Club News Weekending 23rd September 2007

A round up of club news from around the province

THOMOND RFC

John Ryan PRO

This Saturday is a busy day at Ftizgerald Park with three of our senior teams in action there. The U20s open proceedings at 12:30pm when they play Bruff in the North Munster League. The team will be encouraged by the performance in the Bud O’Hallaron Memorial Cup match in Greenfields last Friday evening played in front of a big crowd who were treated to a good game of rugby with honours even at 13-13 all. The ODM Munster Senior Challenge Cup kicks off at 2:30pm for a senior team playing Sunday’s Well who we beat at a similar stage of the competition last year. The team will have the build on the encouraging performance against Shannon two weeks. The thirds begin their Glesson League campaign after the senior game at 4:30pm. The team beat St.Senan’s comprehensively in a friendly last weekend, it was good team performance and some wonderful tries were scored. Adrian McInenery will be hoping for more of the same against last season’s Webb Cup winners Old Crescent, encounters between the two sides have been very close in recent season and Saturday should be no different. On the underage front our U15s continue their league campaign against St.Mary’s in Fitzgerald Park on Sunday at noon while our U13 start their league with an away match to Young Munster in Derryknockane at 11:30am. Underage training has commenced for all teams, we are particular looking for any U11/12s players, parents can contact Ger Rice 086 326438 or Jason Lynons 086 -3684974 for information about these teams.

OLD CRESCENT RFC

Pat Rickard PRO

There was no games last weekend for our adult teams but this weekend brings the start of a number of competitions. The 2nd XV host Garda in the annual Takumi Trophy game on Saturday at 5pm and the 3rd XV commence their Gleeson League campaign with a visit to Fitzgerald Park to play Thomond on Saturday at 3pm. Finally the under 20s start their North Munster under 20 league programme with a visit to Nenagh Ormond on Saturday at 2.30. We wish all our sides the best of luck.
The AIB Cup took place earlier and for the first time all 48 AIL teams were in the hat. Our first round opponents are Naas RFC who we will host on October 6th with the winners playing either Bruff or Highfield in the next round.
On the under age front the only team in action last week were the under 15s who hosted UL Bohs and were defeated by 29 points to 5. the blitz season commences on Sunday with the under 12s travelling to Ballyhoura to play UL Bohs,Bruff and the host club. Training for all other age groups will commence at 9.45am for under 6s to under 11s and 11.15am for the youth teams. The only team in action last week were the under 15s who hosted UL Bohs and were defeated by 29 points to 5.
Finally the week we congratulate Eoin Reddan on his selection for the World Cup game against France on Friday night and we wish him and the result of the Irish team the best of luck.

UL BOHEMIAN RFC

Denis Ryan PRO

Any game against our neighbours Shannon is difficult, and it’s a tribute to their consistency that as cup opponents they are the side everyone wants to beat. So maybe they’ll forgive us for feeling extra pleased with this victory over them by 18-8 in the Charity Cup. The game was played in Coonagh and UL Bohs showed good form, the backs being particularly impressive. The visitors opened the scoring after 18th minutes, with a try scored by Ed Torrie after a good movement and a conversion by Fergal Lawler.
While Shannon responded with a penalty on the 22nd minute, UL Bohs replied soon after with a penalty by Fergal Lawler to leave the score 10-3 to Bohs at half time. Just 5 minutes into the 2nd half this lead was increased when Mark Butler kicked a fine drop goal but just a few minutes later Shannon touched down to leave the score 13-8. Thereafter Bohs had a couple of scoring opportunities but failed to take them due to wrong options. Then, in the 31st minute, following a ruck, Paul Rowley made a fine break and passed to captain, Martin McPhail who scored in the corner. This left the final score 18-8. The team will now meet Bruff in the final on Saturday in Dooradoyle, kick off 3.00pm.
The Second XV took on Bruff away in The Transfield Cup, and like Shannon, Bruff can always be relied on to make life difficult. While UL Bohs finally got through by 41-5, the game was only made safe in the final quarter when the superior fitness of the visitors proved the difference. Seven tries were scored in all, including a brace each from Ross Butler and Myles O’Riordan. The other deciding factor was the leadership and all round skills of Captain for the day, the recently engaged Anthony Hartigan. And just to show that life continues to throw up difficulties, the final is on Sunday next, at the Richmond RFC grounds on the Canal Bank, with Shannon as the opposition. Kick off, 3.00pm.
An experimental U-20 side had an impressive 31-5 win over Richmond at the weekend, and will play Trinity College in Annacotty on Wednesday next at 5.00pm.
The Pat Lawler trophy for U-12s was held in UL, and has found a new home, with Galwegians taking the much sought after prize west of the Shannon. Sixteen teams played 38 games in summer like conditions on the beautifully manicured grounds of the University. UL Bohs played Shannon in one semi-final, and this exciting game went to extra time with the hosts being beaten by a try in the very last second. The other semi final was also a thriller, with Galwegians just getting the better of Young Munster by 2 tries to 1. Birr won the plate, narrowly defeating a game Thomond squad by 2 tries to 1, but the overall skill levels and enthusiasm suggest that the future of the game is looking good, even if the present is not what we hoped for. Maybe some of this spirit will transfer to Ireland for the rest of the World Cup, as it will be at least 10 years before the best of these lads are ready to show how it should be done!