Connemara RFC would like to extend Easter Greetings to all our members young & old, players, coaches, sponsors, patrons and all our many supporters whether near or far.

At the February meeting of Connemara RFC votes of sympathies were passed to the following: Mrs. Mary Smyth wife of committee member Peter Smyth who’s father passed away recently in County Roscommon: Pat Shanahan committee member who’s mother’s funeral took place in Roscrea County Tipperary:; Bernie Keane who’s father died in Portumna early in January; Barbara Davies member & club sponsor on the passing away of her brother Roland Hodgkins and also David Jameson one of our main sponsors over many years who’s mother died recently in Northern Ireland. We ask all our members to keep them in their prayers.

Draw Results: 24/03/2013

Numbers Drawn: 7 , 14 , 19 , 28

No Winner

Match 3′s: 4 @ €50

Stephen Grealish Roundstone, John Nee Letterfrack, Nora Barry The Central, Damien Flaga Rossleague Manor Hotel

Attendance Prizes: Nora O’Malley, Joe & Kay, Radik Mikos

Next Draw: E.J. Kings Bar Clifden, Monday 1st April

Jackpot: €15,000 plus Attendance Prizes

New Attendance Draw ” Find The Joker” this week’s jackpot is €175

Draw Results: 18/03/2013

Numbers Drawn: 1 , 4 , 7 , 14

No Winner

Match 3′s: 3 @ €50

Gerry Delaney Goulane , Brid Whelan Sky Road . Eileen Cohill Sky Road

Attendance Prizes: Brid Whelan x 2,Roger Burke

Next Draw: Tom King’s  Bar  Clifden, Sunday 25th March

Jackpot: €15,000 plus Attendance Prizes

New Attendance Draw ” Find The Joker” this week’s  jackpot is €150

Draw Results: 10/03/2013

Numbers Drawn: 3 , 17 , 20 , 27

No Winner

Match 3′s: 5 @ €50

Gerry King Derrygimla , John Coneys . Sean Heanue , Letterfrack

Jack Cosgrove Clifden , Pam Lacey  Claddaghduff

Attendance Prizes: John B. Mannion, Mairéad Heanue , Eileen Cohill

Next Draw: Lowry’s Bar  Clifden, Monday 18th March

Jackpot: €15,000 plus Attendance Prizes

New Attendance Draw ” Find The Joker” this week’s  jackpot is €125

Connemara RFC had a hectic early March weekend fielding 7 teams from under 10′s to Senior level. The club had a mixed bag of results being beaten 31-17 in a thriller at the Monastery Field against Suttonian’s. Under coach Kevin Ward the players were back to their real Connemara spirit and but for a few soft penalties & simple knock on’s at vital stages they could have easily won this game. Unfortunately the Dublin side came out on top winning the game and leaving the Connemara side in a perilous position in the league. With the final home game on  Saturday 30th March at 2.30 against Skerries RFC the club would be hopeful that huge numbers will turn out on the day to show their support.

On Saturday the under 15′s were beaten by Galwegians 21-0 in the Connacht Cup whilst the under 13′s lost out to a better Ballinrobe team. The Connemara ladies travelled to Westport to play a blitz and gained invaluable experience on the day by winning a number of games at under 15 & under 18 level.

Then on Sunday the under 14′s took on Tuam and comprehensively beat their opponents 37-10 for a rewarding away victory. The under 16′s team played a strong Monivea side but they easily claimed the points with a 33-10 win. Galwegians under 19′s team traveled to Connemara on Sunday for a second round Connacht Cup clash with the local side. The visitors had a youth international and several inter-pro players within their ranks were hot favourites to beat a very determent Connemara 15.The home side played some great running rugby against the wind in the first half and managed to score a converted try in the 6th minute. They increased the score with a well worked second converted try to lead 14-0, but Galwegian’s narrowed the gap with an easy penalty to leave the score at 14-3 at the break. The home side started the second half well and were awarded a penalty which was duly converted to widen the gap once more. The Galway side regrouped at this stage and after some great play and determination managed to put up some points on the scoreboard with two converted tries and a penalty  without reply from the home side. With the score now 20-17 in favour of the visitors they had their tails up and crossed the try line again adding the extra two conversion points to put the score at Connemara 17 – Galwegians 27. Despite some dogged play by the home side all they could muster was another three points to leave the final score at 20-27. The Galway side , although coming out on top found it very difficult to subdue a well coached Connemara team who can become a strong force in Connacht rugby in the near future if they remain together and continue to show this commitment & self believe.

The under 10′s took part in a Connacht Blitz at Ballina RFC on Saturday and from Coach Peter Keane’s report performed very well and even managed to win a few games along the way. He would also like to thank those parents who helped out on the day and is always looking for volunteers to help out with the Mini section of the club.

Just a short note on the Clifden Community School’s Senior Rugby team who gained a decisive win against St. Gallen’s School, Ferbane in the Connacht Development Cup on Friday last in their first game of the year. Next up is a home match against The Jes Galway and this match will be played on Friday 8th March at The Monastery Field KO 11.30.

On Monday last the club entertained ” The Mother’s Rugby Club” who are on tour all the way from America. Under the guidance of our own under-age coach Nigel Murray they took part in an intensive but very enjoyable and beneficial training session. Then on Tuesday evening the visitors showed their strength in depth and knowledge of the game by beating a local under 19 selection by a mere 9 points ( Maybe Nigel trained them too well). That night they where greeted by club President Des Fogerty and several committee members at the Station House hotel who exchanged team plaques and swapped team jersey’s as an enjoyable night was ha by all.  On leaving the Connemara region they will take with them some lasting memories of the welcome and the hospitality they received from Connemara RFC during their short stay.

Draw Results: 3/03/2013

Numbers Drawn: 2 , 7 , 17 , 20

No Winner

Match 3′s: 5 @ €50

Geraldine Walsh  Kylemore ,  Mary Keane  Errislannan ,  Sharon Nee  Cashel ,

 Gerard Coyne  Ballynew ,   Roy & PJ  Rounstone

Attendance Prizes: Bríd Whelan ,  Kenneth McGonagle ,  Rory O’Toole

Next Draw: O’Malley’s Bar  Clifden, Sunday 10th March

Jackpot: €15,000 plus Attendance Prizes

New Attendance Draw ” Find The Joker” starting off with a jackpot of €100.

Saturday 23rd February:

Ulster Bank League Div. 2B:

Connemara RFC V Suttonians  @  Monastery Field   Clifden  K.O.  2.30

Under 13′s:

Ballinrobe  V  Connemara RFC  @ Ballinrobe

Under 15′s Cup 2nd Round:

Galwegians  V  Connemara RFC  @ Sidepitch Galwegians  K.O. 12.00

Under 15 & 18 Girls:

Westport  V  Dúnamara   @  Westport

(Dúnamara is an amalgamation of Connemara & Dunmore Girls)

Sunday 24th February:

Connacht Plate Under 14′s:

Tuam  V  Connemara  RFC   @  Tuam

Under 19′s Cup 2nd Round:

Connemara RFC  V  Galwegians    @  Monastery Field  KO  12.00

Under 16′s Cup 1st Round:

Connemara RFC  V  Monivea  @ Monastery Field  K.O.  2.00

Draw Results: 24/02/2013

Numbers Drawn: 9 , 12 , 19 , 20

No Winner

Match 3′s: 2 @ €50

Eileen Cohill Sky Road, P.J. Coyne Cashel

Attendance Prizes: Pete Smyth, Eileen Cohill, Gerry Delaney

Next Draw: Mannion’s Bar Clifden, Sunday 3rd March

Jackpot: €15,000 plus Attendance Prizes

Saturday 23rd February:

Ulster Bank League Div. 2:

NUIM Barnhall  v  Connemara RFC  @  North Campus Maynooth  K.O.  2.30

Under 15 & 18 Girls:

Dúnamara V Ballina  @  TBC

(Dúnamara is an amalgamation of Connemara & Dunmore Girls)

Sunday 24th February:

Connacht Junior League Div 1c:

Connemara  RFC   V   Sligo  @  Monastery Field  K.O.  12.00

Under 14B Connacht Semi Final:

Ballihadreen   V  Connemara   @  Ballihadreen  KO  12.00