Firsts

The Firsts season ended in fine style with the annual dress dance that took place in the Clubhouse on Friday evening last. A large crowd attended what was certainly one of the highlights of the social calendar with all dressed in their finery and well entertained with music, singing and dancing. Well done to the organisers for an excellent night and already the plans are being put in place for next season.

Player of the year: Paul Coady

Clubman of the year: Trevor Ardill

Young Player of the year: Nigel Byrne

Top try scorer: Darren Claasen

Underage News

The under 18 team reached the final of the Plate on Friday evening in which they played Creggs in Tuam. Sadly conditions did not suit running rugby with a strong wind blowing into the town end and Creggs took advantage of the conditions to lead by eight points inside the first fourteen minutes and fifteen by half time. Castlebar never gave up and showed the mettle that this fine team have by coming out and playing some inspiring rugby with Martin Gill scoring a fine try and Ronan Conway with a penalty to narrow the gap but sadly despite some great phases in play, castlebar could not peg back the remaining points and Creggs held on for the win. This was a disappointing defeat but one cannot take from the progress this fine team have made and shows the talent that is in the side. With so many of the team underage again next season, it is only a matter of time before this team gets the honours it so rightly deserves.

The team were: Michael Moran, Ian McDonagh, Aidan Garvey, Chris Rogan, Ronan Moran, Liam Sweeney, Martin Gill, David Staunton, Paudi O’Malley, Ronan Conway, Tom Murphy, Nigel Byrne, Stuart McLoughlin, John Derrig, Danny Cunningham, Shane Cunnane, Matt O’Neill, Gavin Sullivan, Fintan Casey, Mark Staunton, Kieran Flynn, Ronan Irwin, Neil Coyle, Padraig Healy.

Mini Rugby news

Next Wednesday night is a very special evening with the Castlebar underage Presentation night taking place in the clubhouse getting underway at 6pm. Members of the Connacht senior rugby team will be in attendance to present the awards and all parents are invited to come out and share in the celebrations on what was a very important and successful year for underage and mini rugby in the club. Refreshments will be served and a full report will feature in the media next week.