Match Reports

Castlebar U 18 Fixture Thursday 12th Feb 2004 - Castlebar 10 v St Attractas (Tubbercurry) 17

This was an opportunity not to be missed. A Castlebar side made up of players from St Geralds, Davitt College and Balla CS had the chance of taking on the most impressive new school in Connacht Rugby.

St Attractas play a very direct brand of rugby, they are very strong up front and their back line run straight and direct lines. Castlebar are still developing a game plan. The Castlebar coaching staff are pleased that their charges are showing serious signs of being capable of competing with the very best sides in Connacht. With a solid scrum, improving lineout, a terrific backline and a defence that causes opposition sides a lot of problems Castlebar are starting to show form that will stand them good stead in the coming weeks.

The front five of David McManaman, Neil Coyle, Colm OíBrien, Brian Flannery and Ger Flynn are a handful, causing defences to commit to the breakdown and very aggressive in our own defence. The back row of Gavin Sullivan, Oli Davies and Enda Murphy are gaining huge amount of ground and putting the team into good playing positions. The backline of Andrew Verity, Danny McGing, Nigel Byrne, Shane Heffron, John Derrig, Ronan OíDonnell and Colm Harte are gelling together into a really strong unit.

On the night there were many big performances with Gavin Sullivan scoring two tries, Enda Murphy making huge yards, Danny McGing controlling the game, but the outstanding performance was from Andrew Verity who added a control of the pack to his ever improving armoury.

All the Castlebar subs were used on the night with Ian McDonagh, Roddy OíConnor, Martin Gill, Matt OíMalley, Michael Moran, and Kieran Tolster all playing significant rolls in this game.

Castlebar 3 v Westport 0 Monday 16th Feb 2004

These are traditionally very tough and uncompromising affairs and this match did not disappoint. Both sides are preparing for very difficult cup assignments in two weeks tome and as preparation for that this game had it all. There were impressive periods of play from both sides with the tie being decided by a superbly taken drop goal by Danny McGing. There was added spice by the fact that Westport had run away with the league and were rightfully crowned champions. Well done.

This game could well be the match that determines the season for both sides. If they can reproduce the quality of performance in terms of commitment, concentration and determination then this game will prove to be the reasons for upcoming famous victories against Corinthians for Castlebar and Athlone for Westport.

Castlebar can be well pleased with a number of facets of play that went their way. In the first half Westport threw everything at the Castlebar defence which refused to buckle. As the game progressed then so too did Castlebar in terms of their attack. Enda Murphy, Nigel Byrne, Oli Davies, Colm O’Brien, Andrew Verity and Shane Heffron all made huge yards in attack. For the first time we saw Neil Coyle, Ian McDonagh, Brian Flannery, Ger Flynn make a lot of yards in attack also, coupled by the hard work and foraging of Ronan OíDonnell, Conor Heneghan and Colm Harte. But it is the defence that gives the most pleasure, epitomised by one enormous tackle by Danny McGing to turn a good Westport attack into nothing.

The game was cut seven minutes short as a result of a power failure, nonetheless Castlebar will be well pleased that they played constructive rugby that showed the way forward for the team.

C Harte, R OíDonnell, S Heffron, N Byrne, C Heneghan, D McGing, M Moran, N Coyle, C OíBrien, G Flynn, B Flannery, O Davies, G Sullivan, E Murphy (Capt), Matt OíMalley, Martin Gill, Kieran Tolster, Ian McDonagh.