Club Notes WE 30.4.17

This week’s club notes are from both Thurles and Bantry Bay, who secured titles in the Women’s club cup finals last weekend, and also Newcastle West, whose U15s are on the verge of a double.

Bantry Bay RFC
Courtesy of Damien Hicks

Sunday 23rd was a historic day for Bantry Bay RFC ladies as they competed in their first Munster Final. This was also the 25th time the ladies lined out in the BBRFC jersey since forming. They were playing Dungarvan and Youghal in Bandon. The game started slow with both teams a bit apprehensive. BBRFC were the first on the scoreboard with the backs taking it on and Christine crossing. This settled the ladies from the West who suddenly seemed to get their heads in the game and started playing like they train. Yvonne crossed again for the Bay followed by Sarah and Enya. Dungarvan & Youghal kept the pressure on and followed by a set piece crossed in the corner. Christine crossed for Bantry Bay just before the HT whistle. HT score was 31-7 to BBRFC with Christine kicking the conversions. Bantry Bay knew they still had it all to do as Dungarvan & Youghal came out with a renewed fire. The Bay ladies knew it was vital to get the first score which they did through the pick and go from the forwards. Mos crossed the whitewash with the conversion just going wide of the posts. BBRFC seemed to lose their focus at this point and gave away a few penalties which allowed Dungarvan and Youghal to cross and bring them right back into the game. The Bay ladies dug deep as they were not going to let this slip from them. They came out with renewed vigour which saw Yvonne cross followed by Christine shortly after. They knew it was near the final whistle but again the back broke which saw Christine cross. The final whistle was by far the sweetest sound these ladies have heard all season. FT 57-12, the scoreline however does not reflect the pressure Dungarvan and Youghal kept up for the 80 minutes.

A massive thanks to all in the club and supporters who have supported the ladies since they first started in 2015/16 season. To achieve silverware in only there second season is testament to the ladies hard work and efforts put in every week. Plans are already being put in place for next season and the team are always looking for new players. You don’t have to have experience some of the team only started in September and now have a Munster title.

Team: Maureen O Sullivan (C), Tara Thornton, Catherine Beavon, Katrina O Kane, Sinead Murphy, Geraldine Hicks, Brid O Leary, Danielle Murphy, Sarah Coakley, Enya Breen, Stacey O Sullivan, Yvonne O Shea, Christine Brien O Sullivan, Jessica Eynaud, Myra O Sullivan, Rachel O Sullivan, Sarah Love, Eileen McCarthy, Aileen McCarthy, Rachel Crowley and Grace Crowley.

Coaches: Damien Hicks and Patrick O Connor; First Aid: Ann Murphy.

If interested in joining please contact Damien 086-3872877 or through the clubs Facebook ‘Bantry Bay RFC’ page or Twitter.

Newcastle West
Courtesy of Martin O’Sullvan

Diary dates

There are some important dates coming up for the club over the next few weeks.

Junior Interprovincial, Munster v Leinster and RugbyFest Weekend

We are delighted to be hosting our first RugbyFest weekend on Saturday & Sunday 6/7^th May. Munster will take on Leinster in the Junior interprovincial championship on Saturday May 6^th at 2.30pm. We then host a family fun day on Sunday May 7^th in Killeline from 12 to 4pm. A massive day of ruby fin and games is planned including, a tag rugby tournament, penalty kick games, Live music, barbeque, bouncy castles, sumo suits. It promises to be a great day for all the family so mark the date and bring all the family along to the finale of our RugbyFest Weekend.

Poker Classic: 5 Card Draw, Buy backs & Top Ups, €20 entry.

Friday 5th May, Whelan’s Bar, Maiden St. Newcastle West @ 8.30 PM Sharp.

Finger food on the night

U15s on Verge of Double: Old Crescent 22 Newcastle West/Estuary 26

On Sunday last, we contested the North Munster Cup Semi Final in Rosbrien against Old Crescent. This was the third game between the two teams, with the previous 2 being split at one win each. As with the end of every season we had some injuries to deal with and it got worse just before kick off when a couple of players pulled up in the warm up. This led up to us being forced into a reshuffle. The pre-match chaos did nothing to the confidence of the lads with Andrew Mortell in particular stepping up and running the game from out half.

For the first ten minutes of the game we struggled to retain possession and while we defended exceptionally well, the pressure in the end told when Old Crescent crashed over for the first score of the game. Once we got a foothold in the game and went through phases in the 22 we started to wear down the opposition. When we were awarded a penalty, Ruadhan O’Connor took a quick tap and Bryan Mortell powered over the line for the score. His cousin Andrew added the conversion from the side-line. In what was a back and forth game, it was Crescent who scored next after we did not protect the edge of the rucks. This left us down 10-7 but from then until half time we were the better team. Off a turned over lineout, Ruadhan O’Connor made a break through the heart of the lineout to bring play up to the 22 meter line. With the defence closing in on him he found Jack Corkery with a peach of a pass. Jack proceeded to beat the last man to get a brilliant try. Once again Andrew added to two points. With time running out, we went on the attack once again. After driving with the forwards and sucking in the defender, the all went wide and it was Sean McMahon went over for the final try of the half. Andrew kicked the conversion to leave the score at 21-10 in our favour at half time.

Old Crescent came out in the second half with a renewed purpose. They were the aggressors and we once again struggled to escape our 22. We conceded a try 10 minutes into the second half and the kick was converted. Both teams then went back and forth in an effort to secure domination and the result. Unfortunately as the game entered the final stages, we were unable to keep them at bay any longer. The crossed the line to go up 22-21. While other teams would crumble and give up the game as an unlucky loss, our lads had a look about them that they were not going to let the result go against them. From a great kick off that put Old Crescent deep in their 22, they kicked to touch and we regained possession. For the next 7 minutes we laid siege to the line. 2 or 3 time we came up short or lost the ball but we stuck at it. Eventually after giving up a kick at goal, Ruadhan O’Connor found Jack Corkery who squeezed over in the corner to leave to score at 26-22 with one minute to go. It was then Old Crescents turn to look for a score. We made a lot of cover tackles and in the end we forced a knock on and the victory was ours. You could see the elation in ours lads faces and the devastation in the oppositions. It just showed what all players went through in order to reach a final and be in with a chance of silverware.

The final in on May 1st bank holiday Monday at 16:45 in Richmond RFC. The opposition is not yet known.

Lotto

Results from Friday 21^st April Lotto Draw

Numbers Drawn 10, 19, 21, 25 – NO WINNER

MARY RYAN C/O PAT RYAN

JOHN BROPHY C/O PAT BOURKE

ADRIAN MULLANE C/O PAT BOURKE

GARRY O’ CONNOR C/O LIAM O’ CONNOR

KEVIN BROWNE C/O STRAND BAR

DENNY SHEILS C/O CENTRAL BAR

Promotors Prize: Ned Lynch’s Bar

Next week’s draw will be in The Forge Inn on Friday 28^th  April. The jackpot stands at €11,200

Thurles RFC
Courtesy of Brian Scanlon

Munster Div 1 Womens Cup final: Thurles Women 14 – 12 Shannon Women

The Thurles Women’s XV faced the mighty Shannon RFC at Nenagh in the final game of the season for the ladies. Thurles started out the stronger team, running the ball with some massive carrys made by both forwards and backs. Shannon were hungry for a title as much as Thurles with both team having played each other during the season and winning one each it was neck and neck from the offset. Shannon scored the first try breaking the line and running it into the corner. The conversion was missed. Thurles were straight back up at them and due to a Shannon player coming into a maul from the side were awarded a penalty which was missed by the norrowist of margins. Thurles were not going to take it lightly and never let their heads drop when a well worked try eventually went over the line with a combination of fast hands and pace from the backs saw Aisling O Hagan make a great run and touched it down, the conversion was duly slotted over the bar by Megan Callanan who’s kicking this season would make Johnnie Sexton envious. Shannon responded by breaking the line again with a well executed try. The conversion attempt was successful. Shannon were winning 12-7 at half time.

#SisterAct – Sisters Holly & Ciara O’Dwyer with Joanne & Miriam Harrisson who captured the Cup for Thurles last Sunday

Thurles came back on to the pitch and you could see the determination in their eyes they were not going to leave this final behind them. The next try went through the hands of all 15  on the field. With a combination of pick and go and then a quick release out the backs Nicola Sweeney was driven over the line in the corner by Jean Ryan and Ciara Quinn. This brought the game level. Megan Callanan scored the conversion from the side line with a kick that will go down in history in Thurles Rugby Club. Thurles were now in the lead for the first time and spent the remainder of the match with most of the possession. Every woman on the field played out of their skins and as a result had a well deserved victory becoming Munster Div 1 Cup Champions 2017. The ladies would like to thank their sponsors Clearys Motors Thurles and Renault Ireland for sponsoring the team this season and a massive thanks to all the support we received from club members family and friends.

Gleeson Cup semi-final: Fethard 3 – 49 Thurles

Thurles faced Fethard in the semi final of the Gleeson cup Sunday last.

The home side Fethard opened the scorning with a well taken penalty after some early nerves from the Thurles pack conceded a penalty in front of the post. The Fethard outhalf struck it sweetly and they were off the mark.

Thurles responded tremendously with the pack carrying great ball, in particular Joey Kelly was motoring! His efforts were rewarded when he crashed over for Thurles first try of the game. For the remainder of the first half Thurles camped in the Fethard territory and were unlucky on a number of occasions not to touch down with the backs looking very dangerous when the ball was flashed wide.

Thurles kicked off for the second half with the same drive and determination as the first. Not to be undone by younger brother Joey, Phil Kelly showing a great turn of foot and strength to break in behind the Fethard defence which after a few more phases ended up with Deano Mccormack touching town in the corner.

Brandon Shanahan had to retire with a shoulder injury and veteran Ollie Geoghan stepped in at 10 to oversee proceedings. Their maybe snow on the roof but their is certainly lots of fire left in the belly as Geoghan showed his experience by chipping in behind the Fethard defensive line, gathered a favourable bounce and touched down under the post.

The game finished 49 – 3 in Thurles favour.

All Thurles players can be proud of their performances individually and as a team Try scorers for Thurles on the day were Joey Kelly, John Coman, Deano Mccormack,Tommy Conolly, Rory O Sullivan and Ollie Geoghan. Brandon Shanahan converted a try and a penalty with Tommy Conolly picking up the remaining points from the boot.

Thanks to all players who travelled, brilliant to have such depth in the squad. and to the team coaches for giving us their time so generously.

Roll on the Final which is fixed for this Sunday at Thurles Rugby Club. All support for the lads on the final day of the season would be greatly appreciated.