U12 Blitz at Estuary RFC
Ballina-Killaloe RFC U12’s travelled to Shanagolden, Co. Limerick to play teams from Estuary RFC, Young Munster & Thomond RFC.
After a slow start against Estuary and some tough, well-drilled opposition from Young Munster, the boys lifted their game against a big Thomond side to finish the morning with a win. Inspired by the All Blacks game the night before, we saw some great rucking, big tackles, lovely passing sequences and brilliant tries.
Squad: Alex Chateau, Laurent Chateau, Shane Geraghty, Ben McCarthy, Leifur O’Gorman, Gordon Wood, Ciaran Rodgers, Tom Farrell, Sean Crotty, Cillian O’Connor, Shane O’Connell, Conor Neill, Cathal Mullane.
Try Scorers: Shane Geraghty, Ben McCarthy, Ciaran Rodgers, Gordon Wood, Conor Neill, Cathal Mullane, Cillian O’Connor.
Big thanks to the boys and parents who travelled on such a big day in the Irish Rugby Calendar!
U13 Challenge match v Nenagh Ormond
U13’s v Nenagh Ormond 4th October
Playing a challenge match before our first league game, both sides spend the first 10 minutes getting to grips with each other and the full pitch, BKRFC then managed to push it up a level and scored 3 unanswered tries through, Ronan Neill, Ruadhan Quinn and Evan Wood, all were excellently converted by Cathal O’Donnell who also tagged on a penalty to lead 24-0 at halftime. The expected repost from Nenagh came in the 2nd half which saw them score 3 tries too, however scores from Ronan Neill, Kian Donnelly and a final score in the last minute by Joe McGrath saw BK RFC finish out winners 43-19.
Killaloe U11s in Community Games Success
Killaloe has never entered a team into the community games rugby before so it was very exciting to be able to field a team, albeit a very young one. Only one of the boys currently plays U11 rugby, the rest play U10 & U9!
Round 1: Killaloe v Ennis St Johns – won 5 tries to 2 with 3 scores from Ciaran, and a try apiece for Gordy and Stephen
Semi final: Doora Barefield A v Killaloe – Doora Barefield were very strong and scored 4 tries in the first five minutes. (They were the overall winners on the day). The Killaloe boys never let their heads go down and battled hard for the rest of the game only conceding one more try before the final whistle blew.
3rd/4th playoff: Killaloe v Doora Barefield B – the team was determined to come away with a medal and they did! They tackled as if their lives depended on it and played some great rugby. Try scorers were Ciaran Rodgers (3), Gordon Wood (2), Shane Geraghty (1), Stephen Geraghty (1).
Team: Tony Foley, Ciaran Rodgers, Laurent Chateau, Stephen Geraghty, Shane Geraghty.
Front: Liam Daly, Alex Chateau, Aiden Foley, Gordon Wood, Diarmuid Coleman
U10s blitz at Presentation RFC
On Sunday 23rd March the BKRFC U10s travelled to Rathuard in Limerick to play a blitz hosted by Presentation RFC, where they were also up against two UL Bohs teams and the East Clare Eagles from Tulla.
The Ballina Killaloe boys came out firing on all cylinders in the first game rucking the ball, tackling well, turning over the ball at almost every breakdown, eventually running in 7 tries against the first UL Bohs side who scored just one in reply.
The second game promised to be tougher with BKRFC falling behind by 4 tries to 2. In the last minutes of the game the boys rallied with some strong play towards the line. Oisin Pepper darted into the corner from short range. As full time approached almost exactly the same play unfolded and Oisin saw his chance again as the blindside was unmarked and he dived across the line to draw 4-all against the second UL Bohs team.
The 3rd and final match was against East Clare Eagles. Once again the boys played well winning the game with some lovely well-worked tries. It was a great morning with over half of the boys scoring tries, but a special mention must go to Shane Geraghty and Thomas O’Farrell for their tenacious tackling and strong running with the ball in hand.
Standing: Pat Murnane, Oisin O’Reilly, Shane Geraghty, Cillian O’Connor, Ben Murnane, Ben McCarthy, Cathal Mullane, Nicola Wood Front row: Gordon Wood, Finn Harrold, Conor Neill, Cian Molloy, Oisin Pepper, Thomas O’Farrell, Liam Dal
Successful U11s Blitz
On Sunday 23rd March 2014, our U11s hosted teams from UL Bohs, St Marys RFC, and Scarriff RFC. Ballina Killaloe RFC fielded two teams.
It was the first time that many of our boys set foot on our new hallowed ground and boy did they do it justice. All our stars were aligned because the pitch was magnificent, the sun was shining and the standard of rugby was fantastic.
Our visitors were blown away by our new facilities! The standard of rugby on display was of a high quality and some of the BK RFC play was so good that visiting coaches remarked on the high standards displayed by our boys on the pitch.
U9s victorious vs Young Munster
Ballina Killaloe RFC U9s travelled to Tom Clifford park in Limerick to play Young Munsters on Sunday 8th of December.
Ballina Killaloe fielded 2 teams from a squad of 22 players. Both teams played two very competitive games with Ballina Killaloe wining all four games 6-0, 4-1, 4-2 and 4-1.
The ball handling and tackling skills worked in training over the last few weeks was very evident in the way the boys controlled each game and kept Young Munster under pressure at all times.
Team 1 players were Zak Egan, Sean McMahon, Tony Foley, Cormac Quinn, Simon Grace, Paul Frost, Callum Black, Eoin Heffron, Sam Lancaster, Jake Dundon, Brendan Minogue
Team 2 players were Oisin Minogue, Evan Carey, Ricky Shannahan, Brain McGrath, Fionn O’Casey, Conor Neill, Ryan Imhoff, Jake Moloney, Adain Foley, Diarmuid Coleman, Tom Wood
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
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