Westport U16 Girls Youth Team had the privilege to play during half time at the Rabo 12 match between Connacht and Ulster at the Sportsground in Galway. It was a big celebration of girls and women's rugby as some of the grand slam winning players from the Irish Ladies Team were present to showcase the Six Nations Trophy that they won earlier this year. The Westport team along with Ballina, Tuam, NUIG and Connemara were paraded around the pitch to the capacity crowd and formed a Guard of Honour as the Connacht and Ulster Teams entered the field.
At half time Westport played Ballina and Tuam played against NUIG/Connemara. It was a great occasion and the Westport girls did us proud as they played some brilliant rugby and managed to get revenge on Ballina following their Connacht Cup Final defeat last month.
That rounds off a great year for the Westport U16 girls who look forward to big things next season
Bulls U16’s pipped by Connemara in superb Connacht Cup final
Sunday 14th April 2013 Tuam.
Given the windy condition in Tuam last Sunday it was always going to be a game of two halves. Connemara won the toss and decided to play with a very strong breeze at their backs for the first half. From the kick off it was clear Connemara were going to utilise their big pack to punch holes around the fringes with lock, Shane Laffey and number 8 Aaron O’Donoghue prominent. After 3 minutes Westport first half challenge was made more difficult when Brian McCormack was harshly yellow carded for a high tackle – harsh given that it appeared only chest high, the difficult condition for all players and the game was just settling down. Despite Westport being down a man and playing against the strong wind Connemara were been thwarted by players such Chris O’Donnell, Ross Prendergast, Jim McNicholas, Colin Coyne, Conor Madden and Stephen Staunton putting their bodies on the line with superb tackling. However just before Westport were to be restored to 15 men Connemara lock, Shane Laffery burst over the line for the first try of the game.
Westport shook of this disappointment and with players such as Darren Browne, Brian McCormack, Liam McNulty and Brendan McLoughlin to the fore forced the Connemara team deep into their 22 and indeed were unlucky not to force a try – denied by a knock on just as they were ready to ground the ball. A big boot from Connemara out half Nicholas Joyce from his own 22 forced the play into the Westport 22, Westport defense were unable to reorganize quickly enough and Connemara winger Emmet Moran scored their second try. Connemara full back Emmet Moran missed the conversion from a difficult angle. The first half ended with Westport pushing Connemara back into their 22, however the hoped for score against the strong wind failed to materialize.
The start of the second half was accompanied by heavy rain which impact Westport ability to use their exciting back 3 of Ryan Moran, Paul Moran and Paul Prendergast and much of the good work was done by forwards Jim McNicholas, Brian McCormack, Peter Spellman, Darragh Walsh and Darren Browne. As the game entered the final quarter Westport gained their much deserved breakthrough, clean ball from the forwards allowed scrum half Conor Madden to feed Sean Ryder, who stepped inside his man and had too much pace for the covering Connemara players to score a great individual try. Sean Ryder converted his own try and Westport had 15 minutes left to try to score another try & surely win the game.
The full blooded nature of the game was having it tool with players from both sides needing attention for their many bumps and bruises, Conor Madden’s injury required Westport to re-organise their back line with Harry Langan coming in on the wing, Tim Costigan moving to scrum half and Paul Prendergast moving into second centre. As the game entered the last 5 minutes it was clear the only team who would score was Westport, however the big question was could Connemara hold out. A sweeping move by Westport saw the ball go through the backs to Harry Langan who was on his way to the line only for the referee to call him back for a forward pass. If Westport were going to lose out it would not be for the lack of effort – each and every forward drove the ball up. Connemara’s only way of stopping the Westport onslaught was to give away penalty after penalty.
With 2 minutes left the referee lost patients with Connemara and he yellow-carded Connemara’s Aaron O’Donoghue. The game ended on the Connemara line as Westport’s Tim Costigan appeared to ground the ball only for the referee to judge that the ball was held up. The final whistle was greeted with elation by Connemara and desperation by Westport, however all that watched enjoyed a superb game that showcased the extrodiardary commitment and skill from both teams.
Westport Team: Brendan McLoughlin, Jim McNicholas, Darragh Browne, Colin Coyne, Liam McNulty, Ross Prendergast, Chris O’Donnell, Brian McCormack, Conor Madden, Sean Ryder (Capt.), Ryan Moran, Stephen Stauton, Tim Costigan, Paul Prendergast, Paul Moran
Subs.Ross Bourke, Ronan Price, Peter Spellman, Darragh Walsh, Fionn McDonagh, Harry Langan, Aidan Walsh,
Connemara Team: Peter Lee, Rory Ward, Dylan Keaney, Shane Laffey, Dillon King, Paul Lee, Dylan Barry, Aaron O’Donoghue, Thomas Mullen (Capt.), Nicholas Joyce, Thomas Mannion, Henry O’Toole, Brendan Regan, Jack Gavin, Emmet Moran,
Subs.Dylan O’Neill, Kevin King, Fionn McAleer, Liam Wlodarczyk
Full gallery of Photos from the match courtsey Conor McKeown Photography;
Bulls U16’s Friday Night Late Late Show seals Connacht Cup Final place
After tries for Fionn McDonagh, Steve Staunton & Paul Prendergast had secured an exciting 17 all draw at a cold Creggs on Easter Monday the sides met again last Friday evening in Westport to decide who would earn the right to play Connemara in the Connacht Cup final.
Westport started the game well, with excellent set plays from the forwards and tackling by all. However, silly penalties related to their kicking a chasing (players ahead of the kicker and players not retrieving allowed Greg’s out half Shane Dowd’s kicking to see Creggs dominate terriotory for the first quarter. Despite their territorial domination Creggs never looked like they were going to break the Westport defence.
Once Westport sorted out the silly penalties they dominated the second quarter and excellent fast ball across the backs saw Stephen Stauton get in at the corner for the first try. Sean Ryder narrowely missed the conversion from a very difficult angle.
As half time approached Westport had Brian McCormack yellow carded for early lifting at the line out. Despite the one man disadvantage Westport reached half time with their 5 nil lead intact.
The third quarter saw Creggs dominate territory but big tackling by Westport looked as if they would be held out. However, from a Creggs scrum on the Westport 5 metre line Creggs best player Brian Diffney crash over near the posts. The conversion by Shane Dowd gave Creggs a 7 – 5 lead.
Westport rallied but despite making good territory they were been driven back again and again by the excellent kicking to touch from Creggs Shane Dowd.
A further penalty to Creggs in front of the post with 5 minutes remaining for hands in the rouck saw Creggs push their lead out to 10 – 5.
It was now or never, positional changes in the Westport backs saw, Harry Langan come onto the wing, Stephen Stauton come into first centre allowing more space for Tim Costigan at outside centre and Paul Prendergast at full back. If Westport were going to go out it would not be for the lack of effort – each and every forward drove the ball up. Creggs only way of stopping the Westport onslought was to give away penalty after penalty – knowing 3 points would not save Westport.
With 2 minutes left the referee lost patients with Creggs and he yellow carded Creggs Brian Diffney.
Westport were running everthing trying to create space and eventually on the last play of the match, fast ball from scrum half Conor Madden reached second centre Costigan who’s inside pass created space for the on rushing Paul Prendergast who collected the ball and showed great pace to crash over the Creggs line.
Sean Ryder missed the conversion from a difficult angle. The match ended 10 all.
After two hours of great rugby Creggs & Westport could not be seperated in terms of the scoreboard, however, Westport go through to the final having scored two tries to one.
The final, against Connemara, will be the curtain raiser next Sunday in Galwegians when the Westport senior team take on Ballina in the Cawley Cup.
Westport Team:
B. McLoughlin, J. McNicholas, Darragh Browne, Colin Coyne, L. McNulty, Ross Prendergast, Chris O’Donnell, B.McCormack, C. Madden, S. Ryder, R. Moran, T. Costigan, P. Prendergast, S. Stauton,P.Moran
Subs.
Ross Bourke, Ronan Price, Peter Spellman, Darragh Walsh, Aidan Walsh, Fionn McDonagh, Harry Langan.
Creggs Team:
Simon Spain, Alex Syrek, Brian Coady, Thomas Beattie, Regan Fahy, Brian Collins,James Regan, Brian Diffney,Mark Ward, Shane Dowd, Luke Kelly, Kevin Gavin, Conor Gore, Donal Kelly, Thomas Clayton
Subs.
Dan Butt, Rory O’Donoghue, Michael Kelly, Edward Clinton
U13 Cup Quarter Final match report by Steve Brickenden
What a great game of rugby was played between
All the mini girls played brilliantly and represented their club really well at Galwegians last Saturday. They showed superb team spirit and clearly enjoyed the day and were all eager to play. The older mini girl team played 4 matches in all and only lost one of these! The behaviour, play and team spirit of the girls was outstanding. Well done everyone!
Westport Rugby Club are hosting a Ladies Lunch at the Clubhouse on Saturday 17th November at 1pm.
Every lady involved in the club at any level or who supports the club is invited to the event.
It promises to be a great get together with lots of fun and craic.
It is the first Mná na Rugbai gathering of the Season and your support would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of the Lunch is €15.
RSVP to Regina McCormack on 087 2267917 by November 12th.
This saturday 27th October Westport 1st's play Munster's Kanturk in the All Ireland Junior Cup Round 1.
Last year the lads faced a difficult R1 match away to Portadown and came away with the win,
lets hope for a similar outcome this weekend down in County Cork. Kick off 2.30pm at Knocknacolon, Kanturk.
The squad & team officials are travelling down on Friday evening .
Some supporters are travelling down saturday morning.
Spread the word to supporters of the Bulls down south to come along and show their support.
Full details on the Round 1 games can be found on this link Irish Rugby
Another great historical article on the All Ireland Cup on Knockon
