Club Notes: Week Ending 02.03.14
25th February 2014 By Munster Rugby
This week’s club notes come from Bantry Bay Nenagh and Waterford City Rugby Clubs.
Click here for Bantry Bay club notes
Click here for Nenagh club notes
Click here for Waterford City club notes
Courtesy of: Denyse Scully, Club PRO
Bantry Bay Girls take part in Munster Development Blitz
On Saturday last Bantry Bay RFC were proud to be able to field two teams at U15 and U18 level in a development Blitz held in Cashel RFC and run by Munster Rugby's Women's Development Officer, Amanda Greensmith. It was a great opportunity for the Bantry girls to compete against teams from host club Cashel RFC, Listowel RFC and Kilrush RFC. It was a challenge the teams were relishing as bad weather had resulted in an extended break from games since the Christmas period. The hours of training however were put to great use with the girls remaining unbeaten throughout the course of all four games.
The U15 team were the first on the field v Kilrush RFC in a close encounter. The girls built up early pressure and got on the front foot with Laura Cato scoring in her first game since a return from injury. Kilrush RFC however worked their way back into the game building phases and despite some great counter rucking and defensive play from Bantry they equalised in the closing minutes of the game to level the score to 5 points a piece. The team faced Listowel RFC next in a tough game against a team they had played earlier this season. Bantry with spirits high took control of the game early on and as a complete unit worked extremely hard throughout which resulted in Captain Enya Breen going over the line twice with Emma Hurley adding a conversion. Listowel worked tirelessly throughout but it ended 12 – 0 in favour of Bantry.
U15 team: – Caroline Downey, Eimear Downey, Danielle Murphy, Olivia Harrington, Laura Cato, Kate Scully, Enya Breen (C), Emma Hurley, Louise Burke, Cliodhna O' Connor and Fiona Cronin.
The U18 team played Listowel RFC in their first game with this proving a physical encounter. The Bantry girls relished the challenge and did huge work in the rucks and around the fringes which gave their backline quick ball to run against the Listowel team. This pressure paid off with Rachel Crowley going over the line and converting her own try. Listowel were great opponents and fought hard to come back into the game and broke through the Bantry defence to score their own try. The Bantry girls were not going to give in and some lovely breaks resulted Yvonne O'Shea (playing her first game for the club) to also cross the whitewash to end the game with a win for Bantry 10-5. The home side from Cashel RFC were next up but the girls built on their experience in the first game and got on the scoreboard early with a great break from Rachel Crowley. Cashel RFC worked their back into the Bantry half which resulted in a try for them also. Bantry proved to have more in the tank, with Hazel Harrington, who was also playing in her debut for Bantry scoring under the posts and shortly afterwards Yvonne O' Shea also crossed for the final try of the game. It ended in Bantry's favour 19-5
U18 team: Eilís Cunney, Katie Mullins, Amy Boyden, Ciara Collins (C), Tara Thornton, Rachel Crowley, Yvonne O' Shea, Hazel Harrington, and Naoise Ducker.
The coaches are extremely proud of the skills and commitment shown last Saturday. Coach Damien Hicks said "both teams were outstanding, every player gave their all and some fantastic rugby was played". Bantry would like to extend it's sincere thanks to Amanda Greensmith Munster Rugby and to Wendy Fitzpatrick and all in Cashel RFC for hosting. It was great to see so many girls get the opportunity to play the game.
If anyone is interested Bantry girls are always open to welcome new members please contact Denyse Scully at (086) 3819330 or check our Facebook page or Twitter @Bantry_Rugby for updates.
South U18 League Phase 2 – Bantry Bay – 15
Mallow – 0
Bantry continued their unbeaten run of 2014 when they overcame the challenge of Mallow RFC last Saturday morning in Mahon. It was a close game and scoreless until the final quarter when Bantry took control and crossed the whitewash with tries from Ciarán O'Sullivan and Ian Hurley and Seán McCarthy also displayed great skill with the boot adding a conversion and a penalty.
The club would like to extend congratulations to players Paddy Sheehan & Aedan James on reaching the milestone 18th birthdays recently.
Munster Development Squads –
It was a busy week for the players involved with the Munster Youths. On Monday last they were put through their paces in UL with all four Ciarán O' Sullivan, Fineen Wycherley, Dylan Murphy and Mike Casey playing in the game v Connacht on Wednesday which resulted in a good win for Munster on a scoreline of 37-5. Again all four played in an internal trial game in CIT on Wednesday. The club was delighted with the news that Ian Hurley & Seán McCarthy were recalled to the panel on Thursday. It is a long road to the interprovincial series of 2014 due to take place in the autumn but we wish all the players the very best of luck and our continued support. We are extremely proud of their commitment and skills and we know they have a bright future ahead.
Courtesy of: Eithne Darcy, Club PRO
Senior XV Update
Next Saturday, March 1st, sees the First Team back in action with a crunch home game against Armagh – a team against whom Nenagh often struggled to gain points. This is a game that could define the season for both teams, with Nenagh unbeaten and top of the table and Armagh still in with a big chance of promotion. A great game is assured and a big home support could just make the difference so why not come out and cheer on the lads.
Richmond 9-15 Nenagh Ormond Seconds
Nenagh Ormond have a proud tradition in the Munster Junior Cup and on Sunday last they kicked off this years campaign with a well deserved win against a strong and resilient Richmond 15.
Nenaghs' team had a nice mix of youth and experience with a number of this years Under 20s given their chance to impress. Richmond in contrast seemed to have opted for a much more experienced group of players with one or two maybe bordering on the veteran status. The first scrum confirmed that Richmond's veterans were well up for the test when they disrupted Nenagh's put in and got an early squeeze on which resulted in a penalty. The Richmond full back made little of the strong wind blowing into his face to kick an excellent penalty from 35 metres out to give his team a 3 point lead.
Nenagh kicked off and came right back down the field. Richmond were penalized for not releasing to give Nenagh a penalty 25 metres out. Regular place kicker Denis Slattery had gone into the game with a strained groin so the responsibility fell to big Number 8 Kevin Seymour who slotted it easily with the deftest of kicks to bring the teams level.
Next came a superb break away try from Darragh Hassey playing in the unfamiliar position of scrum half – a position previously graced by his father Dinny. He made a nuisance of himself to disrupt Richmond possession at the base of their scrum, gathered control, showed great pace and backed himself to run from his own half to touch down. Kevin Seymour added the points to put the Ormonds 10 – 3 ahead. Richmond responded with a successful penalty of their own and then with a few minutes to go to half time another young man with a strong family pedigree – Ger O'Gorman Junior – got on the end of a good backline movement and showed great strength to get in at the corner to give Nenagh a 15 – 6 half time lead.
Nenagh had by now got on top in most areas of the game and despite the strong wind which Richmond had for the second half, confidence was high. 10 minutes into the second half however, there was an extended break for treatment to an injured player and when play resumed after about 45 minutes it seemed that Richmond had got their second wind. They threw everything at Nenagh but the defense was outstanding, well marshaled by full back Hugh Moloney, and all Richmond could score was one more penalty to reduce the deficit. Nenagh saw out the last few minutes fairly comfortably to leave the final score at 15 – 9.
As a result of this satisfactory performance Nenagh have a home game in the second round on March 22nd against St. Senans who caused a huge upset by defeating Division 1 pacesetters St. Marys.
Nenagh Ormond: Conor Brislane, Aidan Doyle, Paudie Bourke, Kevin O'Gorman, Jamie Quigley, Sean White, Andrew Mackey, Kevin Seymour, Darragh Hassey, Denis Slattery, Jack Donovan, John Long (Capt.), Hugh Moloney, Ger O'Gorman, Bruce Hayes.
Subs: Willy Carroll, Michael Walsh, Karl Mackey, Chris O'Meara, Colin Healy, Merik Gribbs.
Waterpark 5-17 Under 14s
The Under 14s began the first round of the East Munster Cup when they travelled to Waterford City on Sunday last to play Waterpark. With the matching kicking off at 11.30, an early start was required with all involved leaving from Tyone at 8.30 in the morning. The Nenagh lads, playing into a strong breeze, were slow to start and were rocked back when the home team moved the ball quickly through the hands and ran in for an early try in the corner to leave the score at 5-nil. The first half continued with the Nenagh forwards gaining dominance at scrum time and especially with their counter rucking and they went very close to scoring just before half time.
Early in the second half with the wind at their backs the Ormond forwards, led by Evan Murphy at number eigh,t began to make some serious inroads towards the waterpark line. With Michael Bourke and Stephen Harding carrying well it was only a matter of time until a real try scoring chance presented itself. The try was duly scored by Alex Hayes and converted by Ben Duff to send Nenagh in to the lead. Soon after Nenagh were awarded a penalty under the posts which Ben Duff again converted to stretch the Nenagh lead. Then late in the second half a mistake by the Waterpark players on their own line saw Alex Hayes pounce on a loose ball and barge over to give the big Ballinaclough man his second try which was yet again converted by Ben Duff to give Nenagh a seventeen to five lead which they held on to until the end.
This was a great away performance by the whole Nenagh squad and the win puts them in a strong position in this competition. Training continues in Tyone on Wednesday night with a big attendance needed.
Under 11s
The Under 11s played host to Birr and Portumna on Sunday. This was our first game in 5 weeks due to the bad weather and with only one training session under our belts we were always going to be a little rusty. The handling was a little suspect at times but the commitment was very good and when we put our minds to it we played some lovely rugby. Our rucking and counter rucking was very good and the backs were looking to draw the man and pass rather than look for contact which was keeping everyone involved in play.
The highlight of the day was a last ditch tackle by Tom Kennedy holding a certain try scorer just inches from the line and the covering Liam Cooney smashing him into touch at the corner flag. We drew one try apiece with Portumna and beat Birr two tries to one. Try scorers were DJ McGrath and Peter Collins after backline moves and James Finn scored a full length of the field individual effort.
Panel: Daniel Manning, Jack Gleeson, Patrick Fogarty, John Brislane, Sean Fitzgerald, Andrew Ferris, Eoghan Tighe, James Finn, Peter Collins, DJ McGrath, Evan Rainsford, Martin Ryan, Niall O'Sullivan, Liam Cooney, Tom Kennedy.
Courtesy of: Damien Kennedy, Club PRO
This Sunday we travelled the distance up to Cashel to play. For the first 15 minutes it was stalemate as both sets of forwards cancelled each other out and when we were under pressure the ball went to our backs and we made good ground. 16 minutes in Ryan Phillips fly-hacked a loose ball from a Cashel ruck on our 5 meter line and gave chase. He out sprinted everyone and arrived at the ball 10 meters before their 15 where he hacked on again and despite all the efforts of their 15 he sprinted past tapped it over the try line and put hands on. 5 minutes later once again deep in our own 22 quick ball from our ruck and good hands across the backs put the ball in Aidan Power's hands and in space. He powered through his opposite man ran 30 yards, drew their full back and laid it on a plate for Ryan to run under the posts which made it 12-0 to us after Connor Brennan's conversion. The game turned around at this point and Cashel realised that they needed to keep the ball in the forwards and this led them to be level at half-time as they powered 2 trys of their own. We helped them back into the game with a massive penalty count. The second half was much as the first ended with Cashel dominating possession through their much bigger pack. One bright light for us was the introduction of Zack Keating from out U16 panel after an injury to our 9 Jake Phillips at the end of the first half. Zack played really well for his first time with the U18s although he has under a lot of pressure from the much bigger Cashel pack. The penalty count was down but we still gave away too many and if not for some good tackling in mid-field from the likes of David Roche, Elliot O'Mahony but especially Connor Brennan Cashel could have run away with the game. Eventually their greater possession and bigger pack were going to pay off for them and they did power in for another try but not before Aidan Power nearly scored one for us but the bounce of the ball didn't go his way this time. On the whole a disappointing result but not a disappointing game, there were good performances around the pitch in Bill Farell but especially man of the match Alan Woods. The final score was 17-12 to Cashel and with this in mind we have a few points to work on in training this week so see you all there.
