MINI RUGBY
MINI TRAINING:
U8/U9/U11/U12 training at home this weekend at 11am in Creggs.
MINI FIXTURES:
U10’s have their Connacht Blitz this Saturday in Ballina starting at 10am. Meeting church Car Park Roscommon at 8.15am.
MINI REPORT:
Under 11s
Creggs took part in the Connacht U11 blitz held in Buccaneers in Athlone last Saturday morning (March 24th). Creggs entered two teams with Creggs Blacks playing Galwegians, Ballina, Sligo and Buccaneers while the other Creggs team played Ballinasloe, Corrinthians, Tuam and Carrick on Shannon. Both teams competed very well and In the beautiful spring sunshine Creggs played a lovely brand of open rugby and scored some great tries and all players enjoyed their day.
YOUTH RUGBY
U-13 FIXTURE:
Creggs Rugby play the SuperMacs Connacht Under-13 Cup Semi-Final on Saturday next (March 31st.) v Castlebar RFC in Creggs at 3pm.
Please come along to Creggs on Saturday to support this good young team as they attempt to get to the Connacht Cup Final, and play for the Lynn Cup, which is in honour and in memory of our former player, the late Simon Lynn.
U-15 REPORT:
CreggsUnder-15s bow out in super Connacht Cup Semi-Final
CreggsRugby 13 Corinthians RFC 23
Creggs lost out to Corinthians last Sunday in the Connacht Cup semi-final in a very close fought game. Certainly a late Corinthians converted try gave the final scoreline a completely wrong impression of what was a very competitive game.
With 4 minutes to go the sides were deadlocked at 13 points all when Creggs unluckily conceded a penalty which Corinthians converted. However, the Creggs lads can be very proud, having fought back from the concession of two early tries (10 – 0 down) to force a penalty which Kevin Gavin expertly converted.
Creggs attacked again and Corinthians were penalised at the ruck and Kevin Gavin scored to leave 4 points between the sides.
Then the game expolded into action with a series of attacks by Creggs forwards led by Simon Spain, James Walker and Michael Kelly and the resultant penalty saw Creggs opt for a quick pass from Kevin Gavin to number eight Brian Diffley who surged over under the posts. Kevin Gavin converted and Creggs were three points ahead.
Unfortunately Corinthians equalised and Creggs were unable to capitalise on this opportunity. A late try for the Galway lads left the final score at Corinthians 23 Creggs 13.
Creggs can be very pleased with the team performance with the forwards fronting up including Brian Collins, Mark Dolan, Matthew Butt and Robbie Daly. The backs they defended herocially especially Colum Fallon, Connor Gore and Donal Kelly. Creggs played some fast exciting rugby with clever interplay from Shane Dowd, Kevin Gavin, Richard Hughes, Alex Syrek and James Regan.
This Creggs team (in common many of our underage sides) has grown in ability, skills set and teamwork throughout the season to be a top four side that competes with the bigger senior clubs. Next season, I believe that the quality and commitment is there to go all the way.
Unfortunately the season is now over but we wish to thank all the Creggs players and their parents for all their efforts during the season. Well done to Ger, Billy, Padraic, Eamonn, Michael and Peter for all the coaching and management work with this side. We will have details soon of an end of season B-B-Q/ presentation night.
Creggs Rugby Under-15 Squad pictured at the previous game (Connacht Cup Quarter-Final v Ballina RFC) were Back Row (L-R): Dylan Ward, John Keegan, Matthew Butt, James Walker, Michael Kelly, Simon Spain, Brian Diffley, James Regan, Brian Collins, Mark Dolan, Alex Syrek, Robbie Daly. Front row (L-R): Mark Ward, Kevin Gavin, Shane Dowd (capt.), Colin Fallon, Richard Hughes, Thomas Clayton, Conor Gore, and Donal Kelly. Missing from this picture but in the panel and involved last Sunday were: Conor Shanagher, Thomas Beatty and David Lyons.
Also missing from this picture last Sunday due to injury or unavailability were: Rory O’Donohue, Stephen Glynn, Andrew Clarke, and Shay Connolly.
U-16 REPORT:
Creggs go down to Galwegians in U16 Cup Quarter Final
Creggs 12 Galwegians 22
In beautiful sunshine at The Green last Sunday, the Creggs U16 season came to an end after a very close game against Division 1 side; Galwegians. This game was right in the mix until a very late Galwegians try put the result beyond doubt.
Galwegians started the game very well and went on the attack straight from the kick off and were awarded with a penalty after 5 minutes which they converted to give them a 3 -0 lead.
Creggs responded very well and an excellent break from full back by Noel Gately sliced open the Galwegians defence and had Creggs on the Galwegians line but an excellent defencive effort held Creggs out. Creggs forwards were now on top of their opposition with Tom Oates, Matthew Brandon, Rory Collins and Ross Mugan carrying the ball to their opponents at every opportunity.
After a sustained attack and a series of 5 metre scrums Creggs then struck for the games first try when outhalf Ronan Raftery ran a lovely line from 10 metres out and crashed over to give Creggs a 5-3 lead.
It was now Galwegians turn to go back on the attack and just before half time they went back into the lead when they awarded a penalty 5 metres out for an infringlement at the breakdown , they ran the penalty and kept the ball in the forwards and crashed over, leaving the half time score 8-5.
Creggs played the better rugby in the opening stages of the second half and took the lead when another sustained attack after a great break by Ronan Raftery down the blind side was continued by Tom Oates and Brian Donoghoe who made great yards before setting it up and Barry McDonnell went over for a try which was converted by Noel Gately, giving Creggs a 12-8 Lead.
Galwegians now went back on the attack again after a loose kick by the Creggs Defence allowed them to gain territorial advantage and they went over for a try in the corner which was converted for a 15-12 lead with 10 minutes to go.
Creggs went back on the attack and were unlucky after a penalty failed to reach touch. Galwegians kicked upfield and Creggs failed to clear successfully and the Galwegians attacker ran clear under the post to secure the victory with 2 minutes remaining.
It has been a great Season for the Creggs U16’s only losing two games this 2011/2012 season. The introduction of rugby into schools has helped to build the squad and we look forward to being competitive at U17 level again next year.
Thanks to all the players and coaches, Vincent Collins, Aidan Farrell, Aengus Oates, Noel Galvin and David Purcell and the support from all within Creggs RFC for making this year so successful.
Creggs U16’s will go on an end of season tour to Wales next month where they will play IIandovery RFC and good luck to all.
Creggs: Barry McDonnell, Mark Kearney, Ross Mugan, Tom Oates, Brian Donohue, Ronan Raftery, Dylan Keavney, Matthew Brandon, Rory Collins, Sean Gaffey, Jamie Mee, Brian Cleary, Noal Gately, Diarmuid Cunniffe, Rory O Brochalain, John Brennan, Evan Concar, David Murray , Mark Naughton, Maurice Buckley.
U-19 REPORT
Creggs Under-19s put in good Connacht Semi-Final performance
Creggs Under-19s put on a great performance against a powerful Corinthians side in the semi final of the Connacht Under-19 Plate competition on Sunday last.
Played on a beautiful day in Creggs, it was a great step forward for the club to be playing Under-19 competitive rugby against the establishment of Connacht rugby and holding our own. Our young team (all of who are age for U-19 next season again) was well in the game at half time 10 – 3 down, which could have easily been 10 – 9 but for some unfortunate penalty misses. The second half proved tougher going as the overall fitness and skill levels out the backs got the better of us with a second try and Corinthians ran out winners in the end.
A great compliment is due firstly to all the players who after coming together so late in the season, got to play a good bit of rugby at a high level and to the secondly to the coaches, Charlie, Patrick, Mattie, Bernard. Larry and Ja who put in sterling work to get out the team.
Their efforts will only be rewarded if we field next season as technically this was really an Under-18 squad and if three our four of them of them graduate to the first team.
After our first year having an Under-19 team, we look forward to more of our registered players returning to join us at this age grade. With the current group of players and some more players that haven’t played recently joining this squad, next season should make us into a serious under nineteen force, that would really making strides.
Having noted the bond developed by this season’s squad over a short time, the signs are good for next season with the club put a strong coaching unit in place again and getting the players together earlier for the season.
Creggs Rugby Under-19 team and reserves: Derek Tully, Stephen Kilcommins, Eoin Gilleran, Ciaran Shaw, Keith Keenan, Niall O’Rourke, Andrew Callaghan, Richard O Grady, David Hoare, Shane O’Beirne, Evan Gilleran, Mike Tiley, Enda Tully, Michael McNeill, Chris Duignan, Gavin Moran, David Butler, Calum Hartley, and Gearoid Egan.
