Club News 05.02.23 A Winning Weekend
Mitchelstown Rugby Club
Galbally/Mitchelstown notes
Munster Junior League – Section B
Galbally-Mitchelstown 19 Fermoy 9
This local derby was never going to be easy for either side, and the added spice of Mitchelstown’s former coach, Cillian Bohane, being the Fermoy manager meant that the tension was high. A chilling wind blew despite the clear spring sky, and the home side had the early support of the elements.
The home side opened the scoring, with a penalty after 12 minutes, and added another just before half time leaving the score 6 - 0. After the interval Fermoy were bound to have a purple patch, leaving the score level at nine points each with 12 minutes remaining. The boys in white and red dominated the closing stages, and after sustained pressure, took the lead with a penalty goal.
From the kick off, another wave of forward pressure brought the final score with a fine try, converted by the unerring boot of Kearns which denied Fermoy a bonus point. That could prove to be important in deciding placings in the knockout stages.
Upcoming fixtures:
Munster Junior Cup v Dungarvan (away) 12/02/2023 Kick off 2pm
Munster Junior League – Section B v Waterford RFC 19/02/2023 2.30pm
Under 14 league – Phase 2
Mitchelstown 41 Mallow 26
Last Sunday week our U14 boys travelled to Mallow to play our 4th match of the phase 2 league having won our first 3 matches the lads were understandably confident. We got off to a strong start pushing Mallow back and edging closer and closer to the line but Mallow held firm for the first 5 mins but couldn’t withstand the constant pressure and eventually cracked allowing our No. 8 Niall Casey to store our first try and Colman Fagan converted. From the restart we again put pressure on Mallow but they caught us napped and against the run of play they broke through our line and scored a try and conversion. This woke our boys up and they quickly regained the lead with a try from Danny Gorry but the conversion hit the outside of the post. Mitchelstown 12 Mallow 7 at halftime.
We were playing down the slight hill for the second half and were confident that the lads would start dominating in the second half and very quickly we scored our third try and conversion when Danny Gorry again powered over the line but the conversion was just wide. In fairness to Mallow they dug deep and very quickly scored two try’s but only managed one conversion we were now trailing by 2 points Mitchelstown 17 Mallow 19. For the next 10 minutes Mallow dominated scoring another try and conversion. At this point our forwards said enough was enough Michael Keneally, Sean Hennessy, Mark O Regan, Ciaran Fitzgerald, Sean Young and Evan O’Regan Stocks drove them back time and time again taking everything Mallow had to throw at them. Mallow tried probing our wings but our wingers Michael Coughlan and Eoin Sheedy said no way and closed every gap. Mallow tried a few kicks over the top but every one of them was dealt with by our fullback Jack Darrer- Dalton. Our lads dug deep and started to turn the game around with powerful running by our front three of Evan, Michael and Sean it took a lot of effort for Mallow to try and stop them and Michael Keneally was rewarded with a powerful try carrying the ball and 3 Mallow players over the line with the conversion put over by Colman. This was the catalyst for the lads to kick on and shortly afterwards Colman powered over for his own try and again converted. Eoin Luddy playing at scrum half and Will Howard playing at 10 were now fully in control of the game and spreading the ball around at ease. It didn’t matter which Mitchelstown player received the ball they all had the confidence to take it on and gained ground, our flankers Cormac Hoye and Danny Gorry along with our number 8 Niall Casey rucked over every ball and kept us in control. It wasn’t long before one of flankers Cormac broke through the Mallow line and sprinted from the halfway with four Mallow players chasing him to score right under the posts with a conversion by Colman. Our number 13 Jake Farrissey wanted to get in on the action and weaved his way through the Mallow defence to round off a very strong performance by our lads. This performance was the best team display so far and the lads showed some real character to come home worthy winners.
Report courtesy of Mike Casey
Under 16 boys
Mitchelstown 31 Nenagh 0
Last Saturday we hosted Nenagh in the last round of the group stage in a winner-takes-all game to qualify for the ¼ final of the Munster Bowl competition. With a lot on the line the lads were very focused and crossed the line after 3 minutes to give us the perfect quick start we wanted. On the 10th minute mark we doubled our advantage when Lorcan Murray ran back a clearing kick, a good offload saw Oden van der Werff run a heavy line beating a number of defenders, ball was recycled and we scored after a number of heavy carrying phases. We worked hard for the remainder of the half and keep the pressure on with most of the play taking place well inside the opposition half. A quick start to the 2nd half saw us win our lineout on the 22 and as our maul marched towards the try- line we won a penalty on the 5m line, a quick tap and go saw us over the line. With us well on top at this stage the focus remained and an intercept try from the halfway line put the game beyond doubt. A 25m meter penalty was kicked by out-half Lorcan Murray, who kicked 5/5 on the day, bringing us to the final score of 31-0. Despite Nenagh applying a huge amount of pressure on us for the last 15 minutes the lads worked hard and refused to let the try-line be breached. This particular aspect of the game was most pleasing as it showed a number of characteristics such as determination, concentration, endeavour and discipline. This win sees us qualify for the ¼ final of this Munster-wide competition for the 2nd year in a row, we now await the conclusion of other groups to find out our next opponents.
Match report courtesy of Kevin Kelly
Team from: Carlos O’Grady, Liam O’Donnell, Dan Turley, Eoin Lynch, Darragh Casey, Oden van der Werff, Cian O’Donnell, Lorcan Murray, Gearoid Desmond, Jayden Lynch, Aidan O’Mahony, Sean Gorry, Eoghan Kelly, Jack Kelly, Jack Kearney, Will Murphy, Ben Cooke
All in all, a great weekend for the club with victory all round. Thanks to all players, coaches, parents and officers for giving their time, and especially to Harry Kinsella for his tireless work to keep the pavilion and pitches in great shape.
Training
Minis up to 12 Check on website
Boys U14 Tuesday and Thursday @ 7:00pm
Boys U16 Tuesday and Thursday @ 7:00 pm
Adults Wednesday and Friday @ 7:00pm in Galbally
Girls Check with Marie Meade
LOTTO JACKPOT €1,400.00 Not won.
Next draw Sunday February 19th February at 9:00pm.
Tickets available in all associated business premises in Mitchelstown, and from the club web site. An annual ticket for all draws for a year is an ideal present for only €50. For lucky dip winners, please check the website for a full listing, where annual tickets can be purchased, in addition to single or multi draw. Call Owen Dawson 087 8112991 for details. Last week’s numbers were 12, 17,18 and 21. For full details please go to the club website.