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