Youths – Colin Reilly from Cleggan had first hand experience of playing Connacht Under 19’s rugby against Munster at “Old Crescent”, Limerick.  Connacht were helped to their victory thanks to a try scored by Aaron Conneely.
Ian McDonagh of Cleggan is in the under 20’s Interpro squad.  Well done Ian!

Training – Jimmy Screen is back to help prepare the Connemara Team for the new All Ireland League which starts on October the 2nd at the Monastery Grounds.  Bernard Keaney will be absent for a number of weeks due to family commitments. We wish Bernard and Mary Anne every blessing in these difficult weeks.

Rugby Visitors
Welcome visitors to Clifden recently were Billy Glynn the next Connacht Man to become president of the Irish Ruby Football Association.  Donal Lenihan former great Irish & Lions Star was as well as commentator with his wife also had a deserved break. (pictures attached)  They had drinks with a number of the Connemara Club Members during their holiday.  Donal is well acquainted with the Connemara Rugby Scene and would love to come to a function as also would Mr. Glynn.

Bookings – The All Ireland Rugby League teams who are to visit Connemara this season are already arranging their hotel bookings.  Local Hotels are giving a very reasonable rate.

Sponsors – We need sponsors badly for the new season.  In what appears will be a very difficult year we will welcome all contributions big or small with great thanks.  We all want to see Connemara thrive in lots of ways.

Matt O’Sullivan PRO

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.

August 2010 TBA

JULY 2010
Damian O’Neill
Ciaran McLoughlin
Saul Joyce

JUNE 2010
Thomas Dixon
Vincent Keogh
Dermot Nee

MAY 2010
Irene King  
Matt O’Sullivan  
Percy Hyland 

APR 2010   
Richard King  
Niall Malone  
Fr. Gerry Burns

MAR 2010  
Nicholas Griffin  
Richard King
Peter Smyth

FEB 2010    
Irene King  
Jeremy Shanahan  
Kevin Conneely

JAN 2010    
Declan & Cathriona Moran  
Saul Joyce  
John Malone

DEC 2009  
Chris Shanahan  
Paul Keogh  
Paul Coyne

NOV 2009 
Des & Margaret Fogerty  
Robert King  
Gerry Liston

OCT 2009   
Tommy Roe
Tom King  
Mary Lydon

SEPT 2009  
Cyril Joyce  
Peter Smyth   
Annemarie Bennett

Connemara Rugby Players had their first meeting in preparation for the upcoming season on Friday evening the 9th of July.
They had decided that training will recommence during the last week of July.  Also a fitness programme is being organised for the Community School Gym.  It is hoped that John Hartnett and John Malone two recognised coaches will help out.  Enquiries to Joe O’Connell.  Pre season games have been arranged with Castlebar, Loughrea & Monivea.  Connacht League games will be held in September with some home fixtures.

Pitch

Tommy Coyne chairman of the Pitch Committee has reported on the excellent shape of the pitch.  It was recently cut and fertilised and will be reseeded and further fertilised and should be in top shape for the new season.  Pesticide has been sprayed on the surrounds to clean up and enhance the grounds.  Well done Tommy.

Seven – a –side Tournament

Connemara R.F.C will have a very special seven – a –side tournament at the Monastery field next July.  It is proposed to accept the first 16 applicants for the Mens section and the first 6 teams for the Ladies section.  There will be a panel of 12 per team and payment of €120 per team at time of acceptance.
The Connacht Branch are very supportive and agreed with the organisers selected dates of  July  1st, 2nd and 3rd 2011.  The games will run on Friday evening, all day Saturday and the finals on Sunday.  It is hoped that local businesses, Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Board will be very supportive.  The first week in July this year was quiet Tourist wise and this fixture should be of some help locally.
Chairman James Staunton has a committee of Irene King, Matt O’Sullivan, Pete Smyth  & Kevin Keogh.  It is hoped to make this tournament an annual fixture.  There is interest already to teams from the U.S.A, South Africa & England.

Lotto – Please promote and support and our lotto as funds are needed to run this club in a professional way.
 
 
Sales On-Line –
 
Our Secretary Irene King is doing trojan work in organising our sales on line network. Hoodies, t-shirts, polo shirts, managers jackets, rain wear etc will all be available. It is hoped that much needed funds can be generated. Connemara R.F.C has support in many countries including Canada, France and the UK.
 
Tag Rugby
 
Connemara R.F.C are hoping to organise a tag rugby tournament on Omey Beach next summer and to make it an annual outing. The Omey Beach is a magnificent and popular venue.

Matt O’Sullivan – PRO

President Aidan O’Halloran was congratulated on his election as Junior President of the Connacht R.F.C.  This means that in a few years he will be the Senior President of the Connacht Branch.  The committee for the new season is as follows:

President:  Aidan O’Halloran
Vice President:  Des Fogerty
Hon. Secretary:  Irene King
Assist. Secretary:  James Staunton
Treasurer:  Mary Lydon
Assist. Treasurer:  Chris Shanahan
Fixtures Secretary:  Gerry King
Membership Secretary: Pete Smyth
Head Coach:  Bernard Keaney
Junior Coach:  Gerry King
Team Manager:  Joe O’Connell
PRO:  Matt O’Sullivan
Branch Delegates: Des Fogerty, Peter Keane, Pete Smyth & Charlie Bourke
Child Welfare Officer:  Irene King
Hon. Medical Officer:  Dr. John Casey
Pitch Committee Chairman:  Tommy Coyne
Lotto Committee Chairman: Peter Keane
General Committee:  Rory O’Toole, Gerry Delaney, Breda Coneys, P.J Heffernan, John Sheridan, Mark Foyle & Pat Shanahan

Sympathies:
The Connemara R.F.C have sympathised with the Lydon family on the recent death of Ms. Lena Lydon.  Her son Pat was a stalwart player for the team.  She was predeceased by her son Peter also a great player and club member.

The club also has sympathised with the McDonagh family Cleggan on the recent death of John McDonagh.  His son Ian is a very accomplished prop forward with the Community School Clifden and Connemara’s under twenties team.

Both families have been stalwart supporters since the club was formed in 1974.

Local Golf:
Brother Vivian Cottier of the Franciscan Monastery Clifden and a Connemara R.F.C club founder won Dr. John Casey’s Captains Prize at Connemara Golf Links on Sunday the 27th July.  Br.”Viv” was a great Coach with Connemara but was also a very firm and tactful referee.

Senior Team:
Bernard Keaney addressed a recent meeting of Connemara R.F.C and outlined his ambitions for the coming season.  A few recruits have been signed and it is hoped to widen the experience of our many great local players during the coming season in the All Ireland League & Connacht Competition.

On Tour:
Liam Keogh arrived home on Wednesday the 30th June from his tour with the Irish Rugby Team to Australia & New Zealand.  He gave a very vivid description of the itinerary and met former Connemara Coach Dick Laffan as well as Rachel Wallace of Clifden.
He was happy with the display of the Connacht players and built up a rapport with some of the Irish officials.

Underage Update:
Connemara players are doing very well this season at under age level.  The following have been selected on to Connacht Squads.
Mark Gavin, Chris Heneghan, Cathal Heanue, Roddy O’Donnell & Stephen Mullen (U17 Squad).
Patrick King ( U16 Squad).
James O’Toole, Thomas Joyce, Matthew Gavin (U15 squad),
 
Well done to Oisin Heffernan -(Leinster U16 squad)

World Cup Injury:
It was very sad that Connemara’s Tiernan O’Halloran had to return home from the under 20’s World Cup in Argentina as he suffered an injury.  We were all looking forward to seeing him line out at No. 14 in the game against England.  He was sadly missed.  Tiernan also helped Ireland win this years Six Nations under 20’s competition with some speedy and intelligent rugby.  He was also on the Connacht Senior Team at the end of the season.  We wish him a prosperous rugby season after a deserved summers rest.

Club Membership 2010-2011
Peter Smith our membership secretary will be shortly looking to sign up as many as possible from all age groups and genders.  Also there is lots of room in our 300 Club Membership – a  draw each month. – for €120 per year or €10 per month direct debit.

Congratulations!
Congratulations to Jimmy Screen and Becky Gavin on the recent birth of their son Thomas.  Jimmy who played for Connacht and Ireland A on a good number of occasions gave valuable help to Connemara in the second half of the season to retain their AIL Status.  This helped coach/player Bernard Keaney to fully concentrate during the games.  As usual Bernard was a true Connemara Sportsman doing his work with diligence and great success.

It’s a great club getting better.

Matt O’Sullivan – PRO, Connemara RFC

July 2009 winners
Billy glynn
Brendan Flynn
Tim & Mary Hickey

June 2009 winners:
Pete Smyth
Jeremy Shanahan
Brendan Flynn

May 2009 winners:
Thomas & Marie Dixon
Chris Shanahan
Tim & Mary Hickey

April 2009 winners:
Kevin & Mary Conneely
Dermot Laffey
Padraic Heanue

March 2009 winners:
Martin Little
Joe & Mary O’Connell
John O’Halloran

February 2009 winners:
Thomas Heanue (Pat)
Padraic Heanue
Percy Hyland

January 2009 winners:
Tommy & Lee Flaherty
Thomas Mannion (Luton)
Paul & Paula Mannion

December 2008 winners:
Frances Tiernan
Billy Gilmore
Dermot Laffey

November 2008 winners:
Cyril Joyce/Veronica Sanderson
Anne Marie Bennett
Dave Higgins

October 2008 winners:
Ronan Keane
James Morris
Vincent Keogh

September 2008 winners:
Sharon Duane
Hiram Wood
Margaret Ann O’Neill

(Below) Shane Lydon presents Kevin Keogh (Connemara RFC Captain) with the Peter Lydon Memorial Cup.

We had a very welcome and deserved win in the Monastery Field on Saturday against  Ards. After coming off a comprehensive defeat by Nenagh in Ormond Park Nenagh the previous week, we were hoping for an improvement in performance as this was our first game on our newly surfaced pitch.

Last year in Ards we were well beaten by the home side so the lads were hoping to get a good result at home.

The pitch looked great and the weather was perfect for a good game of rugby.

From the kick off we got down to business and looked like a team that were well up for the occasion. Ards took a while to settle and with our lads up very quick and tackling hard they made a lot of handling errors.

We put our first score on the board with a well taken drop goal by Sean Joyce in the 13th min.  The swap of Jason Richan to 9 and Sean Joyce to 10 from the previous week seemed to have the desired effect as both seemed happier in their selected places.

In the 16min Jason Richan converted a penalty and in the 25th minute David Keogh kicked a fine drop goal to make it 9- 0.

 We were the better of the two teams at this stage but Ards were slowly coming in to the game and we were forced to defend for the next ten minutes. After weathering that storm Jason converted another penalty to make it 12-0 and we missed a chance to make it 15 -0 on 35min. The visitors put us under pressure for the remainder of the half and were awarded a penalty which they converted to leave the half time score 12-3.

In the second half Ards tried to continue where finished the half but our lads put in the hard tackles and every attack was stopped as soon as it started. All this pressure led to mistakes our lads took control of the rest of the game with Sean Joyce keeping them pinned in their own half the result was never in doubt when Jason kicked another penalty in the 28th min to complete the scoring. Ards tried hard to get something out of the game but could never get into a good attacking position and when the final whistle was blown it was relief to get the first win of the season.   

While this was a good win it has to be said that Ards were missing a few players due to injury and improvement will be needed for the next away game to QUB. Alan Keogh, Mark Foyle and Michael Aspell were missing from our backline and Cormac McDonnell and Kevin Ward were missing in the forwards. Hopefully some of these lads will recover soon as we will need a full squad for the upcoming games.

After the game it was back to Griffins where a good evening was enjoyed by everyone. Despite the loss our visitors enjoyed their trip to Connemara and hopefully we’ll meet again next season.