Latest News from Clonakilty Rugby Club
2010-2011 Rugby Season Kicks off For Clon RFC
The new season started with a predictable defeat for the new look Clonakilty senior squad. Any hope that opponents UCC could be caught cold so early in the season was quickly dispelled as the division 1B side displayed a tremendous level of fitness and pace with reactions and calls clearly demonstrating a well drilled preparation. Clon’s pre season training had been focused on conditioning and indeed it showed in the fitness of those players who had taken advantage of it. The gelling of the squad and the more technical aspects and game plans are singularly focused on October 2nd when the AIL commences. The experimental nature of the game and the opportunity for Clon to introduce so many players who have never played together before made for a fast open game in beautiful sunshine. There was a significant breeze and UCC used it well in the first half. Clon had a strong first quarter but once the students had weathered the storm they were never likely to lose. Any error from the home side was punished ruthlessly particularly when the ball went wide where UCC winger Olan Dennehy had a superb outing scoring a hat trick of tries. Many of these errors happened when Clon were in a strong attacking position and perhaps if they had had more game time together things may have been different.
There was a marked improvement in the second half and The West Cork side will take many positives from the outing. Strong individual performances give real hope that team performances will follow when the squad settles. Clon needed to control the game to have any chance and this was not possible given the make up of the match day squad with only six of last years AIL squad taking any part. They did however score two tries including a wonderful flowing movement which David Lombard finished under the posts and which involved backs and forwards. Although beaten by 30 points in the end it was encouraging and it may very well be that Clon have found real strength in depth for the first time given the number of players still to come into the picture. This Saturday there will probably be a senior friendly arranged and it will almost certainly be away but check locally.
The J2s got their season off to a fine start with a win over Highfield in the first round of the Dennehy Cup. James Deasy made a triumphant return to rugby after a season out through injury with a try, a conversion and two penalties and Kieran O’Donovan also registered a try. Highfield fought hard and the issue was in doubt right to the end. Clon will now travel to Kinsale for the second round this Sunday for a noon kick off.
Congratulations to “Iron Man” Dave Williams. Clon’s senior squad physio travelled to France to take part in the 2nd hardest event in the Iron Man series in Nice recently. He finished the gruelling programme in 13 hours. A remarkable achievement when one considers that it consists of swimming 3.8 kilometres then immediately cycling a 180 kilometre route which included a mid section that had a 21degree climb and finished off with a marathon - another 42.16 kilometres, all in 35 degrees of sunshine. Psychiatric assessment still pending!
The weekly club lotto draw had no winner last Saturday. The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 19 and 24. The lucky Dip winners were Rory McCarthy, Andy Puck, Mel Shanley, Jenny Walton and Neil Burrell. This week’s draw will be held in Scannell’s Bar at 10.00pm this Saturday for a Jackpot of €2,200.00.
Loose Head
Date: 07 Sep 10 15:07
