Club Notes: Week Ending 01.11.15

This week’s Club Notes come from Newcastle West, Old Crescent and Waterford City rugby clubs.

Click here for Newcastle West Club Notes

Click here for Old Crescent Club Notes

Click here for Waterford City club Notes

Newcastle West RFC

Courtesy of:- Martin O’Sullivan, Club PRO

First XV – All Ireland Junior Cup – To The Visitors, the Spoils

Newcastle West RFC – 5 Instonions RFC – 20

On our second venture to the historic All Ireland Junior Cup, we welcomed Instonions from Belfast to Cullinagh on Saturday last. On what was another great club occasion, everyone in the club put their shoulder to the wheel to showcase Newcastle West RFC in its best light. While the volunteers from the U15 squad, mentors and parents took care of feeding the masses the underage section of the club held their awards presentation before kickoff which added greatly to the sense of occasion.

Instonions travelled to West Limerick with a good record this season and brought a sizable travelling support with them, including former Irish international, Keith Crossan. But the NCW lads had plenty of preparation put in and were confident of getting the result. The first half was a tight battle with both forward packs dominating over different periods, but defence was strong from both sides and the only blemish was 2 kickable penalties that Instonions outhalf, Frazer Wright kicked to leave it 6-0 to the visitors at half time. NCW had dominated the final 10 mins of the half and only some great defending kept us out but we were confident that the score to break their resolve would come after the break. A hammer blow was struck however on 42 mins when No 8 Lewis McNamara ran from his own half almost untouched under the posts. That was a real setback to the lads but again they gamely fought back and Instonions had to call on their defence to work overtime to keep us out. Keep us out they did though and then they struck again on 53 minutes as the man with the famous rugby name, Matt Dawson scored their 2^nd try and again the No 10 Frazer Wright converted. At 20-0 it was a long way back and our only reward was a Stephen Kelly try on 66 minutes. Fatigue started to set in on both sides then and the game petered out as a contest. Not the result we wanted but another learning experience on the road to fulfilling the potential of the NCW boys.

We’d like to thank all the supporters from both sides that turned out on a showery, cold afternoon and wish the very best if luck to Instonions in the rest of the competition.

Our focus now returns to the league and a trip to Bandon next Sunday. There’s a big few weeks ahead for the lads so we hope to build on this experience and get the positive results.

Scorers, Stephen Kelly 1 try.

Panel, Stephen Kelly, Shaun Berkery, Dean O’Brien, James Kelly, Darragh Tracey, Conor Whelan, Sean Herlihy, Pa Galvin, Sean Corbett, Declan Moloney, James Corbett, Dave Foley, Capt, Sean Leahy, Rossa Dooley, Richard Langford, Shane Magner, Mikey Costello, Gary O’Donnell, Ronan Mulcahy, Gavin Reidy, Paudie Fogarty, Aron O’Brien & John Sheehan.

Under 18’s

Newcastle West / Estuary RFC 24 – Killarney / Castleisland RFC – 18

NCW/E kicked off but were immediately under territorial pressure from the K/C forwards. Good chasing by Cillian Ferris and Noelie Griffin took us into the opposition half. From resulting play Colm McSweeney made a line break and released Liam Tierney who finished his try well. Michael Begley added the 2 points. Good pressure earned us a penalty outside their twenty two which Michael Begley did well to convert. However, the remainder of the half was all defence against a rampant K/C pack. We conceded two tries but they were kept to the corners and failed on both conversion attempts. Half time score 10:10.

The second half continued with NCW/E on the defence. The first score came after 23 minutes for C/K from a penalty. Fresh legs were introduced and the next 10 minutes belonged to us. The forwards were dominant in the lineout throughout and from a lineout on the oppositions twenty two. The lads mauled well and Con O’Connor went over for a fine try. Which Michael Bourke converted. From the kick off the backs got the ball and it was spun to John McCoy who scorched down the wing and out in to score a try which was converted by Michael Bourke. The K/C forwards came back strong and scored an unconverted try. Despite huge pressure on our line for the final 3 minutes NCW/E held out and final score was 24:18.

The defensive structure functioned well. The penalty was 17 to 4 against us and there were two sin bins. All credit to the spirit and commitment of the players. Every player on the panel counts and we now have 3 wins in a row in the league.

Tralee away on Sunday 1^stNovember is our next test. Training is important on Tuesday and Thursday.

Team and Panel: Donnacha Scanlon, John Forde, Darragh O’Shea, Patrick Cremin, Connie O’Connor, Stephen Hennessy, Jason Woulfe, Mark Broderick, Noelie Griffin, Michael Begley, Cillian Ferris, Colm McSweeney, Liam Tierney, Jack Kelly, Michael Bourke, Thomas McCarthy, Martyn Konczak, Cian Magner-Flynn, Pierce Curtin, John McCoy, Robert McAuliffe, Dawid Marcinjak, Gurvan Ferron, Ben Geary and Cathal Roche.

Under 15’s

Nenagh Ormond – 27 Newcastle West RFC – 29

We came out on top of a thrilling game in Nenagh, mainly thanks to the sheer drive, and will to win of our team. West got off to a great start, when Tom Murphy touched down in the corner after two minutes. The home side immediately countered and equalised with a very similar try. Our second try came off a barnstorming run from David Massy, who touched down after great work from our pack. Jack Grimes kicked an excellent conversion from the touchline. Again the home side countered with a try of their own, going over after a determined series of drives from their pack. For the last ten minutes of the half we had Nenagh under all sorts of pressure, and again David Massy crashed over in the corner just before half time. Jack Grimes again added the extras from the touchline, leaving the score at 10-19.

The home side came out in determined mood for the second half and scored their third try after seven minutes. The try of the game was scored direct from the kickoff, Killian Collins sprinted after, and caught a very precise kickoff from Jack Grimes. That was the easy bit, he then evaded five defenders to score our fourth try. Predictably for this game, Nenagh five minutes later scored their fourth try, to leave us with a four point lead going into the last ten minutes. After some intense pressure on our line, we were dealt three hammer blows in quick succession, first our prop Chris Walsh was very harshly sin-binned, second we lost our captain Aidan Shanahan to injury, and third we conceded a converted try under the posts. This left us three points down going into the last ninety seconds. It was now that we showed our absolute determination not to leave here without a win. The kickoff was recovered by our pack, Keith Begley then set Jack Grimes off on a run with a superb pop pass. Jack then did a reverse pass to Tom Murphy who beat two defenders and went over in the corner and seal our win.

This was a well-deserved win for our fifteens, who have worked very hard in training, and are really starting to put it together in matches.

A very big thank you to everyone who helped out with our fund-raising at the Instonions game Saturday. Training continues Tuesday and Thursday.

6 Nations 2016 – Away Fixtures

France v Ireland Feb 13^th 2016 & England v Ireland Feb 27^th 2016

Applications for Ireland 2 away games against France and England must be given to the club by Wednesday Nov 4^th. Please email ncwrfctickets@gmail.com or call 0878322731 (after 7pm only please).
We will outline the application process for Home 6 Nations fixtures in the coming weeks.

Mini Rugby season has begun. New Volunteers & Players needed.

The 2015/16 has kicked off in full and all children wishing to partake in rugby should join your age group. All our mini rugby training for teams: u6 – u12 is every Sunday 10:30 to 11:30 and mini blitzes once a month either at home or in a club in Limerick. This year to enhance the service and goodwill we need people to volunteer to help out in player registration, serving tea & coffees. A roster will exist to divide the tasks among the volunteers. Mini and Family Membership will be taken in Clubhouse next Sunday during Minis training from 10:30 am 11:30 am. Plenty Newcastle West branded stock available in our club shop, come ask while in Clubhouse for your Sunday cuppa !!

Youths and U20 Rugby Training in full swing

Calling all u13 to u20 players, please contact or respond to texts from your coaches to attend your teams training. With the success we had at underage last season we are hoping to equal if not better the success this year. If you want to be part of a winning team & club come to training and get noticed.

Mini fixtures for next week

Youth fixtures for next week

U15 match is a fixture for 08/11/2015 but at the request of Thomond will be played on next Sunday 01-Nov at 12:30 pm

Lotto

Results from Friday Oct 23^rd Draw

Numbers Drawn 11, 14, 17 & 30 – NO WINNER

Lucky Dip Winners
Ayalene Doak Donnelly 13 Oak Crescent, Gortboy, NCW
Liam O’Doherty, c/o Pat’s Bar
Mary Costello, Pallas Foods
John Heffernan, Laca West, Duagh, Co Kerry
John Hurley, c/o Ned Lynch’s
Michael O’Connell, Camas, NCW
Claire McCarthy, Cullinagh, NCW
Promotors Prize – Pat Bourke

Next week’s draw will be in Cronin’s Bar on Friday October 30^th. The jackpot stands at €11,800

Old Crescent RFC

Courtesy of:- Frank Larkin, Club PRO

Old Crescent RFC congratulates club member Andy Brace on his appointment as referee for the European Challenge Cup clash between Gloucester and Zebre in Kingshoilm on 14^th November

European Rugby announced last Friday, 23 October 2015, that Old Crescent’s Andy Brace will referee Challenge Cup holders Gloucester Rugby’s opening game in Pool 4 against Zebre Rugby at Kingsholm on Saturday, 14 November.

Former Old Crescent player, Andy won Referee of the Year in the Munster Rugby Awards last season and gained promotion to the Guinness PRO12 referee’s panel. As well as officiating in the AIL, Andy has taken charge of a number of British & Irish Cup fixtures, including a quarter-final and the final between Worcester Warriors and Doncaster Knights last season.

The Welsh native played his club rugby with Old Crescent RFC and works as a Community Rugby Officer with Munster Branch IRFU.

Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of:- Deirdre Bally, Club PRO

Senior Squad – Cobh 35 v WCRFC 13
On Sunday 26th October, City took their unbeaten record to fellow table toppers Cobh Pirates to test themselves against the favorites for the Division 2 crown.

In blustery conditions, returning captain Ben Duggan decided to play into the wind for the first half against a talented Cobh side. City were keen to get off to a good start but after 15 seconds gave a penalty away at the breakdown for Cobh to draw first blood and lead 3-0. Further mistakes at the breakdown gave two more penalties to Cobh with Michael Hayes replying with one for city. The game was evenly poised with both teams defending well. City were comfortable and, when they managed to get there offloading game going, City managed to exploit spaces. However, the game changed drastically in the 24th minute when City were reduced to fourteen men following a red card at the ruck. City didn’t deal well with the reduction in numbers, and went from looking comfortable to conceding two soft tries and went in at half time to a 21-3 deficit.

Head coach Peter Jones took the half time break to give a few home truths to the squad, echoed by some senior players and this ensured that city were back in the game with their lineout functioning well and from this, City managed to score two unconverted tries. However, despite Cobh being on the end of a heavy penalty count, particularly in the red zone, Cobh exploited space and some weak City tackling to score two further tries and secure a bonus point victory.

City were desperately disappointed and left not only wondering what could have been if the game had remained 15 vs. 15, but also aware that the performance wasn’t good enough against quality opposition. However, the squad can only look at their own mistakes and they will do there upmost to fix these problems before our next league fixture against Castleisland at home in two weeks’ time.

As always, many thanks to all of our supporters and sponsors Done Deal and the Kingfisher Club.
WCRFC: 13 Tries: Simon O’Hara, Tom Bowe Penalty: Michael Hayes

MOM: Simon O’Hara
Karl Reade, Colm Lynch, Alex Fitzmaurice, Jason Power, Ben Duggan (captain), Simon O’Hara, Cian Foskin, Joe Delahunty, Darren Walsh, Aaron Foskin, Damien Kennedy, Connor Power (captain), Michael Hayes, Aidan Power, Nicky Jacob,
Dave O’Connor, Tom Bowe, Andrew Condron, Mark Hayes, Stephen Walsh,

U18’s – Cobh 10 v WCRFC 5
An unlucky result for a young, developing under 18’s squad. A draw was on the cards until a last minute try sealed the win for Cobh.

U16’s – Waterpark 10 v WCRFC 23
Tries: Sean Walsh and David Glynn (2)
Conversion: Tom Carney Penalties: Tom Carney (2)
A great squad performance away from home against a talented Waterpark team. Well done all.

Mini’s News
Blitz Sunday 1^st of November in Fethard – KO 10.30am.

‘Your Club, Your Country’ Draw
Club and Country tickets are still on sale. Final day for purchase is Friday 30th of October. Tickets can be bought at all training sessions during the week. Tickets €10 each – buy two tickets and you will get a club beanie free (while stocks last). Thanks for your continued support.Thank you to everyone for their support from our sponsors Kingfisher and Done Deal to the family and friends of all squad members. We have worked hard to build a family at the club and here is today’s pre game video for the squad.