Connaught  / International News                                                                       
      20/ 034 08                
International /Connaught  News



AIL Rugby News    All the Way with Monivea

Monivea will compete in Division Three of the AIB League next season after scoring a remarkable 35-3 play-off win over Waterpark in Waterford on Saturday.
Monivea have produced many fine performances down through the years but this was one of their greatest days as they join Connemara and Corinthians in Division Three next year.
Monivea have been knocking on the door for several years but it seemed another opportunity was going to slip by when they were defeated by Portadown in the first of the round-robin play-off games.
However, they scored late wins in their other two games to set-up a one-off play-off clash away to Waterpark, who finished second from bottom in Division Three this season.
And Monivea did it in style, running in five tries from Ger Divilly (2),Kevin Higgins, Mike Concarr and John Gavin after building up an early lead.



For the past seven year, Athlone (now Buccaneers) Rugby Football Club, in partnership with the Athlone Drugs Awareness Group and Athlone Gardai, have played host to the youth of Athlone and district by providing alcohol-free entertainment in the form of Youth Discos in the club's premises.

AIL Div 1   20/03/08
Pos

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

TB

LB

Pts

1
Cork Constitution
13
11
1
1
289
125
3
1
50
2
Shannon
13
10
0
3
246
158
3
3
46
3
Garryowen
13
10
1
2
227
127
2
1
45
4
Clontarf
13
9
0
4
232
202
2
3
41
5
Dolphin
13
9
0
4
255
229
2
1
39
6
Blackrock College RFC
13
7
0
6
253
242
3
3
34
7
UCD
13
7
0
6
228
258
2
3
33
8
U.L. Bohemian
13
6
0
7
196
160
2
4
30
9
Old Belvedere
13
5
0
8
257
230
2
7
29
10
St. Mary's College
13
6
0
7
194
210
1
3
28
11
Ballymena
13
5
0
8
211
215
1
5
26
12
Galwegians
13
4
2
7
152
191
0
3
23
13
Terenure College
13
3
0
10
194
270
2
6
20
14
Dungannon
13
3
1
9
204
296
0
4
18
15
Greystones
13
4
0
9
182
295
0
2
18
16
Lansdowne
13
2
1
10
148
260
1
3
14







Jan 13th
 ERC Cetransa El Salvador v Connacht  12.30

TBA Jan 18th
 ERC Connacht v Brive18.30 Sportsground Feb 16th

ML Ospreys v Connacht 17.30 Liberty Stadium Feb 29th ML

 Connacht v Leinster 19.30Sportsground Mar 21st ML

 Edinburgh v Connacht 19.30 Murrayfield Mar 28th ML

Connacht v Munster 19.30Sportsground Apr 4/5/6 ERC Quarter Final TBA

TBA Apr 11/12/13 ML Ulster v Connacht TBA Ravenhill

Apr 18/19/20 ML Dragons v Connacht TBA Rodney Parade
Apr 25/26/27 ERC Semi Final TTBA

 May 2/3/4 ML Connacht v Blues TBA Sportsground

 May 9/10/11 ML Connacht v Ospreys TBA Sportsground

 May 23/24/25 ERC Final TBA TBA



New Referee Course

 Sunday November 4th 2007 Galway Sportsground 11am Please forward application forms to "ken@cbirfu.com For any more details contact Ken Imbusch ,0857082592

Mini Rugby Regulations for 2007/08
Mini Rugby News
15/10/2007
Team Ireland Mini Rugby has just issued new regulations for the forthcoming season for all mini rugby games.


Appointment of Womens Rugby Development Officer

Due to the growth of the game, the Connacht Branch have appointed for the first time, a Women's Rugby Development...
Due to the growth of the game, the Connacht Branch have appointed for the first time, a Women's Rugby Development Officer. Roisin McNulty undertook the position in mid-October. Her primary role is to develop and coordinate girls/womens rugby in schools, colleges and clubs in Connacht. If you have any queries regarding girls or womens rugby please contact Roisin on (087)6445268 or ro.mcnulty@gmail.com


IRISH, PUMA HOPES REST ON CAPTAINS, SAY LEGENDS

 "Well he got this wrong didn't he!  ED."

The Irish and Argentinean captains' involvement in their World Cup campaigns are vital to the team's hopes, according to the Visa Rugby Legends.

The Visa Rugby Legends named Brian O'Driscoll and Augustine Pichot two of the tournament's most inspirational captains - the two will go head to head later this month in a possible Pool D decider.
Joel Stransky said, "I think you're looking at a Brian O'Driscoll, or a Gus Pichot, and saying, now for that team to achieve something special there's more pressure on that leader... the guys who have got to do some real serious work to get their teams through to a semi or a final."

Quizzed by Martin Johnson on captain selection, Australia's John Eales said, "I think you've got to pick your best team and then pick your captain, because with the captain, there can be no question about him earning his spot in the team."

The Visa Rugby Legends are a group of legendary players brought together to debate all things rugby in the lead up to this year's competition. RugbyEnews.com subscribers are invited to join the Visa Rugby Legends in live webchats and debates throughout the tournament at http://www.visarugby.com

ENGLAND LOSES SKIPPER

England skipper Phil Vickery is to pay the price for his brainless act against USA in his side's opening Rugby World Cup match.

Vickery has been suspended for two matches after being found guilty of tripping USA centre Paul Emerick. This means Vickery will miss England's key Pool A clash against South Africa in Paris on Saturday and the September 22 fixture against Samoa in Nantes.
The 31-year-old tripped Emerick after the Eagles player had made a break and with players looming in support, a try seemed a certainty.

"The judicial officer deemed the trip was a deliberate act and was delivered with some force, causing the opposing player to be knocked over," IRB spokesman Greg Thomas said.
Vickery commented on the act following the match: "It was unfortunate. He had made a good break. I was back-tracking, like a good prop forward, always looking for the corner flag. He chopped inside me and it was just instinctive, trying to stop him. Unfortunately, I tapped him... there was no malice on my part."


News

Fixtures 2007/2008

Date
Comp
Home v Away
KO
Venue
Aug 21st
F
Connacht v South Africa
19.30
Sportsground
Aug 28th
F
Connacht v Castres
19.00
Sportsground
Sept 1st
F
Connacht v Castres
16.00
Sportsground
Sept 7th
F
Harlequins v Connacht
18.00
Stoop
Sept 21st
ML
Connacht v Dragons
18.30

Sportsground
Sept 28th
ML
Scarlets v Connacht
19.10

Stradey Park
Oct 5th

ML
Warriors v Connacht
19.30

Firhill
Oct 12th
ML
Blues v Connacht
19.30

Arms Park
Oct 26th
ML
Connacht v Edinburgh
18.30

Sportsground
Nov 2nd

ML
Leinster v Connacht
19.30

RDS
Nov 9/10/11
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Nov 16/17/18
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Nov 23rd
ML
Connacht v Ulster
18.30

Sportsground
Nov 30th

ML
Connacht v Warriors
18.30

Sportsground
Dec 7/8/9
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Dec 14/15/16
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Dec 27th
ML
Munster v Connacht
19.30

Musgrave Park
Jan 4th
ML
Connacht v Scarlets
18.30

Sportsground
Jan 11/12/13
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Jan 18/19/20
ERC
TBA
TBA
TBA
Feb 15/16/17
ML
Ospreys v Connacht
TBA
Liberty Stadium
Feb 29 / Mar 1/2
ML
Connacht v Leinster
TBA
Sportsground
Mar 21/22/23
ML
Edinburgh v Connacht
TBA
Murrayfield
Mar 28/29/30
ML
Connacht v Munster
TBA
Sportsground
Apr 4/5/6
ERC
Quarter Final
TBA
TBA
Apr 11/12/13
ML
Ulster v Connacht
TBA
Ravenhill
Apr 18/19/20
ML
Dragons v Connacht
TBA
Rodney Parade
Apr 25/26/27
ERC
Semi Final
TBA
TBA
May 2/3/4
ML
Connacht v Blues
TBA
Sportsground
May 9/10/11
ML
Connacht v Ospreys
TBA
Sportsground
May 23/24/25
ERC
Final
TBA
TBA
Competitions
ML Magners League

ECC European Challenge Cup


F Friendly



Connaught v South Africa

 Match tickets for the pre-season game between Connacht and South Africa at the Sportsground in August are on sale from Monday, June 25th. Adult tickets cost €30 and €10 for children for the game which will take place at the Sportsground on Tuesday, August 21st. See Ticket master /Connaught Branch ( All sold out  )

Hot Topic

LEINSTERMEN CLEAN UP AWARDS

It's a nice time to be a Leinsterman in Irish rugby.
The province swept the board in all categories at the fifth annual Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) awards ceremony.
Ireland and Leinster star Gordon D'Arcy was voted the Players' Player of the Year but he was not the only Leinsterman celebrating - Shane Horgan was awarded the Try of the Year award for his effort against England at Croke Park while former Leinster and Ireland loose forward Victor Costello was in Ireland's Hall of Fame and Leinster fullback/wing Luke Fitzgerald picked up the Young Player of the Year award.


IS JONNY FIT FOR WORLD CUP?

Jonny Wilkinson is determined not to miss the England tour to South Africa next month.
However, he will miss Newcastle Falcons' end-of-season match against Bath at Kingston Park this Saturday - after not recovering in time from the rib and calf injuries he suffered against Gloucester - but he insisted earlier this week that he would not be joining the casualty list who are either unavailable or injured for the tour to South Africa.
The depleted England touring squad does not bode well for the trip, although Wilkinson insisted that the tour's results would bear little impact on England's crucial World Cup match against South Africa in September.



GLOBAL DRAW FOR RWC TICKETS

Public ticket allocation for the Rugby World Cup final and semifinals will be managed through a random draw process.
Registrations for the draw opened on Monday and will close on May 20. Members of the public can register by applying online via official Rugby World Cup websites

 www.france2007.fr,     www.rugbyworldcup.com and   www.paramourdurugby.com .

During the registration for the draw, applicants will be asked to indicate the matches they wish to be considered for. Three separate draws will take place for each game starting with the final, then the two semifinals. Winners will be removed after each draw so it is only possible to win the right to purchase tickets for one game but each winner will have the right to buy a maximum two tickets for the game they have been allocated.


SYD GETS VICIOUS

Dr Syd Millar is labelling the French and English clubs' withdrawal from the European Rugby Cup as "selfish and disgraceful."
The chairman of the International Rugby Board released a statement pinpointing Serge Blanco's actions as shameful and believes the clubs' actions will have serious consequences for world rugby.
"It is unbelievable that one man should be allowed to bring European rugby to this state. We understand that not all clubs agree. Is there no one among the clubs of France who has the courage to say ‘No, we will not be a part of this?' " Miller said.
The former Irish prop also criticised the entrepreneurs that own many of the English premiership clubs who are not used to deferring to governing bodies such as the RFU. He emphasised the fact that a good relationship between the union and clubs is essential for the good of the game and believes it is not too late for the clubs to reverse their decision.
"The rugby unions of the world will not allow 26 clubs to dictate the course of world rugby and the present situation has brought these unions even closer and more determined to preserve the game for the good of all," Millar said.
The IRB has been met with an angry response by some of the clubs involved. Wasps chief executive, David Davies, considered Millar's attack "just a tantrum from one of the grandfathers of the game".
( typical from the proffesional money men and no thought of the games future ED.)

IRISH RUGBY AWARDS

Gordon D'Arcy, John Hayes and David Wallace will go head-to-head in the battle to win the main prize at the Irish Players' Player of the Year awards.
The Irish Rugby Union Players Association (IRUPA) are being held on April 25 to celebrate the 2006-07 season and the players who made the biggest contribution both on and off the field.
Aside from the Player of the Year award, there are five other categories including Unsung hero of the year, Newcomer of the year, Try of the year, Special Merit Award and a new inductee to the Hall of Fame.


BRENNAN TO APPEAL BAN
Former Ireland lock Trevor Brennan will appeal against the lifetime playing ban he received earlier this month.
Brennan will also appeal against a suspension from participating in any tournament organised by the European Rugby Cup and a fine he received for punching a supporter during Toulouse's 28-13 European Cup victory over Ulster in January.
The 33-year-old was fined 25,000 euros and ordered to pay 5000 euros compensation to the supporter and the costs of convening the hearing.
The Toulouse star announced his immediate retirement from the game just days before the hearing in London on March 16.
A date for the appeal to be heard, and the composition of an independent appeal committee, will be confirmed as soon as practicable, the ERC said.


IRB World Rankings
(as at Monday 26 March 2007)
Rank
Rating
Country
1
94.59
New Zealand
2
85.66
France
3
85.55
Australia
4
85.31
Ireland
5
84.71
South Africa
6
79.61
Argentina
7
79.35
England
8
76.26
Wales
9
75.39
Italy
10
73.94
Scotland
11
73.86
Samoa
12
73.15
Fiji
13
68.73
USA
14
68.52
Canada
15
66.79
Romania
16
66.66
Tonga
17
65.18
Georgia
18
64.95
Japan
19 (21)
63.44
Uruguay
20 (19)
63.11
Russia
21 (20)
62.65
Portugal
22
59.55
Korea
23
59.29
Namibia
24
59.27
Chile
25
58.18
Spain



03/03/2007
Connacht sides did not have everything their own way in this weekends AIB League fixtures.
Both Connacht AIB League Division 1 sides, Galwegians and Buccaneers lost at home. Galwegians went down to Terenure College by 13-25 while Buccaneers lost 16-29 to Cork Constitution.
In Division 3 there were mixed fortunes as Connemara lost 13-9 away to Old Wesley, but Corinthians won away to Waterpark by 9-14.


Academy announce U17 squad to for Easter tour Good news for Westport with three on the panel Well done lads
Development News

The Connacht U17 Academy have announced a squad to play on their Easter tour.
This years tour takes place from the 11th to the 15th of April with the provinces U17 side facing the equivalent underage outfit from Leicester Tigers and London Wasps.
12/4/2007 Connacht U17 V Leicester Tigers U17

14/4/2007 Connacht U17 V London Wasps U17

Squad Number
Surname
First Name
Position
Club
School
1
Buckley
Denis
Prop
Creggs
Blackrock
2
Burke
Cathal
Scrumhalf
Roscrea
3
Carpenter
Brendan
Back Three
Westport
Rice College
4
Casey
Shane
Back Row
Castlebar
St Geralds
5
Conneely
Shane
Back Row
Galwegians
Jes
6
Connolly
Shane
Back Row
Galwegians
Oranmore
7
Conroy
Colin
Centre
Galwegians
Jes
8
Dempsey
Matthew
Back Three
Westport
Louisburgh
9
Doran
Patrick
Prop
Athlone
ACC
10
Egan
Karl
Hooker
Corinthians
Oranmore
11
Fahey
David
Centre
Galwegians
Jes
12
Geraghty
Paul
Lock
Westport
Rice College
13
Gormley
Finn
Centre
Corinthians
Jes
14
Hansberry
David
Lock
Oranmore
15
Hayes
John
Hooker
Ballinasloe
Roscrea
16
Henshaw
David
Prop
Athlone
Marist
17
Kennedy
Adam
Scrumhalf
Athlone
Marist
18
Kenny
Joe
Back Row
Athlone
Gallen
19
Kerins
Rory
Back Row
Sligo
Summerhill
20
Murphy
Conor
Outhalf
Corinthians
Jes
21
O'Flaherty
Eamon
Centre
Corinthians
Oranmore
22
O'Halloran
Tiernan
Outhalf
Connemara
Roscrea
23
O'Meara
Shane
Scrumhalf
Galwegians
Jes
24
Raftery
Colin
Lock
Tuam
St Jarlaths
25
Robinson
James
Prop
Cornthians
Gort
26
Russell
Kevin
Back Three
Corinthians
Jes



 ASHTON STICKS TO WINNING FORMULA

England coach Brian Ashton is returning to the side which defeated Scotland 42-20 in the opening round of the Six Nations.
The English take on the Irish at Croke Park on February 24 with two injury-related changes to the side who were unconvincing in the scratchy 20-7 victory over Italy.
Olly Morgan comes in for Iain Balshaw at fullback and Joe Worsley returns at blindside flanker in place of Nick Easter.
Ashton brought forward the announcement of the team by a week in the hope that as many players as possible would be spared playing for their clubs in the Premiership this weekend.


Schools News

Connacht Rugby Trials are set to take place this month for schools and clubs around the province.
Coaches and teachers in Connacht have nominated players from their clubs and schools to take part in the trials. This years event will see over 300 underage rugby players take part, beginning next Monday at the Sportsground in Galway.
Connacht Rugby Trials Schedule

Monday 19th February: U14 DOB 01/01/1993 11am - 3pm
Tuesday 20th February: U15 DOB 01/01/1992 10.30am-3.30pm

Wednesday 21st February: U16 DOB 01/01/1991 10.30am-3.30pm

Thursday 22nd February: U17 DOB 01/01/1990 10.30am-3.30pm


Connacht U20 News:  10/02/2007 19-16 win over France U21.

An injury time penalty by Ireland U20 out half Ian Keatley, helped Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland's Irish U20 to a 19-16 win over France U21.

Connacht's Andrew Browne and Aidan Wynne were instrumental in helping Ireland to a deserved victory over a side which weren't only a year older than them but had the majority of the U19 French World Cup winning side in their ranks.

The win brings the Elwood-McFarland era to a perfect 2-0, leading up to their next match at Dubarry Park in two weeks time against England. Kick off will once again be at 7.30 as Ireland's U-20's bid to extend their unbeaten streak in this years six nations tournament


Dubarry Park hosts U-20 international

IRELAND U-20’s PLAY FRANCE IN ATHLONE ON FRIDAY NIGHT

Ireland take on world champions France in the U-20 ESB International rugby championship match at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on this Friday, February 9th.

This eagerly anticipated floodlit game kicks off at 7.30 p.m. and it promises a feast of fast-moving rugby from the stars of tomorrow. Local star Aidan Wynne is expected to line out in the centre for Ireland.
Huge crowds attended last season’s matches at the Athlone stadium and, with two of the world’s top four natio