Club Notes: Week Ending 26.02.2017

Our club notes this week come from Bruff RFC, Kilfeacle & District RFC, Newcastle West RFC and Thurles RFC

Age Grade Girls Finals Day in Tralee RFC
Courtesy of Women's Community Rugby Officer Amanda Greensmith

Tralee RFC hosted the Munster age grade girls Cup finals this weekend gone. With 6 titles up for grabs there was lots to play for.

In total 5 games took place on the day with Clonakilty conceding the U15 Bowl final to Bantry.

The day started with the U18 Bowl Final between Newport Vixens and Kanturk RFC. Both teams competing for their first season in competitive rugby after undergoing a development period. Both teams left everything on the pitch with Newport Vixens coming out as eventual winners. Kicking off at the same time was the U15 Shield final between St Marys and Mallow. The Limerick side were victorious on the day but both sides played excellent rugby.

The U18 Cup final between Bantry and Listowel/Tralee was a keenly contested game. Having met a number of times in the league this season and with both teams sporting Munster U18’s players they were no strangers to each other. It was a tight game until well into the second half before Listowel/Tralee pulled away to win the game.

The last two games of the day saw Shannon play Thurles in the U18’s shield final and Kilrush play Listowel/Tralee in the U15’s Cup final.

Listowel/Tralee coming out with the double on the day and Shannon narrowly losing out to Thurles.

With the league and cup now at completion the Clubs will turn their attention to the Club 7’s blitz days in the coming months.

Bruff RFC
Courtesy of Seamus Scanlon

Seniors Vs Tullamore RFC
A late Cillian Rea try sealed an important 13-10 away win over Tullamore for the seniors on Saturday. Bruff went into Saturday’s game six points behind forth placed Tullamore and a win was a must to close the gap to the play off place. Tullamore had already beaten Bruff 15-12 in Kilballyowen in November and came into the game on a good run which saw them win 2 of their previous 3 games.
The first half was a very stop start affair with both teams showing some great defence organisation and forcing each other into handling errors. The first score didn’t come until the 35th minute from a penalty for Tullamore but Bruff were able to level before half time to make it 3-3 at the break.
The second half proved livelier and produced three tries and a tense finish. Bruff took the lead courtesy of a Mark Cosgrove try to make it 8-3. But Tullamore struck next with a converted try with only minutes remaining to take a 10-8 lead. Bruff showed great character and went back on the offensive working the ball into the oppositions 22. Bruff patience paid off producing the winning try with only 2 minutes on the clock.
The Seniors next outing is on the 4th March when we welcome league leaders Navan to Kilballyowen.
Team 1-15: Dave Horan, John Hogan, Keith Laffan, Mike Cooke, Brian Morrissey , John Clery, Cillian Rea , Dave Gardner, Tony Cahill, Dave O Grady, Mark Cosgrove ,Brian Cahill, Jack O Grady, Liam Tracey, Graham Whelan
Subs, Paddy Clery, Brendan Keogh, Barry Laffan, Eric Finn, Willie Casey.

U20’s into Munster semi-final.
Bruff u20’s will contest the semi-final of the league vs UCC next Saturday Feb 25th thanks to a 35-21 win over UL Boh’s at home in Kilballyowen at the weekend. Bruff went into last weekend’s game knowing they needed a bonus point win to ensure a play-off place in what was the last round of the league phase of the competition. The pressure didn’t get to them and they delivered in style securing the try bonus before half time. Bruff had 2 tries each from Dylan Reeves-Wasik and Liam Barret with Cian Clifford also getting in for a try. Kevin Mcmanus provided the extras from the boot.
Saturday’s game will be a massive challenge travelling to face the runaway league leaders UCC in the Mardyke. But Bruff will not fear their opponents haven already beaten them 10-21 when the sides met in early January.
Fixture- UCC u20’s Vs Bruff u20’s – 2.30pm Venue- The Mardyke – Saturday Feb 25th

Squad: Brady Day, Thomas Quigley, Jack Fitzgerald, Tadgh O Dwyer, Cian Mulqueen, Brian Bulfin, Paul Treacy, Sean Hartigan, Niall Byrnes, Cian Clifford, Liam Treacy, Jack O Grady, Conor Fitzpatrick, Liam Barrett, Kevin McManus, Shane Breen, Darren O Farrell, Gareth Cooke, Mattew Lockart O Dea, John Bulfin, David Maloney, Thomas Breen, Fergal Cooke, Dylan Reeves- Wasik, Adam Sheehy, Stephen Dunworth, David Moloney, Anthony Foley.

Kilfeacle & District RFC
Courtesy of Michelle Noonan

Munster Junior Challenge Cup final:
On Sunday next Feb 26th all roads lead to Charliville at 2.00pm for the Munster Challenge Cup final v Bandon RFC. These two clubs have met twice this season in the league and Munster Junior Cup. The results have given us one victory each. Kilfeacle won the league game by 4 or 5 points and in a fantastic Junior Cup encounter Bandon emerged victorious. This game on Sunday is to decide the winner of the last of their engagements. Yes it’s a great achievement by the little club on the hill – not alone to survive but to win the holy grail of junior rugby.
John Staunton the coach has done marvellous work with the squad assisted by Denis Keneally, Conor Gallagher, Paul Donovan and John Flaherty with Sean Heuston giving expert advice. Kilfeacle & District are basically a young outfit with Diarmuid O Donnell as Captain. Tom Doyle, Ricky Whitney, Simon Barry, Conor Quinlan, Huma, Stephen Quirke consistently good all season. The two McLaughlins are playing great stuff this season and to Jack and Bryan we look forward to another peak performance. Kevin Kinane is as good a No 8 as there is in Junior Rugby. Cormac Ryan and Cormac O Donoghue are line out back row players who can get the job done for us on the day. Yes will miss Dave Kirsey but the pack will do it for him.
Our backs are led by Shane Luby whom we can play in all positions and a very good tackler. Gavin and Jamie Heuston at 9 and 10 are well capable of Big Games and have been going great guns all season. The two Lowry’s have skill and pace and brains in abundance. Josh Featherstone brings plenty of experience; Pat Ryan is possibly the fastest man in Junior Rugby – a fine tackler and given an inch will score. Diarmaid McCarthy, the two Burkes – Dingle and Keith, Charles Walsh all bring plenty of experience to the table. It will be tough but it’s great to be there. Please support The Boys in Blue. They’d love to see a big crowd there. Thank you.
Cheltenham Preview Night on March 4th in Sir Rolands, Thomastown, Golden at 8pm. Kevin Blake, Nina Carberrry, Alan Crowe and Joseph O Brien are the people with the knowledge. The night is in aid of Kilfeacle & District Underage and Scoil Aongusha Cashel Special Needs School. Tickets are €;10 and available on the door or from any member. Please support and come for the craic and listen to the experts. There will be an auction for a Tipp Jersey, many more items and a free bet from Boyle Sports for Scoil Anogusha Special Needs School Cashel.

Newcastle West RFC
Courtesy of Martin O’Sullivan

NCW RFC Six Nations Raffle

A very successful raffle took place on Sunday night last in the Silver Dollar Bar, for our annual fundraising raffle.
Our winners were:
2 x England Tickets – Sean Cahill, Shanagolden Co Limerick
2 x France Tickets – James Foley, Cavanagh’s, Charleville

A very big thank you to all who helped out with the raffle and to all who supported our fundraiser.

Fixture: We play Richmond in Cullinagh on Sunday next Feb 26th in the league in the rescheduled fixture. Kickoff is at 2.30pm.


Lotto: Results from Friday 10th February Lotto Draw
Numbers Drawn 2, 15, 21, 30 – NO WINNER

ANN HEALY C/O NIALL O’ CONNORS
CLAIRE MCCARTHY C/O MICKEY LANE
NOEL O’ SHEA C/O KOSTAL MALLOW
DAN EGAN, CASTLEMAHON
PAT DALTON C/O SILVER DOLLAR BAR
JIM LONG C/O NIALL O’ CONNOR
Promoters Prize. Tony Hayes

Results from Friday 17th February Lotto Draw

Numbers Drawn 9, 14, 23, 24 – NO WINNER

DES NORMOYLE C/O MAG MOTORS
EILEEN O’ DONOVAN C/O BALLINTEMPLE INN
TONY HAYES C/O HAYES NEWAGENTS
TIMMY AMBROSE C/O LEE’S BAR
JAMES HYNES C/O CENTRAL BAR
GRACE LEE C/O LEE’S BAR
Promoters Prize. Whelan’s Bar


Next week’s draw will be in Strand Bar on Friday 24th February. The jackpot stands at €;10,300

Thurles RFC
Courtesy of Brian Scanlon

Munster Junior League: Thurles RFC 10 – 12 St Marys RFC

Thurles welcomed St. Marys of Limerick to Loughtagalla on Sunday last in a Promotion shootout, which would go a long way to deciding who would join Waterpark in Division 1 next year. The opening quarter of the game saw a lot of play around the midfield but it was Thurles who came out of this period shining brightest with 2 quick fire tries.

The first was a great back line move which saw Captain Eoghan O’Dwyer finish excellently in the right hand corner of the clubhouse end. The second came from excellent pressure from Thurles on a St. Marys scrum, Nicky Irwin got in an excellent block on the opposition out half as he attempted to clear his lines and it was Shane Moloney who reacted quickest to win the race to the ball to score Thurles’ second of the game, both tries went unconverted.

As the half neared an end, Thurles began to concede a number of penalties which provided momentum to the away side, who went onto score a well worked try off the back of a line out to reduce the deficit before the break with an uncoverted try; 10-5 at half time.

The opening period of the second half began much like the first, both sides had a number of chances from the kicking tee to add to the scoreline, but both sides proved very wasteful with the boot, with neither kicking having any success. St. Marys added a second try as their prop barged through the cover to touch down, the convert just sneaked inside the posts to edge the Limerick men in front with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.

Thurles had a number of chances from open play and from the tee to win the game in the closing minutes but were unable to take advantage of the chances presented to them, some of them no doubt may come back to haunt them as the curtain comes to a close in a few weeks’ time, St. Mary’s held on for the win and retained their place in 2nd position in the league.

This was Thurles’ first fixture since the end of January but begins a busy run of fixtures with next up for the men, the Final of the Munster Junior Challenge Shield against Kinsale, this decider takes place in Fermoy RFC Grounds, this Sunday at 2pm, all travelling support would be greatly appreciated by the players and management as the team look to claim their first bit of silverware of the season.
Training continues Wednesday & Friday nights at 7.30pm sharp for both Firsts & Seconds.
Thurles Scorers: Eoghan O’Dwyer & Shane Moloney (1 Try Each) Thurles Starting XV vs St. Marys: 1. Ger McCormack 2. Shane Nugent 3. Dave Kelly 4. Phil Kelly 5. Shane McHugh 6. Mark Cummins 7. Paddy Phelan 8. Ciaran Ryan 9. Nicky Irwin 10. Aidan Dwyer 11. Adrian Bourke 12. Shane Moloney 13. Eoghan O’Dwyer (c) 14. Tommy Stevens 15. Peter Coman Subs Used: Charles Langley, Luke Kelly, Joey Kelly.


All Ireland Plate quarter-final: Thurles Ladies vs Tralee
Thurles started strong from the kick off, the memories of losing the league final away to Tralee in the last match of the season last year etched in their minds. An early scrum awarded to Tralee set the bar for the Thurles forwards who dominated throughout. Thurles turned over the ball and a quick pick from Joanne Harrison from the back of the scrum passed to her sister Mariam Harrison was given to Aisling O Hagan who kicked a lovely ball down the wing and made the ensuing tackle.

Thurles were dominant in attack but the Tralee defence was very strong causing a knock on. Thurles won the scrum and again were on the attack. Megan Callanan who was immense throughout the game was unlucky not to get over the try line but a quick ball from scrum half Linda Ryan and fast hands from the backs saw Aisling O Hagan over the line for what would be the only try scored for Thurles. Megan Callanan who’s kicking game is second to none this season converted. Laura Carroll who started with Thurles last season and Jean Ryan made huge ground showing both strength and pace. A knock on from Thurles saw Tralee once again in attack and a quick ball out the backs saw Thurles under pressure for the first time in the game but some excellent tackles from the Powerhouse Niamh Coman and Stephanie Moore helped Thurles regain possession.

Thurles were again on the attack. Tralee gave away a penalty in front of the posts and Megan Callanan duly slotted it over the bar 10-0. Tralee were straight back up the field on the attack and received a penalty making it 10-3 at half time. From the restart thurles were again on the attack and again received a penalty from a very tight angle which megan again put between the posts. 13-3. Lesley osullivan came on to replace Laura Carroll and added fresh legs to the Thurles forwards who put in some serious effort to win nearly every scrum. Another penalty awarded to thurles saw megan Callanan who’s kicking stats were 100% bring the scoreline to 16-3. The match was a very physical game from.both sides siobhan Fleming of munster and Ireland notably being one of tralees standout players. She scored the next try for tralee bringing the scoreline to 16-8 and the conversion attempt was narrowly missed. Thurles weren’t finished and again hammered into the tralee defense huge carries from Linda Ryan, Jane Ryan and Rebecca Byrne saw thurlesback into the tralee 22 and they were once again given a penalty which megan Callanan again slotted over the bar 19-8.

Tralee weren’t about to drop their heads and came back at thurles with an impressive attack. Thurles held tralee on the line for a few phases but they managed to break their defense and scored another try bringing the scoreline to 19-13. The conversion was missed by the narrowest of margins. Thurles finished the game in attack with Aisling Byrne and Aisling O Hagan making serious ground. An intercept by a Tralee player on the line was given chase by the speed merchant Maria Woodlock who made a fantastic tackle against the odds. The ball was kicked out and the final whistle was blown. Thurles are now into the all Ireland Plate semi final against Rathdrum of Wicklow with the date to be confirmed. Thurles are also in the league semi final on the 5th of March at home having finished the group stage on the top of the table.

Munster Women’s U18 Plate final: Thurles v Shannon

The 15 a side rugby season for U15 and U18 Girls came to a conclusion for all clubs in Munster on Saturday last, culminating in a superb day of Age Grade Rugby at Tralee RFC. Thurles RFC were represented by the U18 side that had qualified to meet Shannon RFC in the final of the Munster Plate, having beaten a strong Newport side in the semi-final. The Tipp Girls were on the road early to get to the venue in plenty time to stretch the legs and go through the last few moves ahead of what was going to be a tough day at the office, as is always the case when facing a Shannon side. Previous meetings between the clubs has always been close affairs with physicality ever present.

From the whistle, it was Thurles that came out of the blocks the fastest and within 2 minutes the ball had been moved through the hands out wide to the left wing. Fierce defence from Shannon resulted in a ruck on the Shannon 5m line. A well executed pre-planned pick and go, from hooker, Rachel Ryan ended with the opening try of the game. 5-0 to Thurles.

Despite having almost all of the ball and all of the territory for the first half, Thurles failed to score again before half time , with excellent efforts from captain Jane Ryan and scrum half Holly O Dwyer coming up just short. The Thurles Scrum was functioning well with the Woodlock sisters , Megan and Niamh combining in the second row, and the front row of Julia Heiden, Rachel Ryan and Giulia Jun Brevigliero who was starting her first ever game, weathered the Shannon storm

While its fair to say, the first half was all Thurles, the second half was most definitely Shannon’s. The Limerick Girls increased the intensity from the restart and had Thurles under pressure for most of the half. The tackling skills of the entire Thurles back line were tested throughout the second half with centres Sophie Sheehan, Christine Coffey and Full back AnnaBelle Wynn Jones all equal to the task. There were flashes of brilliance from the outstanding Emily Lane at Fly Half, releasing wingers Melanie Deveraux and Amy McGrath down both wings to try and extend the slender lead, but the Shannon defence was strong and held firm. Mid way through the second half Thurles were dealt a double blow losing both Holly O Dwyer and Megan Woodlock in quick succession. These were replaced by Caoimhe Wixted and Siobhan Quinlan who coped ably until the end of the game

Following relentless attacks on the Thurles line, and the clock running down, Shannon finally crossed for a superb try to the right of the posts. Fortunately for Thurles the conversion was narrowly missed and the sides were level with only minutes remaining. Thurles had a chance to pull ahead with Aoife Flanagan and Kate O Dwyer combining well down the middle of the field but just came up short. The final whistle came just in time for Thurles. The score stood at 5-5 and with no extra time at age grade rugby, Thurles were declared Munster Plate Champions but virtue of the first try rule. Full credit to the Shannon Girls who fought right up to the final whistle which came that fraction too early for them.

1 unused sub Layla O Connor

Coaches Ciara O Dwyer, Sean Lanigan Ryan and Brian Scanlon would like the thank all who travelled to Tralee for the game and to Suzy Scanlon at Lamha Beaga Playschool for the fabulous tracksuits and playing socks.

Next up for Thurles is the Munster 7s in March. Best of luck Girls

Munster U16 Plate: Thurles 19 Sundays Well 22

Thurles U16’s just came up short in a highly entertaining game in Loughtagala last Sunday. Just like their senior counterparts who played just an hour later, this was one they certainly could have won. The home team started brightly having the best of the opening exchanges and possession but after just 5 minutes they found themselves standing under their own posts having conceded a try and conversion. A back row break with offload to their strongly built centre saw him ghost through the first up Thurles defence and sprint untouched to the Thurles line from fifty metres out. This ease of the score was ominous for Thurles but to their credit they kicked off and applied pressure to Well keeping them hemmed in their own half. From a lineout on the Well 10m line, Andrew Bourke rose highest to steal possession against the throw brilliantly, the ball was spun out the Thurles backs to James Devaney entering the line out wide. A flashing side step had him through the gap selling two more dummies to score under the posts which he himself converted leaving the score at 7 all after 10 minutes.

Sundays Well were back in front after several bullocking runs by their heavier forwards set up a simple backline overlap for the them to run in their second try of the day. Thurles however again responded well and after half breaks by John McGrath and Jack McGrath they won a penalty 10 m from the Sundays Well line. After initial surges led by Sam Quinlan and Peter Wall, Owen Byrne picked around the corner and was just stopped short. His hooker Tom Wilkinson was immediately on hand to get the recycle and dive over for his first try of the season. James Devaney converted for Thurles to sneak ahead 14 to 12 after 22 minutes. Sundays Well responded and having won field position from penalty and lineout in side the Thurles 20m line proceeded to batter the Thurles line. Thurles defended desperately and but conceded a penalty 5m out. A tap move, questionable in legality, resulted in the Well 8 powering over despite a huge collision with Thurles prop James Butler who bravely through himself at the larger Well player stopping him short, but he just managed to stretch and dot down on the line despite Thurles having numbers in place. This left it 17 to 14 at half time.

Thurles regrouped and despite a poor opening to the half where they, but for great scrambling defence and poor handling by Well they would have gone further behind. From minutes 10 to 20 Thurles had the better of the exchanges with Well pretty much confined to their own half. Thurles backs Micheal Ryan and James Devaney had good breaks before a series of penalties and scrums led to Sam Quinlan getting over in the corner only to be disallowed for not grounding. Thurles however re-gathered and kept up the pressure and phases with multiple infringements from Well. A Thurles blind side move saw James Devaney put Robbie Keane Butler away with 8m to go to the corner, he slid in and despite some controversy about whether he was in play before touching down was awarded the try. This edged Thurles ahead 19 to 17 with 7 minutes remaining. Sundays well, spurred on by the setback redoubled their efforts and despite having opportunities Thurles could not extract themselves from their own half in the dying minutes. A scrum 8m out was carried up by their 8 but John McGrath excellent all day in the centre was called to make the tackle on. Short on numbers out wide Well had an easy overlap after a quick recycle.

A little more composure in defence may have eked out a win for Thurles but they fell at the final hurdle. The Thurles scrum with Peter Wall, Tom Wilkinson and James Butler in the front row was rock solid all day and the lineout functioned brilliantly with Thurles turning over a few opposition throws and retaining all their own thank to second rows Andrew Bourke and Conor Whitehead. The Thurles back row of Luke Fogarty, Owen Byrne and Sam Quinlan got through a huge amount of work. The backline was excellently marshalled by John McGrath at fly half in his first full outing in this position and he was ably supported by his tireless centres Jack McGrath and Micheal Ryan and wingers, Ben Taafe, Robbie Keane Butler and Daragh McCahy. James Devaney as usual caught the attention of both home and away support with his incisive running from full back.