Club Notes: Week Ending 20.12.15

The week’s club notes come from Newcastle West and Waterford City rugby clubs.

Click here for Newcastle West club notes

Click here for Waterford City club notes

Newcastle West RFC

Courtesy of: Martin O’Sullivan, Club PRO

First XV – Munster Junior League Div 1

Newcastle West RFC – 15 Kilfeacle RFC 20

Another defeat that will rankle with the lads. No doubt that we deserved more than a losing bonus point from this game but as sport has shown us time and time again we don’t always get what we deserve. Considering the weather over the last few weeks the pitch was in excellent condition and contributed to both teams playing an entertaining game. It was very much nip and tuck in the opening exchanges where both teams had chances but we eventually got the reward for the pressure we were applying when Kilfeacle threw a lose pass on the 10 meter line and flying hooker, Sean Corbett picked it up and scampered over. Leading 5-0 after 15 minutes we needed to contain and add to the scores but Kilfeacle were on the scoreboard next with a converted try. Once again we applied the pressure and Kilfeacle coughed up a penalty that Sean Herlihy banged over superbly from long range to give us the minimum lead, 8-7. We seemed to be in a tit for tat situation as it was Kilfeacle’s turn to for a penalty just before half time which gave them a 10-8 lead at the break.

3 minutes into the second half the Tipp boys added their second try of the game from a nice move but the failed to convert. Leading 15-10 we set about clawing back our advantage and we played some of our best rugby of the season for the next 30 minutes. Our scrum dominance gave us a platform for some great attacking rugby and we scored a great left to right touchline try after excellent work with back and forwards combining and Sean Herlihy putting in a peach of a kick behind the defence for Sean McAuliffe to run onto and touchdown. It was no more than we deserved and at 15-15 we were on top and looking for the win. Uncontested scrums took out ability to squeeze penalties and stout Kilfeacle defence kept them in the game. Then with the last play and fatigue playing a major part they went the length of the field and after superb defence from our boys the numbers were eventually too much and they got over in the corner to steal the win. Heartbreak for the lads but defeats like this will only serve to tighten our resolve and turn things around for ourselves.

It was a great display by the lads and bodes well for the rest of the season. We’ll be back in January, refreshed and ready for a battle.

Thanks to Liam O’Connor and his team for having the pitch in excellent condition after such bad weather over the last few weeks.

Thanks to all our fans for your continued support throughout the year. The players and management are very grateful to you all for turning up in all kinds of weather to support the Junior team, Elite XV and all of the underage teams.

We’d like to with you all a very happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to welcoming you all to Cullinagh, Killeline and beyond in 2016.

Panel, Tommy Kelliher, Sean McAuliffe, Dean O’Brien, Shaun Berkery, Gavin Riedy, Conor Whelan, Sean Herlihy, Shane Magner, Sean Corbett, Declan Moloney, Paudie Fogarty, Dave Foley, Capt, Sean Leahy, Brian O’Doherty, Richard Langford,
Alan O’Riordan, Gearoid Costello, Mikey Costello.

New Years Eve

NCW RFC is delighted to announce that we will host a New Years Eve celebration in Feohanagh/Castlemahon Community Hall, Castlemahon. Come along and celebrate the dawning 2016 with us at what’s sure to be a great night. Tickets costing €25 will be available from Committee members from Friday Dec 11^th. Food and full bar facilities will be available on the night. Please see below for details and contact any committee member for tickets.

Newcastle West RFC New Years Eve Celebration. Thursday Dec 31^st in Feohanagh/Castlemahon Community Hall, Castlemahon. Music by Nite Waves, Full Bar Facilities. Tickets €25 from any committee member.

Munster V Stade Francais
Please book your tickets for Munster vs Stade Francais in Thomond Park in January 2016. Thinking of a Christmas present for that Rugby fan in the family? Please ring Pat Daly (087 2421682) or Martin O’Sullivan (087 8322731) after 7 pm or simply e-mail ncwrfctickets@gmail.com to secure the tickets.

6 Nations 2016
Ireland play 3 home games in the 2016 6 Nations. Applications for tickets are now being taken. Only written applications from paid club members will be considered. In the event that applications for any game are oversubscribed a draw between the applicants will take place. Applications can be sent to ncwrfctickets@gmail.com or by texting your name and number of tickets applied for to Pat Daly (087 2421682) or Martin O’Sullivan (087 8322731) after 7 pm only. Dates and fixtures below.

Ireland v Wales, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Sunday Feb 7^th 3pm Kick off
Ireland v Italy, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Saturday March 12^th 1.30pm Kick off
Ireland v Scotland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Saturday March 19^th 5pm Kick off

Shop Local Get your club gear from Kilelline shop
Club shop open in Killeline this week Tue 15th, Wed 16th, Fri 18th from 20:00 to 21:00 for anyone looking for something nice for Christmas. We have Beanies, Jackets, Socks, togs etc. Spread the word and see you there.

Mini fixtures for next week
This Sun is the last training before Christmas so we may have a fun morning rather than training.

Youth fixtures for next 3 weeks

Competition	DATE	TIME	HOME	AWAY	VENUE
Bank Of Ireland Munster Club U18 Cup – Group 1	20/12/2015	13:00	Newcastle West/Estuary	Muskerry	Cullinagh
Bank Of Ireland Munster Club U16 Cup – Group 2	20/12/2015	13:30	Newcastle West/Estuary	Waterford City	Killeline
UNDER 15 LEAGUE	20/12/2015	12:00	Shannon	Newcastle West/Estuary	Coonagh
UNDER 13 SECTION 1	20/12/2015	11:30	Newcastle West	Ballina Killaloe/Scariff	Killeline
Bank Of Ireland Munster Club U18 Cup – Group 1	03-Jan-2016	13:00	Newcastle West/Estuary	Midleton	Cullinagh
UNDER 13 SECTION 1	03-Jan-2016	11:00	Thomond	Newcastle West/Estuary	Killeline
UNDER 15 SECTION 1	03-Jan-2016	11:00	Newcastle West/Estuary	Richmond /Pres	Richmond Park
Bank Of Ireland Munster Club U16 Cup – Group 2	09-Jan-2016	13:00	Skibbereen	Newcastle West/Estuary	Skibbereen
UNDER 15 League	10-Jan-2016	11:30	Newcastle West/Estuary	Garryowen	Killeline
UNDER 14 League	10-Jan-2016	12:00	Kilrush	Newcastle West/Estuary	Kilrush
Bank Of Ireland Munster Club U18 Cup – Group 1	10-Jan-2016	12:00	Richmond/Pres	Newcastle West/Estuary	Richmond Pk.

Waterford City RFC

Courtesy of:- Deirdre Barry, Club PRO

Senior Squad – Waterford City RFC 56 v Castleisland 0

Tries: Aidan Power 2, Dave O’Connor, Joe Delahunty,

Sean O’Mahony. Michael Hayes, Ben Duggan, Damien Kennedy

Conversion: Michael Hayes 5 Penalties: Michael Hayes 2

MOM : Darren Walsh (pushed by Sean O’Mahony)

After fantastic work by groundsman Barry Harold, City ended the year with a fantastic home performance, full of pace, power and impressive offloading defying the conditions. In their first home game for nearly three months and after playing the top three sides away from home, City were determined to finish the year on a high. With some returning players in the back line and an excellent few weeks of training, City were buoyed by a pre game talk from Paul ‘do it for Munster’ Ryan and started with the verve of Storm Desmond. City had talked about the conditions and how to play the opposition, but Head Coach Peter Jones and the army of supporters in Kilbarry were treated to some fine rugby.

City couldn’t have wished for a better start where after 90 seconds, man of the match Darren Walsh spotted a gap inside his own 22, with some good offloading in the tackle from Aidan Power and Cian Foskin, Dave O’Connor finished a magnificent move which was even better than his offload in training during the week. City’s pack were hugely impressive, particularly the rampaging back three of Cian Foskin, Sean O’Mahony and Joe Delahunty with all full of energy, hard running and offering a supporting option to the ball carrier. The offloading was a joy to behold and the tries continued to come thick and fast with the bonus point wrapped up before half time. Michael Hayes, after some video analysis work in midweek, rediscovered his kicking boots to land some excellent shots at goal.

The set piece again functioned superbly, building on last week’s impressive lineout performance in Abbeyfeale, superbly led by Eamon O’Keeffee and Sean O’Mahony. The backs made sure they got in on the act with Aidan Power cutting some nice inside lines and scoring two well taken tries. Again, the option of a supporting man in the backs gave the ball carrier space, and from some neat inter play from Aaron Foskin, Michael Hayes spotted a gap and with a superb show and go, cantered to the line. Damien Kennedy then showed great strength to rip the ball in the tackle and finish impressively.

Things were to get even better for City as club captain Ben Duggan, came off his bench to make 45 metres with his first ball carry and score a try at the back of a driving maul with his second. However, this was a whole squad performance with the foundations built on the training paddock. Whilst congratulations must go to all 22 players in the squad, the result is to the 55 lads on City’s playing roster this year. Special mention also to Connor White for doing his club duty as linesman.

City’s league action is now over for 2015 with the next future coming up away against Tralee on January 17th. However, before the turn of the year, City will look to continue their recent good form by replicating wins over Waterpark on Sunday 20th and Dungarvan on Tuesday 29th December.
City: Andrew Condron, Dave O’Connor, Karl Reade, Eamonn O’Keeffee, Jason Power, Sean O’Mahony, Cian Foskin, Joe Delahunty, Darren Walsh, Michael Hayes, Damien Kennedy, Connor Power, Aidan Power Stephen Walsh, Aaron Foskin,
Brian Walsh, Ben Duggan, Alex Fitzmaurice, Liam Hayes, James Halligan, Mark Hayes, Jack Caffrey

As always, many thanks to all of our supporters, families and sponsors Done Deal and the Kingfisher club. We wish all rugby fans a peaceful and prosperous Christmas.

Mini’s News
Due to conditions in Kilbarry, the mini’s training was moved to Kingfisher Sports complex on Sunday. The kids and coaches adapted well to the restricted space available. Again, hats off to the coaches for digging deep in their bag of coaching tricks to keep the show on the road! Club president Jemma Jacob was on hand to promote our upcoming club fundraiser which takes place next Friday the 18th at the Waterford Dog Track.
Finally, the blitz scheduled for Dungarvan on Jan 10 has been cancelled so we are looking at the possibility of trying to run one ourselves. More news on that ASAP. If not, training as usual in Kilbarry at 11am. 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.


Santa to visit Kilbarry
Our Annual Christmas party for the minis including a visit from Santa takes place next Sunday December 20^th from 11:30 to 12:30 after a light training session from 11 to 11:30.

A Night at the Dogs
Waterford City RFC has their biggest fund raiser coming up on Friday 18th December in Kilcohan Dog track. As it’s the Christmas season we would like all our members to come and join us in what promises to be a festive/fun night for everyone. This night is for all of our members from Mini’s to Youths to Senior’s, our Veterans, and Coaches and to all their families. Please come and support our night. Family Tickets €20, Adult Tickets €10. Tickets are available from all coaches and committee members. Club President Jemma Jacob will be at the clubhouse on Wednesday evening at 6.30pm if anyone would like to pop in and purchase their tickets.

Club Gear
Club gear is now available to purchase from Excel Promotions, Unit 12, Six Cross Road Business Park, Kilbarry, Waterford. Pop into the showroom to see the gear and try it on for size.