Club Notes Week Ending 22.01.12

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

Waterpark retained the Under 19 League title for the third year in a row at against Nenagh in Clonmel RFC last Sunday. A strong wind had an effect on this game with Neangh having the elements to their advantage in the frist half.

Waterpark were dealt an early blow when scrum half Conor Molloy came off injured. Despite this the team were only a point down at halftime 6 points to 5 with prop Adam Walsh scoring the try.

In the second half Waterpark eventually broke down the Nenagh resistance with two more tries scored by back row forward Damien O'Dwyer and again Adam Walsh. Both sides now move on to the Under 19 Avonmore Milk Munster Youths League.

Johnny Moroney Cup

The Munster Rugby Colleges Committee are delighted to announce the inaugural Johnny Moroney Cup Final which will be played in the WIT Sports Campus, Cariganore, Waterford on Wednesday 25th January at 3.00pm between Waterford IT and Limerick IT.

Munster Colleges, under the guidance of Munster Rugby, represents the eight Colleges that compete across the three Divisions of the All Ireland Rugby Leagues, run by CUSAI (Colleges & Universities Sports Association of Ireland). There are currently 5 Munster Colleges competing in Division 1 of the All Ireland League, Cork IT, Limerick IT, University of Limerick, IT Tralee and Waterford IT and three Munster Colleges competing in Division 3 of the All Ireland League, Coláiste Stiofán Noafa, National Maritime College of Ireland and Limerick IT.

This is a developmental tournament that is targeted at College Freshers (1st Year Students) and fringe players of Division 1 Colleges and the first teams of the Division 3 Colleges. The intention is to encourage more participation of players who may not get a chance to compete at the highest level for their College, or through this competition may receive more game time and an opportunity to improve their skills and try to break through to their first teams.
We are honoured that the Moroney Family have allowed this competition to be named after Johnny Moroney. Johnny Moroney was a former Munster and Irish International , who was also a lecturer in Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Science in Waterford IT. He was also one of the founding members of the Irish Colleges Rugby Union (ICRU), which created and developed the All Ireland Colleges Rugby League that now has 42 teams competing across 4 leagues. He was an exceptional sports man both on and off the field and was well respected by all of his students.

Young Munster’s Grim Defeat To Dolphin

The general feeling among supporters after our Ulster Bank League game last Saturday was disbelief and disgust. After leading by 20-7 following a converted try from Mark Doyle, the loyal faithful that travelled to Musgrave Park would have been forgiven for thinking after 50 minutes that we were surely taking home the points. This was not to be so, as the final half hour of play proved controversial and costly as we left a game behind us at this important midway stage in the league.

Dolphin were awarded two penalty tries in the game by referee Brian McNeice, and after he handed Liam Og Murphy a yellow card, Dolphin got in for another two tries to take the win and maximum points. Young Munster had to settle for the losing bonus point and now slip to fourth place in the league table, four points off pole position.

Final score: Dolphin 26 – 20 Young Munster

Kiely Cup win over St Senan’s

The Young Munster seconds travelled to Jim Slattery Park last week for the annual Kiely Cup game v St Senan’s. We started very strongly and number 8 John Moroney secured their first try after 15 minutes from a great maul having won a line-out inside the St Senans 22. Brian Haugh kicked the difficult conversion to put us 7-0 up. St Senan’s came straight back at and were unlucky not to score when a penalty dropped short.

The visitors increased the lead when they scored a second try through Mark Mulvaney with a great break through the centre. Brian Haugh added the extras to lead 14-0 after 28 minutes. St Senan’s reduced the lead when they scored a converted try after great play between both their forwards and backs.

Young Munster’s third try came from Owen Tarrant and a great back line move, Brian Haugh kicked the difficult conversion from the touch line to leave the half time score 21-7 in our favour. St Senan’s came straight at us for the first 20 minutes of the second half and scored a try after 14 minutes and would have scored another only for great defence by Owen Tarrant & Eamonn Carr. Following the game, Dermot and the Kiely family made the presentation of the Kiely Cup to Young Munster Captain Darragh Payne, who in turn wished St Senan’s every success for the rest of the season.

Final Score: St. Senans 12 – 21 Young Munster

Young Munster Under 14’s v Ennis

Last Sunday, Young Munster completed their league programme with a visit from Ennis to Derryknockane. While both sides were out of contention for the knockout stages of the league, this tie however, turned out to be a full-blooded encounter, with the result in doubt up to the final play of the game.

The home side started in confident mood, and after a period of sustained pressure, with surging runs from Jack Finucane and Calvin McDonagh, a sweeping move across our backline saw left wing Aaron McNamara cross for a try after eight minutes. Out half Dean Garvey kicked a magnificent conversion from a difficult angle to put Young Munster 7-0 ahead. However, we lost Calvin soon after to what looked like a nasty ankle injury. He was replaced by Jake Bennis, who took over a tight head. The physically bigger Ennis pack began to gain the ascendency in set pieces, and their efforts were rewarded with a well-worked try after 20 minutes. Despite some fine individual breaks from Dan O’Brien, Brendan Kelly and Jack Finucane, the home side were unable to finish off several promising attacks.

At half time Under 13 player Peter King was introduced for his debut with Young Munster, with Shane O’Connell making way. The home side spent most of the second half defending, with the combined effects of a strong head wind and a very resolute Ennis defence preventing them from getting any worthwhile field position. To their credit the lads defended the line as if this was a cup final, with Tadhg Enright and Brendan Kelly leading the tackle count. Further injuries to full back Alex O’Callaghan and centre Kelvin Brosnahan forced us to reshuffle of the backline. With almost ten minutes of injury time played, Ennis were awarded a five metre scrum after a try-saving tackle from Dan O’Brien, and with the last play of the game, the Ennis No. 8 broke for our line and was deemed by the referee to have grounded the ball. Ennis duly added the two points for the conversion. The long whistle sounded thereafter. Final result: Young Munster 7 – Ennis 12.

Geraldine Browne RIP

This week Young Munster mourned the loss of Geraldine Browne RIP. Geraldine was the wife of the late Ollie Browne who served as President of Young Munster for three successive years in 1960/61, 1061/62, 1962/63. Geraldine was herself a member and enthusiastic supporter of the club.. She will be missed by all who knew her. We send our deepest condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.