Tralee Rugby Club

Tralee RFC U 11's travelled to the UK and Wales for a magnificent weekend of rugby and fun. The team departed late Thursday night for Rosslare and travelled by boat on Friday morning to Fishguard with a trip to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff being the highlight of Friday night. Bed early Friday night was the order of the day as we were travelling to Keynsham RFC near Bristol on Saturday morning to take on our English opposition. What a morning we had. We played two matches over the morning and we had some terrific moments over the few hours we played. Our panel consisted of Alan Mc Loughlin, Hugh Healy, Joe Quilter, Joseph O'Connor, Patrick Boyle, Edward Moynihan, Thomas Sheehy, Ciaran O'Reilly, Niall O'Mahony, Michael Linnane, Eoin O'Buachalla, Michael Lyne, Rory Ruttledge, Shane Walsh and Alan Dore. In our first match we played an excellent Keynsham side and from the start we were putting major pressure on our opposition and it was no surprise that we led a try to nil with a great try scored by Joseph O'Connor after some terrific work by Patrick Boyle, Michael Linnane, Ciaran O'Reilly and Alan Mc Loughlin. Keysham put us under real pressure in the second half but our lads stood tall and after some great work by Niall O'Mahony, Joe Quilter, Eoin O'Buchalla and Michael Lyne Hugh Healy scored a majestic try which Joseph O'Connor converted and we were winners by 12 to nil.

Our second match proved to be a lot more difficult and we were under pressure from the start. Keysham RFC had some fantastic runners and lead by 14 nil at half time. Most teams would have just folded tents and gone home but not these boys. Everyone of them 'knuckled down' as the saying goes and decided to fight for their team which was lead by some great hooking of Alan Dore who stole at least 4 of the opposition scrums against the head. Thomas Sheehy had a terrific second half and started to dominate at half back and after some surging play from Rory Rutlidge, Ciaran O'Reilly and Niall O'Mahony who passed a great ball to Joseph O'Connor who scored in the corner two minutes into the second half. Joseph converted to leave the sides 14 to 7 in favour of Keynsham. The boys were not happy with being a try down and set off on some great runs leading to a super try by Niall O'Mahony to level the match after Joseph O'Connor's conversion. The final whistle blew shortly after and we were delighted to come away with a draw.

We would like to thank Keysham RFC for their hospitality who fed all the children, coaches and parents after the matches.

Then on Sunday we travelled to Penarth RFC near Cardiff in Wales to take on Penarth and a school team from England, Northcote.

Our first match was against Penarth and we were under pressure from the start. Penarth led two tries to nil and caught us off guard. However the boys rallied and got a try back by Joseph O'Connor after a penalty was awarded for us. In the second half we trailed 3 tries to two after a superb score by Ciaran O'Reilly after some great work by Niall O'Mahony, Edward Moynihan, and Shane Walsh. We were unlucky to loose Joe Quilter after a head injury so he would be out for the next game against the English school called Northcote. The second half belonged to our hosts and there were no complaints in the end as Penarth won out as comfortable winners to 5 tries to 2.

Our last match of the tour was against Northcote School in London. What a terrific display this match was by our boys all fifteen of them. We were extremely unlucky to be down a try to nil at half time by what a second half we had of courage, bravery and tackling and some lovely hands as well. The defence was terrific and great credit to the boys who held their opposition back on our line several times. Eventually we had some great passage of play before Mickey Lyne got the try of the day after some magnificent work by the pack and the backs in a thrilling second half which was supported by our under 13 players and mentors. The match finished a draw and in truth either side couldn’t complain about a draw as it was a fair result. We were very well treated again after the match in the clubhouse with food and refreshments and thanks a million to our hosts Penarth who were terrific in their hospitality again this year. In truth the Tour is going from strength to strength thanks to Fionnbar, Ciaran and Roger for a great tour on behalf of the Under 11 players, coaches and parents.

Thanks to Eamonn Moynihan Head Coach and his team Colin Boyle, Seamus Mc Loughlin Tom Sheehy and Jim O'Connor and also thanks to all the parents who travelled to support their sons.