Club Notes Week Ending 08.04.12

This week’s Club Notes come from Dolphin RFC, Shannon RFC, Young Munster RFC and Waterpark RFC.

Dolphin RFC

Dolphin J2s travelled to Valentia Island on Monday last where they played Iveragh in the J2 Plate Semi Final. Trys from Mike Mullane, Martin Aherne, Tim Cotter, James Holland and two from David Griffin as well as two conversions and a penalty from Mark Long sealed a 38-5 victory for the travelling side. Dolphin will now play the winners of Killarney and Carrigaline in the J2 Plate Final. Killarney will travel to Moneygourney on Sunday to play out their Semi Final. Kick off, 2.30pm. A date is yet to be confirmed for Plate Final.

This weekend however Dolphin will host Garryowen on Sunday in the J2 League, Munster Semi Final at 2.30pm. The winners will face Thomond in the Munster Final as they defeated Carrigaline 15-12 on Good Friday in Limerick. Dolphin will be going into this game knowing of the tall task that lies ahead but preparations are well underway in training this week.

Dolphin RFC are holding a Ladies Lunch on the last Ulster Bank League home game of the season against Shannon on Saturday April 21st. Kick off is 2.30pm at Musgrave Park. The lunch is being held in conjunction with St Vincent de Paul and promises to be a great afternoon. Cost of ticket is €;40 which includes a Drinks Reception at 12.30pm followed by 3 course lunch. There will be top class prizes and goody bags on the day and some lovely clothes from Style2You on display.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Deirdre McCarthy either by email info@dolphinrfc.com or mobile 087 2269277. Details will also be on the website www.dolphinrfc.com

Shannon RFC

While it's not quite the last chance saloon just yet, we find ourselves in the general vicinity of its address. Our penultimate game this Saturday in the Ulster bank league gives us a precious opportunity to aid our efforts in maintaining our Divisional Status. We've had plenty of those opportunities in the recent past, but our failure to capitalise has seen us sink into the quagmire that we find ourselves in.

Over the last few years we've become accustomed to our season heading right down to the wire in the closing few games, but as it was last season we need to pull out all the stops in order to stay afloat in 1A. We're not in the business of over dramatising our situation, the facts do that by themselves, but we once again wish to highlight the fact that this is a time to rally behind the club, and the team in particular and lend your support on Saturday.

Blackrock are in the same boat as ourselves and have their own battle to contend with. We know all about their ability in the backline in particular and despite their own less than average season, every team has a few big games in them. I've no doubt they will travel to Coonagh with a certain degree of confidence after witness our season thus far. Already we have been victim of their speed out wide when we opened 2012 with a less than auspicious start to the New Year. One thing though, is a certainty; we'll have 15 players and 5 more chomping at the bit, who will practically lay down their lives for the cause.

Now we don't expect them to go that far (yet; God knows were already running out of players), but they will draw on the history and culture of our club which has brought unprecedented success over the years. It's up to them on the pitch, but we all have a part to play in this hugely important game for the club. There'll be a pre match stew in the clubhouse on Saturday and it will cost only €;5, so why not make a day of it and begin in the clubhouse. While booking is not essential, it'd be great to get a handle on the numbers attending so please give Pat Downey or Tom O'Connor.

Luck may well come into the reckoning on Saturday, so we'll wish Stephen and the lads plenty of it.

The u/10's will precede the senior game with a mini blitz in which Blackrock and Malahide will take part. The very limited underage action last weekend consisted of our U/13's heading up the motorway for the Barnhall tournament. A huge effort from the lads saw them get as far as the quarter final stages, but alas Garryowen found their way past the lads.

Hopefully on Sunday we can wake up to a senior win and then head out to Thomond Park for Our Presidents Sponsored walk. We remind everyone to please do their best in getting a sponsorship card filled out. A lot of work has gone into organising this event by our President Eddie Price and his subcommittee and we are looking for a big turnout of young , and not so young to take part in either the 5km or 10 Km walk.

Afterwards, back in the clubhouse we'll have a few of our international players, including Jerry Flannery and Marcus Horan floating about, happy to stand for pictures with our underage lads in particular. The pictures will be taken and printed up almost immediately so the lads can sign them. Also, Eddie will be announcing our annual club person of the year award for services to the club over the course of the season and beyond. All in all, we are very confident it will be a big success and just to remind everyone that it kicks off at 12pm from Thomond Park.

On Saturday evening, we get the opportunity to join with our late Vice president Jimmy Mc Nicholas's family as they gather in the Holy Rosary church at 6 pm for a remembrance mass and afterwards in the Woodfield House Hotel.

Senior Fixtures

Seniors AIL V Blackrock Coonagh 2.30pm
U/21's Nth Mun. Cup V Garryowen Dooradoyle 12pm
Women's' AIL V Thurles TBC TBC

Underage Fixtures

Wednesday

U/19 Open Cup V St Senans Coonagh 6.45pm

Young Munster RFC

Second last weekend of Ulster Bank League

Young Munster remain third in the Ulster Bank League table and the highest placed Munster team flanked by Dublin teams in first and second (Clontarf and St. Mary’s on 59 and 58 points respectively), and fourth positions (Lansdowne are on 45 points) with us holding a narrow three point lead over Lansdowne on 48 points. Cork Con are sixth on 44 points.

This weekend, Lansdowne play Old Belvedere away and Clontarf at home next week. Con play Garryowen away this week and Belvo at home next week. We take on Dolphin at home this Saturday April 14th and are away to Mary’s for game 18 on April 21st. If we want to hold onto third position for the finish we need to make the game count against Dolphin on Saturday, and revenge the defeat we suffered when we met them in Cork earlier this season.

This season isn’t over yet, we’ve a rollercoaster of a year and a fantastic journey for the supporters, but it’s up to the boys now to finish it out with our heads held high. We need huge support for our final home game against Dolphin. The team has given us some great moments during the league, let’s show our appreciation by coming out in force for one last time in Tom Clifford Park this Saturday, April 14th.

If you would like to make a day out of it, reserve your place at the Game 17 v Dolphin Pre-Match Lunch, contact Brendan Collopy at 086-6062606 or Fergal Deegan 086-2265692. €;25 includes 2-course lunch with wine, match programme and admission.

Remaining league games:

YM UBL GAME 17 – Dolphin at home 14/04/12
* to reserve your place at this Pre-Match Lunch, contact Brendan Collopy at 086-6062606 or Fergal Deegan 086-2265692.

YM UBL GAME 18 –St. Mary’s away 21/04/12

Seconds into Transfield Cup final

In the Transfield Cup semi-final last Saturday in Clifford Park, Presentation put up a good show but it was Young Munster who advanced to the final, winning by 18 points to nil. The home side had an early try from Craig O’Hanlon with Eamonn Carr getting the second try. Shane O’Leary kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Underage Results

Under 13s Cup: Newcastlewest 0 – 35 Young Munster

Under 15s Cup: Young Munster 13 – 8 UL/Bohs

Under 16s Development League: St Mary’s /Shannon 5 – 42 Young Munster

Waterpark RFC

Under 21 South Munster Cup Semi Final

Waterpark 27- Dophlin 49

In a very entertaining game, the under 21’s were defeated by Dolphin in Ballinakill last Saturday. Given the team had little time to prepare for the game it was a very creditable performance. Also when you factor in that Dolphin had just complete their league campaign having reached the quarter final of the All Ireland League.

The standout player on the pitch was Waterpark’s outhalf Tom Kiersey who scored 2 tries himself and created one other, as well as kicking 2 conversions and one penalty. Toms second try was something special when he picked up the ball on the 10 metre line and beat 4 defenders with pace and foot work to score in the corner, as Jim Magee once said, “ different class different class”.

Waterpark’s other tries came from No 8 Damien O’Dwyer and second row Jeff Power.
If the nucleus of this side can be keep together then the club has a bright future.

Irish Youths

Ireland 13 – France 19

Irish Youth captained by Waterparks Jack O’Donoghue were beaten by France in Dublin last Thursday. Ireland dominated the first half and led 13 -6 at the break. The Irish try was scored by Dungarvan’s winger Seamus Keating who took the final pass from No 8 Jack O’Donoghue following good work by the backs. At half time the French made a number of changes in the front row and this gave them the edge upfront. The advantage in the forwards laid the foundations for their victory.

Under 17s East Munster Cup Final

Waterpark 62 –Galbally 3

Following their 60 point victory in the semi final the side hit the sixty mark again in the cup final. This win gives the side the under 17 league and cup double. Waterpark worked hard for the victory finding themselves with a 12 -3 lead at halftime having played into the wind. The second half was one way traffic with the team scoring 50 unanswered points.

Under 15s East Munster Plate Final

Fethard 0- Waterpark 7

In a game played in trying conditions on Easter Monday Waterpark claimed the plate on a score line of 7 points to nil. Try scorer was number 8 Robbie Walsh and Gary Walsh kicked the conversion. Waterpark were reduced to 13 men 10 minutes into the second half for an incident off the ball. The players who remained on the pitch showed great character and resolve to hold out for the win even when the ref played 10 mins injury time! Well done to all involved on a great season the side are now proud holders of the under 15 league title and the under 15 plate.

Under 13

The 13’s travelled to Gorey last Saturday to part take in the Nick Popplewell Cup. Waterpark beat Carlow , Enniscorty and New Ross before reaching the final play off. In the final the team met a strong Gorey team who won the game by 5 points to nil.

Under 12’s

The under 12’s travelled to a blitz in Clonmel last Saturday morning with a reduced squad of 24 players. The coaches entered 2 teams in the competition with both sides playing 3 games each. Waterpark reds played Kilfeacle , Clanwilliam and Fethard . Waterpark blacks played Cashel, Clonmel and Thurles.

Under 11’s

This side also played in a blitz in Clonmel held on Good Friday. The team returned home with the Plate.

Next Weekend

On Sunday the 2nd play Tralee at home in the South Munster J2 Cup, all support welcome.

On Saturday the club are holding an under 14 biltz with 12 teams participating.
The tournament will kick off at 11am.