Youth Admin | Dundalk RFC

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

The buses booked for next Sat’s final are filling up steadily.

If you wish to avail of a seat(s) please do so as soon as possible.

Contact 087-2795429 or fixtures@dundalkrfc.ie

Cost is €10 for adults and €6 for all others.

Admission to grounds on the day will be £5 (Stg), maybe a little less.

There will be hot food and beverages available to purchase on site.

It’s a huge day for the Club and we need as much support for our 1st’s as possible.

We will be putting together a gallery of photo’s and video’s of events of the day to record the craic and the rugby.

So plenty of photo’s please, of anything and everything.

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

Dundalk RFC have drawn Wicklow RFC at home in Round 2 of the Provincial Towns Cup.

Match to be played Sunday 22nd February, Mill Road with KO at 3pm.

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

If you wish to book a seat. or seats,

call 087-2795429 or email: fixtures@dundalkrfc.ie.

First come first served. Many already gone, so get your skates on.

Adults €10 Others €6. Great day out supporting the lads in a huge game.

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

Posted on January 5, 2015 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

03/01/15

Dundalk 2nds 39 v 12 Suttonians 2nds

Leinster League J2

Dundalk 2nds beat Suttonians 2nds 39-12 in the Leinster League on Saturday last. After a wobble in some of the pre Christmas games this comprehensive performance should put Dundalk’s title hopes back on track. In a much changed Suttonians side from the previous encounter, Dundalk met a side with greater experience. Dundalk too had a number of changes in personnel with Stephen McGee at full back, Robert Williams at 10 and Gerard Scully in the centre. Opening well Suttonians had early control of the ball but some unforced errors and organised play from Dundalk gave an early indication that this Suttonians side could be gotten to. Dundalk had trained well over the Christmas break and looked keener and leaner than the opposition. In the early exchanges Chris O’Hanlon stamped his mark on the line out and left Suttonians in no doubt that both he and his second row partner Robin McGee would have to be contended with. Round the park both second rows, along with Ciaran Lennon and Tiernan Gonnelly were tackling with great effect. The Dundalk backs too were firing on all cylinders, with a strong line up it was clear the opportunities would come from Dundalk. Robert Williams was excellent while the experience of Stephen McGee at full back gave confidence throughout the team. Chris McGeady and Gerard Scully in the centre insured the defensive line and Robbie Shields and Rory O’Hagan on the wing finished off an impressive back line, and it wasn’t long before they had an opportunity. The forwards secured good clean ball from a ruck and Simon Byrne at scrum half fed Robert Williams who made a break from the 10 position with great support. Dundalk got the ball to Rory O’Hagan who gained almost 20 metres before offloading the ball with a magnificent inside pass to put Gerard Scully through for Dundalk’s first try. Suttonians looked like they were keen on the game but really looked like a side that would not be capable of, or fit enough, to contain an eager Dundalk side. An attack from Ciaran Lennon saw him almost over the line. The ball was retained and passed to Robbie Williams who found Robbie Shields on his shoulder who almost crossed over again. However, Suttonians had strayed offside and a penalty was awarded to Dundalk. Suttonians did reply to the Dundalk try and after 29 minutes their centre broke through and scored for the home side. By now John McGahon and Tiernan Gonnelly were having a strong influence on the game and were getting round the park with good effect. Stephen McGee’s abilities shone at this level and he looked very comfortable with the ball in hand while having the additional assurance of Rory O’Hagan on his outside. At 36 minutes beautifully taken ball by the pack was passed by Simon Byrne to Robert Williams, Williams found Rory O’Hagan bursting through at pace to open up the Suttonians defences. With Stephen McGee and Robert Shields running in support O’Hagan unselfishly popped the ball to Stephen McGee who cruised over the line for a try with Robbie Shields on his shoulder in support. Score 13-7. The forwards were soon to get on the score sheet when Stephen Martin rucked a ball loose and went over to score a good individual try. Prop Kieran McCabe was starting to punch holes in the Suttonians defence and gained good ground to set up several attacking positions. Chris O’Hanlon too was making his presence felt, and along with the other forwards they mauled their way over for another try, Sean Arrowsmith being credited with grounding the ball. In an unexpected break, and against the run of play, a misunderstanding in the Dundalk centres allowed a gap for Suttonians to get through and score. Dundalk were now exploring opportunities from every angle, a chip through from Robbie Williams was judged to have been knocked on over the line by Dan O’Connell and Aaron Kernan’s grounding of the ball was judged to be from a forward pass. It wasn’t long however before Kernan was on the scoreboard with a well taken try. In the dying moments a bone crunching tackle from Chris O’Hanlon caused the Suttonians to spill the ball. O’Hanlon was quick to seize the ball, popped it off to Simon Byrne to cross the line. The game finished up 39-12 to Dundalk; a good solid performance and with the personnel now available to the seconds they should continue to perform and provide some very entertaining rugby.

Team: 1 Sean Arrowsmith, 2 Laurence Steen, 3 Kieran McCabe, 4 Robin McGee, 5 Chris O’Hanlon, 6 John McGahon, 7 Ciaran Lennon, 8 Tiernan Gonnelly, 9 Simon Byrne, 10 Robert Williams, 11 Rory O’Hagan, 12 Chris McGeady, 13 Gerard Scully, 14 Robert Shields, 15 Stephen McGee.

Replacements: Aaron Kernan, Matt Raftis, Stephen Martin, Dan O’Connell.

Posted on December 30, 2014 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

Posted on December 21, 2014 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on

Dundalk beat CIYMS Belfast 27-25 to earn a place in the All Ireland Junior Cup final for the first time in the Clubs history.

In a game, almost identical to last week’s encounter, the home side snatched an injury time victory. With Thomas Campbell available again, injuries and some tactical changes, it was a different look to the Dundalk side that took to the pitch on Saturday last. Dundalk started well, recovering the ball from the kickoff . The forwards presented good ball to Thomas Campbell playing at scrum half who made clear Dundalk’s intentions and moved the ball swiftly to the backs. Johnathan Williams, back in the number 10 shirt, took early charge of the Dundalk possession and used the ball with great effect to gain ground bringing play into the CIYMS 22. Straying off-side CIYMS gave Dundalk a referees advantage which Thomas Campbell attempted to drop at goal. The kick was wide but play was brought back and the ensuing penalty was converted by Ultan Murphy putting Dundalk 3-0 ahead in the first five minutes. Dundalk seemed to settle into their game a lot quicker than in the first semi final. Paul Megan was in the action from the start and along with Lotu Nuku and Mike Bentley were putting in some heavy tackles to stop the Ulstermen. With Derek Williams replacing an injured Chris Scully in the centre, MJ MC Kevitt had a new partner to work with, and work well they did. After some good backs play the ball was moved through the hands in the backs to Ultan Murphy on the wing who handed off the CI full pack and score the opening try of the game for Dundalk after 12 minutes. Converting his own try Murphy gave Dundalk a 10-0 lead. From the kickoff Dundalk made their way back to the CIYMS 22 and started to put more pressure on the CI line. Penetrating runs from David Whatley and Johnny Gray gained ground for Dundalk. On the 5 metre line Thomas Campbell picked and went blind, but failed to find Lotu Nuku on his outside for what could have been another try. Dundalk managed to retain possession and again Campbell took charge moving the ball wide in the backs again. Paul Megan crashed through CI forwards, laying off to Derek Williams who was tackled short of the line. Again the ball was recycled and Dundalk continued the attack. Piling on the pressure and some tremendous back play it looked certain Dundalk could score again. Derek Williams seized the opportunity on the 24th minute to score a try after some hard work by his brother Jonathan in the outhalf position. 17 nil to Dundalk, but the visitors were still very much in the game and after their experience last week in Belfast, Dundalk knew the opposition were quite a handful. CI fought back and despite some big tackles from James McConnon and Tiernan Gonnelly they found themselves in the Dundalk 22. The CI full back, who had an impressive game last week, started to make his presence known on the Mill Road and after 30 minutes he found his way over the Dundalk line to score a try. CI missed the conversion leaving the score at 17-5 to Dundalk . Dundalk continued to work hard and tackled well, Derek Williams was gaining good ground for Dundalk and were awarded a penalty for CI handling the ball on the ground. The kick was missed by Murphy but it had brought play into the CIYMS 22 allowing David Whatley to apply more pressure on the CI pack. Dundalk were quick to punish any mistakes by the visitors and recovered any unsecured ball. Dundalk continued to apply pressure and after 35 minutes Derek Williams again scored a well taken try, converted by Ultan Murphy to bring the halftime score to 24-5 to Dundalk .
Dundalk came out for the second half in an assured manor, Jonathon Williams quickly brought play into the CIYMS 22 and after a crunching tackle on the full back from Johnny Grey, Dundalk seemed to be in control. A powerful scrummaging performance gave little away. The visitors however had other plans and brought their backs more into play and, after 60 minutes, broke loose and their winger found himself with space. Despite chasing all the way James Shields was unable to catch him and CI scored again. The conversion was missed but from the restart CI returned to the Dundalk 22 and were awarded a penalty as Dundalk strayed offside, converted this time. The score was 24-18 and CI were starting to get a foothold in the game. Growing in confidence, CI pounded the Dundalk line. Dundalk tackled everything that came at them. John Smith put in some good work but the CI pressure was relentless and eventually they found their way over the line. Converting the additional 2 points with only minutes left to play CIYMS had taken the lead for the first time in the game and were 25-24 ahead and gaining momentum. Dundalk however upped their game and took play back into the CI 22 ever pressuring the CI line. Ultan Murphy dropped into the pocket offering a drop goal option to the attack. Campbell fed Murphy the ball but having anticipated the move the CIYMS flankers combined to block down Murphy’s kick and hacked the ball to the half way line. Now well into injury time, the clock and scoreboard were against the home side. Dundalk did however dig deep and fought their way back up the field. Again David Whatley, Robbie Farrell , Paul Megan gained ground. Deep into injury time, and punching holes in the CI defence, James McConnon was tackled high and the referees whistle signalled a penalty for Dundalk. In, literally, the dying seconds of the game Ultan Murphy, justbdays before his 21st birthday and Christmas looming on the horizon, had the opportunity to put Dundalk back into the lead and win the encounter. This was an immensely huge pressure kick on the young man’s shoulders with a place in the All Ireland Cup Final at stake. He steadied himself and with poise and confidence kicked the ball over the bar bringing the spectators to full voice to bring the score to 27-25 to Dundalk. CIYMS knocked the ball on from the restart, but there was no time for the scrum the referee’s whistle blew for full time and a jubilant Dundalk had defeated the Belfast side to reach the All Ireland Final.
Sitting on top of the league and a place in the All Ireland Final secured, Dundalk can go into the Christmas break in good spirits knowing that after some tuff league games the All Ireland final awaits on January 31st against Bangor.
Team: James Shields, Ultan Murphy, Derek Williams, MJ McKevitt, Owen McNally, Jonathan Williams, Thomas Campbell, Johnny Gray, Lotu Nuku, Robbie Farrell, Paul Megan, Mike Bentley, David Whatley, Tiernan Gonnelly, James McConnon.

Subs John Smith, Enda Murphy, Sean Arrowsmith, Ciaran Brannigan, Stephen McGee, Stephen Murphy, Ciaran Lennon.

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Youth Admin , Posted in News , Comments Off on