August News
Weights Programme
Thanks to Mark Foyle for letting us know that the Rugby Club funded weights have arrived and are now assembled at the Community School Gym.
There’s a new bench with lifting arm and impressive looking “Heavy Rack” rated up to 400kg which has also extra bars for “dips” and “pull ups”. Some extra weight discs have also been purchased. While this equipment is for club players only it should be used by those who have proper training to ensure good core stability and posture in lifting. It should also be ideally used in pairs. Thanks to John Malone who is available to coach players in the proper technique.
Sympathies
Sincere sympathies to the extended Kearns family on the sad death of Tom Kearns. Tom was born and reared on the family farm at Derrygimlagh, Ballyconneely and became a very successful businessman in many areas and was also proud of his native area where he had a home and was a regular visitor with his wife and family. His funeral was attended by many Connemara friends and colleagues in Longford.
Sincere Sympathies to his wife Maureen and son Tom – Connacht Interpro Rugby star- and other family members.
The death of P.J Barry of Ballynew, Cleggan was a great shock to the community and family. He was a very popular young man and was Brother of Connemara Rugby player Kevin Barry. He is sadly missed by his family.
Aaron Conneely
It was good to see Aaron Conneely play at No. 7 in the Connacht/Munster V Leinster/Ulster opening game of Aviva Stadium, Lawndsdowne Rd, on Saturday the 31st July.
Aaron an Irish Youth International is son of past Community School Player Eamon Conneely of Patches, Claddaghduff. In the early 1970’s Eamon was a brilliant prospect but immigrated to England at an early age. Eamon played in the same position as Aaron and was a brilliant tackler as well as an attacking player. He won a number of underage trophies while at the Community School.
Message to Connemara RFC from Caleb Powell, President, IRFU, 2010- ‘11
As President of the Irish Rugby Football Union, I am delighted to extend my best wishes to all at Connemara rugby club for the 2010 – ’11 season.
I have long admired the spirit and ambition of your club and the determined manner down through the years in which you have provided a rugby facility in the Clifden area.
In addition to your presence in the All Ireland League over the years, the Connemara club is also noted for the successful manner in which it has catered for younger players through your thriving youth and mini programmes.
Through your club President, Aidan O’Halloran I extend my best wishes to all members and supporters with the hope that, through all the grades, you derive every enjoyment and success from the season.
In terms of the All Ireland League it is a special one, firstly marking its 21st annual staging and also for the fact that it carries the added significance this season of determining the make up for the introducing next season of an exciting brand new format.
Best wishes to the Connemara Blacks.
* Caleb Powell is the 123rd President of the Irish Rugby Football Union. A native of Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, the retired deputy head at The King’s Hospital school, who is married to Gillian and has three children, Bob, Lynn and David; has had a distinguished career as a player, coach and administrator.
Educated at The King’s Hospital, Dublin University and London University; Powell was a noted second row forward with Nenagh Ormond, UL Bohemians, Dublin University and Lansdowne. He won two Munster senior cup medals with Bohemians in 1957 and ’58 and captained Lansdowne to Leinster senior cup success in 1965. He was capped for Munster during the interprovincial championship of 1962-’63.
President of Lansdowne FC in 1993-’94 and President of the Leinster Branch in 1997-’98, he has been a member of the IRFU Committee since 1998-’99 and is well know for his rich contribution to the schools game. He was the schools’ representative on the Leinst4er Branch for 20 years, from 1980 to 2006.
Following his playing days, Powell coached the King’s Hospital School, Lansdowne, the Leinster schools and the Ireland schools team.
