RUGBY with MICHAEL SILKE
ST. STEPHEN’S DAY EXILES CUP
The ever popular St. Stephen’s Day match between an Exiles XV and the Buccaneers’ President’s selection takes place in Dubarry Park with a 2 p.m. kick off. At stake is the James Moran Exiles Perpetual Cup and, of course, bragging rights for a year to the victors. Joe McVeigh, Tom Stuart-Trainor and Martin Cahill could be involved for the Exiles with veteran Craig Milling togging out to lead the charge for Big Pat’s standard bearers! Other still living legends such as Paul Hamilton and Micky Carroll are strongly rumoured to be togging out too so some team will be strong on experience if perhaps suspect for oxygen! It should be a fun event as these hardy protagonists go head to head to rid themselves of their respective Christmas excesses and, hopefully, the weather will have thawed by the weekend so that the combatants can shed their “cabin fever”. The Cup presentation will follow in The Bounty after the game and will be followed later that night by a social with live music and disco. There will be a nominal cover charge on the night. Come along and meet friends old and new.
FIVE FOR THE FUTURE!
Conor FitzGibbon and his cousin Robbie Henshaw have been selected on the Ireland U-18 Club panel while Callum Boland and Jack Carty have been included in the Ireland U-19 squad. Add in Daniel Qualter who looks a good bet to make the Ireland U-20’s and the future looks bright for Buccaneers. Good luck to these exciting young players in the upcoming selection process.
NEW YEAR’S EVE
BUCCANEERS are hosting a New Year’s Eve party in The Bounty on Friday, December 31st, commencing with a mulled wine reception from 7.30 p.m. A sumptious four course dinner including wine is being laid on as the club revives this traditional end of year event that promises to be a wonderful social occasion and exciting finale to 2010. Live musical entertainment will be followed by a DJ to start the New Year swinging. So, dress smart and, as ticket supply is limited, early booking is strongly recommended. Tickets are priced very reasonably at just €40 each. They can be booked from our Administrator Geraldine at 086-1732711 or by contacting Peggy Hynes, Regina Bushell or Kathy Conlon.
TABLE QUIZ
Last week’s Table Quiz threw up some ‘dark horses’ as winners when a team led by our “hands-on” President Big Pat Hynes triumphed in some style. His team mates were Craig Milling, Micky Carroll and Tony Hanevy. Accordingly, some wise guys around the club suggest that the questions were either (1) easy, (2) quirky, (3) had answers on Google or (4) had nothing to do with rugby! But, seriously, thanks to everyone who participated, be it on a team or helping organise the event. Another club quiz will take place in The Bounty before the end of January, so here’s hoping for an even bigger turnout then.
BUY BUCCS AT CHRISTMAS
Buccaneers replica gear including jerseys, embroidered hoodies, rucksacks, socks with logos and beanies are selling well. They make ideal gifts for up and coming would-be Brian O’Driscoll’s, Paul O’Connell’s or even Kolo Kiripati’s so contact Jackie Pears at 085-1133806 or Craig Milling at 087-4198202 if looking for adult sizes.
CONDOLENCES
Deepest sympathy is extended to the family of the late John Kiely. His extended family are well known in the land of Buccaneers with sons Martin and Michael being recent Presidents of the club. Ar dheis De a anam.
ALL MATCHES OFF – AGAIN!
All Buccaneers fixtures last weekend once again fell victim to the prolonged spell of severe weather. No games are scheduled this weekend apart from the Exiles Cup match on St. Stephen’s Day. Two Senior matches have been rescheduled as follows:-
All Ireland League away to Dungannon on Saturday, January 8th, and the final Connacht Senior League tie against Connemara on the following Saturday, January 15th, in Galway. The Connacht Junior 1B game against Creggs has been slotted in for Sunday, January 16th, so make a note of those changes in your new 2011 Diaries.
FESTIVE GREETINGS
Best wishes to all Buccaneers players, mentors, officials, supporters, sponsors and volunteers for a happy and peaceful Christmas and every success in the New Year.
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With all the inclement weather coming our way lately, it is no surprise that there has been little action on the playing fields over the last month or so. Following on from postponements, due in the main to frozen or snowed over pitches, some fixtures are beginning to back-up. Our sixth round league fixture against Dunmore (at home) has already fallen foul of the weather twice while the first round Cawley Cupgame against Ballyhaunis has been re-fixed for Sunday January 2nd at home, kick-off 2.30pm after being cancelled on two previous occasions. The age grade teams also have outstanding fixtures to fulfill.Despite all the freezing weather to date, the forecast is for somewhat milder conditions over the Christmas period. This, no doubt, should assist with the playing of the traditional St. Stephen’s Day game between a President’s selection and an Exiles XV for the Sean O’Flynn Memorial Cup. This fixture has been played in the true Barbarian spirit over the years but it also carries a special efferesence, whether it is a senior player showing he has a trick or two left in the bag or a young tyro giving evidence that he is ready to step up, it never fails tocapture the interest of the crowd. Two strong squads have already been selected for this game which promises to have a special cut this time around with players champing at the bit for action having been in dry dock in recent weeks. Senior coach, Noel Mannion, will oversee the efforts of the President’s side while Damian Feeney, himself a veteran of many an O’Flynn Cup encounter, will call the shots for the exiles. Afterwards, the trophy will be presented in the club rooms where a full re-view and analysis of the action will take place.
LIAM COURTNEY
PRO BALLINASLOE RFC |
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Due to the deteriorating weather conditions the Competitions Commitee have made the decision to call off all Junior matches in the Province this weekend.
A decision on when they will be refixed for will be made early next week and clubs will be informed then |
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Ireland Women's Coach Philip Doyle has named an extended squad of 34 for the first training camp this season. The squad features many of the players who helped Ireland to their highest ever finish at the Women's World Championship earlier this year while also featuring a few new faces.
Last season's captain Fiona Coghlan and Ireland's most capped woman Lynne Cantwell are among a host of experienced players named in the squad.
Four players are unavailable through injury: Tania Rosser continues her rehab from the injury she picked up at the World Championship while newcomer Eliza Downey while Shannon Houston and Alison Miller are also ruled out at this stage.
Lauren Day, who missed out on the World Championship when she picked up an injury in training, returns to the squad and there are some new faces in the likes of Stacey Lee Kennedy, Jean Moore and Larissa Muldoon.
The back-room team sees the addition of Keith Murphy as Assistant Coach while Greg McWilliams will join the Management during the preparations for the 6 Nations.
Ireland Women's Squad
Gillian Bourke (Munster/Bristol)
Niamh Briggs (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Lynne Cantwell (Exile/Richmond)
Emma Cleary (Connacht/ UL Bohemians)
Fiona Coghlan (Leinster/ UL Bohemians)
Amy Davis (Leinster/Blackrock)
Lauren Day (Ulster/Waterloo)
Ailis Egan (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Orla Fitzsimons (Leinster/St Marys)
Siobhan Fleming (Munster/ Tralee RFC)
Laura Guest (Munster/Highfield RFC)
Ashling Hutchings (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Helen Jones (Munster/Highfield RFC)
Niamh Kavanagh (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Mairead Kelly (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Stacey Lee Kennedy (Ulster/City of Derry)
Emer McManamly (Leinster/Blackrock)
Claire Molloy (Connacht /Bristol)
Jean Moore (Connacht/Portlaoise)
Larissa Muldoon (Exile)
Joy Neville (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Gill Nolan (Leinster/St Marys)
Deirdre O'Brien (Leinster/Blackrock)
Heather O'Brien (Munster/ Highfield RFC)
Imogen Porter (Ulster/Cooke)
Clare Raftery (Connacht/Galwegians)
Geraldine Rea (Munster/ Highfield RFC)
Marie Louise Reilly (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Michelle Ross (Leinster/St Marys)
Kate Sheehan (Munster/ UL Bohemians)
Jackie Shiels (Exile/Richmond)
Nora Stapleton (Leinster/Old Belvedere)
Carol Staunton (Connacht/Galwegians)
Ailish Toner (Munster)
Ireland Women's Team Management
Philip Doyle - Coach
Keith Murphy - Assistant Coach
Rachel Reid - Team Manager
Ross Callaghan - Strength & Conditioning Coach
Brian Roantree - Team Assistant
Jessica O'Riordan -Team Doctor
Ulrik McCarthy Persson - Team Physio
Dominic Hoban - Team Physio 2
Len Browne - Team Analyst
Jessica O'Brien - Team Co-ordinator
For further information contact:
Maria Boland, IRFU Communications Department
E-mail:
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Phone: +353 (0) 16473828
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The Connacht Heineken Junior Cup draw will take place on Monday 17th January at Busker Brownes bar on Cross Street in Galway. The historic cup was first played in 1905 and remains one of the oldest and most prestigious trophies in the Province.
This year the format for the draw will vary slightly from previous years. The 8 top teams ranked in the Connacht Junior 1A league will receive a bye into the 2nd round, the remaining clubs will battle it out in the preliminary round. The second twist to the draw will be the drawing of round 3 after round 2 has been completed. In previous years clubs have been able to see which clubs they may have faced throughout the competition, this year, with a draw taking place after the 2nd round clubs will have no knowledge who they may face thus increasing the excitement of the Cup making every match vital.
The launch will start at 7.30pm and as it is an open draw everyone is invited to attend.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 December 2010 16:34 )
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With thanks to Rob Murphy/www.knockon.ie
Galwegians 24 25 Corinthians
Corinthians won with a dramatic last gasp try from Pat Cunningham and conversion from Mick O’Flynn giving them a memorable victory and a place in the All Ireland Cup Semi Final in the new year.
Corinthians had led 7-0 early thanks to Gary Ward’s try. Rob O’Berin’s penalty and a brilliantly orchestrated try from the fleet footed John Cleary put wegians 10-7 up midway through the half.
Shane Mullaly responded with a penalty for Corinthians but Eoin McKeon touched down on a push over try for wegians before half time for a 15-10 lead.
In the second half, Mick O’Flynn came on at out half with Mullaly in the sin bin and notched a penalty to bring his side within two before creating a bizzare try.
It came from a penalty attempt that hit the post and came straight back into his arms, catching the defence off guard he attacked left and shoveled a pass out to Cian Begley for a try and an 18-15 lead.
In injury time Tadgh Leader kicked a stunning long range penalty under huge pressure to level matters and Brian McClearn almost scored an intercept try with the last play of the game.
Then came extra time in the twilight. Crazy stuff, but on they played and Leader kicked two penalties in either half of extra time for a six point lead before the last second dram saw Corinthians score that seven point.
There was still time for one more wegians penalty which just drifted wide from Leader, it was a tough kick and he had nailed three beauties before that but Corinthians had the edge in the end.
It was a gutsy finish by the winners who retain the cup and will now go on the represent Connacht in the All Ireland Cup semi final. A huge fillip for the whole squad who will get back to chasing promotion on January 8 against UCD.
Meanwhile Galwegians are looking back over another narrow late defeat despite a strong effort.
Corinthians: Rob Kennedy; Darren Classens, Cian Begley, Wayne Williams, Finn Gormley; S Mullaly, Mike Roche; Dennis Buckley, Joe Merrigan, Tom Tolan; Gary Ward, Pat Cunningham (c); Shane Conneely, Aaron Conneeley; Liam Carpernter
Replacement: Mark Dolan, Barry Famasu’li, Mike O’Flynn, Donnacha Phelan; Shane Gerrity.
Galwegians: Rob O’Beirn; Brian Murphy, Paul Conway, Dave Clarke, John Cleary; Tadgh Leader, Barry Lee; Ja Naughton, Conor Muldoon, Jamie Stephens; Brian McClearn, Dave O’Hara; Ian Cullinane, Ivan Muldoon, Eoin McKeon.
Replacements Used: J Mackey, R Shaughnessy, R Dillon, L Casserly
Ref: Dave Connolly.
Pictures (C) Joe O'Shaughnessy/
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 15 December 2010 10:44 )
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