Club Notes: Week Ending 18.09.16
14th September 2016 By Munster Rugby
This week’s Club Notes come from Newcastle West, Thurles and Bandon.
Newcastle West RFC
U18 Rugby Notes:
Newcastle West/Estuary RFC 35
Young Munster RFC 12
Cullinagh was the venue for a home victory in this early season friendly against our city rivals. Young Munster kicked off against a strong wind but NCW/E opted for a running game with good runs from Liam McSweeney and John McCoy. The scrum proved itself dominant early on with Conor Brosnan, Killian Fitzgerald and Stephen Hennessy rock solid in the front row and winning several balls against the head. In the lineout Adam Flanagan and Luke Barrett owned the sky and gave a great platform for planned moves. Despite this Young Munster were the first to score a try down the wing. Undoubted NCW/E kicked a good penalty down the line. A clean lineout ball was secured and Liam Tierney made a break to 5 yards of the line. Pat Cremin and Noelie Griffin were quick in support and Ryan White picked from the ruck and drove over for a try on the last minute of the period. Conversion was good by Michael Bourke.
NCW/E started the second period well when ball from our own lineout was sent wide and centres Cillian Ferris and Liam Tierney combined well before releasing David Donovan whopowered thrugh the cover for a try converted by Charlie O'Doherty. Soon after a Young Munster pass was intercepted by Michael Bourke who showed a clean pair of heels to score under the posts with Charlie O'Doherty successful in the conversion kick. Cian Walsh, David Condon, Donncha Scanlon and William Cahill made their physical presence felt and gave no ground to Young Munster in the pack. Also on the third period play loosened up and tremendous cahse and support of a kick on by Noelie Griffin, Eamon Ambrose and Emmett Wrenne gave Charlie O'Doherty the platform to release Michael Bourke for a second converted try. Jack Kelly, Paudie Flavin and Gurvan Ferron played a solid game and created the space for Liam Tierney to score a try from a thirty metre weaving run. Conversion successful by Michael Bourke. This was a good team performance from players were clearly enjoying their rugby. Everyone stepped up with performances of not by Noelie Griffin and Adam Flanagan. Training on Thursday Killeline at 7.15pm with a game arranged for Sunday 18th.
Team: Killian Fitzgearld, Stephen Hennessy, Conor Brosnan, Patrick Cremin, Luke Barrett, Noel Griffin, Adam Flannagan, Ryan White, Charlie O'Doherty, Michael Bourke(captain), Cillian Ferris, Liam Tierney, David Donovan, Liam McSweeney, John McCoy, Paudie Flavin, David Condon, Jack Kelly, Gurvan Ferron, Cian Walsh, Donnacha Scanlon, Eamon Ambrose and William Cahill.
Junior Team
The Junior team advanced to the Semi Final of the Transfield Cup after beating Garryowen in Dooradoyle last Tuesday 6th September and Presentation in Newcastle West last Sunday. The Semi Final versus Shannon will take place in Coonagh next Monday19th September evening at 7.30pm . All support much appreciated.
Training
The Junior Training continues every Tuesday and Friday night in Killeline @ 7.30pm
Mini Rugby
Mini rugby commenced last Sunday morning 11th September. A big thanks to all the parents and volunteers for taking time out and insuring that the morning was a success with numerous current players and veterans offering their expertise and wisdom to the players of the future. The clubhouse was a hive of activity and the feel good factor was evident. Many thanks again to all the volunteers for their help. Training time is 10:30 – 11:30 each Sunday in Killeline. New members welcome (Boys or Girls U6 – U12 incl.)
Lotto
Results from Friday 9th September Lotto Draw in the Strand Bar
Numbers Drawn 6, 9, 11 & 12 – NO WINNER
Lucky Dip Winners:
- Mike Sheehy, Bridge Street, Newcastle West
- William Keane c/o Central Bar
- Mairead O' Connor, Strand
- Jim Mullane, Strand
- Eddie Browne, Strand
- Anna Corbett, Dromindeel
- Mary O' Connor, Churchtown, Newcastle West
Promoters Prize: Lee's Bar
Next week's draw will be held in the Silver Bar on Friday 16th September, the jackpot stands at €6,000.
Clanwilliam RFC 25-7 Thurles RFC – Garryowen Cup Semi Final
The Thurles First XV travelled to Tipperary Town on Sunday last for the semi-final of the Garryowen Cup against First Division outfit Clanwilliam. Thurles rotated the side once again this week with 7 personnel changes to that who defeat Kilfeacle the week previous as they continue their preparation for the opening League Fixture at home to Kinsale in two weeks' time, 2.30pm 25/09/2016.
Thurles battled hard throughout the game, but ill-discipline & uncharacteristic mistakes cost the men in black & white. Clanwilliam scored three tries, one in the first half & two in the second but they all came from silly errors by the Thurles contingent, errors that can be put down to early season jitters or nerves but can be easily worked on at the training ground.
Thurles scored a great try late on, with Out-Half Aidan Dwyer squeezing through a gap in the defence & beating two further defenders along the way to touchdown just to the right of the posts to give the away side a glimmer of hope in the closing stages as John Lillis converted to maintain his 100% kicking record this season.
The final score was 25-7 to Clanwilliam, despite the scoreline, Thurles can still take a lot of positives from the game & their run in this year's Garryowen Cup, over 30 players have seen action in 3 very competitive games and with under two weeks until the start of this year's Munster Junior League, the Thurles men will be very happy with their preparation to date with just some fine tuning to be done over the next couple of weeks at the training field in Loughtagalla.
Thurles kick-off their League Campaign at 2.30pm on Sunday 25th September at Home to Kinsale, please mark the date in your calendar and call up to Loughtagalla to support the team on the day. The travelling support on Sunday was great to see & much appreciated by the players & management.
Thurles Scorers: Aidan Dwyer (1 Try), John Lillis (1 Conversion).
Thurles Starting XV vs Clanwilliam: 1. Colm Skehan 2. Shane Nugent 3. Michael Ely 4. Luke Kelly 5. Liam Devanney 6. Conor Cooney 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Shane McHugh 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Tommy Connolly 12. Eoghan O'Dwyer (c). 13. Shane Moloney (B) 14. Dean McCormack 15. John Lillis Subs Used: Dylan Dorney, Ollie Delaney, Frank Touhy, Robbie O'Dwyer & Tommy Ryan.
Womens Senior Friendly – Thurles 33 – 33 Portlaoise
Thurles women lined out this weekend against a tough Portlaoise without many of their regulars, giving us the perfect opportunity to introduce some new players. We began with 13 a side, giving Portlaoise 2 players to even out the teams. Kathleen Kennedy joined our solid front row pairing of Maria Woodlock and Megan Callanan in the absence of Jean Ryan who was away on Munster duty. Karen and Jenny formed a new partnership in second row, proving great strength and stability to the scrum, stewarded by seasoned player Maria Whelan at 8.
Our back line from last season was elevated by the addition of Cheryl on the wing who provided us with great pace! Scrum half Linda Ryan fed balls cleanly to Out Half Miriam Harrison throughout the match allowing our Midfield partnership of Niamh Coman and Kirsty Harris to make some excellent breaks and serious ground! With Stephanie Moore on the wing and Rebecca Byrne at full back, we opened up the space behind Portlaoise and caused some trouble with their defence and it wasn't long before the huge effort was rewarded with the flying Rebecca Byrne crossing the line for Thurles' first try of the game.
At half time, Sinead Kilcare and Aisling O'Hagan returned to the Thurles side and Stephanie and Rebecca offered to play for Portlaoise. With the return of Sinead to the line outs we managed to secure good ball and feed our back line cleanly, opening up more space and eventually allowing Aisling O'Hagan to run in 2 tries and Niamh Coman securing a third. Megan Callanan certainly brought her kicking boots with her as she duly slotted over the conversions to end the game as a draw. We want to thank Portlaoise for travelling and giving us a great game to prepare us for the season ahead!
Club Lotto
Thurles RFC Lotto 6th September 2016
Lotto Numbers: 11, 15, 24, 30
No Jackpot Winner
Match 3 Numbers: Dinny Moore
Next Jackpot: €5,950.00
Lotto Draw takes place at Thurles Rugby Clubhouse @ 7.30pm every Monday night
Tickets (€2) are on sale in the following locations;
· O' Dwyer's Centra
· Kennedy's Tower Lounge
· Hickey's Pub
· Runnerbean Coffee Shop
To join the Thurles Rugby Club Lotto Syndicate and be in with a chance to win in 156 Draws, download the form @ http://thurlesrfc.com/lotto/
Thank you for your continued support!
Underage Training Times
Training Times for the new season
@ Thurles Rugby Club
U7 – U12 Saturday Morning 12:00 – 1:15
Boys U14 Monday & Thursday 7:15
Boys U16 Tuesday & Friday 7:15
Boys U18 Tuesday & Thursday 7:15
Girls U15 Tuesday & Thursday 7:15
Girls U18 Tuesday & Thursday 7:15
John 'Doc' O'Driscoll (11/09/1931-10/09/2016)
John O'Driscoll or John 'Doc', as he was universally known, passed away last Saturday at Marymount University Hospice, Cork. He was associated with Bandon Rugby Club for over seventy years, from participating in one of the Club's first post-war games (see his account of same in attached extract from the Official Club History) to being a sitting committee member at the time of his passing, and a lot more in between. He was also Club President in its centenary season (1982-83), his Presidential message attached hereto, and again in its 125th year (2007-08), as well as being awarded the Club's Hall of Fame award in 1993. He served in a variety of roles down the years including trustee, committee member and team selector to name a few, but he will be most fondly remembered for his enduring support and knowledge of all teams within the Club.
For decades, he was ever present on Sunday afternoons at Old Chapel, following the play up and down the sideline. He was equally passionate about the Club's underage players and it was perhaps rather poignant that news of his passing broke in the Club on Saturday morning, whilst underage training was going on, for if circumstances had allowed, 'The Doc' would have been up there himself, casting his eye on the next generation of Bandon players.
People often commented on how sharp and alert John was, and in truth that was probably down to his genuine interest in people. He walked the length and breadth of the town, meeting and chatting to all of his friends and even in the last number of months, he still managed to keep in touch with everything that was happening. The staff at Marymount found it staggering the number of visitors he had in his time there, and perhaps this more than anything, is a tribute to the esteem in which he was held.
Beloved husband of the late Carmel (Farrelly), loving dad to Gerardine (Arnopp) and Martin, wonderful grandad to Alison, Carol, Louise, Aoife, Aideen, Clodagh and the late Lorcan. Sadly missed by his loving family, son-in-law Robert Arnopp, daughter-in-law Judith Phelan, sister-in-law Angela, nephews, nieces, cousins, neighbours, and large circle of friends.
He will be sadly missed by all associated with Bandon RFC.
