Castlebar RFC News                     

Cloondeash, Castlebar Co Mayo

Firsts News

Frustration was the order of the day when the firsts were due to face Buccaneers in Cloondeash. However Buccaneers failed to field a team which according to the Connacht Branch table means that we get the points. This now puts Castlebar back in contention in fourth place in the table just two points behind Corinthians and Sligo and still a good bit back from league leaders Monivea. However out next game is on the 11^th of January against the league leaders in Cloondeash. All players are asked to keep their fitness levels up over the Christmas period, as this will truly be one of the games of the season. Training has been halted for the Christmas and will resume on Tuesday the sixth of January. Kind wishes go to Andy, Dale, Mike and Leon who head home for the holidays. Hopefully Leon will be working on his handling over the break! Also everyone is reminded that lotto tickets have to be sold ahead of the draw on St Stephens day in the clubhouse.

The seconds were in action on Sunday last when they faced Westport in Cloondeash. Despite a very tight opening period Westport played very well and took the game on a score of sixteen points to three. Castlebar were well served by Keith Gillick, Matt Connolly, Kevin Cox and Richie Feeney. Gillick continued his 100% record with a penalty. Training has now stopped for the Christmas break and will resume on the sixth of January.

Castlebar: Richie Feeney, Keith Gillick, Sean Dever, Ivor Gilmartin, Tommy Nolan, John Moran, George O’Malley. Mick Heneghan, John Mulligan, Brendan Coyle, Dave Flannery, Matt Connolly, Mick Durcan, Alan Gavin, Leon Jordaan.

Subs used: Paddy Durcan for Mulligan, Kevin Cox For Heneghan, Ger Prendegast for Nolan, Dale Jones for Flannery, Mike Campbell for Gilmartin.

The game between Castlebar and Armagh that was supposed to be played on Sunday was postponed due to the fact that Armagh could not field a team. Disappointing to put it mildly. With Christmas coming there will be one more training session before the ladies break on Wednesday night at 7pm. Apart from a great way to get fit it is great fun and everyone is welcome, just bring your gear and enjoy.

Castlebar’s Mini rugby sides travelled in large numbers to Ballinrobe on Saturday last where we played Ballina and Ballinrobe. It was a fantastic day with some brilliant rugby played by all our teams at under 8,9,10,11and 12 levels. Everyone had a great day and were a credit to their clubs. Ballinrobe were a credit to underage rugby with the way it was organized and ran and congratulations to them on a job well done. Sadly the hailstones stopped some of the games being played but it was an excellent experience for all who travelled. Mini rugby now takes a well earned break for the Christmas and Castlebar RFC would like to wish all its players, parents and friends a happy and exciting Christmas and we will see you all early in January!

The under 14 game against Dunmore that was due to be played at the weekend was postponed but there will be a training session on Wednesday next at the usual time.

Castlebar showed great determination and team spirit, and got the deserved win under floodlights in Cloondeash. From the beginning the Castlebar pack rucked and mauled with great power and technique. While the lineouts need some work, the scrum was a very solid platform, which allowed the backs to launch attack after attack. The quality ball coming quickly from the forwards allowed the backs to run strongly, resulting in 3 great tries from out half Danny Cunningham. Another was touched down by Number 8 Ronan Conway.

The domination started up front with the Castlebar front row of Darrach Irwin, Conor Ainsworth, Alan Casey and Richie Staunton. All were very keen to take the ball to the opposition and made great yardage. The second rows of Joseph Moran, Liam Sweeney, Ronan Moran, and Craig Naughton also made some powerful drives into the heart of the opposition.

The second half started like the first, with Castlebar again applying the pressure, with some great play from David Staunton, Brendan Redmond, Darragh Mulgrew, Ronan Conway and Eoghan Walsh.

The much improved possession allowed Fintan Casey to provide a better service to Danny Cunningham, who made some fine breaks, resulting in tries. The centre pairing of Sean O’ Beirn and Cathal Foy were again were superb in defence, and the wingers of Alan Gill and Mark Conlon and fullback Paudie O’ Malley all contributed to the cause.

The under 16 team were due to play Monivea on Saturday last but the game was postponed but they are playing Ballina on Wednesday night under lights with the bus leaving the courthouse at 6.30pm. All players must attend, as this is the final session before Christmas.

The under 18 side played Ballinrobe on Sunday last in Ballinrobe and were unfortunate to be beaten by just seven points to nil. This was disappointing considering the great form the team has been showing of late. Enda Murphy once again was a revelation but Castlebar were denied by some excellent tackling. Training continues on Wednesday night with the bus leaving the courthouse at the usual time.

Castlebar’s lotto now lies at 3,200 euro and the next draw will take place in the clubhouse as part of out St Stephens’s day celebrations. All members are asked to make a special effort this year to get tickets sold and be part of a big celebration. Tickets are on sale now!

Everyone is invited to come out to the clubhouse on St Stephens’s day for our annual Captain's XV v President’s XV game. This is always one to remember with present and past players making an appearance. So you never know who will tog out. The word in the grapevine is that some of the elder statesmen of the club are tempted to take the boots out of the cupboard and wipe the cobwebs off and give the young guns a lesson in rugby. The game kicks off about 2pm with entertainment afterwards in the clubhouse. A great day is assured for everyone and will be exciting and dramatic!

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!