Under 9’s Unbeaten in the Metro League
Posted on March 13, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Under 9’s Unbeaten in the Metro League
Dundalk under 9’s travelled to Wanderers RFC for their Metro league encounter, on what was a bitterly cold Sunday morning.
However the temperature did not deter the boys, with the Aviva Stadium as a backdrop the Dundalk sharks proved strongest on the day.
A strong panel of 25 players were split into 3 even teams playing 6 games in total, winning comfortably on all.
With an abundance of tries scored by all teams in every game there are a few worth the mention, Kieran Mc Ardle, Ciaran Tiernan, Fionn Duffy Mark Leavy, Mark Lawless & a handful from Joseph Pheifer.
Highlights from the games were great tackling and rucking from Robert Malone, Luke Clarke, Alex Gregory, Fiachra O’Gorman, Peter Rice, Eoghan Staunton & Luke Andrews.
To date under 9’s are unbeaten in the Metro league, well done & keep up the good work.
Posted on March 13, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Easter Rugby Camp flyer – Tuesday 2nd – Friday 5th April
Dear Members and Friends,
Please note that there will be a mini rugby camp in the club from Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th April. The camp is for boys and girls aged 7-12. Please see the attached flyer and should you have any further queries please contact ene Fa’atau on 085 7130 279 or efaatau14@gmail.com. There are limited spaces so please contact Ene asap to get your child registered to attend.
Best Regards,
John McDonnell
Honorary Secretary
For Dundalk RFC
Posted on March 8, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Ireland V France Saturday 9th March Live in DRFC Clubhouse
Dear Members and Friends,
Ireland face France at the Aviva Stadium this Saturday, 9th March with kick off at 5pm. For those not going to the match, why not enjoy the next best thing? The match will be shown live in the Clubhouse and you are all invited to come, enjoy the atmosphere and watch the boys hopefully win back some pride after a couple of below par performances. There will be delicious bar food served from 4:30pm during by D’Lish (menu attached) and a traditional French delicacy for those wishing to expand their horizons at half time, FRIED FROGS LEGS! Pints will be €3 throughout the match.
There will be a raffle for a signed Irish jersey after the game as well as some musical entertainment. It promises to be a great evening’s craic!
We hope to see you there on Saturday.
Kind regards,
John McDonnell
Honorary Secretary
For Dundalk RFC
Posted on March 6, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Dundalk U12’s v Boyne
Dundalk 7
Boyne. 3
Dundalk U12 welcomed Boyne on Sat 2nd at Mill Road. Weather conditions were perfect to the delight of the teams. The Dundalk Girls were in excellent form, still high after their victory over Navan last week. From the onset of the whistle Caoimhe O’Callaghan was in her usual top form weaving her way through attacker after attacker to cross the try line, three times in succession. Great passing and communication between the players kept them ahead at all times. Other try scorers include Chloe Ticehurst, Eva Toal, Clodagh Flynn and Shona Halligan. Neasa Boyle and Holly McEntegart proved invaluable in defence. Aoife Purcell also had an excellent game.
Overall it was a brilliant morning at Mill Road, hugely entertaining to watch.
So onwards and upwards for this amazing team who’s season continues to go from strength to strength to the delight of their very very proud coaches.
Team: Grace Cranny, Neasa Boyle, Clodagh Flynn, Caoimhe O’Callaghan, Molly Hughes, Aoife Bermingham, Robyn Coan, Mia Coan, Holly McEntegart, Lilly McEntegart, Tara Herr, Temi Fagbamila, Eva Toal, Aoife Purcell, Shona Halligan, Aoise Finnegan, Shona Kelly and Bronagh Hughes.
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Firsts do the double on Wanderers
It was a great day for rugby. It was a great day of rugby. Those in attendance at Mill Road on Saturday last were treated to the best game of rugby seen at the venue for quite some time. Wanderers had travelled not to be beaten twice in the one season by Dundalk and Dundalk had their own ambitions of achieving a top four place in the Leinster League Div1A and securing a place in next seasons All Ireland Cup and a second round place in next seasons Towns Cup. The branch realised that this would be a vital match for both teams and allocated the game to a Seapoint referee who normally referees in the level above ours. The ref contributed greatly to a flowing exciting game to the enjoyment of both players and spectators, who included many past Captains and Presidents who were attending a lunch before the game as well as the faithful attenders.
Both teams were evenly matched and as the game progressed it was obvious that it would take something special to seperate them. The teams tested each other with strong running and good handling putting it up to the respective defences.
Twenty minutes in Dundalk were awarded a penalty outside the Wanderers twenty two but Thomas Campbell’s effort drifted just wide of the posts. Both teams were playing some great rugby and there were few mistakes to be capitalised on. Dundalk were slightly more successful with their pressure and were awarded two penalties which Ultan Murphy converted to put us 6-0 up.
Wanderers focused themselves, scored a penalty, and continued to attack the Dundalk line eventually being awarded a scrum on the Dundalk five metre line.On engagement both props bind slipped and as the scrum was collapsing the Wanderers back row played on quickly and caught out the Dundalk back row, who were expecting the whistle, and scored the games opening try to put them ahead 8-6 with thirty minutes gone.
The second half started well for Dundalk and they worked their way into the Wanderers twenty two for a line out. Chris O Hanlon took a good catch and the home pack mauled their way over the Wanderers line where Jonathan Grey touched down for Dundalk’s opening try 13 -8 with Ultan converting.
Dundalk were penalised for hands in the ruck in front of the posts as they tried to steal the ball in the ruck.Wanderers kicked the penalty to close the gap to 13-11 with twenty minutes gone in the second half.
Next was the movement and score of the match. Following a series of quick phases and strong carries from John Smith, Michael Bentley and M.J. Mc Kevitt Dundalk had stretched the Wanderers defence and centre Afa Fa’atau spotted winger Rory O’Hagan at full tilt along the touchline. Afa found Rory with a high pass, which Rory took extremely well, and grounded it whilst remaining infield with only inches to spare. A wonderful score, which some wanted a replay of, as it was to savoured as one of the outstanding scores of this season.We didn’t convert so the score now stood at 18-11.
Wanderers got a penalty outside the Dundalk twenty two, again for hands in the ruck, but the attempt was missed and Dundalk cleared the ball down the field to keep Wanderers in their own half of the pitch.
Dundalk were awarded a penalty just inside the wanderers ten metre line, near the touch line. Captain Paul Meegan ascertained from the referee that there were only five minutes remaining and the decision was made to have a shot at goal in order to make the score more secure. Ultan came up and lined up his kick. As he concentrated the crowd held their breath but as the ball went between the posts the cheers erupted and confidence grew as we knew that it would take two scores from Wanderers to catch us 21-11.
Dundalk were to finish with a flourish. From a line-out in the Dundalk twenty two the ball was quickly out the line to Afa who handed off his two tacklers and sprinted down the touchline before a well placed kick ahead being followed at speed forced the Wanderers full back to put the ball into touch inside their twenty two. Dundalk challenged well in the line-out and as Wanderers fumbled the ball under the pressure Stephen Martin intercepted, twirled and scored under the posts. Ultan converted to round off one of the best displays in some time and completing a wonderful day in the club with a score of 28-11.
Man of the match was Jonathan Williams whose tackling was immense and made life so difficult for Wanderers and refused them forward momentum. He could only have pipped Michael Bentley whose ball carrying was also a feature of the game. It was probably difficult to pick out players on a day like this as each and every one who wore the Dundalk jersey on Saturday did so with a pride and enthusiasm that was obvious to all. Well done lads.
Dundalk moved into that vital fourth spot in the League table which will bring us great opportunities next season.
Dundalk:
U.Murphy,R.O’Hagan,A.Fa’atau,M.J.McKevitt,O.McNally,J.Williams,T.Campbell,C.Brannigan,J.Grey,J.Smyth,C.O’Hanlon, M.Bentley,P.Meegan,S.Martin,E.Fa’atau,R.Farrell, C.Williams,L.Steen,R.Shields,C.Scully
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Second’s beaten by league Winners.
Our 2nd XV took to the field against a Wanderers XV who had come to win the Second’s league. They had to win with a bonus point to ensure outright winning of the Div 1A of the Leinster Seconds League. Dundalk were at the opposite end of the League table but for thirty five minutes gave the Landsdowne Road outfit a real fright and if some well worked opportunities had been scored in this period the result might have been different.
The game started well, with David Mc Gee, who was featuring a pink mohican in his cancer fund raising drive, securing the ball for Donal Clare who kicked for touch. Wanderers won the line out and launched a garryowen but they knocked on their own ball. From the scrum we kicked to touch in the opposition twenty two. We secured possession, again kicked ahead but the kick was returned and we were penalised for a dummy throw – in to the line out. Wanderers broke out and they were halted at the Dundalk five metre line by brave tackling and the ball went into touch. Darren Mc Guinness threw a great ball which Dave Fearon took and Wanderers were penalised, giving Donal a chance to relieve the pressure with a good kick.
Following a line out inside the Wanderers twenty two their kick ahead was fielded by Donal who kicked a wonderful ball back to opposition territory but injured himself in kicking. He recovered and ran off the injury. Further attacks led by Gareth Lynch who fielded some kick aheads and ran them straight back at Wanderers kept Dundalk going forward. David Mc Gee and Ciaran Mc Cabe drove forward with great determination and this possession eventually led to Wanderers conceding a penalty. Sam Mulligan’s effort was just left and wide.
The drop off was taken by Gareth Lynch, who immediately ran back at Wanderers and he was supported by great interplay from Robin Mc Gee,Sam Mulligan,Donal Clare and David Mc Gee who released Gareth to bring us almost to the try line, where a dropped pass cost us a certain try. A second similar attack again took us back to the Wanderers twenty two with backs and forwards playing their parts in the wonderful handling. Chris Scully had to come off for treatment with David Mc Guinness coming in for him. Dundalk kept up the pressure with Eamonn Roe chasing down a kick ahead and forcing a line out in the Wanderers twenty two. We took the ball and opted to kick ahead but Donal’s kick went dead. From the drop out Wanderers broke up field despite brave tackling by Donal and Will Matthews.
Dundalk were doing well in the scrums at this point and we cleared to the Wanderers half but Wanderers took the ensuing line-out and attacked across the field where Dundalk tackled and were awarded a penalty, which we kicked for touch.
There followed another break by Gareth Lynch in an inspired period for Dundalk. Wanderers were awarded a penalty and cleared their lines. Dundalk continued to press and were given a scrum for a Wanderers knock on. On the half hour the score still stood at 0-0 despite all the Dundalk pressure. David Mc Guinness took a great ball and a scrum was awarded as he was held up. A poor kick ahead was taken by Wanderers and their scrum half went in for a converted try 7-0 on thirty five minutes. Dundalk seemed to be shaken by this score ,which was against the run of play and a missed tackle saw Wanderers score a second breakaway try within three minutes of the first one. 14-0. Dundalk were awarded a penalty which again went wide. Dundalk attacked again with Robert Shields and Darren but were forced into touch. There was a knock on from the line out and from the scrum Dundalk let the ball out the line but to no avail.
The second half began with a disaster as we lost the ball from the kick off and Wanderers availed of a gap between defenders to score under the posts 21-0. Wanderers had their tails up at this point and they took the kick off but were penalised for going off their feet. Eamonn Roe kicked for a decent line out which was taken by Wanderers and in a following fracas Thomas Thornton and the Wanderers 13 were both red carded. The penalty awarded to Wanderers was kicked to touch in the Dundalk twenty two and from the line-out another missed tackle let Wanderers in for another converted try in the corner. 28-0 and bonus point in the bag for them after seven minutes of the second half. Daniel Mc Guinness, who had just come on,took a wonderful interception but was stopped inches from the opposition line. From the scrum the Wanderers No.8 took a ball from the base of the scrum and broke away to get a line-out in the Dundalk corner. A clearing kick from the line out did not make touch and was taken by Wanderers and led to another converted try 35-0. This was followed by another try 42-0.
Dundalk continued to keep playing and a good scrum saw a good break by Sam Mulligan and Donal Clare recycled to David Mc Gee but a knock on saw Wanderers kick ahead after a scrum. A good return kick from Gareth Lynch put Dundalk into the Wanderers twenty two. . Great line-out work by Dave Fearon and Conor Kane saw a Dundalk drive which led to Conor touching down for a Dundalk score which was not converted.42-5.
Dundalk improved their game and Alan Byrne drove them forward. Donal Clare kicked through on two occasions for Robbie Shields but the kicks went just too far.We were then penalised for an offence in the ruck and Wanderers went down field from the penalty to score in the corner 49-5. A further Wanderers try left the final score 56-5.
We can only imagine what might have been had we been able to take all our opportunities of the first half but the ability to make these chances is in this team and we wish them well in their preparations for the cup encounters to come.
Dundalk:
C Mc Cabe, Darren Mc Guinness, J.Whyte, D.Fearon, R.McGee, T.Thornton C.Williams , D.MGee,S.Mulligan,D.Clare,E.Roe,C.Scully,W.Matthews,R.Shields,G.Lynch,C.Kane,A.Byrne,S.Byrne,David Mc Guinness, Daniel Mc Guinness
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Mc Gee Cup Boyne RFC v DundalkRFC Sunday Mill Road
The 3rd XV took on a strong looking Boyne XV, in their McGee Cup fixture, at Mill Road on Sunday and played like a team inspired by the 1st XV performance on the previous day.This was an excellent display with super handling and passing and availing of every opportunity to carry the game to Boyne. The game saw the return of Darren Guest to rugby after some time away and he looked not to have lost his appetite for the game. Club Treasurer Alan Byrne also featured and showed that he had lost none of his enthusiasm or rugby nous.Laurence Steen gave a very committed display covering acres of ground and being very effective carrying the ball forward.
Aidan Mulrooney and John Mc Kevitt deserve great credit for the work they have put in with this team and the team certainly put in a great effort for them on Sunday.
Simon Byrne put in a great performance at scrum half with Chopper passing, kicking and tackling at out half in his best form. Good to see Robert Williams back in his early season form with some very speedy breaks upfield and one try saving tackle in a one on one situation against a much larger Boyne opponent who thought the way to the line was through Robert. Poor decision on his part! Pearse Campbell made some wonderful pick-ups at speed and tackled in a very determined fashion throughout. The game finished 22 – 18 in favour of Boyne but our 3rd’s showed that the spirit is there and we can only make progress.
Dundalk:
S.Smyth,L.Steen,A.Holmes,B.Crosbie,C.Kane,C.Myles,A.Byrne,R.McGee,S.Byrne,A.Reilly,P.Campbell,D.Guest,D.McGuinness,W.Matthews,E.Roe,R.Williams,E.Whelan,N.Kerley.
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on What a weekend!
This weekend proved that good rugby with a good result is what it takes to bring a great buzz around the club. This weekend there were three adult fixtures with mixed results. The Seconds were first to field on Saturday and were unlucky not to be ahead of Wanderers after thirty five minutes but were to yield some scores just before half time that turned the game in the visitors favour.
The Firsts played some of the best rugby we have seen at Mill Road this season against a very strong Wanderers XV and the double over the visitors lifted the spirits of the club, the supporters and the former Captains and Presidents who were in attendance. Many old friends were delighted to come and meet up again, at the invitation of current President Ciarán Herr, and they could not but have been impressed with the performance of the current squad, on the day. We finished fourth in our League and this brings qualification for the All Ireland Cup next season, something to look forward to.
The Thirds fielded against Boyne on Sunday and were unlucky not to have had a better result as they produced some very good running rugby and quality tackling, much to the delight of the supporters. It is good to feel the rugby spirit and we hope that it augurs well for the rest of the season in Plate and Cup competitions.
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on 401 draw Week 5-10 Inclusive Results
The winners of the 401 draws for week 5-10 inclusive, which took place in the club on sat last were as follows:
Week5
€401 Paddy Greene.
€100 Gareth Herr.
€100 Dermot Lavery.
Week6.
€401 Paddy McCusker.
€100 Thomas Mullen.
€100 Maurice Murphy jnr.
Week7.
€401 David McGuinness.
€100 Michael John McKevitt.
€100 Niall Igoe
Week8.
€401 Derek Kelly.
€100 Andrew Cartwright.
€100 Linda Shannon.
Week 9.
€401 Colin O Brien.
€100 T C Campbell.
€100 Philip Mc Ardle.
Week10.
€401 Bernard Devenney.
€100 Aidan Mc Parland.
€100 Colin Fee.
Kind regards,
John McDonnell
Honorary Secretary
For Dundalk RFC
Posted on March 5, 2013 by Element , Posted in News ,
Comments Off on Dundalk U15’s Girls Tag V Boyne
Dundalk 12 Boyne 5
Dundalk U15 girls welcomed Boyne to Mill Road on Saturday 2nd March on what was a very busy fixtures day at the club. The Under 15’s continued their run of good form with a quality line up of seasoned players including Ruth Hanna, Ellen O’Hara and Aoife Malone. Dundalk signalled their intentions from the first whistle with the first try being run in by Sadhbh McDonnell in the opening minutes of the game. Niamh Belton reluctantly came off with an injury after clashing with a Boyne player early in the game. Boyne got into their game and equalled with a try, only to have Ruth Hanna run in a fast try to keep them on their toes. More tries were run in by Libby Turnbull, Aoife Malone and Ellen O’Hara. However Boyne kept up the pressure in the first half and were never more than one try behind. In the second half Dundalk stepped up their game, focusing on their defence and Boyne found it near impossible to break through a strongly held line. A confident Orlagh Conway raced away with possession many times gaining crucial yards for Aoife Malone, Ruth Hanna, Ellen O’Hara, Libby Turnbull and Zoe Valentine to run in try after try. Boyne battled on but only managed one try in the second half against what was a textbook display of tag rugby from Dundalk. Special mention to Aoife Craven for assistance on scores. Coaches Chris Scully, Suzanne Flynn and Maria Cartwright delighted with the performance and look forward to meeting Sutton next week.
Dundalk U15’s: Aoife Malone, Jessica Malone, Orlagh Conway, Libby Turnbull, Niamh Belton, Zoe Valentine, Ellen O’Hara, Ruth Hanna, Aoife Craven, Sadhbh McDonnell, Aoife McDonough and Joy Quigley.
