Club Notes WE 14.05.17

Club notes this week from Newcastle West RFC, who put in massive effort to host their rugby weekend, which kicked off perfectly as the Munster Juniors defeated Leinster in front of a strong crowd, while St Senan’s search for a new first-team coach.

Newcastle West RFC Rugbyfest Weekend

Courtesy of Martin O’Sullivan

Junior Interprovincial:

This was a titanic battle in waiting with one team going to come out on top. We were planning this day for over six months and all the committee and the mini group came together to formulate a weekend of Rugby. This was going to be our Newcastle West Rugby festival weekend which would begin on Friday night with a poker classic in Gearoid Whelan’s bar on maiden street Newcastle West and finish on Sunday with our Family Fun Day. On Saturday there was a big buzz around Cullinagh grounds Newcastle West. The field was presented immaculately for the Interprovincial game with both Munster and Leinster players and management and delegates all saying how beautiful it looked. The game commenced at 14.30 it was game of two halves to be honest the first half saw Munster absolutely dominate Leinster all over the field. Munster ran in two unanswered converted tries and two penalties to lead by 20 to 0 at half-time.

The game came alive in the second half with Leinster coming to terms with Munster and scoring a two tries and a conversion and a penalty in the first twenty minutes of the second half Unanswered by Munster in this period. Munster made a few notable changes and one which delighted the local crowd when one of our players of the year in Newcastle West R.F.C Sean Herlihy who helped our quest to finish second in the Munster Junior 1 League. Munster started to turn the tide again and try to prevent Leinster getting a losing bonus point. Munster got a penalty near the ten meter line to the left of the posts at the Country end of the grounds. Munster chose to kick and keep Leinster outside the Bonus point target they were now aiming for. Up stepped the great young talented kicker of Sean Herlihy Wrong angle and wrong side of the posts for a left footed kicker. But the absolute calmness and confidence of this young man is undisputed kicking the goal straight between the posts giving Munster the lead 23 to 15 with 6 minutes left in the game. Leinster went straight back into the attack and got a penalty on the ten meter line but they refused the kick at goal and opted to kick to the corner. Munster stole the line out and a clearance kick by Sean Herlihy put Leinster back on the half way line. Munster stole the ball at ruck time broke down the blind side with the Munster Flanker out pacing Leinster to run in a try in the corner again up stepped Sean Herlihy to kick the Conversion from the left of the posts and an awkward angle to secure Munster a 30 to 15 victory.

After the Game both teams and Munster and Leinster delegates and supporters enjoyed a meal in the Marquee in Cullinagh grounds. Kellys catering took care of presenting some beautiful food for our meal and thank you to the staff and management of Kellys catering for their professionalism throughout the evening. Our host Seamus Hennessy to Mark Dowling who introduced all the speakers. With Both Munster and Leinster delegates speaking proudly of our day and the effort Newcastle West RFC had put into hosting this game. Swapping of Munster and Leinster Ties With our President Matt McCoy receiving a Munster Tie. Matt addressed the crowd that had come to the meal and said of his fondness and pride in what Newcastle west RFC had achieved this season and  how he was also proud of all the volunteers who work tirelessly all year to make our grounds and Club the success it is. He also spoke of his family Mick McCoy who is the underage secretary of the Leinster Branch. Then, Minister for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan spoke of his pride of his home town Newcastle West and its surrounding parishes in West Limerick who show their great support in all big events and especially in the Rugby Festival weekend. Then Seamus Hennessy took to the microphone for what i have to say was quick witted and good humoured banter and no one was safe. All his jokes were well received and was greatly appreciated thank you to Seamus and his team for supplying the evening beverages which he quickly pointed out though  a little late was voluntary on their part. The night continued til 8 pm or so where it was said on Sunday they went to Gearoid Whelan’s bar Maiden Street to continue the festivities.

We would Like to thank all the local and surrounding areas Business’s that supported us to get this off the ground without you’re support it wouldn’t have been the success as it was. We would also like to thank West Limerick 102 Radio who covered the match live from Cullinagh Thank you Mike Moloney and all your helpers. We would also like to thank the An Garda Siochana for their help all day with traffic that was culminating on the Killarney Rd Newcastle West. We would like to wish Sargent Woods a happy and joyful retirement. To the committee and volunteers from the club for the help and work that they put in over the last few months and on the day to make it the big success it was well done guys.

Newcastle West Family Fun Day & Tag Rugby Sunday 7th May

This day was in planning since last September and there was meetings and whatsapp text messages going back and forth between all the Mini Group coaches who volunteered their time and energy to help the Family Fun Day and the Tag Rugby to be a success. Our primary goal was to say a sincere thank you to all the children and their families for the effort they put in throughout the season. Without the children and their families we as club wouldn’t be as good as we are and as strong as we are throughout the age groups catered for by Newcastle west RFC. On Sunday morning last it was all hands on deck of this mighty day with all coaches and volunteers turning up as early as 07.30 hrs to make sure everything was in place for the families and kids for 12 noon. With all the games set up and all the tents up and barbecues in places and fridges we were all summoned to the clubhouse for a short safety briefing and pep talk though i may say the pep talk was only to steadfast in all the volunteers minds what we were already geared up to do. At 11.00 hrs Mark Dowling and Eoin Cahill speaking of the professionalism we as coaches and volunteers have done all year and to carry that into the day. Phillip Wrenn then spoke re health and safety and how we care for all our young people and their families on the day. At that there was a big cheer and we headed out with our walkie-talkies for communication purposes. At 11.30 hrs the first cars and people started arriving for our Fun Day we could not have imagined in our wildest dreams what would occur in Kilelline last Sunday morning.

The tag Rugby kicked off and was watched by crowds of onlookers all day the Teams conducted themselves as professionals of the games we even had a parents team joined by a few of our coaches. They were unlucky to be beaten in the final of the Bowl by Abbey Aces. The Plate was won by The Foxes who beat Young Springfield’s. The Cup Final was a clash of the junior teams in Newcastle West RFC with the Old Mill taking on the Johns and Joan’s with the hot favourites to win the tournament following the group stages been the Old Mill but Johns and Joan’s were up to the challenge winning out the cup by 3 try’s to 1 Congratulations to all the winners but congratulations to all teams that took part it was a great effort by all. while the Tag Rugby was been  played there was a full day of activities occurring on the second field in Kilelline with Music by Trevor sexton kicking off at 13,00 hrs until 15.00 hrs the music was fantastic with everyone enjoying themselves. Two Munster players came to promote the day and meet and greet the families and kids from 13.00 hrs until 14.30 hrs the report is they wanted to stay longer and try the obstacle course and bouncy castles but due to a prior organised event with Munster Rugby they had to go. we had spin Southwest Spinnies in attendance as well as Shannon ice cream who was under pressure from the word go a cue had formed at his van as early as 12.00 hrs and didn’t stop until 16.30 hrs.

There was face painting by Katelyn Broderick the kids were all smiling with their painted faces. The barbecue was in full swing from 12.00 hrs and did not stop until 17.00 hrs when the last Hot dog was sold. The Newcastle West Merchandise shop also in the sunshine was selling well too and Louise Berkery (Grimes) and her helpers absolutely doing a wonderful job as always. All the awards and medals for the minis and underage were given out at the end of the day at 16.30 hrs. With that our day ended and we Hope you all enjoyed your day and had a ball you’re success on a day like this can only be measured by the feedback. People are already asking when this happening next year so to us the day was a big success and one that will be talked about in the years following. We would like to thank all our Sponsors and the Munster players Dave Foley and Jean Kleyn for giving of their time.. To all of you, the families and children and friends and relatives that came and enjoyed yourselves.

We would like to thank all our volunteers on the day for car parks, shops, games and stewarding. Finally I don’t think this day would be possible without a group of people known as the Mini group the name is a bit deceiving because these guys are no small people these guys are big Hearted and proud to be the coaches and helpers that are in the club every Sunday morning from September until May. They give of their Time Energy and Effort to make sure each child and family experience is fun enjoyment and most of all Respect. To you all I tip my hat and say thank you and Newcastle west RFC is stronger because of each one of you.

Lotto

Results from Friday 5th May Lotto Draw

NO WINNER

Sean Liston c/o Tony Hayes

Padraig Ambrose C/O Gerard o Connors

Jer Collins C/o Pat Collins

Ita Copse C/O Pat Collins

Sean and Marian C/o The Forge Inn

Catherine Nolan C/o Pallas Foods

PROMOTERS PRIZE: Tom Corbett

Next week’s draw will be in Ed Lynch’s Bar on Friday 12th May. The jackpot stands at €11,400.

St Senan’s Search for First-Team Coach
Courtesy of Robbie Hoban

St Senans RFC based in Shannon, Co Clare, are inviting applications for the position of Coach/Player coach for their senior men’s teams for the season 2017/18. The club would expect the successful candidate to present a goal-based list of achievable targets in a proposal made to the executive committee.

St Senans RFC are a community club based in the thriving industrial town of Shannon Co Clare, which is only 20Kms from Limerick city. St Senans have been a constant member of the top division in junior rugby in Munster and have contributed to the very successful Munster Junior teams over the past few years. We field teams from Minis up to U18s along with two men’s adult teams.

Closing date for applications is 31 May and should be made via e-mail to Jody O Donoghue at jodyodonoghue44@gmail.com.