Club Notes: Week Ending 20.03.16

Click here for Bruff Club Notes

Click here for Newcastle West Club Notes

Click here for Thurles Club Notes

Click here for Waterford City Club Notes

Bruff RFC

Courtesy of:- Seamus Sheahan, Club PRO

Bruff U18's Munster final Preview

Bruff u18's have reached the Pan Munster final for the third year in a row after beating Dolphin 5-0 in a tight semi final played in Bruff on Sunday March 6th.

Is wasn't until the 43rd minute that the game winning score came. Bruff attacked the right hand side of the Dolphin 22 through the pack before moving the ball all the way to the left, for wing Dean O Shea to score in the corner. Bruff's experience was enough to see them through to the St Patricks day decider which is scheduled to be played on the main pitch in Thomond Park Vs Waterpark at 4pm.

Waterpark claimed a 21-3 win over Dungarvan in the other semi-final on Saturday and will travel to Thomond park on Thursday in big numbers with both the u16's & 18's playing on the day. Like Bruff, Waterpark are no strangers to these finals having contested a number of these deciders in recent years at both 16's and 18's age grades.

The two teams have met already this year with Bruff winning 16-8 when the sides met in January. But this is a final and that result will count for nothing when the teams take the field on Thursday.

The finals for the last two years have been absolute crackers and all indications suggest that this week's final will be no different as the two best youths teams in Munster go head to head to try and capture the title. Approximately 40 clubs and up to 1000 players from the six counties of Munster have taken part in this competition over the last 7 months and now only two teams remain standing.

KO is 4pm in Thomond Park on Thursday (St. Patricks Day) .. Please come out and support
Squad: Dave Barrett, Thomas Quigley, Jack Fitzgerald ,Daniel O Shea, Tadgh O Dwyer, Ferghal Cooke ,Paul Tracey ,Daniel Gleeson, Simon Divilly, Cormac Daly, Joseph O Connell ,James Hanly, Liam Cunningham, Stephen Dunworth, Cian Clifford, John Bateman, Dean O Shea, Liam Barrett, Mikey O Grady, John Bulfin, Mattew Lockhart O Dea, Richard Bateman, Jason Fitzgibbon, Callum Winship , Gearoid Moynihan, Jerry O Dea, Jack O Malley
Coaches: Eoin Cahill, Timmy Quirke, Martin o Rourke
Manager: Tony Clifford, Fitness: Eric Finn

Newcastle West Club Notes

Courtesy of:- Martin O'Sullivan, Club PRO

Munster Junior Plate
Garryowen RFC – 20 Newcastle West RFC – 33

The lads put in a superb performance to beat Garryowen in Dooradoyle on Monday night. It was always going to be a tough ask especially on a Monday night but the lads really dug in and set the platform in the first half with a brilliant display to lead 26-6 at half time. Understandably the pace of the second half dropped a little but none the less it was great to win away from home.

Munster Junior League Div 1

Our final League game takes place this Sunday when we welcome Shannon Town side, St Senan's to Cullinagh. Hopefully we'll see you all there on Sunday to support the lads in the last game of the league season. Details below.

March 20th Newcastle West RFC v St Senan's RFC in Cullinagh @ 2.30.

Race Night
Our major club fundraiser takes place on Friday April 8th with a Race Night in The Ballintemple Inn. Our last race night in 2013 was a brilliant night and helped raise much needed funds for the club for the following season. Sponsorship cards are now available so why not get your friends together and be like the owners and trainers in Cheltenham this week for 1 night only. A great night is a certainty so spread the word and let's get a massive crowd to support the club on the night.

Newcastle west RFC Race Night, Friday April 8th Ballintemple Inn, Churchtown Newcastle West.

Mini fixtures for next weekend
All mini teams from u6 to u12 incl training in Kilelline from 10:30am to 11:30 am.

Youth fixtures for next weekend
No games for youths other than coach organised friendlies. Next up will be the Cups starting 27/03/2016

Lotto

Results from Friday March 11th Lotto Draw

Numbers Drawn 3, 10, 15 & 27 – NO WINNER

Lucky Dip Winners
Vincent & John, c/o Cleary's Bar
Mike Barry, Ballygowan
Cyril Curtin, c/o Silver Dollar Bar
Tom Butler, c/o Central Bar
Mary Byrne, c/o Silver Dollar Bar
Patsy Markham, Ardagh
Sheila O'Mahoney Kennedy, SMI
Promotors Prize – Pat Collins

Next week's draw will be in Cronins Bar on Friday 18th March. The jackpot stands at €15,600


Thurles RFC

Courtesy of:- Brian Scanlon, Club PRO

Thurles RFC Weekend Round-up

Thurles RFC vs. Presentation RFC – Munster Junior League

Thurles RFC 36 – 0 Presentation RFC

The Thurles First XV travelled to Limerick on Sunday last, to take on a Presentation side who had been flying high in the League up until recent weeks. Thurles were looking to build on their previous win against Ballincollig where thye ran out 36-0 winners at home. With Abbeyfeale failing to handle the pressure of their unbeaten League run last week, losing their first game in the competition to second place Cobh, it now gives Thurles only a slim chance of promotion with the Tipperary side now hoping to continue their excellent winning streak and that those above them slip up.

Thurles kicked off proceedings knowing that they would be up against it, Presentation were a tough team and were like strong promotion contenders for most of this season. Thurles opened the scoring on the 20 minute mark via the boot of John Lillis following a dangerous two-footed lunge by a Pres player which saw him sin binned for the same offence, within 10 minutes, Tommy Connolly crossed in the corner following an excellently worked move from the back of the scrum to push out the score to 0-8, with the difficult conversion narrowly shading the posts.

Thurles continued to keep the pressure on coming up to half time with Paddy Phelan, Aidan Dwyer & Peter Coman coming close on separate occasions only to be denied by some excellent last second scrambling by the home side to prevent the scores, the sides went in 0-8 at half time to Thurles.

The second half kicked off with Thurles receiving the ball and they picked up where they left off in the first half, pressing well inside the Pres half. The home side were putting up great resistance until scrum half Nicky Irwin spotted a defender sleeping around the edges, he sniped through for his 1st try of the game diving in under the posts, Lillis added the extras to push out the score to 15-0, minutes later Irwin repeated the trick following some great work from Colm Skehan & Joey Kelly, Lillis again added the convert to put some distance between the sides, 22-0.

With 20 minutes remaining on the clock, Thurles pushed through the gears and showed why they are near the summit of the League, with the front row of McCormack, Kelly & Skehan dominant once again throughout, it created a great platform as Thurles secured all their own ball and turned over a good percentage of scrums against the head. It was following a few phases after one of these scrums that Thurles went in search of the bonus point, Ciaran Ryan, now in at number 8 following Joey Kelly's switch to the centre, having a go for the line before scrum half Irwin found Ger McCormack coming like a steam train to power through the home defence to finish what was a try similar to Sean Cronin's try for Ireland the previous day, Lillis added the extras for the full complement, 0-29.

In the final 10 minutes, John Lillis crossed and converted his own try before a piece of magic by substitute scrum half, James Ryan, with a Brian O'Driscoll like pass around the back of the defender saw Peter Coman gather out wide and race in under the posts with Aidan Dwyer splitting the posts in the last act of the game with a final score of 0-43 to the Thurles men that keeps a bit of pressure on those holding the top two positions in the League.

Thurles have 2 games left in the Munster Junior League and the last home game takes place this coming Sunday at Loughtagalla against Charleville at 2.30pm. With this being our last home game, the players, management and committee would appreciate a huge turnout to cheer on the lads following a tough but excellent season with the team already exceeding last year's points total with 2 games still to play. Many thanks to all those who travelled down to Limerick on Sunday to support the team, it was much appreciated by the players & management.

Thurles Scorers: Nicky Irwin (2 Tries), Tommy Connolly, Ger McCormack, Peter Coman (1 Try Each), John Lillis (1 Try, 1 Penalty & 4 Conversions), Aidan Dwyer (1 Conversion).
Thurles Squad vs. Presentation: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Dave Kelly 3. Colm Skehan 4. Phil Kelly 5. Larry O'Gorman 6. Ciaran Ryan 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Joey Kelly 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Peter Coman 12. Shane Moloney 13. Eoghan O'Dwyer (Capt.) 14. Tommy Connolly 15. John Lillis 16. Shane Nugent 17. Colin Feeley 18. Dwayne Stanley 19. Ollie Delaney 20. James Ryan.

East Munster U18 Cup

Thurles 48 – Clonmel 7

Thurles put in a strong performance against Clonmel on Friday night last under lights in the 1st round of the cup. Thurles held onto possession for long periods in the first half. Sustained pressures during one of those periods of play resulted in a try for Conor O Hagan. Clonmel put some pressure on Thurles but with some good defence Clonmel ended up knocking on the ball. From the resulting scrum David Conway made a break down the blind where he made a great pass to Darren O Sullivan to put him in the clear for a try which was duly converted by man of the match Jack Flanagan.
In the second half Thurles dominated running in 6 tries from Eoin Kerrane Cillian Kavanagh Kieran Dunne Nick Cooney Mikey Ryan & Jack Flanagan. Jack Flanagan really put in a strong performance through his individual & support play. Well done lads keep up the good work.


We would like to wish our Senior Women the very best of luck as they travel to play City of Derry on Saturday in the All Ireland Semi Final of the Senior Women's Plate.

Lotto
Thurles RFC Lotto Monday 07 March
7, 14, 23, & 24
3 Lucky dips €50 each
Ger Redser O Grady , Francis Ralph, Judy Ryan
Next week's Jackpot €2,900


Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of:- Deirdre Barry, Club PRO

Casey Cup Semi Final – J2
Clonmel 13 v Waterford City 12
Tries: Mark Hayes, Jason Power
Conversion: Mark Hayes
MOM: Stephen Walsh

Waterford City was delighted to finally play a game as they completed only their second fixture of the calendar year with an away trip to Clonmel in the Casey Cup. The Casey Cup is a trophy not only run by Waterford City, but City are also the current holders and was keen to keep hold of this silverware.

City started brightly with the conditions suiting there offloading game. The forwards were punching holes and consistently breaking the gain line with some good offloads. City dominated territory and in defence, in the opening quarter, Connor White was outstanding at the breakdown forcing three turnovers and tackling effectively. City deservedly opened the scoring with a glowing 60 metro move following good inter change pay room forward sand backs with Mark Hayes scoring after being put into space well by man of the match Stephen Walsh.

However, Clonmel aren't the best junior club in Munster for no reason and they pack a playing squad full of depth and quality. City's defence around the fringes was excellent, but a couple of missed tackles in the back line allowed Clonmel to canter under the posts for a score that leveled the game. City continued to create chances, Alex Fitzmaurice in particular having some barnstorming runs and Paddy Halloran and Liam Hayes playing with the increased aggression that was asked from them but the final pass or a misplaced offload stopped City bothering the scorers further. Clonmel as always, with the experienced Brian Lonergan at 10, utilised the breeze in the first half but Stephen Walsh was in mesmeric form and looking a menace ever time he fielded the ball and was well supported by his wingers. As half time approached, City were harshly penalized at the breakdown and Clonmel duly converted two penalties for a six point lead at the break.

The half time team talk was positive as City had probably shaded the first half in terms of playing style. However, the second half needed City to be bright and patient and to use the conditions. Victories are ground out by good defence, and coach Peter Jones was pleased with the improvement in this area in the second half with City not conceding any points. However, Clonmel's defence was just as dogged and determined and City, despite creating chances didn't convert. City were fortunate this year to boast a large playing squad and the introduction of a strong bench on 50 minutes would hopefully turn the tie in City's favour. However, Clonmels bench was as equally as strong and the game continued as an arm wrestle with some high quality rugby. Stephen Walsh continued to break well and with Jason Power and Elliot O'Mahoney working tirelessly at the breakdown City believed they could win. With 7 minutes left, both sides were feeling the physical effects of the game and defences were stretched. However, City got the try they deserve when Fintan Purcell spotted some space on the blindside and Jason Power ran 30 metres to score with Mark Hayes on his shoulder. The conversion was on the 15 metre line but slipped agonizingly wide.

Credit must be given to the 15 City players on the field as they picked themselves up and battered the Clonmel try line, receiving four penalties in the last 3 minutes inside the Clonmel 22. Clonmel defended was as strongly as ever and with the last play of the game, City went into contact five meters short with the referee adjudging the ball unplayable to signal the end to Cities defence of the Casey Cup. Credit must go to both teams as this was a game high on quality and drama and proves the importance of meaningful J2 fixtures.
On Sunday 20th March, City welcome Ballincolling in only their fifth home league game of the season as we aim to maintain our 100% record in league competition in 2016.
As always, many thanks to all of our supporters and sponsors Done Deal at donedealjobs.ie and the Kingfisher club.

Paddy Halloran, Brian Walsh, Alex Fitzmaurice, Liam Hayes, Brian Kinsella, Connor White, Ed Mullally, Jason Power, Mark Hayes, Fintan Purcell, Dave Healy, Aaron Whelan, James Halligan, Cain McCarthy, Stephen Walsh
Andrew Condron, Ben Duggan, Elliot O'Mahoney, Jake Phillips, Peter Jones

U18's Munster Bowl Semi Final
Kanturk 25 v Waterford City 12

U16's East Munster Cup
Waterford City 45 v Cashel 12
Tries: David Glynn (3), Donagh O Connor (1), Luis Byrne (1), Conall Roche (1)
Conversions: Cian Wadding (6)
Penalty: Cian Wadding (1)
City started strong against Cashel on a lovely Sunday afternoon in Kilbarry. City scored 4 tries in the first half, a hat trick of scores by David Glynn and Donagh O Connor also went over for the 4th try. All tries were converted by Cian Wadding which left City 28-0 ahead at the half time break. Cashel came out strongly in the second half and scored two tries, one of which was converted. City finished the game with two more tries from Luis Byrne and Conall Roche; again both tries were converted by on form Cian Wadding. The final score saw City win 45- 12. Some great running rugby from the city squad. Well done all.

Mini's Rugby
Blitz next weekend in Kilbarry versus Tramore. Kick-off is at 10.30 so all children need to be at the pitch for 10am.

Dinner Dance
The Waterford City RFC Dinner Dance is on April 22nd in the Woodlands Hotel. Tickets on sale every Sunday morning at the club house or you can contact Club President Jemma Jacob directly. Tickets 40pp. All welcome, parents, players, friends and family.

Majadahonda of Madrid visit Kilbarry
Waterford City RFC are hosting Majadahonda RFC from Madrid next weekend. Teams from Dungarvan and Clonmel are taking part in the rugby tournament in our clubhouse in Kilbarry on Saturday. Kick off is 12.30pm. All welcome to come out and support our teams.