Castlebar Rugby Club
Castlebar Rag Rugby finishes on a high
By John Mulligan
18, Aug 2006 - 09:17

After five weeks and a lot of excitement with over three hundred players taking part, the semi finals and final of the Castlebar RFC Rag Rugby tournament brought to an end a tournament that has surprised many with its success. As many as four hundred people between players and spectators attended the semi finals and finals night last Thursday on a cold but dry evening at Cloondeash and they were not disappointed with the standard on show.

But to find winners, teams still had to reach the final and at 7.30 the hooter sounded for the semi finals to begin. Across six pitches, twenty four teams played for the right to reach the six finals on offer. What emerged was rag rugby at its finest with every game a cracking encounter and even extra time was the order of the day in one case.

The cup semi finals were going to be close and gave us some outstanding fare. Symphony Kitchens faced Club Physio in the first semi and came away with the win while Killary one and the Mighty ducks produced a high scoring game with Killary, one of the most impressive sides on show, qualifying for the final. The Plate Semi finals featured Oliver Kelleher’s up against the Castle Inn who surprised and impressed many not just with their skill but also with their attitude to the tournament. In the end it was Kellehers who came away with the win. They would face the Douges who defeated the Looney Tunes by five points.

The shield semi finals featured Casey’s and Rays and it was Casey’s who were just too strong winning by fourteen points. They would face Bar One who also impressed against the Dream Team. The Bowl, Saucer and Spoon semi finals were just as exciting.  Mingin wingers just edged out Allergen in one of the games of the tournament while it took extra time to separate AMO and Killary two. AMO by just two points in the end. The lost defeated Elverys and there were also wins for the Council Chambers, the undertakers and Rowland Roofing in the remaining semi finals.

After a brief rest, and to allow for extra time to be played in the Killary/AMO decider. The Hooter was sounded for the finals. But first a very important job had to be done. A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to Club President Trevor Ardill whose brother passed away during the week. All respected it impeccably there and the round of applause that followed could be heard for miles around. A truly beautiful moment. From there it was the finals. Five games to decide the champions, with the spoon final already decided earlier.

The cup final was a classic with both Symphony Kitchens and Killary one on top form. In the end it was Symphony who won but only just with six points the difference. The Shield final saw just one try but it fell to the Douges and they held on to take the Shield Title. The Plate was a close affair and well attended by the neutral supporter. It was Casey’s who came out on top but Credit must go to Bar One for a great game.

Unfortunately for AMO, their extra time exertions was to cost them in the end as the Minging wingers fresher legs won out in the end. Finally the Council Chambers overcame the Lost by four points in the Saucer final.

After the rugby and a beautiful Barbecue laid on by the staff at Bar One, a large crowd gathered to attend the prize giving. Presentations were made to Ray Blake, who was leaving to take up new employment, and his sister Emma who had done a wonderful job managing the bar. Other presentations were made to members of the organising committee as a thank you for their hard work throughout the tournament and with that, brought the 2006 Castlebar Rag rugby tournament to a close.

Semi Final and Final Results