Posted onMarch 26, 2013byElement , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Match reports for weekend 22nd to 24th march 2013
Seconds progress in the Provincial Towns Cup.
The 2nd XV made the journey to Gordon Park, Kingswood on Sunday for their Provincial Towns Cup game against Clondalkin RFC. Clondalkin 1st XV were 27 – 6 victors over Cill Dara in the Div 1A/1B Promotion / Relegation Play off on Saturday and Dundalk were expecting a well contested game from the Clondalkin 2nd XV buoyed up by the victory of their 1st XV.
Dundalk struggled throughout the entire first half with a difficult wind in their favour. Clondalkin were first to record a score touching down within five minutes after a poor Dundalk lineout on the Clondalkin five metre line. Clondalkin took the ball and moved quickly to record their try.The try went unconverted. Dundalk’s efforts in the first half came through penalty opportunities, all for hands in the ruck. Sam Mulligan converted one effort but two further kickable awards went astray. The half time score was 5-3 in favour of the home team.
The second half saw Dundalk become much more focused and play a much more controlled game into the wind. Dundalk’s enthusiasm saw them concede two penalties for hands in the ruck early in the half. Clondalkin took full advantage of the Dundalk mistakes and converted both penalties leaving the score at 11 – 3 in the home teams favour.
Dundalk then moved up a gear and good play saw Robbie Williams cross the Clondalkin line to touch down. Sam converted bringing the score to 11 – 10. Both teams contested the ball in the rucks and the referee penalised both teams for breaching the hands in the ruck rule. Only on a few minutes, John Mc Gahon was sin binned for said hands in ruck and Clondalkin converted the penalty leaving the score at 14 – 10.
Dundalk refocused and upped their game. After a a series of tight phases David Mc Gee rumbled over for Dundalk’s second try. Sam converted bringing the game to 17 – 14 in Dundalk’s favour. Dundalk were awarded another penalty for Clondalkin not rolling away. Sam again converted leaving us leading 20 – 14.
We kept up the pressure and following a number of phases up the middle we cut back on the blind side for Mulligan to release his man to score. 25 – 14. Clondalkin were not beaten yet and they attacked their visitors with renewed vigour.
They were awarded a scrum outside the Dundalk twenty two. Their number eight picked and went and his break saw him score in the corner.They missed their conversion attempt leaving the score 25 – 19.
Dundalk’s final score came from Robbie Williams in the final play of the game, taking ref and all with them to score.
The try went unconverted leaving the final score 30 – 19. Dundalk now face Co.Carlow at home on the 7th April in the next round. Well done all and keep up the good work.
Posted onMarch 20, 2013byElement , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Weekend Report for St.Patrick’s Weekend.
Weekend Report for St.Patrick’s Weekend.
The weekend was mostly around Friday night at the Club. We had American visitors from Molloy College from Long Island, New York. The College were here to visit DKIT and following a successful outing against the local college midweek they took the opportunity to have training run outs against our Dundalk 3rdXV in the case of the men’s team and against our near neighbours from Newry RFC in the case of their ladies team.
The club was bedecked with flags and bunting as we tried our best to add to the “Gathering” effort for this year. Tommy and Benny had traditional music going in the lounge to welcome our visitors. The pitches were in excellent condition and all were looking forward to the sessions. Boyne were due later for the Provincial Town’s Plate fixture against our 1st XV so it was going to be a busy night.
Close to six o’ clock the car park filled up as the younger players arrived to practice their HAKA for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The evening practice was held outside so Ene could gauge the sound in the open air. The visitors were very impressed and took many photos of the rehearsals. The HAKA was exceptionally well received by the crowds at the Parade and congratulations are due to all the players, their parents, their coaches and most of all to the teacher Ene. Well done all.
Molloy College was founded in 1955 and went co-ed in1980 and operates under a Dominican ethos. They had made a connection with DKIT, initially through the Nursing School. Drew Bogner, President Molloy College visited Denis Cummins, President DKIT and they discovered that they had multiple overlapping academic areas and there were possibilities for both colleges to work together for the benefit of their students. They used the “Gathering” initiative to bring about the visit by the Molloy College rugby teams to Dundalk. Dundalk RFC were delighted to be able to make a positive contribution to the visit by facilitating the sessions in the club on Friday last.
Rugby was introduced to Molloy by Thomas Gaynor, who introduced the game after he joined the Molloy College staff. The men’s team commenced in 2005 and the ladies followed in 2008. The college takes part in the Met Union Conference, covering New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. The men’s team play in Division 2 and the Ladies also in Division 2 and are ranked 8th in the U.S. Div 3. The visiting party were led by Catherine TullyMuscente, Daniel Mc Gann, and Meritta Cullinan and were coached by Thomas Patrick Gaynor and Kevin John Sweikata.
The Ladies session was an enthralling encounter with neither side prepared to be outdone by the other. The pace was electric, the handling excellent and the tackling ferocious and a large crowd were treated to an excellent game which will only encourage the re-formation of a ladies team in the club. The younger members of the club, who play on our girls tag teams were delighted with the game and we can only benefit from Molloy’s visit.
Molloy’s mens panel took to the pitches very early to run their drills and warm ups. They were very impressive and showed great application to their planning and were very attentive to the coaching provided.
The game was played at a hectic pace and there was good rugby on view from both teams. Molloy defended well and didn’t give Dundalk much room to develop their attack. Laurence Steen scored our first try which Chopper converted. This encouraged the home team and they attacked with great enthusiasm but a wonderful saving tackle by Molloy prevented Will Matthews from scoring. Robin Mc Gee covered a huge distance to prevent a Molloy score from a kick ahead. Dundalk pressed forward and Both Chopper and J.K. made good breaks encouraging an attacking mentality in their team. Rory Mc Ardle scored a second try for Dundalk after some very good hands by Chris Mc Gee.
Molloy struck back with Nick Berardi touching down and Kevin Adair converting. Molloy struck again within a few minutes with Tom Malinowski crossing the whitewash and Kevin Adair doing the necessary again. The teams were level at half time.
Dundalk scored ten minutes into the second half and further tries from Conor Kane, James Shields, who had a good game at full back, and Thomas Thornton. Both panels were very pleased with the run out and as a Molloy player put it – “in Ireland playing the game that we love, what could be better? “ On a very pleasant evening in the club one could only agree with his sentiments.
Molloy Touring Party:
K.Abberton, A.Abberton, K. Adair, A. Amodeo, J. Arnone, A. Augugliaro, S. Bardenhagen, S. Barzyz, K.Bazerewski, N. Berardi, C. Byrne, M.Caldarera, R. Catalano, M.Cooley, M. Defranco, J.Desepoli, C.Diblasi, C.Drum, L.Errante, T. Errante, A.Factor, S. Folmer, E. Forthman, C.Iannota, S.Jones, S.Kaminski, J.Kearney, W.Liphete, P.Lisante, T.Malinowski, S.Malinowski, H.Marmol, K.Marrero, A.Moloney, J.Monsen, G.Moore, D.Obidienzo, M.Olman, S.Raimondi, J.Rivera, I.Rodriguez Collado, S.Rupes, J Schuler, C.Walters, N. Wood, D. Schreiner
Dundalk progress on Plate journey.
The most important fixture on Friday night last was the Provincial Town’s Plate encounter with near neighbours Boyne RFC. As Boyne are playing in the A.I.L. the fixture was with their second fifteen but this made it no less a fixture as the rivalry between the teams is of long standing and each and every match is exceptionally well contested.
There was a great atmosphere around the club as the place was full of visitors anxious to see the game and a Friday night game, under lights seemed to be just what everyone present wanted.
Dundalk took to the field, with strong team, intent on making it through to the next round. Dundalk took the game to Boyne with some great carrying by Mike Bentley, Paul Meegan and Ene Fa’atau. Mike’s just reward for his efforts was try after ten minutes for the opening score. Ultan Murphy scored the second try on twenty minutes and also converted a penalty on twenty six minutes. Dundalk continued to press only to see a wonderful break from Rory O’ Hagan come to an abrupt halt as Rory pulled his hamstring and had to leave the field. The team continued to attack the Boyne team with strong running from Afa Fa’atau stretching the visitors defence. Ene and Johnny Williams scored a try each to leave Dundalk with a comfortable lead at the half time mark.
The second half saw Boyne regroup and they held Dundalk out for the first ten minutes. However the Dundalk pressure began to take its toll on the Boyne defenders and Owen Mc Nally, a first half substitute for Rory, scored two tries on the 51st and 57th minutes. Boyne again raised their game and held Dundalk out until the last ten minutes of the game when Dundalk’s power running and good handling gave us tries by Afa, Gerard Scully and M. J. Mc Kevitt. The strength of Afa’s running was a times awesome and nobody envied the job of the brave Boyne tacklers. Robbie Farrell and Chris O’Hanlon gave great displays and handled and carried well creating opportunities for team mates with Johnny Williams giving his usual gritty display. Dundalk will have to improve their discipline for the next fixture particularly our inclination to question referees as it cost us some ground on Friday but luckily Boyne couldn’t capitalise.
Dundalk now progress to the next round and a meeting with Skerries RFC.
The 3rd’s and the 2nd’s are involved in their respective Cup Competitions next weekend. The 3rd’s are first to feature with a game against our neighbours,Ardee RFC. This game will take place on Friday Night in Ardee, at Townspark, with an 8 o’clock kick off.. All support is welcome.
The 2nd’s are out against Clondalkin in Gordon Park Kingswood on Sunday with a 3 o’clock kick off and again all support is welcome.
Training for both squads Tues and Thurs this week and a full attendance is expected. We wish both squads well in their efforts to progress in their respective competitions,
Excellence.
Looking at the Leinster website it is good to note that Dundalk RFC are one of six clubs contributing to the upcoming “best practice” workshops due to take place in UCD. Dundalk will explain how volunteers refurbished their clubhouse and how they consequently went on to develop income streams in the refurbished clubhouse. The efforts of these volunteers was previously recognised by the Branch and a note on their efforts appeared in a match programme. The club was most appreciative of their efforts and their work has greatly improved the clubhouse facilities. Thanks all.j
Posted onMarch 15, 2013byElement , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Tickets for Ireland v Italy Match in Rome this weekend
Dear Members and Friends,
Please note there are still tickets left for the Ireland Italy match in Rome this weekend. Interested parties please contact Brian Byrne on 087 241 1234 or brian.byrne@ecci.ie.
The St Patrick’s Day parade is only a few days away and arrangements are as follows:
· Meeting at 11.45 in De La Salle boys Primary school, Phillips St
· Finishing in Credit Union on the ramparts opposite Fyffe’s
Children MUST be wearing club colours, the parade is going ahead hail, rain or snow, so be sure to have the kids well wrapped up.
All coaches/adults who are participating must also wear club colours.
HAKKA
For those kids involved in the Hakka our last practice session has been changed to Friday @ 6pm and arrangements for the parade are same as above.
We can’t stress enough how important that club colours be worn for the Hakka. If kids are wearing tracksuit bottoms they must be black and club shorts and socks be worn over them. Anyone not wearing club colours will not partake in the Hakka.
We would ask parents where possible to paint some traditional Maori designs on the children’s faces, images will be available at training on Friday.
Thanks to all the parents/coaches/senior players for your participation and patience over the past few weeks in preparation for the parade, hopefully the club will get some good PR and most importantly the kids enjoy themselves.
Posted onMarch 14, 2013byElement , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Don’t Miss “The Club on the Hill” Finale – Part 4 airs this Weekend!!
Dear Members and Friends,
The final part of the excellent 4-part documentary on our club, “The Club on the Hill”, airs this weekend on Dundalk FM100. The first airing will be at 1pm on Saturday 16th with a repeat later that evening at 6pm. Part 4 promises to be the best yet, as it features the club in the present day, the First team, coaches, youths, mini’s etc as well as a contribution from the NorthEast’s most famous exports, Rob and Dave Kearney. It is one not to be missed!
On behalf of the club I would like to thank Dundalk FM’s Geraldine Kieran for the wonderful work she has done in bringing this fantastic documentary together. Enjoy the final part of the documentary this weekend and we are working on hopefully having a podcast available for those of you who missed the series in due course.
Posted onMarch 13, 2013byElement , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Dundalk Rugby Football Club invite to Molloy College New York to Mill Road – Friday 15th March
Dear Members and Friends
Dundalk RFC has invited Molloy College of New York to visit the club this Friday, 15th March to come and play a match, watch the lads in their Towns Plate encounter with Boyne and enjoy an evening at Mill Road. You’re all invited to attend and contribute to what should be a very enjoyable evening. The itinerary is as follows:
18:30 Molloy College versus a Dundalk XV and Molloy College Women vs Newry RFC Women
20:15 Dundalk vs Boyne in the Towns Plate
The bar will be open and there will be ceol agus craic in the clubhouse after the match.
Dundalk U8s welcomed their Skerries counterparts to the Rugby Club on a cold Sunday morning. The
visitors travelled with three teams so Dundalk spread their resources and also fielded three teams
to ensure there were an equal number of matches. All the games proved very close and there was
never any more a try in the difference in any match.
Dundalk A got into their groove straight away with Max Valentine and Daniel Cartwright leading
the way with some surging runs. Skerries also found it difficult to cope with Michael Carroll and
Tom Cunniffe’ s aggression at rucktime. This led to space opening up for David Coyle and DD Reilly
to exploit with some brilliant tries. Score of the day came from Oisin McBride who turned over
possession near his own line and the proceeded to run the length of the pitch to notch a great try.
The second Dundalk team employed a more structured approach to their games under the tutelage
of coach Andy Kelly. Rory Wallace and David Crilly repelled many Skerries attacks with some big
tackles. Tom McCourt and Daire Thomas launched many forays with a series of ‘pick and gos’ with
Adam McCoy being the main benefactor as he scored numerous well taken tries. Tackle of the day
was by Ewan Kelly as he thwarted a certain try with a thunderous tackle close to his own line.
Dundalk C maintained the fine standard of rugby on show by contesting three credible draws with
the Skerries sides. Brilliant interplay exhibited by Donal Lavery and Liam O Connor resulted in some
fantastic scores by Jake Kenny. Eoin Purton and Luke O Connell contested the breakdown with
their usual ferocity which Skerries had no answer for. Charge of the day fell to Oisin Nash who at
one stage ran almost the length of the field, leaving countless players floundering in his wake and
created one of the scores of the day.
Thanks to all parents who helped out at the rugby and afterwards in the Clubhouse.
Dundalk: Oisin McBride, DD Reilly, Oisin Nash, Jake Kenny, Eoin Purton, Luke O Connell, David Coyle,
Tom Cunniffe, David Crilly, Daire Thomas, Adan McCoy, Donal Lavery, Michael Carroll, Ewan Kelly,
Liam O Connor, Rory Wallace, Max Valentine, Daniel Cartwright, Tom McCourt,
For the fifth outing of 2013, Dundalk U10s headed to Landsdown RFC (which is located beside the AVIVA Stadium). The Dundalk U10s had played Landsdowne at home in November, 2012 and were in truth taught a lesson by the Donnybrook club on that occasion. Indeed they were also taught a lesson in 2011 so Dundalk were very eager to set the record straight and to give a good account of themselves. The venue is artifical astro-turf which made for great running and with the back drop of AVIVA the boys were inspired to do great things on what proved to a very cold morning with a stiff breeze.
Two equal teams of 10 and 11 took the field against 2 Landsdowne sides. Dundalk A consisted of Lorenzo Zvikas, Killian Rooney, Cormac Malone, Lee O’Carroll, Barney Blake, Joshua O’Hare, Adam Duffy, Jake McNamara, Jack Mulroy and Daragh Toner. Team B consisted of James Reenan, Brian Flanagan, Jack Carroll, Oisin McGrath, Jonah Power, Fionn Martin, Elijah Faapito, James Toal, Cathal Malone, Xin Da Cao and Ryan McGee.
Team A’s first match proved to be a very tight affair with the boys determined to grab the game by the scruff of the neck with a fantastic determination to dominate the rucks and the breakdowns. This was an area that Lansdowne had dominated Dundalk before and the trend of the game was set with Lee O’Carroll, who was back from an injury (broken foot) setting the tone with no hesitation in the rucks and breakdown and some great runs through the middle of the Landsdowne defence. Barney Blake gave an MVP performance with his overall poaching, rucking and classic No. 7 style play really shining on the day. Joshua O’Hare looks like being the most improved player this year with a consistent ability to gain significant yardage while retaining possession for his team when leadership was needed. Lorenzo Zvikas was rock solid in defence with solid tackling when Landsdowne appeared to get a head of steam. Dundalk took the lead off a very well worked lineout with Adam Duffy pulling off a classic crash ball up the middle after a sweet pass from scrum half Daragh Toner who made life easy on his backs with passes going to hand throughout the match. Cormac Malone was an ever present force particularly in the loose and broken play with lighting fast ability to secure broken ball when it presented itself.. Following an equalizer by Landowne, Dundalk pulled ahead yet again with a rampaging move by Jake McNamara setting up Killian Rooney who off-loaded a crisp pass to Barney Blake who touched down. Late in the 2nd half, following some poor tackling Landsowne equalised again to make it 2-2. The boys were clearly frustrated given that the match was dominated by them in possession and territory and upped their game to effectively camp in the Landsdown half for the last 2 minutes of the game with the winner coming at the death with Jack Mulroy getting in the corner after being set up by Killian McNally who offloaded sweetly.
Team A also won their 2nd match, 6-3.
Team B’s first match proved to be an almost perfect match for the boys with everybody to a man playing well for their jersey. Fionn Martin gave a tour-de-grace exhibition of rucking and counter rucking literally running himself into the ground by the end of the match. It was hard to know which side rucked better but Team B gave nothing to their opposition in this match with excellent mauling technique by Ryan McGee who was a constant source of go-forward ball with his safe presentation of the ball a real asset to the side. Cathal Malone has taken to scrum half work like a duck to water and his passing and overall sniping around the corner kept the opposition honest. His back up scrum half on the day, James Toal yet again brought poaching and the art of stealing a rugby ball to another level with his badger like character turning the ball over again and again when it looked impossible. James Reenan was a constant thorn in the Lansdowne side with a particulary stalwart defensive display. His low ankle level tackling particularly caught the eye with all of the big Landsdown forwards being brought down at some stage during the match. Oisin McGrath typified Dundalk’s attitude with solid defence and a willingness to graft when it was needed in broken play. Jack Carroll ran until he could give no more showing up in support when he needed to and generally taking the smart option in recycling the ball. Xin Da Cao continues to come on leaps and bounds and gave a master class in how a forward should move over the gain line and retain possession. Another player in his first year, Brian Flanagan gave a good account of himself with some excellent mauling at the front and always getting the ball back when it appeared lost. Jonah Power proved to be a dynamo around the field with smart running into space and a constant desire for work. Elijah Faapito ran in a number of tries during the match, showing up whenever a support player was needed and has over the past few months developed into a fantastic finisher. Dundalk B won this match 11-3 and won it through teamwork. A constant theme was their calmness in defence with the early in the season tendency to other shoot now a distant memory.
