CLUB NEWS W/C 21/4

News from around the clubs for last weekend

KILLORGLIN
Killorglin Rugby Club’s Senior team travelled to Castleisland RFC last Sunday, in the Martin O’Sullivan Cup. After putting in a brave performance, they conceded a late try to eventually lose the match 17-8. This was the team’s final game of the season, and now looks ahead to the summer break and to the pre-season in July/August.
The club’s Under 14 team took part in the Tralee RFC Festival of Rugby over the last weekend. They won the Plate competition, which is a great way to sign off their season.

NENAGH ORMOND
Nenagh Ormond RFC Notes for weekend 18th & 19th April 2009

Senior XV
Nenagh Ormond 37 – Portadown 7
Nenagh finished their season in fine style when comprehensively outplaying Portadown in terrific conditions at Lisatunny on Saturday last. The game was very open and free flowing as both sides tried to move themselves and each other around the place as much as possible. It made for a very enjoyable spectacle. Nenagh were the much sharper and a lot more incisive when they did move the ball. That said the forwards did their duty and created a lot of pressure. In particular the Nenagh front row who were much smaller than their opposite numbers gave Portadown a torrid time. For the record Nenagh scored four try’s the first try came from a maul close in and it was the captain Michael Kennedy who having led by example was adjudged to have touched the ball down. A second try thereafter was scored by Rudhrai O’Brien following some good handling and movement off the ball.

The second half saw two further trys, both coming off breaks by John Lillis who had his finest game in the red and white. Both the scrum half Michael Fogarty and his subsequent replacement Eoin Gardiner were rewarded for their support in achieving the touch down.

This performance however was more about the team as whole and how every Nenagh Ormond supporter will be delighted to have seen all the young Nenagh players get involved and show great hunger for the game. It will be a need to move for optimism going forward and hopefully there will be continuity as between the panel that has finished this year and the panel that will start next year. The additions of Brian Williams and Keith Quigley has certainly provided a lot of impetus. 36 year old Robbie Powell has thrived in having all of these young guys around him and has provided guidance whenever needed. A special word for Vima Tuidriaki who returned to Fiji on Monday, he has had his four best games of the season in our last four games when playing in the centre. And also for his wife Mary who also togged out in the red and white. Mary played for Nenagh Ladies on Sunday last when they were very narrowly defeated in the semi-final of the All Ireland League.

The coach Colm McMahon will look back on the season with lots of varying experiences but the over riding thought will be we have won seven of our last eight league matches, and have beaten three of the four sides competing for the league.

Portadown for the record scored a late consolation try to which they were probably entitled.
Roll on next year.

TEAM: M. Kennedy (Captain), C. Whelan, F. Brislane, B. Williams, R. Powell, D. Horan, A Grey, K Quigley, M. Fogarty, J. Lillis, V Tuidraki, J. Kingston, G. Haremse, R O’Brien, S. Harvey

SUBS: C. McMahon, D. Dunne, J. Coffey, E. Gardiner, K O’Meara.

Ladies Rugby
Nenagh Ladies 12 – 14 City of Derry

The Nenagh Ladies narrowly lost out on a place in the All Ireland League Final when they were pipped by just two points against City of Derry last Sunday. With conditions dry and sunny with no wind at all, Nenagh went into the semi-final confident that they could play a wide and fast game.
From the kick off, Nenagh conceded a penalty and Derry opted to kick at goal, but it drifted wide. Once Derry secured possession from the drop out they put Nenagh under serious pressure for the first twenty minutes. The huge Derry pack drove for the Nenagh try line but were held up time after time. Nenagh defended heroically even while being driven backwards in the scrum and trusting their defence, kept Derry at bay without conceding a penalty.
Nenagh’s patience paid off and they broke out of their own 22 and worked their way up the pitch. Nenagh had several chances to break the Derry line but turned over possession on a few occasions. However Nenagh were the first to score. From a scrum inside the Derry 22, outhalf Genevieve Rowland broke through two tackles to touch down near the posts. She converted the try herself to give Nenagh a 7-0 lead at half time.
Nenagh started the second half the stronger and within a few minutes, centre Sandra Williams made a break out wide. She handed off the Derry winger and out-paced the covering defence to score in the corner. With Nenagh 12-0 up, Derry came back strong and although the Nenagh defence held firm for a long time, Derry eventually got over the line to bring the score back to 12-7.
Derry struck again within a few minutes from a quickly taken penalty. They caught the Nenagh defence out of position and ran the ball wide for their pacey winger to run in untouched. Nenagh found themselves two points down with about fifteen minutes still to play. They played right up to the last minute and forced Derry to defend right to the end. Nenagh created chances but just couldn’t convert them and at the final whistle felt that it was a game they just let slip away.
It was an extremely successful year for the Nenagh Ladies with this game being only their second loss all season. Well done to all the girls and thanks to their coach Tony Gregan and assistant coaches Johnny Moylan and Tommy Moylan.

Team: Sarah Walsh, Laura Nugent, Kyla Maxwell, Sandra Williams, Denise Williams, Genevieve Rowland, Jennifer Carter, Sarah Brennan, Louise Roberts, Bob Ryan, Orlagh Shanahan, Aisling O’Neill, Eithne Darcy, June Whelan, Maeve Darcy, Annemarie Duke, Lisa Cleary, Elaine Healy, Bernie Byrne, Niamh Hogan, Mary Tuidraki, Anne O Reilly.

Under 20s
Our under 20 squad had their end of season presentation night last weekend where they were presented with their Munster Medals. Player of the Year presentation was also made to Dan Fogarty, congratulations Dan !
The management team would like to thank all their players for their commitment and dedication throughout the season and also the supporters for coming out in all weathers to cheer them on.

Underage Ormonds
Nenagh Ormond under 12s travelled to Thomond Park as a treat from their Club and Coaches, where they watched the Munster play Connaught in the Magners League. A great time was had by all.

Nenagh Ormond under 8s travelled to Old Cresent RFC on Sunday last and played in a Blitz including Naas RFC, Clanwilliam RFC and Old Cresent RFC
Nenagh played some great rugby and its good to report that they won all their games.

Heineken Cup Semi-Final
There will be a club bus going to the Heineken Cup semi-final in Croke Park on Saturday 2nd May. Anyone interested in travelling on this bus please contact Ger O’ Gorman on 067 33492. Further details on http://www.nenaghormondrfc.com/
Closing date for applications for Match tickets is Friday 24th April, apply through the normal procedure, only fully paid up members need apply.

CARRICK-on-SUIR

O’Sullivan Cup: Carrick 44 Scariff 0

Now that’s what we call a backlash! Just six days after a heartbreaking defeat to Saint Mary’s which ended our promotion hopes, our First XV got back to winning ways when hammering Scariff in the O’Sullivan Cup quarter-final on Sunday.

That same afternoon, our friends in Kilbarry saw off Mary’s after extra-time, a result which left the taste in the mouths on Sunday evening a tad bittersweet so soon after our own disappointment against the same opponents.

But well done to City who, all things going well, we’ll now go on to meet in the final of this tournament.

Sunday was all about a reaction as far as Carrick were concerned. With the league campaign finishing a game short of the club’s ambition for the season, Willie Stokes and his men could have taken a slipshod attitude about the visit of the Claremen.

But there’s been no ‘it’s only the cup’ talk in Tybroughney this season. Each match has been treated on its merits, the previous week’s efforts consigned to history with the focus very much retained for the next 80 minutes.

It’s the attitude which will surely see us promoted come the end of the 2009/10 campaign.
Twenty points up at the break, Carrick didn’t take the foot off the pedal, their determination to end the season with some silverware to show firmly on show.

Peter Steele increased his excellent try scoring tally with three more on a sunny afternoon in Tybroughney, while Ed O’Donnell (two), Michael Cronin, JP Wallace and Dylan Davies weighing in on the scoring act.

Given the vagaries of the draw, one Kerry team (Killarney) will travel to Waterford while we will have to make the journey down to Castleisland next Sunday for our semi-final.

Why not just jig the draw around and have two local derbies and save two teams a lot of travel? It might be a simplistic argument but with time running out for competitive rugby this season, such a move would have been pretty logical.

But life isn’t always a box of chocolates so we’ll get on with the task in hand and, fingers crossed, have a cup final to look forward to after next weekend. Best of luck to Willie and the boys.

Belated thanks to all who turned out to support our team on Bank Holiday Monday. We may not have got across the finish line, but it was not for a lack of effort or spirit. Next season cannot come along more quickly.

Carrick Under 10s bring home silverware from Clonmel!
Under brilliant April sunshine, Carrick-on-Suir U10s (pictured) recently competed in the annual East Munster Rugby Blitz at Clonmel RFC.
The pool stage of the tournament started very well for Carrick with a 5-0 win against the Clonmel Tigers (scorers: Richie Norris [two], Dean Walsh, Aaron Gallagher and Michael Dineen.
In their second match Carrick faced a sterner test against Clanwilliam who were coming from a 2-0 loss to a very impressive Nenagh side. Clan started the stronger and scored an early try, but Carrick composed themselves and had levelled the score by the end of the first half through Michael Dineen. The match ended a try apiece.
This meant that to be sure of qualifying Carrick needed to take at least a point from their final pool match against Nenagh who had not conceded a try in their first two pool matches.
The game began at a fast pace and Nenagh showed their class to take an early lead and despite some impressive defensive work by Carrick, Nenagh extended their lead to 3-0.
However, Carrick dug deep and scored just before half time to make it 3-1. Early in the second half Nenagh attempted to close the game out, but Carrick’s defence held-out and through a combination of impressive defensive work and ball-handling skills, Carrick scored an excellent counter-attack try to make it 3-2.
This second try gave Carrick new confidence and through a period of concerted pressure scored a well-deserved third try to tie the game. The last few minutes of the game were played at a fast pace with a high degree of skill displayed on both sides, but the scores remained level at 3-3, the tries scored by Richie Norris(two) and Michael Dineen.
Carrick qualified for the plate competition and did not get to play their semi-final game against Dungarvan who withdrew, but there was high drama to follow in the final where they faced a powerful Cashel side.
Once again Carrick started slowly and Cashel’s huge forwards wreaked havoc on the Carrick defence, but several minutes into the first half it was discovered that Cashel were accidentally fielding nine players in this eight-a-side contest.
Impassioned pleas were made by the Cashel coaching staff, but the referee and stewards’ ruling was that in the interest of fairness the game would have to be re-started.
From the whistle Cashel went straight back on the attack, but Carrick showed true character and defended heroically against the much bigger Cashel forwards and once again their confidence grew as the Cashel attacks became less potent and Carrick won more and more possession.
The game remained scoreless until late in the first half when and well-worked turnover and some fast handling gave Carrick an overlap which they exploited to score in the corner.
In the second half Carrick continued to defend well and started to penetrate on their own attacks and a late breakaway could very easily have led to a second for Carrick, but the final score remained 1-0 and Carrick victorious, Michael Dineen scoring the crucial try!
The exuberant players showed their appreciation of the win with a victory lap around the Clonmel first team’s pitch in what was a well-deserved end to Carrick-on-Suir U10’s 2008-9 season.
The squad, coached by Tim Dineen and Donal Moriarty, was composed of: Thomas Murray, Shane Walsh, Shane Torpey, Shane Grehan, Sam Grace, Ronan Ryan, Robert Scahill, Richie Norris, Oisin Brophy, Michael Dineen, Dylan Walsh, Dylan Oakey, Dean Walsh, David Needham, Conor Murphy, Andrew Secrett, Alex Olsen and Aaron Gallagher.

KINSALE

TRALEE UNDER 11 TOURNAMENT
U11’s Competition at Tralee Rugby Festival

After a slow start Kinsale drew with Bohemians, 2 – 2, a game which they should have won.

Next Cooke beat Kinsale 4 – 1 and went on to become eventual winners. Cooke are a much bigger side and were 3 – 0 up at half time, Kinsale matched them in the second half. After that Kinsale performed very well.

Results of Qualifiers
Bohemians 2 Kinsale 2
Cooke 4 Kinsale 1
Blackheath Tigers 0 Kinsale 7
Tralee Dragons 2 Kinsale 5

Bye to Quarter Final

Results of Semi-Final
Tralee 0 Kinsale 5

Result of Final
Blackheath Lions 1 Kinsale 2

In the final Kinsale were 2 – 0 up at half time, Blackheath Lions scored their try with 2 minutes to go, which made for a very exciting finish.
All players played excellent from prop, John Finn, to wing, Mathew Scanlon.

Players
John Finn Prop
Cody O’Neill Hooker
Patrick Moylan Prop
Joe Moriarty Second Row – Captain
Sam Hurley Scrum Half
Shane O’Connell Our Half
Luke Kingston First Center
Ethan Twomey Second Center
James Bowen Second Row
Mathew Scanlon Wing

BRUFF
Well how’s about that for a first season in Division two? We managed to lead it for quite a while and even with the depletion of the squad due to injury towards the end of the season we still held out until the very last game with a chance of making it to the playoffs. A few results went against us, it could be said that missed penalties cost us valuable league points along the way but in general it must be said that it was a fabulous first season at this level for Bruff.

Saturdays game failed to live up to the expectations that we have had of this great squad all year. Greystones fought like tigers to defend their line for vast periods of this game and great credit is due to them for their defensive performance. Time after time the Bruff attack was basically camped between their twenty-two and the try-line but they just could not seem to get across the whitewash. Down by seven points after just as many minutes courtesy of a try by Greystones winger Dan Kenny duly converted by out-half James Power the remainder of the game seemed to be Bruff’s as but to be honest you felt from word go that this was just not going to be their day. Bruff’s only score coming courtesy of a Brian Cahill penalty directly in front of the posts giving a half time score of seven points to three. Errors at the breakdown pinged incessantly by the referee disrupted the Bruff attack at critical moments during the match and even though they rallied to attack the red zone again and again and again another breakdown error would give the beleaguered Greystones defence relief from the onslaught and an onslaught is about the only description for it. The second half was reminiscent of the Munster/All blacks game with Greystones bodies littering the pitch from one side to the other every couple of minutes, at one stage there was five Greystones players on the turf, but to their credit they held out and just basically seemed to want the game more than the finally tired looking Bruff squad. A penalty by Power with three minutes or so left on the clock put a gloss on the score for ‘Stones and the game finished out ten points to three. With Old Crescent winning their final game away to Malone a win wouldn’t have mattered in any case although it does mean that Bruff slip to sixth in the table. Playoffs take place next weekend and not being involved has one minor plus if it could be called that, this fabulous group of players can finally take their first decent break in almost three years of non-stop work to get them to where they are.

On behalf of the club, I wish to thank this brilliant group of lads for a fabulous season and for the great work that they have put in over the last twelve months. Great credit is due to Eoin, Peter, Michéal ,Cathal, John and all of the lads involved in the team from first to last. Have a good night on Thursday night and take your well deserved break.

Other results over the weekend include a great Final win in the Tralee international Tournament for the U13 squad. They won all of their four games beating Tralee in the final with a total of 125 points for Vs 15 points against for their four games.

SUNDAY’S WELL
This Saturday is probably the most important day since the foundation of our club.

We need YOUR SUPPORT for our Senior Team in Musgrave Park at 2.30pm in their playoff game versus Cashel to avoid relegation from the senior division of A.I.L. rugby.

Rest your mind easy Cashel will bring a huge crowd so we need to be there shouting our lads on.

ALL CHILDREN WEARING CLUB COLOURS GET IN FREE
Please bring Banners horns drums and anything else that will help our team.

We Need EVERY WELL member who can be to be there.

Our under 9s and 10s will play Thomond RFC prior to the game and at 6pm our under 14s will strive to bring home their under 14s Cup

FIXTURES:
Senior XVs Will Play at Home v Cashel RFC, K.O. Saturday 2.30pm

Under 14s Will play Bandon RFC K.O. Saturday 6pm at Musgrave Park in the Under 14 South Cup Final.

Mini Rugby Fixtures

Under 12s have Training this week in Musgrave Park 10am sharp

Under 11s have Training this week in Musgrave Park 10am sharp

Under 10s Will play at Home Versus Thomond RFC Kick off 12.30pm

Under 9s Will play at Home versus Thomond RFC Kick off 12.30pm

Under 8s have Training this week in Musgrave Park 10am sharp

Under 7/6s have Training this week in Musgrave Park 10am sharp

"Away the Well"

Brendan Kenneally (0876139597)

To all coaches please feel free to send me any email address’s that you have from parents or coaches or players to be included and I can include them on this electronic Newsletter. I would also be happy to have any action photos or team photos you have and subject to them being ok to publish I will print them.

Please include names in photos.

SHANNON

Two years ago against the same opposition, Dolphin, at the same stage of the season we had more or less the same result, a bonus point win. Back then though, the post match dressing room was one of despair and regrets with heads buried in hands and some home truths spoken. The feeling that day when we lost out on a semi final spot on a slender points difference, was one that laid the foundations for what transpired last Saturday in Coonagh. No one who was part of the team back then wanted to endure the same empty feeling, and it was those thoughts that drove the squad in the days leading up to the game. The permeations may have seemed complicated to many, but within the management we had a fair indication that one game in Dublin was crucial. The fact that so many teams playing against those at the upper end of the table had little to play for certainly showed, and as the updates came in we knew that our point’s difference would come into play. A bonus point win would have sealed our place for sure, but as the game transpired it didn’t look likely, so we were watching St Marys rack up the points against Terenure. The updates were coming thick and fast, calculators were deployed, until eventually, with a little under five minutes remaining the true nature of the task came to light. Having already crossed for three tries, and leading a superb Dolphin side narrowly, nothing but a fourth, and winning bonus point try would secure our semi final spot. It was a fact unbeknown to many of the spectators, but once the message got to the team, it was the be all and end all of our season. To say that anyone associated with the side could have predicted the next few minutes would be untrue, but what was known is that every player would give their all for the prize. Marcus O’Driscoll was introduced and almost immediately made his presence felt. Frankie Mc, the old dog for the road so to speak, made the searing break and then we had Kelly. Stephen that is, already a major contributor with an assist for John Clogan’s try and a five pointer of his own. A chip, a chase and that was it. He may never score a more crucial try, and that try propelled us to second place and another crack at a semi final against Garryowen. Dolphin were worthy of their pre match position of second place and while initially disappointed with how Saturday went for them, I’m sure they will reflect on a top eight position as a reasonable achievement. As for our lads, amidst the initial euphoria it was quickly pointed out that there was no silverware on display last Saturday. No one needs reminding of the enormity of the task facing us this weekend. Garryowen in Coonagh last season won’t bring back any happy memories, but things have moved on, and I think our young squad has matured exponentially since then. While it may bore or even infuriate some, but once again it’s the same old faces in the semi final. Con’s by virtue of a superior points difference topped the table despite losing one more game than Shannon and Garryowen, while the Clontarf put paid to an all Munster quintuplet. All four clubs have the same goals and ethos, more or less, which may go some way to explaining the regularity of their appearance at penultimate stage. Coonagh will once again see a large crowd attend the much anticipated semi final rematch. As it was last year we have a Traffic management plan in operation on the day. Fortunately we have once again received the generous co operation of the Direct Route consortium and will have access to the construction road for the new tunnel. Access to Coonagh will be via the Clonmacken roundabout on the Condell road from 1pm and no match traffic will be allowed through the Coonagh village after this time. Signs will be erected and Stewarts and Guards will be in place, so please adhere to any instructions given. With a 2.30 kick off we would advise people to arrive early and perhaps car pool with your buddies in order to minimise the volume of traffic.

If Saturday’s sweet victory wasn’t enough, Tuesdays Lions announcement brought further pride to the club when Jerry Flannery and Alan Quinlan were announced as Shannon’s 4th and 5th Lions players. It is a tremendous honour for the players and their family and we are fortunate to be able to share in that honour. Not since 1993 when Gallimh adorned the famous red jersey have we had a lion in Shannon, so for two to come on the same trip is fantastic. Indeed the whole of the Limerick rugby fraternity are rejoicing with the inclusion of five players from city clubs. Congratulations are extended to the colossus and inspirational figure of Paul O’Connell on his captaincy along with Keith Earls and David Wallace. It’s great to see our neighbours Thomond get recognition for their mammoth contribution to the career of Keith Earls. On the down side it was a bit disappointing that Marcus, Peter Stringer and John Hayes didn’t make the initial party, but you never know, there’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and then.

In general, it was a very good week for all of Limerick Rugby and we also congratulate Young Munster for near miraculous maintained their Division 1 B status and to Old Crescent for their top four finish while Thomond survived Division two admirably. Long may the limerick Flag be flown high and proud.

Our own U/18 ladies rounded off a great season when they won the prestigious Tom Fahy Memorial blitz in Clonmel. Six Teams took part and after some great rugby , our girls made the final against the hosts and their efforts were rewarded when they scored the only try of the game. Our underage girl’s rugby has grown rapidly this season and with results like this , and our senior ladies gaining All Ireland success , will only increase the interest so congratulations to everyone involved.

Underage is winding down, but not before some very important cup games take place. On Friday evening the U13’s Play Garryowen in Dooradoyle and the U/14’s play Richmond in the canal bank. Should the 13’s win , then the final is on Monday evening. On Saturday the U/12’s compete in the Brian Fitzgerald Blitz hosted by St Marys in Corbally and on Sunday the U/16’s are at home to Thomond in the semi final at 11.30 and again if they should advance the final takes place next Tuesday.

Tickets for the semi final of the Heineken cup will be distributed to successful applicants on Monday and Tuesday evening next in Thomond Park between 7.30 and 9pm. Please be advised that due to the obvious demand not every member will receive the allocation that they have applied for. With Munster rolling to further success, the demand for season tickets for next years campaign will surely exceed that of this seasons, and with that in mind the club is now taking bookings for our member’s allocation. The package includes Heineken cup group matches and the Thomond park Magners league games. As an incentive, a reduced price for those Members that pay in full prior to August 31st will see Category A tickets cost €350 and Category B costs €300. After that date the cost will increase to €400 for Cat A and €350 Cat B. We would ask members who are interested to contact Tadgh Crowe immediately and secure their application with a deposit.

Finally our annual Golf classic takes place in Shannon Golf club on May 15th. Against the backdrop of difficult financial times the subcommittee have borne economic circumstances into account and have reduced the entry fee for a team of four to €300. Individuals can also partake at €75 and this includes participation in our customary on-course barbecue where refreshments will also be available and a meal after playing. All great value and for bookings Ger Mullane can be contacted at 087 2541915 or e-mailed on gmullane@shannoncoiledsprings.ie.

Remember, Saturday in Coonagh 2.30. We need your support.