Under 12s Blitz at Old Crescent
Ballina Killaloe RFC U12s played in a blitz, hosted by Old Crescent, on Sunday 1st December 2013.
We fielded 2 teams, but unfortunately one of the teams was weakened when 3 players got sick Saturday night and weren’t able to play. However that team played 3 matches, getting 2 players from opposing teams and handled themselves very well. They played 2 Old Cresent teams, going down in both games, 5-3 and 3-2, but fought back well in both games. However thay saved thier best for the last game and beat UL Bohs 4-2. Gearoid Rogers, Josh Egan, Jack Mcevoy and Brian Cahill shone for BKRFC.
The other team had a full turn out and had a very succesful outing, winning all 4 games, beating 2 Old Crescent teams 3-1 and 5-3, then going on to come from 2 down to beat Ul Bohs 6-2 and Ennis in the last game 5-2. Tadhg O’Shaughnessy had one of those days when everything stuck and scored 7 tries. Ivor Larkin’s work rate around the pitch was second to none, while David Grace crontrolled the back line very well. Christopher Ryan also showed a clean pair of heels running a few tries.
U10s Blitz at Pallaskenry
Ballina Killaloe RFC U10s travelled to Copsewood Gaels RFC in Pallaskenry for a rugby blitz on Sunday 18th November. They played against Copsewood Gaels, Thomond and UL Bohs.
All three games were very close. In the first game against Copsewood Gaels BKRFC dominated the first half scoring some lovely tries, but allowed the opposition back in after the break. At the final whistle the teams were tied.
The Ballina Killaloe boys were then up against Thomond. The 2 sides were evenly matched throughout but BKRFC managed to sneak a win.
The third game was the toughest against UL Bohs who were a very well-drilled side, but the boys defended valiantly, made some huge tackles and some strong runs. Ballina Killaloe were 3 tries to 2 ahead until the closing seconds when UL Bohs turned over the ball at a ruck and broke away for a try to bring the scores level.
The boys played some great rugby despite very wet and muddy conditions, and were also missing a number of players who were playing at half time at the hurling final in Mallow.
Special mention must go to Shane Geraghty and Ben Murnane who tackled ferociously, and to Ben McCarthy, Oisin Pepper, Kieran Rodgers, Cillian O’Connor and Gordon Wood for scoring some fantastic tries.
Back row: Laurent Chateau, Alex Chateau, Shane Geraghty, Ben McCarthy, Gordon Wood, Kieran Rodgers, Cillian O’Connor, Ben Murnane, Thomas O’Farrell
Front row: Oisin Pepper, Liam Daly, Darragh Hickey, Finn Harold, Oisin O’Reilly, Conal O’Murthuile
Q&A Session with Shane O’Leary
I caught up recently with Shane O’Leary, one of Ballina Killaloe RFC’s “old boys”, and now a member of the academy at Top 14 French Club FC Grenoble. Shane kindly took time out from his training schedule to answer a few questions about the biggest influences on his career, his experience at the 2013 Junior World Trophy (where he represented Canada and finished the tournament as top points scorer) and how he is handling the recent move to France:
Q. You represented Canada in the recent Junior World Cup in Chile. Could you tell us how that came about and what was the whole experience like?
To play for Canada in the Junior world Trophy was an incredible experience rugby wise and travelling wise. I got to see part of the US, Canada and South America. The standard of international rugby is great and the exposure was great too as I’m now in France. I’m eligible to play for Canada because Mum was born in New Brunswick. So, when I wasn’t wanted for the Irish 20’s I decided I wanted to play international rugby so contacted Rugby Canada’s Mike Shelley who helped make it all possible.
Q. You joined French Top 14 side Grenoble at the start of this season. How have you found the move from both a cultural and rugby-style perspective?
The move has its ups and downs. At the start I was very lonely after the first six weeks but now I have settled and I am really enjoying it. The rugby here is not as structured so as a 10 I found it difficult at the start because I couldn’t understand everything the players around me wanted to do off the cuff but I have all the calls now so its all good.
Q. You’ve been selected in the 23 man squad to play rivals Bayonne in the Amlin Challenge Cup opening game. How does it rank with your achievements so far in rugby?
Obviously to have played 2 professional games since I’ve arrived is huge for me as well as hugely surprising for me. I had never thought that I would have played with the first team by this stage before I made the move here.
Q. Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
Without a doubt my dad has been the biggest influence on my career from coaching my teams as a young lad, to advice about the game and both my parents have been hugely supportive always with rugby. Giving me lifts to training before school when I was younger and driving me to Limerick 4 times a week when I was playing with Young Munster RFC and encouraging me.
Q. What are the biggest differences between the Irish, French and Canadian attitudes to training and rugby style?
The attitudes towards training for the Irish and Canadians are the exact same – work your ass off! In France it’s a bit different in the sense that they are so relaxed. Of course they work hard too. The styles of play of the Irish and Canadians are more structured than the French who love to play what is in front of them
Q. The French Top 14 has a number of well known players from Celtic and English clubs. Who are you most looking forward to playing against?
I ‘m looking forward to meeting Ronan O’Gara and Jonathan Sexton in early 2014 when Grenoble play Racing Metro at home.
Q. What advice would you have for any young rugby players looking to make a career out of the sport?
My advice for people would be that you have to work hard at whatever sport you play if you want to succeed. It won’t always be easy and straight forward, but you have to believe in yourself and keep on trying.
Q. Are we likely to see you pull on the Canadian national jersey in the 2015 rugby world cup?
As of yet I havn’t declared for Canada, but obviously that would be amazing if it was to happen. First game for Canada is against Ireland too!
Q. Who do you fancy for this year’s Heineken and Amlin Challenge cups?
I think with the squad that Toulon gave this year it will be hard to stop them for the Heineken Cup and its too early to say for the Amlin. There will be some good team from the Heineken Cup in the later rounds.
Q. What are your thoughts on the possible demise of the Heineken Cup?
I can understand the different points of view but I’d hate to see it go. It’s always been very exciting and it’s the best club competition in the world!
Q. Being a devout Munster man, would you consider playing for any of the other Irish provinces? How much money would it take for Leinster to sign you? I hear they’re short a decent fly half!
I’d consider any offer for me to play rugby back at home in Ireland but it would be a funny one having to pull on a Leinster jersey alright ha!ha!
Many thanks to Shane for taking the time to answer the questions. We wish him the very best of luck in what promises to be a long and successful career within professional rugby. Shane is a shining example to all young players within the Club and is testament to the adage that you get out what you put in. Well done Shane and best wishes on your continued success.
New Season Message from the Chairman
Dear Club Member/Parent,
Welcome back to the new rugby season. It’s great to see so many energetic and enthusiastic children down playing rugby every week.
Clarisford Update:
As part of our commitment to Clarisford Park, we paid €60,000.00 last October. For this we received a 35 year lease on a new playing pitch and a training paddock. For reference, our playing pitch is the big enclosed area down in the Park and it will become live in October this year. The training paddock is next to the soccer pitch. This payment represents great value for money with the grounds works alone costing €100,000.00.
Our €60,000.00 came from several different sources: proceeds from Rugby Club fund raising events, proceeds from SRS fund raising events, a significant and generous community contribution from Technopath, and an interest free loan from an anonymous member.
We owe Clarisford Park a huge debt of gratitude for their hard work and funds put into this venture.
Attached is an update announcement from Clarisford Park that makes fantastic reading.
You will see from the announcement that we will get to use the new 3G All weather pitch at no cost during Oct on a trial basis. Your coaches will provide more information in terms of footwear and times etc in due course.
For the purposes of clarity, it is the Club’s intention to continue to fund any future renting of pitches. This is made possible by those of you who continue to support our fundraising events and my sincere thanks to you for that.
Regards,
Alan Frahill
Chairman, Ballina Killaloe RFC
Munster Players visit Killaloe
Eight Munster rugby players will visit Killaloe on Wednesday next 31st July at 1pm. They will ring the bells in St Flannan’s Cathedral as well as meet as many young players as possible as well as members, coaches etc of our club at Clarisford to do a bit of passing balls etc.
2013 Family Fun Day a Great Success
The inaugural Ballina Killaloe RFC family fun day, held at St Annes Community College, on Saturday 6th April 2013 was a huge success.
The winners of the individual awards for the 2012/2013 season in each of the age groups were as follows:
U9s Most Improved Player: Brian Bourke
Player of the Year: Oisin Pepper
U10s Most Improved Player: James Frahill
Player of the Year: Ian Larkin
U11s Most Improved Player: David Grace
Player of the Year: Sam Loughran
U12s Most Improved Player: Jimmy Ni Bhaoil
Player of the Year: Rory Mockler
U13s Most Improved Player: Paul Fitzgerald
Player of the Year: Oisin Cooke.
U14 Most Improved Player: James Moloney
Player of the Year: Harry Byrne
Ballina Killaloe RFC Family Fun Day
Ballina Killaloe RFC will be holding a Family Fun Day at St Anne’s Community Collegfe on Saturday 6th April 2013 club to mark the end of the season. More details can be found on the dedicated Family Fun Day web page at http://funday.ballinakillaloerfc.com/
BKRFC U13s win Shield Semi Final
Ballina Killaloe U13s played their league semi final match against Presentation on Friday night, 15th February 2013, under flood lights at ULBohs pitch at Annacotty.
Presentation started well but we soon got into the game and some good play saw James Hanley get over for a try to give us a 5-0 lead. However Presentation came back at us and scored a try of their own which was converted to give them a 7-5 advantage.
After a delay at half time due to an injury to a Presentation player, we came out very strong at the start of the second half and after a sustained attack on the Pres line we were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Cian O`Donnell calmly converted to give us an 8-7 lead. Pres threw everything they had at us for the rest of the game but our defence was superb and the game ended with us winning another penalty this time under our own posts. It was impossible to pick out a man of the match as every player gave it everything and it was truly a team performance.
Roll on the final
Tickets for “Alone It Stands”
A limited number of tickets are available, priced at €15.00 each, for a performance of “ALONE IT STANDS” at Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick on Tuesday, March 19th 2013.
Contact Brendan Foley on 087 2608370 to check availability and secure your tickets.
All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to Ballina Killaloe RFC.
Ballina Killaloe RFC U13s Shield Semi Final rescheduled
Ballina Killaloe RFC U13s will now be playing Presentation in the Shield semi final on Friday 15th February 2013, kick off at 7pm. The match will be played at UL Bohs ground in Annacotty.
We’re sure the team would appreciate as much support as possible.
Best of luck to both teams involved.