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Castlebar Rugby Club
Castlebar Rugby Club Notes - 20 Feb 2006
By John Mulligan
20, Feb 2006 - 19:04

Firsts

The firsts game against OLBC in the junior cup was postponed due the reason that Boys Club were in tour this weekend. The game has been refixed for March the 5th in the Sportsground with a 3pm kick off. This game will also double as a league fixture giving the game an added bite. Next weekend the firsts play Monivea under lights on Saturday night in what will be a vital game to both sides. Should the firsts win, it will be the perfect preparation for the cup game on the 5th of March. All supporters are asked to come out and give the lads some encouragement and enjoy the hospitality afterwards in the clubhouse.

Seconds

Castlebar 15 Ballina 7

(See below for full report of 2nds match)

The Seconds produced some outstanding rugby once again in taking the Mayo League grand slam defeating Ballina 15-7 in Cloondeash. Mark Staunton the hero of the hour with two excellent tries. This is looking very good for the seconds who now are top of the league and will have home advantage for the semi final and final. Once again well done to coach Jimmy Staunton and to captain Ivor Gilmartin. At the time of writing there is no match next week due to it being an international weekend.

Castlebar squad: Brendan Kelly, Barry Barnacle, Brian Flannery, Damien Glackin, Sean Hynes, Paddy Flannelly, Alan Gavin, Eamon Cafferkey, Ivor Gilmartin, Nigel Byrne, Ciaran Flynn, Tommy Nolan, Mark Staunton, James Armstrong, Gavin Sullivan, Paul Heverin.

Under 16

The Under 16 team were in action on Sunday last in the cup where they faced a very strong Sligo team. Despite some brilliant individual performances against a side that play in Division one, they had to give way to a better team on the day. But all is not lost. There is still a very important league final to look forward to and the plate that begins in two weeks time. The Castlebar team were: Conor Walsh, Daniel Kelly, Colm Corbett, Ross Flynn, Alan Regan, Cian O Sullivan, John McGuinness, Shane Casey, Stephen Keane, Luke Staunton, Conor Douglas, Pat Wiseman, Kevin Curry
Stephen Rogan, Ray O Malley.
Subs: David Casey, Brian Kiernan, Kevin Glynn, Emmet Gill, Sean Whooton.

Under 18

They came, they saw, they conquered. The under 18 team had a very successful tour to Scotland last weekend and came back with memories and stories galore. Unfortunately not in time for this week’s edition but next week we will feature an in depth look at the tour and the games played.

Mini Rugby

The mini rugby sides travelled to Galwegians last Saturday morning for a mini blitz and once again performed excellently with some good rugby played by all sides. A good day was had by all and with the Connacht blitzes coming up; things are looking good for this talented bunch of young players.

Dress Dance

Due to a clash of dates, the Dress Dance has now been moved back a week to Friday 28th April, in the clubhouse.

Lotto:

There was no winner of the jackpot so it will now be 7,000 euro. The next draw will take place on Friday in Bar one. Jimmy Staunton’s team are on duty. Players are asked to return their tickets as soon as possible.

Best of luck

Sadly one of the great characters of the club has moved to further fields after several years of fantastic service to the club. Jackie McDonnell was a great servant to the club as bar manager and committee member and has moved to Wexford where she has taken up a new post. Castlebar RFC would like to thank Jackie for her huge contribution to the club over the past 6 years, and everybody wishes her the best in her new position. We hope she will continue to visit the club whenever she is home.

Trevor Ardill will take over as Bar Manager temporarily until the end of this season (with the help of a panel of "barmen" after each game).


 

Three Out of Three for The ‘Bar’

Mayo Seconds League

Castlebar 15 Ballina 7

Report: John Mulligan

Castlebar’s seconds continued their outstanding form on Sunday last in Cloondeash when they defeated Ballina in a rip-roaring encounter. It now puts them in a very strong position with three wins out of three and also means that Castlebar will have home advantage for the play offs in a couple of weeks time.

From the off it was Ballina who got the scoring off with a try after five minutes from Robert Gawley which was converted by Kieran Rouse. The game was nip and tuck but no other scores were forthcoming from either side. This was not the start that Castlebar wanted but experience was to tell. With half time approaching, Castlebar’s experience in the forwards was starting to show with Brendan Kelly having an outstanding game in a pack that featured eight heroes. Ballina had their own stars, Paul Neary in the forwards and James Rafter stood out in the forwards as Ballina pushed again and again.

The second half showed Castlebar in their best light and one of the better scores came after a period of possession. Mark Staunton took control of the ball and despite some tough tackling from the Ballina backs managed to stretch over for the try. Nigel Byrne had the kicking duties but his first conversion attempt was not successful. As the half progressed Castlebar lifted their game again and again. Referee Rory Casey (having an excellent game) found himself busy but the game was played in an excellent spirit with both teams playing the game and entertaining the crowd present. The Castlebar support wanted another score and got one of pure quality. Staunton, having one of his finest games in some time, found himself free and his pass to James Armstrong was accurate giving Armstrong the space and time to beat the Ballina defence and score. Again the conversion was missed but the important thing now was that Castlebar were now in front and the chance of doing the clean sweep was now very realistic. Ballina lifted their game once more. Trying to get back into the match but found the Castlebar defence resolute. As time ticked on Castlebar got one more score. Again Mark Staunton was the hero, bursting through two defenders to touch down. The hard work of his forwards have to be mentioned at this stage as they held tight to create the foundation for this excellent performance.

But to be fair this game was excellent on all sides and credit must go to both sides for an entertaining contest. Castlebar must look at the semi finals now with confidence but for now the satisfaction of defeating all three will rest well. The semi finals now wait at a date to be confirmed.

Castlebar: Brendan Kelly, Barry Barnacle, Brian Flannery, Damien Glackin, Sean Hynes, Paddy Flannelly, Alan Gavin, Eamon Cafferkey, Ivor Gilmartin (Captain), Nigel Byrne, Ciaran Flynn, Tommy Nolan, Mark Staunton, James Armstrong,

Subs: Gavin Sullivan, Paul Heverin.

Ballina: Brian Dunleavy, Darragh Quinn, Paul McCreanor, Kieran Burke, Robert Gawley, James Rafter, Kieran Walsh, Paul Neary, Darragh McDonagh, Kieran Rouse, Alistair Cooke, Stephen Lacken (Captain), Kenneth Melvin, Morgan Foley, David O’Neill.

Subs: Leo Troy, James O’Connor, Mark Healy.



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