Cloondeash, Castlebar Co Mayo

Last Sunday Castlebar showed the determination that they are known for with a hard fought but well deserved win over Creggs in the Cawley cup. Tries from Simon O’Malley, Mike Power, Paul Coady and Jason Keane with Robbie Cusack adding points from the boot gave them a famous win. It looked very bad with just two minutes to go in the half as Castlebar were behind by 16 – 3 but they showed great composure and determination. Well done lads!

Castlebar: Alan Gavin, Paddy Durcan, Kevin Cox, Paul Heverin, Rory Hughes, Mike Campbell, Barry Barnacale, Ger Prendergast. Christy Cusack, Andrew Olsen, Mike Power, Jason Keane, Robert Cusack, Simon O’Malley, Paul Coady

Replacements used: Matt Connolly for Gavin, George O’Malley for Power, and Dale Jones for Hughes.

Next Sunday is a big day as they take on Buccaneers in the Connacht Junior league. A win will put them back in contention but it cannot be done without our supporters, so please if you can get out to Cloondeash on Sunday, do and roar on the lads. Kick off is at 2.30

The seconds took to the field on Sunday last when they faced Creggs in the J2 league. In what was a great forward performance with the famous Casey’s coming to the fore at second row, they gave a great display against a solid Creggs side. However lapse in concentration combined with a lack of match fitness gave Creggs a opportunity to score which they did as they crossed for four tries. Castlebar to their credit never gave up and were duly rewarded with a line out drive that saw Dave Flannelly, John Mulligan and Brendan Coyle drive on. From the resulting ruck, Gerry and Tony Casey took the ball and touched down by Fox for a well deserved try. However that was the final move of the game and even though defeat was their lot, Castlebar can take great confidence from this display.

The Castlebar team was as follows: John Mulligan, Matt Connolly, Brendan Coyle, Gerry Casey, Tony Casey, Damien Glackin, Mick Durcan, Dave Flannelly, George O’Malley, John Moran, Ivor Gilmartin, Farnan Harte, Paul Harte, Shane McElwee, Tommy Nolan. Replacements: Brian Fox, Sean Dever. Next up is a second’s league against Buccaneers on Sunday at 1pm. All players are asked to attend training on Thursday At 7.30.

The game between Castlebar and Enniskillen that was due to take place on Sunday last was postponed until after Christmas. Their next game takes place at home on the 14^th of December when they face Armagh. Development of the game has become paramount and it has been put to all clubs in Connacht to develop their Ladies Team. Apart from a great way to get fit it is great fun and everyone is welcome, just bring your gear and enjoy. Training continues on Wednesday night at 7pm.

Our mini players are enjoying themselves and are training hard ahead of their next blitz that will be announced shortly. Don’t forget training continues in Saturday morning at 10.45 and all players are asked to be out on time.

The under 14 team faced Creggs in Creggs last Saturday and despite two excellent tries from Alan Regan and Damien McLoughin and one conversion from Robert Hennelly, had to give second best to a good Creggs side. Other players who played well were Shane Casey and Peter Flatley. There may be a game nest week but players will be informed at training on Wednesday night.

The under 16 team have a very important game next weekend where they will face Monivea in Monivea. Players are asked to attend training where they will be informed on travel arrangements.

Training continues every Wednesday night (on the pitch at 7.00).

Floodlight under age matches in the years to come will be the norm in rugby. It is exciting, novel and frees up congested weekends. If tonight’s fixture is anything to go by then Castlebar will wholeheartedly play night time games.

Dunmore are traditionally a fit big team not short on either determination or skill. Castlebar are still building in terms of skills, tactics and game plan. The team selection is nearing completion with many positions up for grabs none more so than the back row area with six players going for 3 positions, Enda Murphy, Oli Davies, Martin Gill, Ciaran Flynn, Tadgh Kirby and Gavin Sullivan all competing for places. Tonight was a key indicator in which way the coaching staff are thinking but there is much to play for with the league reaching its conclusion and the all-important Cup just around the corner. Of interest is the number of potential captain candidates, an area of great importance and well performed by a calm and well reasoned Nigel Byrne.

Castlebar went into this game with performance being the main goal. Reward was quick to follow when after ninety seconds Gavin Sullivan went over for the first of his three tries. The impressive Danny McGing struck the conversion from out on the left touchline to put Castlebar 7 – 0 up. After twelve minutes once more Castlebar pressure forced Dunmore to concede territory and afforded Sullivan the second of his tries of the night. Once more the conversion from the touchline was pointed by Danny McGing. There followed a penalty from Dunmore to make the score 14-3 to Castlebar. Instantly Castlebar upped the pace and forced a scrum from which Martin Gill, excelling out of position at scrum half , went over to make the score 19 – 3 to Castlebar. From the restart Dunmore took play to the Castlebar score zone and came away with a penalty, 19-6 to Castlebar. Straight from the restart McGing kicked the ball long, deep into the Dunmore defence zone, phased rugby resulted in Gavin Sullivan going in to finish the scoring at 24 – 6 to Castlebar.

Whilst there were no score registered in the second half nonetheless the pace of the game increased. There were many impressive performances on the night with all players getting their hands on the ball. Of note were the performance of the front row, Neil Coyle, David McManaman and Colm O’Brien. O’Brien had a very accomplished outing as pack leader. Ciaran Flynn, Martin Gill, Oli Davies and Gavin O’Sullivan did all of the hard groundwork that created space for others. Martin Gill turned in a very accomplished display at scrum half and link well with Danny McGing. The threequarter line displayed excellent form with straight line running and good skills. John Derrig had his best game for Castlebar proving to be a handful with good support running and a powerful sidestep. Shane Heffron and Colm Harte both displayed potential that will mark good rugby players. Rod O’Donnell playing his first season in the backline is settling in very well. But the most interesting performance of the night came from Brian Flannelly who played his first game of rugby and excelled.

Castlebar: C Harte, R O’Donnell, S Heffron, N Byrne (Capt), J Derrig, D McGing, M Gill, G Sullivan, O Davies, S Flynn, B Flannelly, G Flynn, C O’Brien, N Coyle, D McManaman, Subs: K Tolster, D Hopkins, M Moran.

Don’t Forget, for all the latest on Castlebar RFC we now have a website! For all the up to date news on your club go to our website www.castlebarrfc.com

Are you interested in playing rugby but thought that you lived too far from Castlebar? Well if you live outside of the Castlebar town area but are interested, then Castlebar RFC would like to hear from you. Training takes place for all mini rugby players on Saturday Mornings at 11am and there is training for all under 14, under 16 and under 18 players on Wednesday night at 7pm. We have best coaches around, all IRFU trained and approved and you become part of one of the fastest growing clubs in Connacht. If you are interested you can contact Castlebar RFC in Cloondeash and buses can be arranged if we have enough numbers making it easier on parents and taking the hassle out of attending training and games, so come on…,WHAT are you waiting for?? Get involved! New players are always welcome!