Juniors off to a winning start
Connaught Junior League
Division 1B
Saturday 15 September 2012
Creggs – 11
Ballyhaunis – 9
Creggs took both points from their first league game of the season but it was a close run thing and a puzzling decision by Ballyhaunis as the game went into extra time may well have cost them the spoils. Played under lights in near perfect conditions Creggs suffered a double blow within minutes of the kick-off when captain Bernard Kilcommons clashed heads with right winger Peter Lohan, Kilcommons’ game ending there and then with a deep cut to his eyebrow and although Lohan returned after sideline treatment he too ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was withdrawn early in the second half. Tom Callaghan replaced Kilcommons and following Lohan’s withdrawal Eddie Mannion took over his duties on the wing.
Scores were hard to come by with Creggs missing a number of kickable penalties before full-back David Brandon crossed for the game’s only try on the half hour mark. A follow-up penalty from Noel Flynn left the home side briefly 8-0 ahead but just before half time Jean Pierre Geoffries converted a penalty chance for the visitors to leave the game very much in the balance.
Creggs brought on three substitutes at the break, props Paul McNeill and James Walsh and wing forward Trevor Nee whose influence in the game grew as the second half progressed. A second Flynn penalty restored his team’s margin of safety but it was shortlived with Geoffries responding in kind immediately from the resulting kick-off. Thus the game entered its final quarter with Ballyhaunis piling on the pressure and Creggs conceding penalty after penalty in all facets of play and although most of these were outside kickable range Ballyhaunis opted for scrums or to run those within striking distance of the posts. Creggs defended stoutly but having repelled a series of 5 metre scrums near the touchline, conceded a penalty under the posts as the game went into injury time. Remarkably Ballyhaunis now chose to take their three points which still left them two adrift and Creggs were never again seriously threatened, playing out the final two minutes comfortably camped in the opposition half.
Next up is Ballinasloe, now switched to Saturday night in Creggs, kick-off 8 pm.
Creggs : D Brandon, R Whyte, C Ryan, B Kilcommons, P Lohan, S Kilcommons, N Flynn, K Brandon, S Higgins, R Cassidy, M Tiley, S Blake, M Corcoran, L Mannion, M McAteer.
Replacements : T Callaghan, E Mannion, P McNeill, J Walsh, T Nee.
Ballyhaunis : M Waldron, D Marley, F Kelly, S Horan, C Gallagher, JP Geoffries, G Gallagher, F Crowley, P Gallagher, S McKay, L Convey, T Gleeson, D Daly, G Delaney, D Jordan.
__________________________________________________________________
Underage Registration Form
Click HERE for the 2012/2013 underage registration form
__________________________________________________________________
New season almost upon us
Creggs RFC play their first competitive league game of the new season this Saturday Sepember 15th under the light at the Green in Creggs. Our opposition on the night is newly promoted Ballyhaunis with K.O at 8pm. Assembly for first team players: 7pm. Please Support
__________________________________________________________________
New Season Registration
Creggs Mini Rugby U8-U12 registration and training for season 2012-2013 begins on Sunday 23rd September at 11am in Creggs and continues the following Sunday the 29th in Creggs at 11am. Training returns to Saturday mornings at 11am on Sunday 6th of October. Creggs U11’s and U12’s will Play Coolmine RFC from Dublin in Creggs on Sunday 29th of September at 11.30am.
Creggs U14’s have returned training for all those born in 1999. Training every Wednesday at 7pm. Further details from Pat O Gorman on 087 2354235
__________________________________________________________________
Creggs Rugby Senior and Under-19 players Pre-Season Training
Pre-season training for senior players and Under-19s as well as a special ‘Introduction to Rugby Sessions’ will take place in Creggs, Roscommon, Castlerea and Glenamaddy during the month of August (see schedule below).
New players, players returning to rugby, players who want to try a new sport and beginners are all very welcome. So come along to one of the sessions with no obligation. From 17 to 30+ year olds, we look forward to meeting you at one of our eight sessions.
AUGUST
Tuesday 7th, in Creggs at 8pm sharp.
Thursday 9th, in Creggs at 8pm sharp.
Tuesday 14th, at Roscommon CBS (with former Irish International player Peter Bracken) at 7.30pm sharp.
Thursday 16th, in Creggs at 8pm sharp.
Tuesday 21st. at Tarmon National School, Castlerea (with former Irish International player Peter Bracken) at 7.30pm sharp.
Thursday 23rd. in Creggs at 8pm sharp.
Tuesday 28th. at Glenamaddy Community School (with former Irish International player Peter Bracken) at 7.30pm sharp.
Thursday 30th. in Creggs at 8pm sharp.
For any further information, please contact Berney Higgins at 086 259 2282.
__________________________________________________________________
Creggs Rugby Summer Camps 2012
The past season has been a very successful one on the playing field for our ‘Mini’ and ‘Youth’ teams. We have also seen the expansion of our development of the game in schools in more schools in our region. To continue the great work and respond to the demand, Creggs Rugby will continue with the development of both mini and youth rugby by holding two summer camps this August in Creggs.
Creggs RFC Youth Development Camp
Monday, August 20th. to Friday, August 24th.
Under-13 up to Under-16 age groups.
If you already play 15-a-side youths rugby or want to try it, then this is the camp for you. Some of the top coaches in the province will be in Creggs to help us, with a few surprises to be included too. We guarantee top quality instruction and great craic!
Creggs RFC Mini Rugby Camp
Covering age groups from Under-6 up to Under-12 age groups.
Monday, August 27th. to Friday August 31st. Daily from 9.30am — 2pm.
Have fun learning the basic skills of Rugby.
Please text your intention to attend or make an enquiry to Dave Purcell on 086 0434263 (Mini Rugby Camp) or Pat O’Gorman 087 2354235 (Youth Rugby Camp)
Payment for either camp will be accepted on the first morning of both camps, but to facilitate planning, please book places in advance.
__________________________________________________________________
Club AGM
Creggs RFC AGM was held on Thursday June 21st at the clubhouse, with a large crowd in attendance to reflect on another successful but challenging year for the club.
Club President, Berney Higgins, in a wide ranging address reflected on the great success at Mini and Youth level, and the tremendous contribution made by parents and children alike in keeping Creggs at the forefront of Connacht Rugby.
He also praised the coaches at all levels within the club, who have done the club proud and have worked incredibly hard with the teams all season. He praised the Adult team management for steering the first team through a difficult season, during which the loss of some great club men to emigration was a serious factor in the team’s post Christmas decline. However, with that all behind us now, he looked forward to the challenges ahead, and asked for a concerted effort to recruit new players and encourage some current players to give a greater commitment for the year ahead.
The President also praised the efforts of the Lotto Committee for launching and administering the on-line Lotto, which has been successful to date, since it’s initial launch in October 2011.
In particular, he mentioned Padraic Deane and his staff for their great work in setting up the Lotto.
Mr Higgins also congratulated Adrian Leddy on his recent appointment as Junior vice President of the Connacht Branch,a role which ultimately leads to the position of President of the Branch. He thanked Adrian for his outstanding service to club and province, and said it was a huge honour for the Creggs club.
Finally, he thanked all our sponsors for their very generous support to the club, and likewise club members, parents and the community in general for supporting our fundraising activities in difficult times.
The Following Main officers were elected for the 2012/13 season:
President: Berney Higgins
Secretary: Sean Brandon
Treasurer: Kieran Dowd
Fixtures Secretary: Adrian Leddy
Pro: Padraic Deane
Assistant: Pauline Scott
Registration: Liam Callaghan
Registrars: Mattie Corcoran/Nigel Glennon
Insurance Officer: Aengus Oates
Players Insurance: Joe Heavey
Youth Co-Ordinator: Ger Dowd
Mini-rugby Co-ordinator: Dave Purcell
Finally, a special meeting to deal with Rugby Football will be held at the clubhouse on Thursday June 28th at 8.30pm, and Anyone interested is invited to attend.
__________________________________________________________________
Congratulations to Adrian Leddy
Creggs Rugby stalwart Adrian Leddy has been appointed Connacht Rugby Junior Vice-President. Next year, that role will change to Connacht Rugby Senior Vice President. The following year he will become the President of the Connacht Branch of the IRFU.
Many congratulations to Adrian and his family from everyone at Creggs Rugby for these well deserved appointments. Adrian has been a great Creggs clubman on and off the field and we appreciate all the work he has done for the club over a period that spans four decades.
Adrian is currently the Creggs Rugby fixtures secretary and Connacht Branch representative.
By our reckoning there are not many junior rugby clubs that have sent forward what is now three people for the top job in Connacht Rugby. The previous two being Dr. Joe Daly and Frank Pettit.
_______________________________________________
Liam Callaghan coaching rugby in Castlerea and Roscommon Colleges
Liam Callaghan is now coaching rugby in the Community College in Castlerea & also the Community College in Roscommon.
A big thank you to Mary Mullarkey in Castlerea & Frank Chambers in Roscommon as well as all their staff members for their support in introducing rugby to their respective colleges.
Also, thank you to former Ireland Under-20 and Connacht Rugby player Denis Buckley who took a session with Liam recently in Castlerea.
Well done Liam on your continued great coaching work with Creggs Rugby and youth rugby.
Castlerea Community College and Roscommon Community College join Coláiste Mhuire, Ballygar and Roscommon CBS as secondary schools now with rugby coaching available to students. Well done to all concerned with each college, from everyone at Creggs Rugby.
__________________________________________________________________
Open invitation to senior players
Creggs Rugby has issued an open invitation to former players who wish to return to playing and new players who wish to start playing rugby in the coming season to contact our secretary Sean Brandon, or any of the following: Ger Dowd, Liam Callaghan, Nigel Gleenon, Berney Higgins, or any member of the committee.
__________________________________________________________________
Wedding Bells
And finally, a big shout goes out from everyone in the club to our former captain Kevin Brandon and his girlfriend Sandra Martin. Kevin and Sandra are getting married at the end of June. We wish them everything that they wish for themselves. Happy days to you both!
Kevin Brandon is pictured here with Ollie Campbell
_________________________________________________
Very successful Creggs Rugby Under-16 Tour to Wales
Creggs Rugby Under-16 Rugby team embarked on a great adventure and tour of Wales a couple of weeks ago.
A party of 23 players and 10 adults(coaches and parents) departed from Knock airport on Friday Morning 20th. April. Arriving at Bristol airport the tour party were transferred by coach to their host club Llandovery RFC.
Llandovery rugby club is a club steeped in the tradition of Welsh rugby. Established in the 19th. century and a founding member of the Welsh Rugby Union this proud club proved generous and warm hosts and tough opposition on the field of play.
Llandovery fielded a very strong side featuring currently Welsh U-16 representatives and though Creggs U-16 led half way through the first half 9-3, their Welsh opponents pulled away to win comfortably in the end.
None the less, this was a fantastic experience for the Creggs lads captained by Dylan Keaveney, who acquitted themselves admirably playing abroad for the first time in “the spiritual home” of rugby football. Indeed it was remarked several times over the weekend by their hosts that the Creggs U-16 team’s behaviour was exemplary and a credit to their Club and families.
On Saturday morning the tour party had a strong “bonding” session where they went climbing up-stream and Gorge Walking in the Welsh mountains including some 10 meter jumps off cliff faces (but in a safe and controlled manner). Not for the faint hearted but a great time was had and some relief when all returned intact!!!
A further highlight on Saturday was a tour of the Liberty Stadium Swansea organised by Pat Cuddy, Athleague native and successful business man in Wales whose son Mike is the managing director of Osprays Rugby Club.
The stadium is the shared home to Swansea Football and Ospreys Rugby and the Creggs lads got to sit in the dressing-rooms occupied one week by the stars of the Premiership such as Rooney and Tevez and the following week, rugby stars like Brian O’Driscoll and our own Dennis Buckley.
Saturday evening the tour moved on to Llanelli and the Creggs party arrived at Parc y Scarlets for the RaboDirect Pro12 match between the Scarlets and Munster.
The Connaught lads switched jersey for the night to support our Munster cousins and indeed were most vocal in their support of Munster resulting in them being picked out on several occasions by the television cameras.
It proved to be a very tight game ending in a draw. The final highlight of the tour came when the Creggs U16 Captain and a teammate were invited into the dressing-room post match to meet the Munster team. Then a little later the entire Munster team agreed to meet up with the Creggs party outside the stadium for photographs, autographs and a few words. Indeed some of the Creggs lads were gifted togs, socks etc. by the Munster players as a memento of the game.
Sunday morning the tour party of 33 headed back home, flying into Knock, exhausted but having an experience that will stay with these young men for a lifetime.
Creggs Rugby thanks everyone involved in making this a very special trip to Wales. This includes our President Berney Higgins, all the Under-16 management and coaches (who looked after every detail), as well as parents that travelled. A big thank you to Richard Keavney from Athleague, who was a major influence and help in organising the trip.
Many thanks to Vincent Collins (Service Matters), Aidan Farrell (MJ Farrells) and Angus Oates (Oates Auctioneers) for their very generous sponsorship of Creggs Rugby Tour Club Jackets for all the players and others members of the travelling party.
Thanks also to Pat and Mike Cuddy and everyone at the Ospreys Rugby Club (www.ospreysrugby.com) for everything, to everyone at Llandovery Rugby Club (www.llandoveryrfc.co.uk) for their great hospitality. Thanks in particular to Carwyn Williams, LLandovery Youth Officer & Phil Davies President Llandovery RFC.
Con Maloney, the host at the L&A Adventure Centre (accommodation and sports activities in the Welsh Mountains), our bus transport and everyone else that looked after everyone so well, and making them so welcome.
Pat Cuddy is originally from Clooneyourish, Athleague Co Roscommon is the founder of the Cuddy Group, Engineering and demolition company, which has their head office based in Neath. Cuddy Group (www.cuddy-group.com )is the fifth largest demolition contractors in the UK. The company is now run by Pat’s children. However, we were told that Pat (a fit man of 75 years young), can still be found behind the controls of a digger on the odd day!
His son Mike is the Cuddy Group Managing Director and is also the Managing Director of Ospreys Rugby Club in Swansea. Their team is well-known to all Irish supporters not just for their success in the Magners League (now RaboDirect Pro12), but it is of course the club where Irish Rugby’s living legend Tommy Bowe has played for many seasons before his pending return to his native Ulster later this year.
__________________________________________________________________________
Older Club News
___________________________________________________________________
Creggs RFC Lotto Vouchers
Creggs RFC Lotto Vouchers available to buy. Excellent present idea for family or friends.
_______________________________________________
Senior
Under 19
Youth
Mini Rugby
Schools
Older Club News
