the last few years and has raised our profile significantly. No doubt he will still assist in any way he can.

On a sadder note, some of our players will not be seen in the Carrick hoops for a while again. Alex Hunter returns to New Zeeland after a year with the club. His impact on the whole club and the groundwork done with our underage structure will be remember for a long time into the future.

Not only did he have a massive impact on the club, but on people who met him in general. He will be sorely missed by the town and by his many friends and team-mates. Best of luck in the future, we are all sure you will be successful in whatever you will do.

Our backrow tyro, Mick Carroll is off for a tanning in Australia, so we can all breath easier at training. His aggression on the pitch will be badly missed, so lets hope we can step up to the mark in his absence. Enjoy the year Mick.

Aaron O’Sullivan, who has made a huge impact on props all around the province in the last couple of seasons, is packing up and moving to Liverpool. Best of luck with the move, we hope it is a safe and successful venture, very safe.

A sevens tournament is being hosted in mid-July by New Ross rugby club. Although out of season, it could be a nice way to ease back into what will undoubtedly by a tough pre-season, if the committee has their way. Interested players should contact the usual heads for information, or e-mail carrickrfc@yahoo.ie stating your intentions.

UL Bohemian RFC Rugby Notes
Denis Ryan PRO

The AGM of UL Bohemian RFC was held on 5th June and the following officers were elected:
Joint Presidents-David Fitzgerald and Dr Roger Downer Senior Vice President- Michael Goggin Junior Vice President- Ted Mulcahy Hon Club Secretary-Dave Hyland Hon Club Treasurer-Tom Kinirons Hon Club Registrar-Ambrose Garvey.

The big news which was announced following the meeting was the departure later in the summer of Mike Tewkesbury, Director of Rugby, who is returning to England for personal reasons.

The accompanying photo shows Pat Keogh, Club Chairman, Mike Tewkesbury, David Fitzgerald, Incoming UL Bohemian President and Graham Burns, Chairman of Rugby.

Graham Burns, Chairman of Rugby, had this to say:

Mike and his wife Nicky Tewksbury have decided to return to the UK after spending 7 years at the helm of UL Bohemian RFC. It is with great regret that we see Mike and Nicky leave us but we fully understand that being away from family is very difficult for everybody and we are fully supportive of their move to the UK.
During Mike’s period at UL Bohemian RFC, the club has enjoyed some of its most successful times. When Mike took over in 2000, the club was languishing in the lower reaches of AIL Division 3. The club struggled at 2nd XV, 3rd XV and at Under 20 levels. Thanks in the main to Mike’s hard work today UL Bohemian RFC sits proudly at the top table of Irish Club Rugby. Under his stewardship the Senior XV reached the top 4 of this year’s AIL Div 1, losing out rather unluckily to Cork Constitution in the semi finals. The 2nd XV won both the Senior Seconds League and the Transfield Cup and were beaten by the narrowest of margins in the final of the Munster Junior Cup. Our Under 20 XV progressed to the semi finals of the AIL for the first time ever this season. On the field the club has never been healthier, and we all owe Mike a huge debt of thanks for this.
However, Mike’s work and commitment did not just stop there. Mike oversaw our Academy in UL. Through his efforts and with the support of his team, Mike has transformed the Academy into one of the leading rugby nurseries in the country, which is the envy of many clubs. Mike also overseas the development of our junior academy which monitors the performances of our future stars coming through the ranks of our hugely successful underage set up. During his time Mike has built up a dedicated group of club members who support Mike in his day to day running of club affairs and I know Mike would like to thank all of those people who have supported him through the years.
Mike is taking up the position of Director of Rugby with Division 3 South Club, Bridgewater & Albion, in September. Their gain is our loss On behalf of UL Bohemian RFC we wish Mike and Nicky all the best for their futures both on an off the field. Mike and Nicky will be staying around for a little while as they are not due to leave till Mid August, so there is plenty of time to say your goodbyes in due course.
The Club will shortly commence the recruitment of Mike successor in the role of Director of Rugby. Job advertisements will be posted in local and national press and the club will invite all interested parties to apply for the post. With the club in such a healthy position today, we feel that the challenge involved in taking the club forward, although formidable, is one that most people would relish.

HIGHFIELD RFC
Highfield Women’s Rugby Team is seeking a new head coach.

The All Ireland League Division One team requires an experienced coach to take their side forward into the 2007/8 season.

The Highfield team is one of the most experienced sides in Ireland and has competed at senior level for 12 seasons.

The 2006/7 side finished second in the AIL Division One, were runners up in the National Cup and won the Munster Senior Cup.

Now is an excellent time to become involved in coaching women’s rugby with a motivated squad playing at the highest club level.

With ambitious plans and the fast tracking of integration between the IRFU and IWRFU it is hoped that girls and women’s rugby will become a serious competitor with the more established female sports in Ireland in the years ahead.

What Highfield can offer:

A highly committed playing squad with guaranteed strong numbers at training sessions.

A team hungry for success, fresh from a strong 2006/7 season.

Excellent club facilities including one and a half floodlit training pitches, spacious dressing rooms, an indoor hall, modern equipment (scrum machine, ruck and hit pads) available to the women’s team.

A highly organised squad with excellent capabilities.

A team with strong sponsorship backing.

Clancy’s Bar and Restaurant has been the main sponsor of the team for the past four seasons. The company has continued its support this year with the purchase of new playing gear for the season ahead.

An experienced motivated squad, many of whom are vying for representative honours.

A club extremely supportive of its women’s section. As a developing Sport, women’s teams are only beginning to be become part of the fabric of established clubs, and the support enjoyed by the women’s section in Highfield often surpasses that experienced by other teams in Ireland. Highfield Rugby Club has been in existence for over 75 years and a Highfield man, Der Healy will also promote the club internationally this year, as the IRFU President.

Anyone interested in this voluntary position can contact 086-3867647 or email highfieldwrugby@hotmail.com for further information.