Iveragh’s Age-Grade Coach Named Ballyseedy Volunteer Of The Month

The Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer of the Month for November was awarded to Anthony Cournane of Iveragh Eagles RFC for his continued dedication towards the development of age-grade squads at the Kerry club.

A dedicated coach, Tony has worked with multiple age-groups over the years and is responsible for the huge success of the Iveragh Eagles age-grade teams, including the school programme in Coláiste na Sceilge.

From Caherdaniel, Tony amalgamated the Iveragh U14 squad with Killorglin RFC to continue his training of players from U8s to U14s and to ensure the squad can continue at a high level of competition.

On receiving his award, Tony said: “I have three kids that play, two girls and a boy, and the idea was to always get kids playing rugby in what is mostly a GAA area.

“We are the only rugby club in the area and it’s a lot of work done by a lot of people as we use community pitches for training and matches.”

The girls’ school team at Coláiste na Sceilge enjoyed a successful season last year despite having just enough players to participate and it being their first involvement in a national level competition.

“In our first junior year, the girls won the emerging schools Munster title and that was massive for the school. We receive great support from the school and both the boys’ and girls’ teams are a pleasure to work with.

“We have U14s playing at the club and I suppose they were our first minis, which we amalgamated with Killorglin and also reached a West Munster final in our first year – they are playing some beautiful rugby at the minute.

“Seeing the progress of players and characters develop is what I enjoy most. It’s not about winning games, it’s about taking part.”

L/R: Mike O’Shea, Robbie O’Mahony, Ruth Brophy, Dave Carne, David O’Connell, Tony Cournane, Denis Thirion(Chairman), Mike O’Driscoll & Krista O’Sullivan.

Iveragh Eagles PRO, David O’Connell, said: “I think it would be fair to say that there is a core group of players who have progressed from U7s to U14s and without tony being there, those players wouldn’t be playing rugby.

“Tony single-handedly started the minis and coaches five days a week with games most Saturdays, possibly on a Sunday. There would also be no rugby in the local secondary without Tony who runs both the boys’ and girls’ teams in the school.

“Tony has a way of identifying people who turn out to be very good for the club.

“There is a famous story within the Eagles which involves a guy called Jeff who had never played the game at all.

“Tony got him down to the club on the premise of doing the tiling for the changing rooms and we didn’t haven’t any changing rooms at the time.

“Jeff has been at the club every Saturday since!”

The Ballyseedy Home & Garden Volunteer Recognition Programme rewards people working hard behind the scenes within clubs and schools throughout the province.

The programme runs from September 2019 to March 2020 with a reward scheme consisting of individual ‘Volunteer of the Month’ awards.

Successful nominees who meet a set criteria were recognised for their efforts by receiving a prize package including;

– Volunteer of the Month’ Award

– Hamper

– Hospitality package for two including tickets to a Munster home game

For more information and to nominate your club or school volunteer, please click here.