Club News Weekending Sun 28th Sept 08

Read the latest match reports and club notes from clubs all over the province

KILLORGLIN RFC
Aidan Clifford PRO

Killorglin Rugby Club started their league season on Sunday last with a home tie to Presentation of Limerick. However, like their GAA colleagues, they came out the wrong side of the result, losing 18-6 with all of Killorglin’s points coming from the boot of fullback Brian Gannon. They have no time to lick their wounds however, as they play again this coming Sunday against Killarney at the Community College Grounds, Langford Street, in the Munster Junior Challenge Plate. Kickoff for the game is 2:30pm and all support is welcome.
Senior Team Training continues every Tuesday & Friday at the Killorglin Community College grounds at 7:00pm. New players are most welcome and our coaches are happy to introduce novice players to the game. Killorglin RFC Underage training continues on Saturday next, 20th September. Under 10, 12, 13 & 14 teams will train on the Dragon’s Den All weather pitch at the Intermediate School at 11am. The Under 16 & 18 players will train at our home pitch at Killorglin Community College grounds at 11am also. For information on any age grade issues, contact Youth Officer John Costello on 0863558185 or P.R.O Aidan Clifford on 0879065927.
Killorglin Rugby Club’s fundraising draw continues, with a chance to be part of history as its prize. For a price of €10, you are in with a chance to win two tickets to the historic Munster v All Blacks game in the newly revamped Thomond Park on Tuesday, November 18th, along with one night’s accommodation in Limerick’s Clarion Hotel. This may be the official opening of the new Thomond Park and marks the 30th anniversary of Munster’s finest hour, when they beat the All Blacks on 31st October 1978. For information, call or text Aidan Clifford on 0879065927 or Jerome O’Sullivan on 0873710104. Alternatively, contact any committee member. All money raised will go towards developing the new home ground.
Membership for Killorglin Rugby Club is now open for the 2008-2009 season. Family membership costs €50, a single membership costs €30, while a juvenile membership costs €10. The above numbers can be contacted also for more information.

KINSALE RFC
Maria O’Mahony PRO

Kinsale 1st XV v Clanwilliam – MJCC

Final Score – Kinsale 13 / Clanwilliam 11

As the sun shone down on Snugmore, a good local crowd gathered to watch Kinsale battle their way through their 2nd round attempt in the MJCC against Clanwilliam. Shane O’Regan opened the scoring in the first five mins with a great corner try. This was followed by another from Lyndon Kiely however the home side were unlucky not to be able to convert either. Clanwilliam fought back with a try and a subsequent penalty to bring the game up to 10 8. It was a ferociously physical game with hard knocks on both sides from great tackling opportunities. Kinsale dominated up front for the first twenty mins. With about ten mins to go, Clanwilliam scored another penalty in front of the posts and taking them a point ahead but it wasn’t the last score as Jason Murphy saved the day and kicked a superb penalty from about 40 yards out to secure a home win and a 3rd round game ahead.

Next Fixture – Kinsale v Old Christians at 2.30 in Snugmore next Sunday.

Bandon v Kinsale 2nd XV -1st round of Dennehy Cup

Kinsale were injury dogged going into this first round of the Competition. At half time, Bandon led 7 6 Kinsale having missed a few early scoring chances. 2 penalty kicks from Lloyd Darmody made up the Kinsale scores. Bandon scored a converted try after half time bringing the score up to 14 6 and then again around the 60 min mark leaving it at 21 6. Dave Smith crashed over the line for an amazing try which was brought to the line by the forwards from back the field rucking and mauling all the way the game was now at 21-11 with a missed conversion opportunity. Bandon managed to score a last unconverted try in dying minutes.

Next Fixture – 12.00 Highfield in O’Sullivan Cup at Highfield.

ST. SENANS RFC
Val Byrne PRO

Transfield Cup Quarter Final
St. Senan’s 21 – 10 Bruff

St. Senan’s played host to Bruff on Sunday last 21/09/08 and after a shaky start by the home side they settled into the game and after 10 mins. of play were rewarded with a try by Declan Caughlin. 5 mins. later though Bruff were in with their first score of the day,a tremendous try which was duely converted to put Bruff in front 7 points to 5.
With immense pressure now being put on the Bruff pack Senan’s were inching toward the try line and with some very fast hands the ball was released for Diarmuid Hughes to dive over for a superb try in the corner to put Senan’s back in front 10 – 7.
8 mins.later Senan’s were awarded a penalty under the posts which was converted by Daren Guerin, who also stepped up just before half time when a Bruff player was sin binned and con verted his second penalty of the day. To leave the score 16 – 7 to Senan’s at half time.
The second half started with Senan’s having the advantage of the extra man but unfortunately couldn’t dominate and Bruff kept applying the pressure and were unfortunate not to get a score, but with tremendous effort from the Senan’s pack the Saints drove forward and turned the game around. After 20 mins. Bruff were down to 14 men again and Senan’s this time kept the pressure on.
It might have taken 28 mins. into the second half before the supporters saw a score but this did not reflect the quality of rugby being played. It was Bruff who were rewarded with a penalty.
Senan’s though weren’t done just yet, and with a great run it was Brian Collins who was over the line to get the last score of the game to leave it
Senan’s 21 – 10 Bruff.

St.Senans: D Caughlin, B Collins, A Cowley, C Sloan, D Hughes, D Guerin, G Hall, D Collins, S Ryan, M o Connell, A Skerritt, T Skerritt, T o Brien, F Lawler, P Ryan,replacements: F Duff, D Dunne, B Moore, N Hoban, D Mulcahy.

Senan’s next game is away to Abbeyfeale in the second round of the Munster Junior Clubs Challenge Cup which is to be played on Sunday 28/09/08.
All Support is highly appreciated.
Senan’s second team are away to Garryowen on Sat. 27/09/08. in the Gleeson League.

BRUFF RFC
Richard Leonard PRO

We now have Magners League tickets available for the games in Thomond Park and a small number for the games in Musgrave Park.
Both Youth and Adult tickets are available from Pat Gennery, the contact number is : 087- 1386244. The fixtures are as follows:

Thomond Park:
Sat. Oct. 4th v Glasgow Warriors First fixture to be played at the new Thomond Park Stadium.
Sat. Jan. 3rd v Ulster.
Weekend of 3/4/5 April v Leinster.
Weekend of 17/18/19 v Connacht.
Weekend of 15/16/17 v Ospreys Final fixture of the season.

Musgrave Park:
Sat Oct. 20th, Cardiff Blues.
20/21/22 Feb Edinburgh.
24/25/26 Apr Scarlets.

Ireland V Argentina Game: Tickets are also now available on a first come first served basis for the Ireland Vs. Argentina game in Lansdowne on the 22nd of November next. There will be no draw for this game so if you wish to get tickets contact Pat immediately on the number above.

Heineken Cup Munster V Montauban: For the First Heineken Cup match against Montauban on the 10th of October, The procedure for this game is that membership subscriptions will be accepted up to and including the Monday before the fixture for this first game only. After this only the members paid up on the Monday week prior to any game will be eligible to apply for tickets. Please note that Pat Gennery wishes to again make it clear that unless the CLUB PHONE NUMBER 087- 1386244 is contacted, that a request will not be taken. Do not contact him on his private phone number, it will not count as a ticket request, he cannot track it.

1st XV: The first XV made extremely hard work of this first round match against Junior Club Crosshaven last Saturday. To be honest it was a case of almost being architects of their own doom, they were completely dominant in the scrum and pack, at the ruck, in the lineout, lines of attack in the backs were excellent but they just couldn’t get scores on the board. Pack scrummed their way to their first try with David Mau converting and adding a penalty before going in at half time with a 10 -nil lead, but it was just not enough for the amount of possession that they had and it nearly cost dearly.
The second half began with another try by Eoin Maher from two metres after another forward drive and David Mau again added the conversion to put Bruff ahead by 17 points but a dominant first twenty minutes ended up with nothing more to show on the scoreboard Pretty soon we saw that lead whittled away to practically nothing when the Crosshaven pack started to get their Pack moving for the first time in the game. One quick five minute period of pack pressure from Crosshaven and the lead disappeared, a third unconverted try almost bringing them home, a single penalty at this stage giving Bruff a slender two-point lead. Come the last minute a final try by David Mau, which he converted himself put a gloss on the scoreline, and Bruff finished 28-19 winners, to be honest it was no more than they deserved if you were to gauge by the amount of possession that they had but boy was it close in the finish. Fair play to Crosshaven who despite going backwards in the scrum and coming out second in ball possession on the ground, never gave up and it almost paid off, the roars at the finish from the very partisan crowd letting them know how proud their supporters were of them.
Too close for comfort, but a win is a win, is a win as the saying goes. Roll on the next round away to Dolphin, at 2:00 on the 8th of November. Next Saturday sees Bruff at home against Eugene Murnane’s Clonakilty in the first round of the AIB Cup. K.O. @ 2:30 p.m. in Kilballyowen.

2nd XV: The Second XV lost their Transfield cup game to St. Senans in Shannon on Sunday. Senans move on to the next round after their 21-10 win.

3rd XV: The thirds recorded their 3rd straight win of the pre-season with a 15-5 win over Old Crescent at home on Sunday morning. The opening score came midway through the first half when player/manager Des Power crossed over the whitewash from short range. Playing with a forward dominated team (Des Power & Martin Hennessy playing in the centres) Bruff’s second score came from the boot of Eoin O’Shea to leave the home side ahead 10-nil at the break. A try apiece in the second half left the score line 15-5 at the finish. The Bruff points coming from JP Moloney (try), and O Shea again adding the extra.

Youth: The U13’s were granted a walkover by Richmond at the weekend, The U15’s game against Newcastle West was postponed and the U18 Squad put away Clanwilliam with a 24 nil win. Munster U18’s had a great win over their counterparts from Leinster in Kilballyowen on Saturday last, with the help of three Bruff lads Michael Lynch, John Clery and Robert Finn they came away with a 20 points to 17 win. Their U19 counterparts Andrew White and Brian Morrissey were not as lucky in Dublin losing out to the same opposition.

Fixtures:
Sat 27th Sep: AIB Cup, Bruff Vs Clonakilty, Kilballyowen 2:30pm.
U20 Bruff V Old Crescent game is cancelled.
Sun 28th Sep: 3rd XV V Ennis, Gleeson League first game, check website for K.O. Times. U13 Bruff V Ennis, 12:00 am. In Kilballyowen
U12 Blitz in Old Crescent @ 10:30 am
U18 Bruff V NCW, 11:00 Kilballyowen
U15 U.L. Bohs V Bruff, 11:00, Annacotty. Bruree

THOMOND RFC
John Ryan PRO

Last Saturday, we played our 2nd competitive game of the season, once more against Garryowen in the Munster Senior Cup. Unfortunately it was a much different game from the Charity Cup as the light blues proved much too strong winning 41- 24. It was clear from the outset that it would be a difficult game for us. After an early Willie Staunton penalty made it 3- 0, Garryowen’s first try was scored by Kieran Lewis who picked a good line after a break by one of the forwards. As a full time professional, his presence on the pitch highlighted the differences in the two squads. I suppose it is a fact of life that we will never have these type of players in our squad (unless of course we progress to the next level). Shortly after the 1/2 hour mark Garryowen went in again for a softish looking try to make it 17-0. The major worry in our first half performance was our defence, particularly in midfield. We did get a score on the board before half time through a Declan Cusack penalty but Staunton replied with one of his own to make it 20-3 at the break. The 2nd half was barely 2 mins old when Garryowen extended there lead after a mix up in our own 22. At 27-3 it was looking like a massive score could be racked up but in fairness Thomond battled well and scored 3 tries of our own before the finish. The first was scored by Declan O’Connell who caught everybody unawares at a ruck and scampered over untouched. At 27-10, the visitors responded again to make it 34-10 before Thomond were awarded a penalty try when Darragh O’Neill was pulled back when about to score. Lewis got his 2nd try straight after to make it 41-17 and Thomond finished off the scoring with a try from Darragh O’Neill, not too dissimilar to the one he got out in Dooradoyle after a wayward Garryowen kick. Obviously with less than two weeks to the new AIL season, there is a lot to work on for Thomond particularly defensively. Having said that there were a couple of players missing on Saturday and some of the attacking work was quite good. The scrum in particular was very solid. This Saturday we travel to D4 to play Wanderers and we will be looking to avenge last year’s league defeat there (and a particular poor performance). If we do get a win there, we will have the dubious honour of meeting Garryowen for the 3rd time this season in the 2nd Round.
The seconds travelled to Newport on Sunday to play the local team in a friendly and lost 22-13, but it was a good outing for the team as we start to build the team for the coming season with a lot of players playing their first match. We wish Billy Noonan a speedy recovery after picking up a bad shoulder injury in the game. This weekend we should be in Transfield cup action. Our U15s continued their winning ways we a very good 29-0 victory away to Ennis. This team still has a good chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the league if they continue to improve on this performance. We would like to wish Gina O’Dwyer all the best on her trip to the Chernobyl affected areas of Belarus. Gina is secretary of our underage set up and she has been involved with the Chernobyl Project for the past 13 years. Our club is very proud to have supported and been involved with this project this year. On speaking with Gina this week, she is very grateful to Thomond R.F.C. for their kind sponsorship towards her trip to Belarus. Finally congratulations to Peter Fitzgibbon who has been selected to referee his first international Test match. Peter will make his Test debut when he takes charge of the first of two Tests between Japan and the USA in Nagoya on Nov 16th. He will also referee the second Test in Tokyo on Nov 22nd.

BANDON RFC
Shay Graham PRO

J2 Rugby: Dennehy Cup: First Round: Bandon 26 Kinsale 11.
Bandon: Sean O’Riordon: Colm Keane: Kevin Brophy: Marios Cornelius: Dave Hegarty: David Ahern: Brian O’Donovan: Dave Wilson: Phil Murphy: Ray Nyhan: Padraig Duggan: John Nyhan: Fiachra Keane: James Neville: Jonathan Perrott:
Subs: Jason Quirke: Rob Herlihy: Gavin Burke: Alan Love.

Bandon began their Dennehy Cup campaign with a well deserved win over Kinsale at Old Chapel last Sunday. The game was played in ideal conditions which suited this Bandon back line who again ran the ball from absolutely everywhere. The home side created some good opportunities early on and broke the line on several occasions but were not aggressive enough in their rucking to take full advantage. They did take the lead when a lovely dummy by Dave Ahern saw the out half slice through the opposition defence and sprint in under the posts. He converted himself to make it -7-0. Bandon then seemed to take their foot off the pedal and conceded four kickable penalties, two of which were converted to make it 7-6 at the break.

In the second half, Bandon seemed to find another gear with several players making individual breaks. Once such break down the blindside from John Nyhan saw the second row draw the cover to put Dave Hegarty away. The winger still had a lot of work to do as he somehow managed to stay in touch and squeeze over in the corner and then ran around to dot down under the posts. The conversion was added to leave it 14-06. Bandon’s next try came when some quick recycled ball on the right was fed to Dave Ahern who cross kicked to John Nyhan on the left hand side. He fielded it well and from the tackle that followed managed to slip the ball back inside to Dave Hegarty who shot in for his second try. This with the convert made it 21-06. Kinsale then hit back with a try after a sustained series of rucks eventually saw them pick and crash over the line to make it 21-11. Bandon had the final say when a great break and chip from Kevin Brophy put them into the Kinasle 22. In their attempt to clear their lines Marios Cornelius blocked the kick and Brian O’Donovan latched onto the loose ball to score. The try went unconverted to leave the final score 26-11 to Bandon.

This Sunday, Bandon are away to Cobh in the quarter final of the Dennehy Cup. Kick off 12 o’ clock.

Old Crescent RFC
Club Notes, 24 September 2008-09-24

Our senior team were in action last Saturday against Nenagh Ormond RFC in the Munster Senior Cup, and came away with a hard won victory by 9 points to 6. The sides were level at 6 all at full time, with a fine long range penalty by JP Hartigan in the first half and a second penalty by Mark Woods in the second half. Mark Woods kicked another long range penalty in the first period of extra time to put us in front again, a lead we held until the final whistle.

Nenagh are a much strengthened side, with several former division one and two players in their ranks, and they provided our squad with a good competitive game ahead of the AIL. Old Crescent will now meet Sundays Well in the quarter final of the Munster Senior Cup, at home in Rosbrien on 8th November.

Our Thirds played Bruff RFC in a friendly in Bruff last Saturday and lost 15-5.

In Under Age, all ages were back in action on Sunday with a huge turnout in glorious sunshine. Our U13’s were beaten in their league match by a very strong Garryowen side, while our U18 continued their winning ways with a comprehensive 50 point to nil win against a gallant but outclassed Kilrush team.

Next weekend will be very busy at Rosbrien with four matches being played over two days. Our Firsts play DLSP in the first round of the AIB Cup at 2.30pm on Saturday. This will be a great opportunity for Old Crescent supporters to come out and see the new look senior team in action before the AIL begins in October. Our Seconds play Bruff in a friendly in Rosbrien on Sunday at 1.00pm.

Our Thirds play St Marys RFC in the Gleeson League in Rosbrien on Saturday at 1.15pm, and our u20s play Galwegians RFC in a friendly at home on Sunday at 2.00pm.

Under Age league fixtures for next Sunday (28th) are U13’s v UL Bohs Hawks KO 11am in Rosbrien, U15’s v Newcastle West KO 12noon in Rosbrien and our U18’s v Shannon KO 12 noon in Coonagh. As well as our league fixtures our U12’s will be hosting a mini rugby blitz in Rosbrien starting from 10:30am. Registrations and gear orders will continue over the next few Sundays.

SHANNON RFC
Andrew McNamara PRO

It’s not often that in the space of 24 hours you relinquish two significant trophies, but such was the case last weekend when we bowed out of both the Munster Senior cup and the Transfield Cup. Glorious sunshine on both days ensured a fast pace to the games, and probably the lack of match practice for both the seconds and the seniors was the telling factor in the outcome.
Cork Constitution came to Coonagh with a highly experienced side which contained a significant number of contracted players, which was a daunting prospect for our lads who were lining out for only their second competitive game of the season. But such is the nature of the fixture list.
It appeared from the early stages that we were going to be in for a torrid afternoon, especially when Con crossed the line, but while it did take a while for the lads to get up to speed with the pace, they certainly began to match the intensity. The second half brought further improvement and parity when Dave Quinlan burst over for a trade mark score and at that point there was no doubting that we had the measure of the visitors. A sustained period of pressure for Cons gave them the lead again, but we did have the chance to draws level again when we were camped in the corner desperately searching for another equaliser. It didn’t come, and the rather lopsided 21-7 scoreline after Con crossed for a very late try, did not reflect the true nature of the game. Cons did deserve to win the game, and it’s a pity such a big clash came so early in the season for our lads and mores the pity it was the Munster senior cup. Another big game comes again this Saturday when we play Garryowen in the Charity Cup final in Greenfields at 3pm.
The AIB league is fast approaching and next Saturday we travel to Blackrock and the club are running a supporters coach to the game .I can be contacted on 087 2717163 for bookings.
On Sunday the Seconds lined out in the Transfield cup against UL/Bohs and again a strong opposition denied victory. 20-13 it finished up and as with the seniors it looked as if the visitors to Coonagh would make easy work of it , but again a highly spirited display ensured we were capable of winning. The pacey UL/Bohs backline provided the greatest threat while our scrum was well on top. Through slick handling UL/Bohs went ahead and it seemed they had the ability open us up at will however a gutsy response from our lads saw them claw their way back before half time. A gifted try for Bohs in the second half at a lineout proved disastrous and they went on to claim the spoils. All in all this was a reasonably positive performance from the seconds in only their second game and things can only get better. This Sunday they play Garryowen in a friendly at 2.30 in Dooradoyle.
The U/20’s opened their season when they travelled to play a tournament in Newbridge and acquitted themselves fairly well qualifying for the semi-finals. They begin their North Munster league campaign this Saturday when they head to Derryknockane for a 2.30 start.
The thirds also start Gleeson league action on Saturday when they play Richmond in the canal bank at 2.30.
The U/18’s had an excellent win over UL/Bohs in the league by 34 points to 5. Although we were missing several players due to inter pro duties and schools tied those that stepped into the side played magnificantly. In total six tries were scored with Conor Cunnae crossing twice. Aidan O’Donovan, Neil Mc Donnagh, Shane Mc Namara and Darragh O’Doherty also got in on the try scoring action. This Sunday they play Old Crescent in Coongah at 12pm.
The U/13’s have such large numbers that this season we can field two teams which is fantastic. Last Sunday the blacks beat Ennis while the Blues were defeated by UL/Bohs.
The blacks are in action on Sunday when they play Garryowen in Dooradoyle while the U/16’s host Kilfeakle in a friendly.
The Committee would like to remind anyone that drives through Coonagh village to adhere to the speed limits and be conscious that they are driving through a residential area.
Another reminder to those who bring their dogs to Coonagh that at all times the dogs should be on a lead and please remove any foul that they produce, especially on the pitches.
The Club secretary reminds people that ticket packages are still available and with the Magners league games in Thomond Park imminent it’s advisable to get in contact with him as soon as possible.