The U/20's completed their AIL programme on a very positive note with a
superb win over Highfield by 28-15. It was one of their most convincing
displays of the campaign and they managed a well deserved bonus point. From the
beginning it was evident that the lads were up for the game and looking to play
the type of rugby that they were capable of and in a four try haul they
certainly showed an encouraging appetite. While they may not have finished in
the league table in a playoff position, 7th overall is no bad achievement given
the relative youth of the squad. Robe Guerin was first to cross the line and
was subsequently followed by Kieran Mc Ardle, Dave O'Leary and Eoghan Cunnane.
The lads now have a break for a few weeks as a date for their North Munster
League final against Garryowen has yet to be arranged. On Monday evening they
are hosting a fundraising Race Night in the clubhouse at
The Thirds were very unfortunate to lose out to Cashel in the semi final
of the Gleeson league last Saturday. It was a tough tight encounter with little
to choose between the sides. The 9 point deficit at the full time whistle
certainly glossed the scoreline in the home sides favour as it was our own lads
that were pushing hard for a score at the latter stages of the game. As it
transpired a late try by Cashel sealed the fate and after an outstanding
league, the thirds will be very disappointed that they faltered in the playoff
stages. However, their squad is more than capable of making amends when they
play in the upcoming Webb Cup and the McInerny Cup. On Saturday in Coonagh at
2.30 they face St Marys in the opening round of the Webb Cup so anyone not
travelling to the North, please lend your support to the thirds,
It was a similar case of close but no cigar for the Seconds as they
bowed out of the junior plate by the narrow margin of 13-12. They travelled to
Killarney with a heavily depleted side, but nonetheless those that did travel
gave a worthy account of themselves. The long journey was perhaps the main
reason for our sluggish start during which we gave Killarney a 10 point lead.
When we did finally find our direction it was Emmet Mc Loughlin that crossed
for our opening try and began the revival. The home side went further ahead
with a penalty, but Shane Mulally's converted try closed the gap to just one
point. Despite conceding penalty after penalty in the closing stages, as we
were chasing their advantage hard, Killarney still managed to maintain their
lead and indeed held out. This Sunday the seconds play host to Young Munster in
the
The AIB league is the big focus of the weekend as we make the longest
journey of the campaign up to Ballymena. Injuries and representative duty means
that our squad may not be as strong as we would have liked, but no doubt those
that take the field will be motivated by the fact that a win on Saturday will
be another huge step towards a playoff spot.
At underage the 18's made it 8 from 8 with a 17-13 victory away to
Newcastlewest. It was a hard fought, but well merited win over a tenacious side
that took the early lead with a penalty, but an Aidan O'Donovan try gave us a
5-3 lead at the break. The second half saw an outstanding try from Ben Sargeant
who jinked and shimmied his way through several players and despite a hefty
challenge from the home side, Cian Tsangs try ensured victory.
The U/14's are matching the 18's unbeaten run after they also accounted
for Newcastlewest. Again the home side put up a stern challenge and managed to
reduce our 21-7 half time lead to 28-21 when the full time whistle blew. First
to score was Robert Whyte after he exploited a huge gap in the defence, but
Newcastlewest responded almost immediately. Michael Foley and Ronan Hunt tries
however gave us the lead and when Conor Burns added another soon after the
break, it seemed as if we were coasting. Newcastlewest though had other ideas
and we were forced to resist a noble effort to claim the spoils.
Fixtures this week sees the U/8 Blacks at Derryknockane and the Blues
at St Senans, while the U/13's are away to Scariff and the U/14's
away to Garryowen at 11.30