Club News Weekending February 4th 2007

Club news, views and reviews from around the province

U.L. Bohemian R.F.C.
Dave Hyland

In an historic first ever win at Eaton Park, the First XV retained the Arthur Ferguson Memorial Cup and took the 5 points on offer back to Limerick. However, the 22-29 scoreline tells the story that this match was a contest right to the final whistle.

UL Bohs opened strongly; pressure on the first Ballymena lineout led to a lovely try out wide by Tom Luke on 4 minutes. It was followed quickly by a try from Captain Colman Finn, who hacked on and controlled a dropped pass from Ballymena’s Ross Connor. Ben Martin added the points to make it 0-12 after just 10 minutes. However, Ballymena forced their way back into it with a Ross Connor penalty. In a good move by the Braidmen, James Topping showed his style to release Peter Budina for a try, converted by Ross Connor, 10-12 in our favour, but it’s anyone’s game. However, referee Alan Rogan awarded UL Bohs a penalty re-start, great pressure on the subsequent lineout, a break by James O’Neill and Ben Martin is in for a try, which he converted, 10-19 at half time.

Four minutes into the second half and the bonus point was secured. Tommie O’Donnell, who had started his first AIL match (John Ed O’Connor failed a fitness test at warm-up), blocked a clearance kick, the ball bounced sweetly, Colman Finn was ready in support to allow Martin McPhail to finish. With Ben Martin’s conversion a 10-26 scoreline was looking good.

Having lost prop Kevin Flanagan to ligament damage on the half hour, UL Bohs had replacement prop Gary Walsh injured at 50 minutes, with Cathal Parkes substituting, and scrums now uncontested.

Ballymena continued to battle and forward pressure allowed Glen Moore to touchdown, Connor again converted. On 68 minutes a penalty by Man of the Match, Ben Martin, put another bit of distance on the score. Further Ballymena pressure allowed Connor to get in for a converted try at 75 minutes but despite a yellow card for Colman Finn, the score remained 22-29 at the final whistle.

On Saturday at Annacotty the Under 20’s recorded a great win over Highfield in the AIL Division 1 under 20’s League. It was their most complete performance of the season to date. UL Bohs started strongly and were rewarded with a penalty converted by Myles O’Riordan. Three tries followed, one each from Keith Scully and Ross Butler, converted by Myles O’Riordan and an unconverted try from Dave Moloney left the score at 24-0 at halftime. Second half tries from Tom Foley, Pat O’Regan and Paul Grenell, with a second try for Keith Scally gave a final score of 46-0. This was an excellent team performance. Man of the Match was Myles O’Riordan, with David Foley, Kevin Bracken, scrum half Alan Hughes and Mike Skelton all in contention for that award.

In the semi-final of the McInerney Cup on Saturday our 3^rd XV, despite a spirited effort, were on the wrong end of an 8-6 scoreline against Thomond.

A fixture filled weekend continued on Sun, at Annacotty, with the Munster Junior Cup fixture against Abbeyfeale, always a tough challenge. After an early missed penalty, a try by scrum half Paul Rowley on 14 minutes settled the team and was followed by an Ian Costello penalty on 21 minutes. A penalty by Abbeyfeale’s Andrew Scannell on the stroke of halftime left the score at 8-3 for the home side. On 46 minutes strong groundwork lead to a turnover, after moving through the hands, hooker Frankie Leonard, who was lurking on the right wing, was unstoppable in getting in the corner, 13 – 3. However, Andrew Scannell kept Abbeyfeale in contact with a penalty a couple of minutes later. It looked all wrapped up on 55 minutes, Seán O’Gorman took on a great line out take, making the yards, a lovely chip from Ian Costello, with Cian Clohessy following strongly, was fluffed by the Abbeyfeale defence, Clohessy touchdown. Costello converted, 20-6. Abbeyfeale were not out of it yet, with 2 tries from sustained pressure, countered by a long-range penalty from Ian Costello, gave a 23-16 scoreline at 67 minutes. The game was finally put out of reach on 75 minutes when Man of the Match, Frankie Leonard, pealed from a rolling maul to score. Costello converted, final score UL Bohs 30 – Abbeyfeale 16.

On Sunday the U14 Eagles team played Thomond in Fitzgerald Park.
Result: Thomond 8 UL Bohemian Eagles 19
Scorers: Brian Masterson, Conor Clancy, Mike Dooley try each & Dan
Morrissey 2 conversions.
This was a tough physical game for us particularly in the forwards. We started well and our tight head prop Brian Masterson scored a great try from a well-worked maul from close in. Dan Morrissey’s conversion went over off the right hand upright. We continued to dominate and Conor Clancy got one of his trademark 30 metre run in tries in the left corner. For the remainder of the half we had to defend our line from a concerted Thomond onslaught. The half time whistle went with us 12-03 in front. For over twenty minutes in the second the game was fought out between both 22’s. We showed great character and discipline in containing the big Thomond forwards. We eventually broke through their defence with a deserved try from our No. 8 Mike Dooley. Dan Morrissey put over the conversion from in front of the posts. Thomond scored a consolation try deep in injury time to leave the final score 19-08 in our favour. This result keeps us in the top half of our league section and with two games remaining we would hope to be in the shake up for the play-off. However we have a vital home game against a very much improves Richmond next weekend and we will not look beyond this fixture. Players to feature were Ruairi Kavanagh, James O’Sullivan, Ian Quin and not least Brian Masterson.

UL Bohs U7’s enjoyed a 2 match visit to Newcastlewest on Sunday and had a fantastic day out. Bohs had the upper hand in the first encounter and whilst they started slowly they really improved in the second half and went on to win 5 tries to 3. Conor Purcell had an outstanding game for Bohs with some textbook tackling and a couple of tries on top. Sean Madden, Michael Kitt and Conor Cosgrove scored the other tries.
The second game was a much closer affair with the home team eventually wining 2 tries to 1. Some great running by Con Hourigan, Craig Leahy, Adam Myers, Kieran O’Malley and Jake Murphy culminating in Bohs only try wasn’t enough on the day and they narrowly missed out on the draw in the very last move of the match. All in all a very enjoyable day for both sides.

The Under 8 Stags continued their unbeaten run this season in the blitz last Sunday in Annacotty.
First up were a well-drilled Thomond team who started better and were one nil up at half time. After a stern talk from Eoin Burke (Coach) the Stags sprung into life in the second half. Some great work by Jack Henchy, Tom Harrington and Sam Burns brought Bohs back in to the game and a hat trick of tries by the elusive Conor Hayes meant that Bohs ran out worthy winners.
Next up were Ballyhoura Hawks. This was our second match against them this season and for most of the first half there wasn’t much to choose between both teams. However Bohs proved too strong for them as the game progressed. Great tackling from Hugh Bartley and Ger Clancy and three excellent tries from Mike Gorman, two from Conor Hayes and three from Sam Burns meant that we were comfortable winners by the end of the match.
Our last game was against a very strong Nenagh team. We had struggled to a nil all draw the last time we played them. This time although we ended at three tries apiece we dominated long parts of the game and only a lack of concentration cost us the win. Daragh Linehan, Alan Freeney, David Kennedy and Conor Lyons were to the fore and the hard tackling Finn Burke, Sam Burns and Conor Hayes scored our tries.

This weeks Fixtures: First XV v Sundays Well in the Munster Senior League Cup on Thurs at 1945 in Musgrave Park, on Sat at Annacotty, First XV v Ordiza (Spain) in a friendly at 1130, under 20’s v Bruff in the AIL League Div 1 at 1430.

3^rd XV play Final of the Gleeson League v Shannon in Thomond Park, time TBC.

Shannon R.F.C.
Andrew McNamara PRO

There are few that will argue the point that we aren’t playing our most effective rugby at the moment in the AIB league, but nonetheless at this stage of the campaign results is all that matters. UCD posed some questions towards the latter stages of our most recent game, but thanks to stubborn resistance and an unquestionable desire to win, we eventually scored the bonus point try and just to be sure another try at the death. The lads started at a pace which indicted their willingness to match the student’s reputation to play an expansive game and were soon rewarded when Tony Buckley capitalised rather well on a mistake from the students. It took until the 27^th minute until Stephen Kelly added another try after some superb work by AIB man of the match Andrew Finn. A little compliancy set it momentarily which allowed the students to cross the line, but just on the stroke of half time John Clogan was alert to a blocked clearance and shimmed his way over. The second half was a little tense for our liking as UCD quickly reduced the deficit to 17-15 with a try and from then on they threw the ball about quite a bit to ensure those on the terraces were left to endure those anxious moments. It did however come good for us and Andrew Finn’s excellent try after at least 12 phases of play ensured victory and that precious bonus point that will surely prove significant down the line. Mushy created the icing on the cake when he intercepted and thundered 25 meters to allow Fergal Walsh score for the second week in a row. There was a slight sense of relief, but the most prominent feeling around the dressing room area was determination. Laying just a point off the playoff spot our destiny in this season’s league is well and truly in our own hands. We’re due to play two of the teams above us which is an enormous incentive. It was great to see Jerry Flannery back in the jersey and lets hope that his 40 minute spell on the field will see his chances of selection for the Six Nations improve greatly. This Saturday we face UCD in Belfield in the AIB Cup and there’s absolutely no doubt that the students will be seeking revenge. Kick off is at 2.30.

The Thirds progressed to the 2^nd round of the Mc Inerny cup with a tough and hard earned win over Bruff in Coonagh, despite the unproblematic looking 28-10 scoreline. They played some fantastic rugby throughout, something we have become accustomed to with this side. Tries from Peter O’Dea and Wes Daly helped us to a 14-10 lead at half time. It was a huge effort to be leading at that stage and Bruff were a determined side; however the second half saw a much more proficient exhibition from the lads. Peter scored again to stretch the lead and then the best try of the day came when defence was tuned to attack and a sweeping 60 meter move involving what seemed to be the entire team resulted in Diarmuid Fitzgerald crossing. In general it was a collective performance of guile and tenacity with each and everyone of the squad playing a part in the victory. Next up on Sunday is the opening round of the Webb Cup with a tricky tie away to Abbeyfeale. Kick off is at 12pm.

The Seconds had a very worthwhile run out against Newport in preparation for this Sundays Junior cup tie with Thomond. The Tipperary side provided stern opposition in the opening 20minutes or so but once our lads clicked it’s fair to say that they were too strong. The Brian Hughes opened the try haul and was soon followed by Mark Tuohy who benefited from slick handling. Newport did get on the scoreboard with a try but 2 more quick tries from Pat O’Connor and Barry Molloy put us well ahead. Barry’s try was a beauty in which he dodged and weaved his way form onside his own ’22 to score.

Garrett Noonan set up Fionn Mc Loughlin for the last try and with the big cup game on Sunday this result and indeed performance was important. The unfortunate aspect of the game on Sunday is that kick-off at 2.30 will clash with the Ireland’s six nations opener , but I would urge as many people as possible to record the television and get out to Coonagh and support the lads. It’s quite a while since we won this Cup, 1996 to be precise and every advantage, however slight is needed.

The U/20’s travelled to play UCC last Saturday in the Knowledge that a win would secure the top place in the South western conference of the AIL , but alas on the day they came up against a very good college side who proved to strong . There’s no doubt that the lads didn’t play to their potential, but all is not lost. There’s still a chance that they could top the table but results elsewhere would have to go in their favour. Garryowen are next up on the agenda and hopefully the lads will bounce back that game starts on Saturday at 2.30 in Coonagh.

At Undergae the U/14’s U/14’s ran out easy winners Shannon over Old Crescent with the result never in doubt from the start. Man of the match Conor Barry scored 4 tries and 6 conversions. Other try scores for Shannon were by Mark Leonard, Cormac Ryan, Keith White, Shane Stanley, Michael Darcy, Raymond Barron and Donagha Reidy. The U/16’s had an excellent win over the Munster U/16 development side by 7-0 . It was a fantastic result for the lads and will be a huge confiodence boast fro the remainder of the season. The U/18’s put in a valiant effort against Bruff but were on the wrong end of that result. As I mentioned previously the U/18’s have been stripped of a vast number of their panel through schools rugby and they are working off a very small but committed panel. It’s a credit to the players and coaches that they are competing this season such is the difficulties and despite their lack of results they are doing the club proud . This week they are away to St Marys at 11.30.

Other fixtures sees the U/16’s play Garryowen and the U/14’s take on UL/Bohs in league games. Both are on In Coonagh at 11.30. The U/13’s play Young Munster in a friendly while the two U/12 sides have a blitz in Coonagh and Derryknockane.

The results of the recent fundraising draw by various teams were conducted with President John Leahy doing the honours. 1^st prize, 2 tickets to Ireland V England went to John Nash of Naas. 2^nd prize of Ireland V France Tickets went to Bobby Sargent of Corbally and 3^rd prize Man Utd V Bolton tickets went to Billy Fisher of Shannon Banks. We thank everyone who took part this vital fundraiser for underage.

Carrick-on-Suir
Dermot Keyes PRO

Our young players have enjoyed their rugby enormously this season, with the trip to Thomond Park proving the headline grabbing highlight for our red and blue hooped stars of the future. A group of 50 boys and girls travelled to Fethard recently to represent Carrick-on-Suir RFC at under 8, 10 and 12 level where they took on their Fethard and Roscrea counterparts. The weather stayed fine for the two hours that they played and sunshine was also reflected in play with some very fine performances. Cousins Nollag Brophy and Josh Quinn were outstanding and scored eight tries between them.

The under 12s played Fethard first in a very tight match and were two tries up at half time. Fethard upped their game and came back to level the match at two tries each on the final whistle. Among our notable performers were Callum McElligot, Colleen Kennedy Donal Ryan, Mark Dowley, Ryan Gallagher, Dean Brophy and Craig Kennington. The second game against Roscrea saw a tiring bunch of boys rallying together and ending the match with a great try by Nollag Brophy to give Carrick their second draw of the day. This was a very good result against a bigger team.

Our under 10s were just too strong for the opposition and beat two Roscrea teams by high scores. Josh Quinn, who is not long playing rugby, scored five tries in total and was the man of the match. Other excellent performances were from Aidan Ryan, Aaron Gallagher, Francis O’Brien, Claire Flanagan, Eoin Purcell, Niall Blanchfield, Alan Dowley, Jack Murphy, Oisin Teppan, David Norris and Aidan Nugent. All in all, the entire team ensured the day proved a successful one. This is potentially a very nice team with great team spirit and with plenty of training; they should be top class come the season’s end.

The under 8 boys did very well and won one match and lost one. Fethard were too strong for them in the first match and beat them but Carrick learned a lot from the game and when it came to playing Roscrea they were ready and won this game by four tries to two. Again good running rugby and good play by Richie Norris, Ronan Ryan, Jack Murphy, Conor Sarsfield, Jim and David Power, Michael Dineen, Thomas Murray, David Needham, Robbie Scahill, and all the rest ensured the victory was to be had.

It was a great day out for all and it is good to see everyone back fit and well after the Christmas break. Training continues on Sunday mornings at Tybrougnhey and new boys and girls are welcome.

Firsts in cup action

The first XV travel to Cobh Pirates for cup action next Saturday with the match scheduled for a 2.30pm kick-off. With the league season completed, the lads will be anxious to prolong the campaign by taking the spoils down Cork way next weekend. Best of luck to all concerned.

Charitable Trust raffle results

The Charitable Trust raffle, commendably organised by the one and only Sean Meade, was held at The Comeragh Bar on Friday evening last. The winners were: Michael Brennan, Pickett’s Cross, Carrick (Ireland v England tickets), Brendan McAteer, UL Bohs RFC (Ireland v France tickets) and Sean Heffernan, Garrymorris, Carrick (camera). Many thanks to all who supported the draw and well done to Sean on taking on such a task. The Charitable Trust’s fourth 100 kilometre walk will be held during the Rugby World Cup, and Sean has been diligently preparing himself for the task. Best of luck to Sean and once again, many thanks to all who answered his call in raising funds for such a worthy cause.

Old Crescent R.F.C.
Michael Larkin

The good news is that last Saturday in our AIL game with County Carlow we turned the recent string of losses around and won a very tough battle against a strong physical team. It was Carlow’s first visit to Rosbrien and the occasion was marked by an exchange of club plaques. After the civilities the action moved to the pitch where it quickly was very obvious that Carlow had targeted this game for a win, one which they needed as much as we did . They put us under sustained pressure from the kick-off and but for their handling errors could have had scored early on. Our defence held out against this pressure and as the game moved on we gradually got on top. The final score was ten points to nine, Phil Glamuzina scoring a try and Brian Begley converting and slotting over a penalty. County Carlow’s Jacobs kicking three penalties . On two separate occasions we mauled the ball over the line but the referee could not see the ball being grounded on either occasion and did not allow the scores. The win moved us a little bit further away from the danger zone but we are not yet in a safe position and we need wins in future games
and we need all our supporters at these games.

The Seconds went to Clanwilliam for a Munster Junior Cup game on Sunday last but lost to a stronger team. However a good performance from a number of younger players was a redeeming feature of this game.

This weekend all eyes will be on the Internationals and we wish Ireland well for their visit to Cardiff on Sunday and of course we have our Presidents Night on Saturday in the Falls Hotel Ennistymon so the only fixture is an Under 20 AIL game away to Thurles on Saturday which could not be postponed.
Tickets for the Presidents Dinner and Dance are still available from Vincent Collins

On the social side the under 11’s have arranged a table quiz in the club on Thursday 15th February at 8:00pm and would welcome support for this event.