Club Notes: Week Ending 24.01.14

This week’s Club Notes come from Bantry Bay and Shannon.

Bantry Bay RFC

Courtesy of: Andre Polivka, Club PRO

West Cork Harlequins(Bantry Bay-Dunmanway) 21 – 5 Kilrush RFC

Bantry Bay-Dunmanway resumed their league campaign last Saturday in a home fixture. In fact it was their first game of 2014 having seen their previous two games cancelled due to bad weather. So for this post-Christmas encounter they locked horns with the Clare side from Kilrush RFC for what was a must-win clash for both teams.

The fear of losing was palpable as both sides stared the game very nervously. Many unforced errors and mistakes made for a scrappy start with neither team willing to take any risks. The West Cork Harlequins were the first on the board with a three pointer from Padraig O’Donovan. That score seemed to settle the nerves of the home team as they grew in confidence. They began to threaten the opposition try line repeatedly but the last pass let the West Cork men down. Despite the pressure mounting, the Clare side felt very lucky to reach to break only six points having conceding another penalty just before the half.

The second act was a carbon copy of the first one with all the pressure coming from the home side but Kilrush maintaining a very strong defence. The moment of the match undoubtedly came when the Harlequins forwards won a line out on their own ten metre line and drove a maul all the way to the Kilrush ten metres line. That unstoppable and enormous forward effort was eventually brought down illegally resulting in another three-pointer and the sin-bin for the Clare scrum half.

From that point on gaps opened up and the Harlequins backs started to run freely causing havoc in the Kilrush back line. Pat Daly was at the conclusion of a crisp backs move that sent him in the corner for the first try of the game. It was followed very shortly by another one scored by Connie O’Sullivan collecting a loose ball near the Kilrush line. Complacency on behalf of the home team allowed the visitors to cross the line for a very soft try after a loose throw on their own line-out in the final moments of the game.

Despite their best efforts Harlequins failed to secure a bonus point from this fixture but the win what was mattered most and the feeling of a first league victory will undoubtedly lift the player’s spirits for the remainder of the season.

Under 16

Sunday’s Well 3 – 11 Bantry Bay

This Bantry Bay Under 16 team hold the honour to be the very first club side to compete in the Pan Munster competition. They were drawn last week in a very tough group alongside Shannon, Waterpark and Sunday’s Well.

They played the first game at Mahon Pitch last Saturday versus the Cork City side Sunday’s Well. This was a tough encounter for the Bantry lads with packs from both teams battling it out on the gameline with little dividing the teams. At half-time it was 3 points apiece but Bantry were first on the scoreline in the second half with another penalty by Tadhg McCarthy. The Bantry pack began to find some dominance around the 60 minute mark and from huge work in the scrum, scrum-half Paidi O’Sullivan worked a great run off the back of a scrum and weaved his way across the opposition line. Bantry failed to convert but from here pinned Sunday’s Well in their own half for the rest of the game and won on an 11-3 scoreline. The other game in this group saw favourites Waterpark defeating Shannon 13-0. Bantry travel away to Waterpark next Saturday.

Under 14

Muskerry 20 – 10 Bantry Bay

Our U14 team met with Muskerry for a mid table clash. Despite falling behind early on Bantry Bay were very competitive throughout. A tight first half saw us trailing by 10 points to five. The second act saw Bantry monopolizing the ball, and the play, but were caught on the counter. Despite going down 20 – 10, the team showed great resilience and determination. They will be facing Clonakilty next week in what promise to be a very entertaining West Cork derby.

Mini Rugby

On Saturday morning our minis from U7s to U12s travelled to Muskerry RFC for a Blitz. On a crisp morning in bright sunshine all teams played competitive and high-skilled games against the home teams. It was an enjoyable morning of rugby with the Bantry coaches delighted with the strong performances of all teams. Thanks are extended to Muskerry RFC for the kind hospitality.

Shannon RFC

Courtesy of: Siofra Scanlan, Club PRO

We would ask everyone to come along and support all our teams. If you cannot make the matches you can also support the club by sponsoring or attending any of the upcoming events

Events & News

Heineken Cup Tickets Munster V Toulouse

Shannon RFC will have a limited number of tickets available for the quarter final Heineken Cup Match Munster V Toulouse. We are currently awaiting communication and confirmation of tickets allocated.Should you wish to apply for tickets please contact Tadhg Crowe on 087 6524958 or email: secretary@shannonrfc.com. Please note that an application for tickets does not guarantee tickets.

Blackrock Pre-Match Lunch

Blackrock RFC be hosting a Pre-Match Lunch on Saturday 25th January in Blackrock RFC Clubhouse, prior to the AIL Match Blackrock V Shannon. Prices for this lunch are €;20 per person. The price includes lunch and entry to the Match. Bookings should be confirmed to barmanager@blackrockcollegerfc.ie or call: 0871236920/012805967

Champ or Chimp- Fundraiser

Members are encouraged to get behind a potentially major Shannon RFC fundraising effort. Between now and the end of February the Club will be very actively promoting the “Champ or Chimp” sports forecasting competition. There are 14 individual sporting events listed and points will be awarded on the outcome of each event. The competition begins with the Cheltenham racing festival and concludes with the All-Ireland football final in September. Log onto http://www.shannonrfc.com/club/news/item/344-are-you-a-champ-or-a-chimp.html for more details.
Please get involved. It is a fun competition, which can raise much-needed funds for the improvement of Club facilities. You can show your support through playing the game or, even better, through getting your friends involved as well. Entry Forms can be acquired from any Executive Committee member all contact details can be found at: http://www.shannonrfc.com/contact.html

Volunteers Always Needed

All at Shannon RFC would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who helped out at the club in 2013. It is much appreciated. We are currently looking for people to help out with upcoming fundrasing events. If you are a student doing a course in the media/ marketing sectors or English, retired, unemployed or would like to donate your free time we would urge you to support your Club and Volunteer. It is a great opportunity to develop your current skills and always looks great on a C.V. If you would like to volunteer in the club during 2014 please contact any committee member. All details can be found on our website at: http://www.shannonrfc.com/contact.html

International Tickets

Demand for all International Tickets is high. Shannon RFC tickets for Wales and Scottish matches are now sold out, however we do have a small selection still available for the Italian game this year. Anyone who would like further information or wish to purchase tickets, please contact Tadhg Crowe on 087 6524958 or email: secretary@shannonrfc.com

Shannon RFC Race Night

We will be hosting a race night in Shannon RFC Clubhouse April 2014. We would urge everyone to support this event as all monies raised will be going to upgrade the facilities in Coonagh and Clubhouse.

If you would like to get involved by sponsorship the prices are as follows:
Sponsorship Per Race ~ €;100
Full Page in Programme ~ €;100
Half Page in Programme ~ €;50
Horse ~ €;20
If you would like more information or would like to sponsor from list above please contact Ger Mulqueen on 087-6731676, Tom O'Connor on 087-412844 or Jack Bourke on 086-2543369/email – vp@shannonrfc.com

SHANNON RFC APP

The info is in and we have officially reached hits of 8,046, 806 have downloaded the app and we have a following in 78 countries all over the world. Please feel free to share the link with anyone who may be interested. We would love some feedback from all of you who are following us on the app so feel free to email me directly at siofrascanlan@gmail.com
If you still have not downloaded yet here is the link. http://clubapplive.com/shannonrfc

Get Your Name Out There On Our Website

Do you want to get your company name more widely known? Are you a tradesman looking to advertise at a reduced rate? Why not advertise with Shannon RFC. We are currently in the process of setting up a Shannon RFC Tradesperson's page on our website. This will be a one stop contact page for all kind of trades and businesses. We urge any member, supporters or local business to get involved. It is a great way to advertise at a fraction of normal rates. The cost for an advertisement is €;50. Anyone who wishes to place an ad or would like more information please contact Siofra on 0863018993 or email siofrascanlan@gmail.com

Shannon RFC Pre-Match Lunch

We will be hosting a Pre-Match Lunch on Saturday 1st February at 12.30pm in Shannon RFC Clubhouse, prior to the AIL Match Shannon V Corinthians. Prices for this Brunch are €;20 Adult/ €;15.00 Student/ O.A.P. The price includes lunch and entry to the Match. Bookings should be confirmed no later than Thursday, 30th January to Denis O'Driscoll, on 086-8377263 or email inforshannonrfc@gmail.com

Shannon RFC Scrap Metal Challenge Sunday

All at Shannon RFC would like to thank everyone who contributed to this event. You have raised some very important funds for the club and it is much appreciated. A special mention to Morgan who organised. Their will be a scrap metal skip on an ongoing bases in Coonagh on Sunday mornings. Your ongoing contributions are appreciated.

A Great Gift for All

Why not give someone near or far the gift of a Shannon RFC membership. A great gift for any occasion with the added bonus of supporting your local club. Packages, including family membership, are available. Should you wish to find out more information or purchase membership please contact Barry McConkey at honsec@shannonrfc.com

Please Drive Carefully Through Coonagh

We would ask everyone to please take care, slow down and observe the speed limit through Coonagh Village on the way to and from the matches and training.

Your Club, Your Thoughts

We always like to hear from our members near and far. If you have a story, any interesting historical information or an article about the club that you would like to share we would love to hear it.Any submissions for consideration can be sent to siofrascanlan@gmail.com

Fixtures 25th/26th January 2014

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY
AIL ~ Seniors ~ BLACKROCK v SHANNON, STRADBROOK ROAD, DUBLIN, 2.30pm
SWC ~ U20s ~ HIGHFIELD V SHANNON, WOODLEIGH PARK, MODEL FARM ROAD, CORK, 2.30pm
SUNDAY 26TH JANUARY
MSSL ~ 2nds ~ SHANNON V OLD CRESENT, COONAGH, 2.30PM

Underage Training and Fixtures

MINIS

10.00am
U6,7,8,10 Top Pitch
U9 Blitz New Pitch
U11 Blitz @ Abbeyfeale

Youths

11/11.30am
U13 League v Bruff @ Bruff 11.45am
U14 Conf v St Senans Well Pitch @ 12 pm
U16 Pan Munster v Sunday's Well Coonagh @ 12 pm

U14 League Training Training Pitch
U15 Training Training Pitch
U13 Conference training Hill Area/Training Pitch

Thought Of The Week

"If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths, rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success"