The Boneyard Bulletin 28.11.18
Mitchelstown Rugby Club
Junior 1 Division 3.
Our league leading Junior’s next outing will be a home fixture against Tralee on Sunday the 2nd of December at 2:30pm.
Girls Rugby Under 16
Training this week will be in Currabowen at 8pm Wednesday evening. Please be ready to go on the field, remember your gum shields.
Boys Rugby under 14 – South Munster Conference C
On Saturday last week our Under 14 boys played host to undefeated league leaders Cobh Pirates at 11:00am. The team was a s follows: Jack (Capt.)and Sam McGrath, James and Cormac Luddy, Tommy Long, Conor Wiley, Leon Fitzharris, Aaron Hickey, Jack O'Grady, Conor Walsh, Brendan O'Donoghue, Andrew McEnerney, Josh Kearney, Conor Dooling, Jack O'Brien, Robbie O'Sullivan, Killian Atkins, Billy Finn and Diarmuid O’Brien.
Our under 14’s were excited at the prospect of facing off against the form team in their conference. The size difference was visibly noticeable between the two teams as Cobh were clearly the bigger team on the pitch, however this didn’t stop our boys from having a great start. Controlling the ball from the kick-off, they march up the pitch through some strong runs, brilliant support play and their ever improving rucking. It was also great to have James Luddy back at scrum-half back from an early season injury, bossing the game as we marched up the pitch. Mitchelstown’s dominate start would be rewarded with the first try of the game, with Tommy Long touching the ball down. Jack McGrath would add the extra points from the conversion. Cobh would finally get some time on the ball but were meet with the start of a ferocious defensive effort from the lads. Tackles being made from every town player, Cobh would finally score a try and convert to tie the scores.
With both teams now playing superb rugby, Mitchelstown would strike next, tommy long getting his 2nd try of the half, which was expertly converted by Jack McGrath. The half was coming to a close when Cobh would score 2 tries in quick succession leaving the scores at the break 21-14 to the visitors, a really enjoyable half of rugby for everyone in attendance with another to come.
Cobh would start the 2nd half like a wounded animal, striking early with 2 tries that they would convert. Mitchelstown would recover from the shock of the Cobh tries, playing really smart rugby. This was evident with James Luddy box kicking so well that Conor Murray would be proud. Not letting the score-line affect them Mitchelstown hit back with Tommy Long getting a hat–trick try to cap off a brilliant individual display, while Jack McGrath converting. Cobh would score once more to restore their 3 score lead. With the half drawing to a close, as this team has done all season they would fight until the final whistle. Josh Kearney might have been the smallest player on the pitch but had no problem tackling the biggest and best Cobh had to offer and his almost as small 2nd row partner Jack O’Grady storming down the touchline only to be stopped just short of the line showed the fight in the Mitchelstown team. Our lads would finish on a high, scoring with the last play of the game, Leon Fitzharris going over in the corner.
The score would finish 42-26 to Cobh, a brilliant display from two very talented young rugby teams. On a cold morning we were treated to tea and coffee, sandwiches and cakes after the final whistle courtesy of our brilliant parents, thank you. I would also like to thank our referee Ed Horgan. We will be training as normal on Thursday at 7:30pm at Currabowen. This phase of the league has finished, so we will be moving into the Bowl competition after Christmas.
Mini Rugby – Charleville Blitz
Our Mini’s travelled to Charleville hoping to build on the great performances in Cobh last weekend.
U11’s continued this week with another away match, this time travelling north to Charleville to take on the hosts and teams from Bruff RFC. Once again Mitchelstown travelled in numbers with a full squad lining out on the pitch. A foggy start to the morning which soon lifted to provide perfect playing conditions. Mitchelstown played the two travelling teams from Bruff in very closely contested matches. Bruff showed great skill in the scrum while Mitchelstown excelled in their defensive and attacking lines. Both teams exchanged tries throughout the halves with Bruff coming out close winners in the end.
After their tough loss last week to Cobh you can see that they learned from their mistakes. Charleville were a very good team and first half ended in the score 4-4 the boys pulled together in the second half and put up an absolutely brilliant defensive line preventing Charleville to get any more tries when Mitchelstown got the ball they used the line And passed down the wing for a fast moving game that won Mitchelstown the match 6 tries to 4. Squad on the day was as follows: Jack O'Brien, Niall Casey, Edward Moriarty, Eoin Luddy, Ronan Dooling, and Danny Gorry.
We played a 3 pass rule which led to great passing from both teams. We scored first but both teams were evenly matched in the first half. The rucking and tackling is improving each week with great technique all round. There is great understanding of the rules of the game in boys still only 7 and 3 of who are still 6!
We put some lovely passages of play together in the second half coming out on top with great tries. Defence was slow great and this bodes well for the rest of the season.
The boys had a great morning. Their skills are developing really well. There was great parental support again which was great to see. Thanks to Charleville for having us and for the refreshments afterwards.
Squad on the day: Harry Finn, Noah Bernard, Anthony O'Flynn, Cathal Meade, Ryan Kinsella, Liam drake, Josh Keane, John Cleary, Oran Kearney, Keelan Kearney. Fantastic performance on the day from all the teams and once again thanks to all the supporters who travelled on the day.
All mini rugby from 5 -11 years of age now takes place on Sunday mornings at 11. 00 Am., by kind permission of the CBS School. All are assured of a warm welcome, and fun is the order of the day. Throughout the year there will be blitz tournaments and other interesting days to enjoy, and many opportunities for parents to get involved, but only if they want to!
LOTTO - € 17,600
No lottery winner from our latest draw which took place at “The Clon Bar”. The numbers drawn were 13, 14, 17, and 23. There was no jackpot winner.
Many thanks to Pat and staff for hosting the draw this week. Lucky dip winners: Willie & Mary - €50, Elma & Billie - €50, Josie O’ - €25, Dick Noonan - €25
The next draw will be Sunday, 9th of December in J’s Bar.
The new jackpot will be €17,600 for a single winner, the highest it has ever been, or shared if more than one winner.
Entry is only €2 per pick of 4 numbers or 3 tickets for €5.
Remember, the odds of getting 4 numbers in our lottery is very close to the same as getting 4 numbers in the national lottery, but our prize is far bigger, over 250 times bigger in fact.
Annual tickets are available at €50 for 26 draws, with a bonus draw only for annuals. Contact Owen on 087-8112991 for annual tickets, or any other committee member. Rugby Club Lotto is now also available to play online at http://mitchelstownrugby.com/contentPage/10012207/lotto
Birthday/Christmas gift ideas
Our club shop is now open, with several great gifts in store for all, including our new alternative jersey, now available in kid sizes. Please click the link on our website, and proceed to find suitable gifts for all ages, sizes, genders, and budgets. www.mitchelstownrugby.com. Or go directly to the O’Neill’s website: https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/rugby/rugby-union/mitchelstown-rfc