Club News Weekending 20th Jan 2008

Read the latest news and match reports from clubs around the province.

KILLORGLIN RFC
Aidan Clifford PRO

Killorglin Rugby Club’s annual Quiz night will take place in the Soda Club on Thursday February 7th at 8pm. Teams of four cost €;40 and all are welcome.
Killorglin Rugby Club Senior Team travelled to Kinsale this past Sunday to play them in the first round of the Heineken Munster Junior Cup, a competition the club last took part in 1978. The competition is widely regarded as the toughest Junior Rugby competition in the country and Killorglin found that out. Having defended for a large portion of the first half – they didn’t gain possession of the ball in the Kinsale half until the 22nd minute – their strong tackling and great discipline kept the scores at a stalemate until they finally got on the front foot and forced Kinsale to concede a penalty 35 metres out. Brian Gannon stepped up and converted easily to put the visitors 3-0 ahead, a scoreline that stood going in at the break.
The second half had only just begun when Killorglin centre Kieran Crowley collected a pass inside his 10 metre line and beat a host of defenders to make it inside the opposition 22 metre line. After a few phases inside the 22, out half Ronan Curtayne sent a superb cross-field kick – in the style of his namesake O’Gara – to winger Vivian O Callaghan who caught the ball well and grounded easily, a great move deserving of the 5 points it won. The conversion was unsuccessful though and it left the score at 8-0 with 35 minutes remaining. Cup rugby mode set in for Killorglin then and they defended as if their lives depended on it for the remainder of the game. Kinsale missed a relatively easy penalty in the 75th minute to draw it back to a one score game and Killorglin held out from then on for a famous upset win at 8-0. They now look forward to Round Two and must feel confident after an outstanding performance. Certain players stood out on the day, the big tackles by Andrew O’Reilly and Tom Healy, the scrum-half David Coffey performed well but really the team performance as a unit was immense.
Killorglin Rugby Team:- 1 Karl John Daly(c) (Miltown), 2 Dan Flynn (Listry) 3 John ‘Twin’ O Sullivan (Killorglin), 4 Colm Conway (Killorglin), 5 Cole Stephens (Miltown), 6 Ray Kelliher (Beaufort), 7 Tom Healy (Glenbeigh), 8 Mike Breen (Glenbeigh), 9 David Coffey (Killorglin), 10 Ronan Curtayne (Killorglin), 11 Trevor West (Killorglin), 12 Andrew O’Reilly (Killorglin), 13 Kieran Crowley (Killorglin), Vivian O’Callaghan (Killorglin), 15 Brian Gannon (Killorglin).
Subs:- Sean Joy (Killorglin), Bernard Jones (Killorglin), Enda O’Shea (Cromane), Anthony Kelliher (Beaufort).

Senior Team Training takes place Every Tuesday at 7pm and Fridays at 7:30pm at the Dragon’s Den All-weather pitch. All new players are welcome.

UL Bohemian RFC
Denis Ryan PRO

The long trip North to Dungannon held promise of further progress up the AIL table when the forecast suggested dry sunny weather. Unfortunately for the large travelling party of UL Bohs players and supporters, the frozen surface did not prove so accommodating and the referee had to postpone the game on safety grounds. The game will now be refixed for a later date. On Saturday, as an attractive aperitif for the Munster game, UL Bohs take on current AIL Champions Garryowen in The Bowl. This game will have a major impact on the fortunes of both sides in this year’s competition, so we would ask all UL Bohs members to come and support your team.
While the weather up North was dry and frozen, in Annacotty conditions were slightly warmer but considerably damper as the U-20 game took place on a pitch that was just about playable at kick off time. In the end UCC won out by 7-6, thanks to a converted try scored in the last minute when conditions had become almost impossible. The senior squad had brought such talented players as David Foley, Murray Kinsella and Finbar Dennehy up North, and they would have been welcome additions to the team, but in the event UL Bohs led by 6-0 as the game entered the closing stages. Over elaboration with passing in a monsoon when simple clearances were called for proved fatal, when UCC got in for the killer try. On Saturday we meet another major force when Shannon travel to Annacotty. It is indeed unfortunate for the members of all clubs that so many attractive fixtures are taking place on the one afternoon, and in different locations.
The Junior Cup game against St. Senan’s was called off on Sunday when the layer of water on the pitches would have been more to the liking of St. Michael’s Rowing Club. The game will be replayed this Sunday, and once more, all club support is requested.

Clon Resurgence Continues

Malone 9 Clonakilty 13

Clonakilty continued their drive towards safety last Saturday with an unlikely win in Belfast. Unlikely maybe but deserved nonetheless. Going into the game Clon had eight All Ireland league games to play, four teams above and four teams below. Malone were one of the clubs above and positioned in third place were at least top four contenders. Clon would realistically have been looking to the four games against the lower clubs for salvation and this away trip to a high-flying, in-form side would not have been the end of the world if they had lost and indeed a losing bonus point would have been gratefully taken by most before the game. Who’s to say now that if this form continues that Clon will once again be looking at what might have been if early season lapses and injuries had not been so devastating?

Derek Dillon was at his best keeping Malone guessing and uncomfortable with counter attacks from everywhere particularly in the first quarter. The northerners’ defence were unable to cope with the power of David Lombard as he brushed tacklers aside with his direct running throughout and Paul Dillon was also a handful as he drove aggressively in the tackles to give his pack a target. Hugh O’Neill will be very happy with his all round display and Eoin Scannell was arguably man of the match. He chased every restart making possession a liability to the receiver, stopping any movement at source and never failing to gain ground with his carries. Mike Keohane again showed his excellence with his confident picking and driving from the base when the scrum was under pressure and John Darvil, until injury forced his retirement, was superb destroying many Malone attacks.

The day was cold but the recent wind and rain did not reappear and indeed there was bright sunshine with conditions under foot firm enough. Malone started strongly and were held at bay by good kicking from Derek Dillon and Gary Cribb. However they did open the scoring with a penalty. Paul Dillon almost did his “thing” with an intercept but could not hold onto the ball for a certain seven pointer. However, allied to Derek Dillon’s counters, it did serve to make the Belfast men more cautious with the greater share of possession they were getting and Clon came steadily on terms. Following a great break by Cribb, Lombard brought the sides level with a penalty and the scores remained tied at the interval in an evenly contested half.

Clon looked the more dangerous in the second half but Malone drew first blood again with a dropped goal. The visitors were not to be denied and a great try gave them the deserved lead they would hold to the end. From the restart the chase and drive from Scannell brought the ball back on the Clon side and a searing break from Derek Dillon put Noel O’Sullivan away. With no support the chip was the only option when confronted and it looked as if it had been overcooked. It rolled across the line and the defender had only to reach down to touch it for the drop-out but he underestimated “Sully’s” pace and tenacity. The flying winger managed to dive from about three metres out to put his body between defending hand and ball for his 44th AIL touchdown and a 6 – 8 lead.

A typical bursting run from Lombard took out two defenders to win Clon a scrum. Keohane picked and a series of picks and drives with Lombard and Scannell making great headway before the ball came wide and Paul Dillon, picking a great line, got the perfect pass from Cribb to dot down for the try. At 6 – 13 it was still in the melting pot and a penalty to Malone threatened to break the hearts of The Faithful but resolute defence made the long journey home a very pleasant one. The squad was Derek Dillon, Shay O’Donovan, Paul Dillon, David Lombard, Noel O’Sullivan, Gary Cribb, Colin Murphy, Eddie Knowles, Hugh O’Neill, Joe Knowles, Mike O’Hea, Eoin Scannell, Aaron Spring, John Darvil, Mike Keohane, Eoin Murphy, Cathal Kirby, Michael Peter O’Regan, Eric Murphy, Felim O’Neill and Sean Dignan.

The under 20’s had an outing with a friendly against Bandon in Old Chapel on the 31st Dec. and lost narrowly by 14 – 10. The Under 18s are having a superb season and topped their league with a walk-over from Muskerry. The Bulldogs continue to impress with a 29 – 0 win over Cork Transport and now progress to the second phase of the J3 competition which is called The Mick Barry Cup. The Extra-Firsts Munster Junior Cup game was cancelled and is rescheduled for this Sunday at The Vale at 2.30pm.

The big game this weekend is in Dublin against Suttonians and will be hugely important for both sides. A healthy rivalry has developed between the two clubs over the past seven years. Suttonians were promoted to senior status some five years before Clonakilty, however both clubs were promoted to Division Two in the same year, 05/06. In that season Clonakilty won the Division Three league and championship defeating the Sutton men in Lansdowne Road in the process. There are many connections between the two clubs but on the pitch there will be no quarter asked or given as the two teams battle for the points that possibly will determine their future next season.

This Weekends Fixtures:

The Christmas Party night fundraiser at The Dogs was a resounding success and all at the club would like to thank those persons who sponsored races, nominated dogs and bought tickets for entry and raffle. Their support was critical to the success of the event. A special thanks also to those members who worked so hard to organise and ensure the evening went so well.