23rd June 2009
IRFU Chief Highlights Donegal Project's Success
More Here
Donegal Community Rugby Project On Irish Rugby TV, Click on image below.
Irelands newest Rugby Club is on its way!
Over 100 children aged 7 – 15 turned out for a development session this week run by the IRFU Donegal Community Rugby Project at Carrickfin community pitch. The session was run on behalf of the local community in the North West of Donegal who have come together under the project to help establish a new rugby club in the Gaeltacht Dhun na nGall.
The interest from the volunteers has been extensive in the area which will prove to be the crucial part of the development. Several meetings have taken place over the last 3 months with the IRFU Ulster Branch staff to discuss and develop the new concept. Under discussion have been venues, age groups, club names and funding. All has been very positive and full support has been given by the rugby governing body.
The club name has been a big part of the discussion so that all in the Northwest are made welcome to the new development. Several names were bounced around including Errigal RFC, North West RFC and the current favourite’ Tir Chonaill RFC’ with the added tag of ‘The Chiefs’ to appeal to the younger generation.
The new development drew children and parents from all over the Northwest, from Doochary to Arranmore and Falcarragh to Lettermacaward, a sure sign of the interest in the oval ball. The event also had the backing of the Donegal Sports Partnership through Coordinator Myles Sweeney and even a flying visit from Mickey Mc Geehin Director of Coaching Ireland. The high attendance from the community came as a result of several years of development in the schools and a recent series of development days by local development officers Declan Bushel, Adam Keys and Phil Brady. From the schools end Rosses CS started their involvement 3 years ago. Recent new comers Pobailscoil Gweedore and Falcarragh were playing their first blitzes in 2009 and showing what potential the youngsters in the area hold.
The primary schools have also been getting their share with the introduction of TAG rugby which has been steadily growing over the last 3 years. The support from schools has been very positive in giving the opportunity to play a different sport. These choices are helping to engage more and more children in sport, something that can only benefit the whole rural community.
A big thank you must go to Joe & Anita Mc Connell, Pat Quinn, Dave Geoghegan, Eugene Duggan, Fionnoula Wallace, Ben Colangelo, Peter & Mary Rodgers and Kathryn O Donnell who made the event possible through their commitment to the initial meetings and assistance on the night. In turn they would like to thank the local land owners for the use of the community pitch.
The next step for the community is to get the structures in place through coach development and the establishment of a committee to drive the initiative. This will be the main goal over the summer months ready for the new season on September. The first step will be a meeting held at Caisean Oir Hotel, Annagry, 7pm next Thursday, 28th May. Email info@donegalcommunityrugby.com for more information. All adults from the community are invited to attend if you would like to learn more about the development and get involved.
VIEW THE PHOTO'S HERE
Donegal Town TAG Blitz
The Holmes, home to Donegal Town Rugby Club was the venue for the tag rugby blitz of Donegal, Twelve schools were involved, Killian ns, Gailscoil Donegal Town, Common ns, St Mary’s ns, Glenties N.S, Crannoubie ns, Niall Mor ns, Glebe ns, Meenagowan N.S, Carrick ns, Killymard N.S. And Cashel N.S.
Each team of excited kids were amazing in both their skill and sportsmanship in the game of rugby. A big thank you to all who were involved, Donegal Town rugby club and teachers from each school to make this day possible. Also thanks to Kevin Durran.
PHOTOS HERE
TAG RUGBY Ballyshannon Blitz
The lakeside, home to Ballyshannon rugby club was the venue for the tag rugby blitz of Ballyshannon, three schools were involved, Holy Family National School, Killbarron National school and Pettigo National School. Each team of excited kids were amazing in both their skill and sportsmanship in the game of rugby. A big thank you to all who were involved, lakeside centre, Ballyshannon rugby club and teachers from each school to make this day possible.
PHOTOS HERE
TAG RUGBY BLITZ CARNDONAGH
On Wednesday 13th May 2009, a Tag Rugby Blitz was held at Carndonagh Community School, the home of Inishowen Rugby Football Club. The conditions were wonderful with the sun blazing, perfect weather for attractive running rugby. There were 10 teams taking part from all around the peninsula, made up of 9 schools, namely Cloontagh NS, Clonmany NS, Scoil Cholmcille Greencastle, Scoil Naomh Bodain, Scoil Colmcille Ballymena, Scoil Naomh Colmcille Craigtown, St. Brigids Glasalts, St. Pats Boys & St. Pats Girls. The blitz was a great success, with some wonderful team and individual tries throughout the day. A big thank you must go to Carndonagh CS for their kindness and the use of their quality facilities. The Ulster Branch staff would also like to express their gratitude to all the schools who took part and to the teachers who helped make the day possible.
PHOTOS HERE
Letterkenny TAG Rugby Blitz
On 14th May Letterkenny hosted their annual Primary schools TAG Rugby Blitz with teams coming from as far as Newtoncunningham, Stranorlar and Ramelton. In all 10 schools were represented at the blitz (Scoil Colmcille Letterkenny, Gaelscoil Adhamhain Letterkenny, Ballyraine N.S. Letterkenny, Lurgybrack N.S. Letterkenny, Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal Letterkenny, St. Marys N.S. Stranorlar, Castletown N.S. St Johnston, Moyle N.S. Newtoncunningham, Ayr Hill N.S. Ramelton and Woodlands N.S. Letterkenny). All throughout the day their was great Rugby skills on display with a lot of superb try scoring. Thanks must go to all the teachers who helped out on the day and throughout the year. Also thanks to Letterkenny RFC for the use of their excellent pitches.
PHOTOS HERE
Brave Donegal lose out to Munster
The Donegal Girls U18 team finished off their season on Saturday with a brave and resilient performance against a reformed Munster team. The game was well supported by Parents and club people in a game that saw some of the best U18 girl’s players in Ireland on show. Munster were first on the score sheet after 15 minutes with a try out wide on the left after some missed tackles from the Donegal defence.
Donegal showed good character in responding through a fine solo try from Laura Kenny and a conversion by Elaine Melaugh to lead 7 – 5 at half time. Unfortunately the game from here on was made even more of a challenge after Donegal lost influential Captain Janet Kerr and pack leader Laura Feeley through injury. Munster capitalised on this to mount attack after attack through the wide channels. However the cover tackling of Donna Redmond and Laura Kenny kept them out on several occasions and kept Donegal in the game. The constant pressure meant that Donegal were doing most of the defending and after 50 minutes once again missed tackles sent the Munster team in for their second try to bring the scores to 12 – 7.
Donegal responded strongly after some great territory kicking from Elaine Melaugh and Larissa Muldoon to get the Donegal forwards close to the line. The pack were constantly driving for the line with strong runs from player of the match Megan Moore and Vika Vasileuska but the scramble defence from Munster managed to keep them out after twice being held up over the try line. Another hammer blow was dealt to Donegal through injury to hard working flanker Sara Martin. With so many influential players off the pitch Munster once again attacked the wide channels and finished the game off with yet another try through their speedy wingers.
The final score of 19 - 7 was not a fair reflection on the effort the Donegal girls put in. The Munster management were quick to point out that in the last 3 seasons of rugby they have played it is Donegal who have been the strongest opposition and highlighted the fact that Donegal were playing the full provincial team from Munster. This was the last game for several of the Donegal girls at under-age level. The coaches and management would like to wish those players all the best and no doubt we will see these girls figure in the future at senior provincial and even national level.
Northwest Donegal Rugby Development
The IRFU Donegal Community Rugby Project plan to run a series of open rugby sessions in the North West of Donegal next week. The sessions come as a result of increased community interest in developing a rugby club to serve the Dungloe, Gweedore and Falcarragh areas of Donegal.
The sessions will be held next Wednesday 20th May at Carrickfin Community Pitch beside the Airport.
The age groups and times are as follows:
5 - 6pm 1st 2nd 3rd Class Primary Girls & Boys
6 - 7pm 4th 5th 6th Class Primary Girls & Boys
7 – 8pm 1st 2nd 3rd Year Secondary Girls & Boys
8 – 9pm 4th 5th 6th Year Secondary Girls & Boys
Girls and Boys sessions will be run separately.
All players are asked to arrive changed ready to take part. The sessions will be run by IRFU Ulster Branch Staff and will be aimed at a fun introductory level to the game. All boys and girls are welcome to attend and no previous experience of rugby is needed. For more details send an email to info@donegalcommunityrugby.com.
Falcarragh Primary School Blitz
Falcarraghs first ever TAG Rugby Blitz was played on a gloriously hot day on Tuesday 12th April.
A great gratitude to P.C.C. Falcarragh for the use of their excellent pitches. In Total 5 pirmary schools from the surrounding area of Falcarragh took part in the TAG Rugby Blitz. (Holy Cross N.S., Dunfanaghy, Gortahork N.S., Scoil Fhionin, Falcarragh, Holy Trinity N.S. Dunfanaghy and Faugher N.S. Dunfanaghy). All the Rugby was a joy to watch with a lot of superb try scoring from every team. Thanks to all the Primary School teachers involved in the Blitz
IRFU coaching courses
Places for the IRFU coaching courses are going fast so those wishing to attend should get their applications and payment to the Ulster Branch as soon as possible. Applicants must be 18 or over on the first day of the course. If you have any questions about the courses contact Jonathan on 0871258365.
Application forms are attached below. If you cannot download this form contact us and we will post one to your address. *Please note the date for the Foundation course has been changed to June.
Download Application Form Here
Munster are coming to Donegal!
This Saturday the Munster U18 girl’s team will be travelling to Donegal to play a fixture against the Donegal County U18 girl’s. The teams clashed for the first time 4 weeks ago in Limerick in what turn out to be a thrilling game of rugby with the Munster girls grasping a win that could have easily gone the other way. Any support would be welcome for what will be the first time a provincial team had played a fixture in the county and a fixture showing some of the best U18 players in Ireland from both teams. Kick-off is at 2pm Saturday, Letterkenny RFC. COME ON DONEGAL
MORE NEWS HERE
Jonathan Llewhellin
Mick Morgan
