4th April '10 Carrick 16 Mallow 15
Carrick had a big win over Mallow when they won 16 - 15. Peader Downey scored a try and James Wallace kicked a conversion and three penalties. Leonard Browne replied with two tries and Brian Morris added a conversion and a penalty for the visitors.
28th March '10 Carrick-on-Suir defeated Fermoy 13-5.
Willie Stokes and John Phelan scored tries for the Tipperary side and Mike Cronin kicked a penalty. David McCarthy replied with a try for the visitors.
Sunday 14th March 2010
Charleville moved a step closer to a semi final spot with a 13-6 home win over Carrick-on-Suir in Section B. A penalty by Frankie Holly and a try by Ger Sheehan had the home side 8-3 ahead at the break. Damien Leahy added a try after the break to secure the points.
Sunday 7th March 2010
Tries by John Phelan, Mick Carroll, Peadar Downey and David Casey and a conversion by James Wallace earned Carrick-on-Suir a 22-0 home win over Douglas.
Sunday 7th February 2010
Two tries by Eoin Murnane and one by Andrew Quinlan was not enough for Shandon to get their first win as they were defeated 23-17 by Carrick-on-Suir at Tybroughney. Conor Buckley kicked a conversion for the visitors. James Wallace and John O’Keeffe were try scorers for Carrick’ and Michael Cronin converted both and also added three penalties.
Aaron O'Donnell in action in 2nds match vs Kilfeacle 31st JanuaryCarrick 14 – 10 Waterford City
Carrick-on-Suir remain in second place a point behind leaders Charleville as they came from behind to record a 14-10 home win over near neighbours Waterford City. A try by Conan Watt and a conversion and penalty by Aaron Foskin had City 10-0 ahead at half time but tries by Brian Dignam and Dylan Davis both converted by Mike Cronin gave the Tipperary side victory.
Douglas 17 – 20 Carrick
A great second half come back saw promotion hopefuls Carrick-on-Suir defeat Douglas 20-17 at Moneygourney. Tries by Alan Moyles and Graham Murray and two conversions and a penalty by Andy Larkin had Douglas 17-8 ahead at half time. Peter Steele replied with a try for the Tipperary side and Michael Cronin kicked a penalty. Steele and Willie Stokes added tries after the break and Cronin converted one.
Carrick 10 – 17 Charleville
What a difference just one week makes, and if that is a hangover in sporting terms, maybe Carrick need to adapt to winning ways quickly.
Because this was not one of the prettier days in Tybroughney, weather –wise or rugby wise, in fact the weather became a determining factor, as the near gale at the backs of Charleville allowed them to build up a strong lead. Then just as the lead got to the point of unmanageable
proportions, the wind disappeared. But it had appeared from the spirit of the team over the last number of weeks that things like the conditions should not matter. But Carrick never overcame that barrier on Sunday and in fact never really got out of the lower gears.
If anything can be said of the game is that Carrick got a bonus point they scarcely deserved and remain just one point off the top of the table.
And its hard to Labour on a game where the was very little to talk about. The scrum went very well, and forced Carrick’s only try of the match, getting a penalty try under the posts during the first half, while Ross Cleary kicked a penalty from a near impossible position. The players themselves probably acknowledged that Sunday’s effort was not good enough, against a well organised but ultimately beatable Charleville.
Meanwhile the second’s game against Mitchelstown had to be called off when it became evident that the numbers were not available to put a team together. More effort is needed here.
On a brighter note the u-17s had a great win over Thurles and continue to perform admirably.
Carrick 16 Mallow 6
Martin O'Sullivan Cup 25th October 2009
It may have taken 37 years to win a senior trophy, but in Fermoy last Sunday, Carrick’s victory in the O’Sullivan Cup final has buried most of the ghost this team has carried over the last
of seasons. Carrick won this game due to the sheer determination that this was not going to be another big match that slipped away. Some of the bad losses over the last couple of seasons were very much in the minds of the players, as was the feeling of utter dejection in the aftermath of those.
Even during the first half when Mallow were in the ascendancy, each player knew that if the score line got away, it might be too much to get back. Everyone played hard to make up that extra metre, to get to that tackle and to make the ruck. And it was this more than anything that got Carrick across the winning line. At 6-0 down after 15 minutes through a Mallow penalty and drop goal, much like in the league game two weeks earlier, Carrick were finding this well organised Mallow team very difficult to contain. But they did and that allowed for a couple of opportunities to arise. One which was finished off beautifully by wing Brian Dignam, after a perfectly executed backline move. Ed O’Donnell’s skip pass to take three Mallow men out of the game and get Dignam outside the cover was a joy. At 6-5 at half time, Carrick were very much in it and had to wrestle the game away from Mallow, a job that was never going to be easy. More so as Mallow’s right wing was making a lot of inroads and being brought cleverly into the play by the Corkmen. But Carrick, despite more than one scary moment, managed to protect their line. It was this that allowed Carrick to play the last thirty minutes almost exclusively in Mallows half, but ground was not gained easily. The scrums were evenly matched and both teams found it hard to get clean ball form this set piece, Carrick scrumhalf Jamie Steel was particularly adept at preventing good delivery from Mallow’s nine. And with the upper hand finally grasped by Carrick, a few tactical changes were made in an effort to get more attacks flowing. Alban Coughlan replaced Steele at nine and Mallow were not prepared for such a style change at the base of the ruck. The front row of Eddie Barry, Willie Stokes and Alan Murray were clearing out the ruck area much more effectively, aided by Brian Phelan, Ed Hearn and John Phelan. This allowed the likes of Dylan Davis, John O’Keefe and Colin O Dwyer link with the backs and turn the screw. From here, the excellent James Wallace took on responsibility from outhalf, nailing two hard earned and difficult penalties, to see Carrick go into an 11-5 lead with 8 minutes remaining.Form there Mallow’s 22 was the scene of a epic battle which to’d and fro’d. As much as Carrick battled to get a clinching try, Mallow repelled, but could not find the way out. Peadar Downey came very close to breaching the line after charging down a kick, but stumbled agonisingly close to the line. Seconds later he was denied a try after a mix up in the try zone. But at this point Mallow were defending with all they had. Peter Steele and Ian Mullins pressurised Mallows ten into making the mistake that saw the ball reach Wallace once more. With a bit of space outside but little support, Wallace made up his mind to go for it. Being closed down by two Mallow back, Wallace just made the line, injuring himself in the process, but ultimately sealing the victory and Carrick’s first senior cup for 37 years.
The reaction at the final whistle from players, club members, supporters and former players was massive and testament to what the team had to go through to overcome a very good Mallow side. Captain Willie Stokes accepted the O’Sullivan Cup and the sound of corks popping and bubbly spraying was as good as any fireworks marketers seem to think are needed for these occasions. And his speech recognised the victory for what it was. It was for each member who has played a career in the club and not had the luck to be part of a day like Sunday. He thanked the committee who have been doing great work over those years and the players on and off the field, who had toiled away and waited years for a day like last Sunday.
With the very difficult first cup hurdle now out of the way, maybe Carrick can add more silverware to the new clubhouse by the end of the season.
Team
Alan Murray, Willie Stokes (C), Eddie Barry, John O’Keeffe, Brian Phelan, (John Phelan), Mick Carroll, (Ed Hearn), Dylan Davis, Colin O’ Dwyer, Jamie Steele (Alban Coughlan), James Wallace, (Ross Cleary) David Kiersey, (Peadar Downey) Peter Steele, Ed O’ Donnell, Brian Dignam, Ian Mullins.
Subs not used. Bobby O’Neill, Colin Stanley, Mick Dempsey, Jamie Walsh, Michael Cronin.
Captain Will Stokes receives the O'Sullivan Cup on the steps of Fermoy Rugby Club, from
members of the Newport RFC club, who donated the trophy.
The Carrick Squad enjoy those Champange moments directly after winning the match
Carrick Squad just after receiving the trophy.
Carrick 16 Mallow 15
Munster Junior League Div 3
Games like these are hard to explain. Sheer bloody-mindedness saw Carrick wrestle victory from defeats’ claws. Mallow will have to been disappointed to leave Tybroughney with just a losing bonus point, as for 60 minutes of this game, it was they who played all the rugby and looked like winners from a long way out.
But Carrick emerged 16-15 winners, with a late Peadar Downey try and very difficult conversion from James Wallace. In fact it was Wallace’s boot that some how crept Carrick into the game. Carrick were 10-0 down at half time and to most observers, lucky to be, as Mallow dominated Carrick in all aspects of the game in the first half. The scrum was under pressure, as was the lineout; the rucks were one-sided and the mauls never got started. Only heroic scramble tackling and some vital, but individual interventions, prevented Mallow from scoring more than the single converted try and penalty. But if Carrick thought a half-time soul search would work, they were mistaken - Mallow took it to the home side again straight from the
kick-off. In a rare foray up field and a combined head of steam, Carrick finally got some points on the board when James Wallace knocked over a
penalty from 30 mts out. But Mallow went straight back up the field from the kick-off and scored a super try in the corner. The conversion was missed, but at 15-3 to the visitors, anybody who could foresee a way back from here would have been laughed at. Worse was to follow as nearly straight from the kick-off Carrick were down to 14, when an unlucky Michael Carroll was carded for disputing a decision. But the card possibly spurred Carrick, or the possibly it was the huddle under the post after conceding the try, but suddenly there was a bite to Carrick’s game. Peadar Downey, Eddie Barry, Jamie Steele and Eddie O’Donnell started to find gaps. The ball was finding width from a much more controlled breakdown and Carrick were finding themselves playing a lot more in Mallow’s half.
Two further penalty’s were kicked by the excellent James Wallace, one which saw a Mallow player binned for a high tackle, Carrick had managed
to get to bonus point territory at 9-15, but they sensed more cold be possible. After a lucky let off, when Mallow missed a penalty, Carrick played
through the phase, cleared the ball long and chased hard, pinning Mallow back just outside their 22, the forwards won back the ball and from
no-where Peadar Downey had broken Mallow’s defence and was in a foot race to the line with the Mallow winger, a race which Downey won.
It unfortunately left James Wallace with a brutal conversion kick to take the lead and he nailed it. Carrick won the kick off through John Phelan’s
claim and some nice control, they again managed to get back down into Mallow’s 22 where the visitors conceded another penalty. Although missed
the game was over and Carrick’s heart and mental resolve had won the day.
This defeated Mallow team does not have long to wait to exact revenge as the two teams meet in the O’Sullivan Cup final next weekend, and Carrick
will have to improve on this performance to lift that cup against a very talented outfit.
The seconds had a very disappointing loss to Fethard at home on Saturday afternoon and resembled a team who had rarely played rugby before let
alone played together. If anything is to be achieved by this team, more commitment is required.
O'Sullivan Cup Semi Final: Carrick 15 Waterford City 11 Sunday 4th Oct. 2009
The memories of Carrick’s last semi-final appearance were some what eased in Tybroughney last Sunday, when a thrilling second half performance saw
them advance to the O’Sullivan cup final. An eight point burst in the opening five minutes of the second half, wrestled control of the game from a well-drilled Waterford City side, which came to Carrick fully intent on reaching the final. After being six points down at the break, Carrick exploded into the second half and were awarded a penalty just outside the visitors 22, after claiming the kick-off and making 40 yards in a statement of intent.
Just after James Wallace kicked the penalty, Carrick went on the attack again. The back three of Dignam, Downey and Mullins were finally playing
together and with centre Dave Kiersey starting to find space in the middle, Carrick’s backs were starting to look fluid. And from the resultant re-start from the penalty kick, the Carrick pack drove up into the City 22, quickly recycled and let the backs take on the attack. After a few phases David Kiersey took on the ball, broke a couple of tackles and got in for the first try of the game. The conversion was missed, but the home team were adamant they were going
to build on the start. City soon found that any kicks to Carrick’s back three was not a great option as they found themselves trying to tackle some elusive running. But the next try did not materialise due to over-exuberance, bad handling or bad luck. But Carrick kept pressing, playing mostly in the City half.
Eventually after a period of sustained pressure in the visitors 22, a clearance kick was gathered by the onrushing Brian Dignam, who moved to his left where he saw some open field and drawing the two centres attention he passed to Peadar Downey. Downey had a good thirty to go with a couple of defenders to deal with, but with a step and a savage burst of acceleration found himself in the clear with just the cover to beat, which he did touching down in the
corner. With that conversion Carrick found themselves 15-6 ahead and had another opportunity or two, which they failed to take. A try in injury time by
City, had the large support and players sweating, but that was the final play of the game. 15-11 to Carrick, who know await confirmation of a date for the final clash with Mallow.
On Saturday, the senior seconds took to the field for the first time this year against Clonmel in the Evans Cup. Carrick came out on the wrong end of the scoreboard, but bearing in mind there was many new combinations and first run out, it was a satisfactory defeat. There was no lack of heart, but maybe an abundance of rust, of which a lot was brushed away and the season can only pick up from here.
O’Sullivan Cup: Carrick 44 Scariff 0
Now that’s what we call a backlash! Just six days after a heartbreaking defeat to Saint Mary’s which ended our promotion hopes, our First XV got back to winning ways when hammering Scariff in the O’Sullivan Cup quarter-final on Sunday. That same afternoon, our friends in Kilbarry saw off Mary’s after extra-time, a result which left the taste in the mouths on Sunday evening a tad bittersweet so soon after our own disappointment against the same opponents. But well done to City who, all things going well, we’ll now go on to meet in the final of this tournament.
Sunday was all about a reaction as far as Carrick were concerned. With the league campaign finishing a game short of the club’s ambition for the season, Willie Stokes and his men could have taken a slipshod attitude about the visit of the Claremen.
But there’s been no ‘it’s only the cup’ talk in Tybroughney this season. Each match has been treated on its merits, the previous week’s efforts consigned to history with the focus very much retained for the next 80 minutes. It’s the attitude which will surely see us promoted come the end of the 2009/10 campaign. Twenty points up at the break, Carrick didn’t take the foot off the pedal, their determination to end the season with some silverware to show firmly on show. Peter Steele increased his excellent try scoring tally with three more on a sunny afternoon in Tybroughney, while Ed O’Donnell (two), Michael Cronin, JP Wallace and Dylan Davies weighing in on the scoring act.
Given the vagaries of the draw, one Kerry team (Killarney) will travel to Waterford while we will have to make the journey down to Castleisland next Sunday for our semi-final. Why not just jig the draw around and have two local derbies and save two teams a lot of travel? It might be a simplistic argument but with time running out for competitive rugby this season, such a move would have been pretty logical.
But life isn’t always a box of chocolates so we’ll get on with the task in hand and, fingers crossed, have a cup final to look forward to after next weekend. Best of luck to Willie and the boys.
Belated thanks to all who turned out to support our team on Bank Holiday Monday. We may not have got across the finish line, but it was not for a lack of effort or spirit. Next season cannot come along more quickly.
Dean Landy powers forward during Carrick’s O’Sullivan Cup demolition of Scariff on Sunday.
Report 30th March 2009
Carrick 39 Dungarvan 8
Sights set on promotion after another win over Dungarvan
Played? 10. Won? Nine. Lost? Just the once. Scored: 221 points; conceded: 60. Now that’s impressive! Carrick-on-Suir finished their DivisionThree Group B season with an impressive 39-8 win over Dungarvan on Sunday last, the fourth time we’ve beaten the Ballyrandle unit this season. That we were denied a perfect season by losing 10-0 to Galbally in a game that was twice postponed still craws in many a Carrick gut. It’s been that kind of season. This has been the best campaign that the Tybroughney-based club has enjoyed in several years with inconsistency, our greatest bugbear for years, finally decommissioned. So what’s made the big difference this season? Commitment tops the list. Carrick
have not had to rely on making last minute phone calls to haul lads out of bed to make up the numbers.
Ask any Carrick captain of previous years and he’ll share a few tales of selectorial woe tales with you! Since the team, commendably led by skipper
Willie Stokes, got together for close season training under the expert eye of Ritchie Kennedy last summer, the bit has rarely been anywhere but between Carrick teeth. Many nights of hard work in Tybroughney and Rathgormack have had the desired effect. One only needs to look at our results for the proof of that particular pudding. The team features physical power throughout – look only to former Garryowen player AdamO’Loughlin, the hard hitting Eddie O’Donnell or the mobile back row of John O’Keeffe, Dylan Davies and Mick Carroll for ready made examples. There’s also footballing quality aplenty provided via the hands and feet of James Wallace, Peter Steele, Ross Clery and Alban Coughlan to name but a few. The full-blooded commitment provided by John and Brian Phelan and the experience which Eddie Barry brings to the table have all proven instrumental to date. Defensively, Carrick have been resolute this season, keeping three clean sheets in league action - a superb achievement by anyone’s standards. On only one occasion have they conceded more than one try in a match this season – away to Douglas on February 22nd, a game in which they had two men sin binned. But the biggest challenge of all now faces the Carrick men, a play-off semi-final and the potential promotion decider that awaits thereafter. While 3A winners Castleisland also ran away with their section (they now face Galbally in their semi-final), the runners-up spot on that side of the league has yet to be decided. However, it would appear that Saint Mary’s of Limerick are Carrick’s likeliest opponents, given that Killarney (the only team that can pip them) face Castleisland in their final tie. Though not yet confirmed, word has it that Carrick’s semi-final (at home) may be played on Good Friday to avoid a clash with the Munster/Ospreys Heineken
Cup quarter-final. It could prove a very Good Friday indeed for the men of Carrick.
JP Wallace’s searing pace and the tackling power of Mick Carroll have both
proven instrumental to Carrick this season.
Report 8th March 2009
Division Three Group B: Carrick-on-Suir 9 Galbally 0
It’s been quite some time since a junior league rugby match was advertised in shopfronts in Carrick-on-Suir. While the local Musical Society was packing the Strand Theatre thanks to its latest production, Carrick-on-Suir RFC was getting ready to take centre stage at Tybroughney. Galbally, the only club to take Carrick’s scalp in league action this season, the only club that stood between Carrick and Division Three Group B success, were coming to town.
The advertising certainly worked, as the teams took to the field before the largest attendance at a Tybroughney fixture in several seasons.
And despite the game not yielding a single try, Carrick didn’t fluff their lines, emerging 9-0 winners on Sunday afternoon last. Referee Ger English’s final whistle was greeted with great acclaim by the hosts who have won their section with a game to spare. But they will look to use their last ‘regular season’ match away to Dungarvan as a key element to their play-off preparations.
Given the blustery conditions, it was never likely that the teams would provide the large attendance with a free-scoring try fest and that’s exactly what transpired. But the well-insulated sideliners witnessed what the faithful Carrick fan has been treated to all season: complete commitment, the utmost honesty of effort and tremendous on-field togetherness. With breaks at a premium and skip passes virtually out of the question due to the wind, it was always going to take something special to open the scoring. And that prophecy came to pass through a drop goal landed by prop Eddie Barry. It was, remarkably, the only score of a closely contested first-half. In a game as tight as this, it was vital that chances were taken when such opportunities arose. And, as they’ve done all season long, Carrick made those chances count to match-winning effect, thanks to two second half penalties off the boot of Ross Clery.
On a day when Galbally had to win and deny Carrick a bonus point, the visitors failed to
even score due in no small part to the big hits provided by Barry, Adam O’Loughlin and Mick Carroll. For this was a day when Carrick were not to be denied. As Group winners, Carrick have crucially secured a home tie in their play-off semi-final, and with an unblemished home record, they will head into that tie with great and deserved confidence.
Just a few weeks short of the first anniversary of Club President Johnny Drohan’s sad passing, a man who would have revelled in this season’s outstanding efforts, Carrick-on-Suir remain on course for promotion. The finishing line is almost in sight – but there’s some serious rugby to be played yet.
Scenes from Carrick vs Galbally
Report 1st March 2009
Division Three B: Carrick v Galbally (Sunday, 2.30pm)
Carrick-on-Suir’s First XV can clinch a guaranteed play-off spot in the Third Division of the Munster Junior League should they defeat Galbally at Tybroughney next Sunday afternoon. Galbally, the only team to have defeated Carrick in Division 3B this season have to win and deny Carrick a bonus point of any kind if they are to hold out any hopes of topping the section. With a game in hand, the County Limerick club must also win their two remaining fixtures along with hoping that Carrick will slip up in their final match away to bottom of the table Dungarvan. From this juncture, such a scenario, while by no means impossible, looks decidedly unlikely, with Dungarvan having shelled 69 points in two games, going down 33-3 at home to Douglas last Sunday.
At Kilbarry next weekend, in what is the penultimate round of ‘regular season’ fixtures, Waterford City host Dungarvan while Fermoy play host to Douglas. The final round of matches shall be played on March 29th, with Galbally’s game in hand, a re-arranged fixture with Waterford City, yet to be re-arranged. Come that last Sunday, Galbally will host Fermoy, City will travel to Douglas while Carrick will hope to see out the season in style when making the short trip to Ballyrandle to take on Dungarvan.
Meanwhile, the draw for the first round of the Martin O’Sullivan Cup has been made, with
Carrick-on-Suir hosting Dungarvan (the winners to play Scariff) and Waterford City heading
to Fermoy.
The other first round matches in this Third Division Cup are: Killarney v Kilrush, Galbally v Killorglin and Presentation v St Mary’s. Due to a backlog of fixtures, the dates for these games have yet to set.
Report 22nd February2009
Division 3 Group B: Douglas 10 Carrick-on-Suir 24
Our First XV remains firmly on course to top Division Three Group B of the Munster Junior League thanks to a 24-10 win in Douglas on Sunday afternoon. Recording their sixth win in seven league outings, Carrick currently sit seven points clear of Galbally, the only team to defeat them in this group to date. Intriguingly, Galbally, who defeated struggling Dungarvan 36-0 on Sunday, will travel to Tybroughney for the next round on March 8th, knowing they must win and deny Carrick a losing bonus to remain in table topping contention. Carrick, who have a game less to play than Galbally, will have a trip to Dungarvan on March 29th which still looks likely to seal their Group victory. Such a scenario is likely to see Carrick hosting Saint Mary’s in the Division Three semi-final, with Galbally and Douglas left to battle it out for a semi-final visit to Castleisland.
Carrick trailed to a try from the hosts before fortuitously getting off the scoring mark; James Wallace’s penalty striking a post only to bounce back into his path for an unexpected run-in, which he also converted. An early second half penalty from Ross Clery (who had been sin-binned in the first half) extended Carrick’s advantage to five points before the hosts ran in a try down the corner to level matters. Despite two further yellow cards for Jamie Steele and Dean Landy (we’ve now picked up eight such binnings in their last three games), the league’s pacesetters didn’t panic and stuck gamely to their task. Having been awarded a penalty, Carrick opted for a kick into the 22; the resulting line-out leading to a fine move across the backline which set Peter Steele on a try-scoring run from 20 yards out. Clery converted and Carrick led again, this time by seven points.
With the scent of victory in our nostrils, despite a less than comfortable afternoon against the Douglas pack, we exerted decent pressure on Douglas as they tried to work through a few phases. An excellent turnover on the halfway line led to a superb counter-attacking opportunity for the ever alert Steele who sped clear to touch down under the posts. Clery again converted to seal a great win for Carrick, the only disappointment of the afternoon being the failure to add a bonus point. But considering our last visit to Douglas ended in a 50-point-reversal for Carrick, this was disappointment of the ‘small d’ kind for the men in red and blue.
Next Sunday, Carrick’s Second XV travel to Ballinakill to take on Waterpark in the Casey Cup.
A huge slice of luck got Carrick off the try-scoring mark at Douglas last Sunday through James Wallace.
Report 8th February2009
Division Three Section B: Waterford City 8 Carrick-on-Suir 28
Carrick-on-Suir maintained their push for promotion from Division Three of the Munster Junior League thanks to a 28-8 derby victory over
Waterford City on Sunday last. A closely fought first half on a heavy Kilbarry pitch was a typical City/Carrick affair with very little to choose between the teams, with the hosts carrying an 8-6 advantage at the break. The words shared in the away dressing room at half-time clearly had the desired effect, as Carrick took control of proceedings to keep their drive for Division Two on course. Ed O’Donnell, one of the hardest tacklers at this or any grade, slid home for the visitors’ first try. The speedy JP Wallace, who is enjoying a superb season for Carrick, was the next red and blue hooped player to touch down and stretch their advantage, as City’s effort began to crumble. A lively affair to put it mildly (the sin bin count reading 3-2 to Carrick at full-time), Carrick kept the shoulder to the wheel while the home side’s game plan came undone. In the 70th minute, O’Donnell scored a terrific try as he seized a bouncing ball, broke through two tackles down the wing, maintained his balance to stay in touch before running the ball in at the corner. Carrick’s advantage stretched to 13 points, but they weren’t finished yet. A last minute try from Peter Steele sealed a vital bonus point, which Ross Clery converted to leave Carrick victors by 20 points. A trip to Douglas is up next for Carrick on February 22nd, while City
will hope to get their campaign back on track away to Fermoy. Both games are down for 2.30pm kick-offs.
Carrick push the scrum back.
Heave, Carrick: Brian Phelan and Sean Paul Fitzpatrick in the thick of a
maul in Kilbarry as captain Willie Stokes monitors developments.
***
Report 11th January 2009
The Carrick-on-Suir dressing room was a quiet one last Saturday night in the appropriately windswept Ardgeeha grounds, the impressive home of Clonmel RFC.
Having just gone down by 36 points in this Gleeson Cup outing, the initial sound of silence was understandable. Taking the gear off and preparing for the trip home is always a weightier task after a defeat and morale was, initially, low among the Carrick group, containing a slew of youngsters. As a coach and, as a player, silence is a sound that oddly comforts you in the aftermath of a reversal. It demonstrates that losing hurts, that pulling on your club colours does count for something; that you’re not just out there purely for the fun of it. The muddied team jerseys lay on the dressing room floor alongside the kitbag as the players digested what had gone wrong, having trailed by just a converted try at the break.
A slick Clonmel team, whose handling skills on so blustery a night were quite outstanding, had punished virtually every error Carrick made during the 80 minutes.
And one senses such thoughts were running through quite a few vanquished minds in the immediate aftermath of a hard-hitting fixture. Sensing that something needed to be said, prop forward Eddie Barry, the senior player in the group (he won’t thank me for pointing that out!), took to his feet to address his team mates.
“It’s never nice losing, lads,” he began, prompting a few sets of shoulders to broaden. “But all any of us can ask of each other is honesty, effort and commitment out there, and we got that today.”
The words were timely, words which can only be genuinely uttered by somebody who has stood in a huddle for several tough, often difficult campaigns. Eddie has been there and done just that. A young player gains nothing from having someone with a few more rings on the bark going off on one after a match. That’s not to say that players don’t occasionally benefit from a good old-fashioned dose of the ‘hairdryer’. Certain times demand certain words, and the Carrick man chose his words wisely as the wind howled outside and the shower water nearby already began to run cold.
“Sure, there were things we didn’t do as well as we should have. We did make mistakes out there, but the most important thing is that everybody in here kept going out there until the final whistle. That gives us something to work on. And that’s where training comes into it, lads.”
He concluded: “So what do we do from here? We work on those things we need to get right at training, we learn from the mistakes we’ve made and we’ll try to move it up a level for the next match. So we keep our heads up, lads, and we’ll take it from there.”
Eddie’s words were, justly, met with applause. Some of the other, more experienced players in the group, also took time to have a quiet, encouraging word with many of the younger players. The spirit among the team is a credit to manager Jamie Walsh, and as a clubman, I took great pride while listening to those words being spoken. It’s what sport is all about.
The game itself was largely played in good spirit, with humour aplenty emitting from sheltered spectators as the tornado-like wind sweeping around the paddock made the game something of a lottery. For the first time in my life, I saw a ball kicked to touch by a player actually lead to his team losing ground, the strong gale sending the oval 10 metres backwards. Clearly this was not a night for kicking; indeed the wind was so strong that a few clearances from inside the Carrick 22 careered over the Clonmel dead ball line during the first half.
As the game wore on and Clonmel’s greater offensive quality became evident, keeping the spirits up in Carrick colours didn’t, notably, prove too difficult. Enthusiasm is an important ingredient in any group, and the significant number of players in their late teens and early 20s also brought the best out of their older colleagues. Up front, Carrick competed when getting to the breakdown promptly – but a few of the team – myself included, needed to get through the gears a little quicker in the contact zone. The scrum held up quite well; bar my failure to hook the ball back just minutes after entering the fray which eventually led to a Clonmel try. I held my hands up immediately. I’d little option since the try was, undoubtedly, my fault. There’s no buttering up some boo-boos. But, in keeping with the attitude exemplified on the night, there was little to be gained by feeling sorry for myself. So, like the rest of the lads, I put my mouthguard back in and just got on with it. Despite trailing, the match finished with Carrick on the attack after a couple of quickly tapped penalties had seen us move upfield and firmly on the front foot. But the second try (our only try being scored and excellently converted by Ross Clery) which our efforts surely deserved was destined not to come our way.
And that was that, leaving us with wounds to nurse but spirits to lift as we accepted Clonmel’s three cheers, which we duly reciprocated.
“The only safe ship in a storm is leadership,” according to American humanist Faye Littleton, and that’s exactly what Eddie Barry offered his young team mates thanks to his post match comments.
Reflecting upon the events of Saturday night, the words of an American songstress also sprung to mind. Stevie Nicks hit the nail on the head when putting the lyrics “players only love you when they’re playing” to sheet music. Sure what else, while the body so permits, would you want to be doing?
* Full credit must be extended to Clonmel RFC for the superb facilities which they have developed in recent years. Their superbly finished patrons’ stand puts many an All-Ireland League club to shame and gives you some idea as to where the club intends to position itself looking towards the future. Always accommodating hosts, I’m already looking forward to my next visit to Ardgeeha.
Report 4th January 2009
Carrick come undone in Munster Challenge Shield
Carrick firsts had a disappointing 16:8 loss away against St Marys of
Limerick in the semi final of the Munster junior Challenge Shield last
Sunday. Carrick scored first early on when Prop forward John Phelan went
over for a try in the corner after good attacking work from Carrick.
Michael Cronin successfully kicked a penalty later in the half but St
Marys converted two kicks of their own to be just trailing Carrick 6
points to 8 at half time.
Carrick were not to score again and St Marys took the lead for the first
time in the 64th minute, they held on to that lead and added to it in the
77th minute with a try and conversion. A number of injuries did not help
Carrick’s situation, and we wish a speedy recovery to Michael Cronin, and
Evan Stanley who required a visit to Hospital. League action resumes for
the firsts with an away match against Waterford City on the 25th of
January.
Report 30th November 2008
Carrick in pole position as Dungarvan get demolished
Carrick-on-Suir remain top of Division Three Group B thanks to a 58-0 win over Dungarvan in Tybroughney on Sunday last, consolidating their position at the top of league proceedings. Carrick, captained superbly by Willie Stokes, racked up their fifth competitive win of the season and the fourth league win from four outings. They have now registered 100 points in league action and have conceded just 24 points, which speaks volumes for the defensive steel they’ve added to their lot since the big kick-off in mid-October. The form book suggested a comprehensive win for the hosts and that’s exactly what transpired in Carrick. First half tries from Mick Carroll, Alban Coughlan, James Wallace, Peter Steele and Alan Murray secured the bonus point and the win by the interval. But in a demonstration of the team’s intent this season, Carrick didn’t take the foot off the pedal and crossed the whitewash on three further occasions, though Coughlan, Dylan Davies and Ed O’Donnell. Ross Clery maintained his excellent kicking contribution to the Carrick cause by converting six of the eight tries to ensure a massive win for the league leaders. “Things are going well,” said Willie Stokes. “But we’ve nothing won yet in terms of silverware. “In saying that, we know we’re in a strong position and we’ve got our destiny in our own hands, but we’ve three games on the road to face into after Christmas, and that’s not taking that undecided Galbally game into account. “But this is what all the hard hours in pre-season were designed for. The attitude on the pitch and on the line is great. We’re in this together and staying together is what’s going to bring success to this club and that’s all we’re thinking about right now.” As the league enters into its Christmas break, the advantage firmly lies with Carrick-on-Suir, with City, Galbally and Douglas all playing catch-up.
Next weekend, Carrick’s first XV are due to shape up to Dungarvan again in Junior Cup action, where nothing other than a sixth win of the season will be expected of the promotion hunters.
In local seconds rugby on Saturday night, Waterford City saw off Carrick under the Kilbarry lights, emerging victorious by 17 unanswered points.
Dermot Keyes
Dylan Davies on a break for the try line.
Try under the posts.
Report 16th November 2008
Report 2nd November 2008
Carrick firsts played Douglas at home last Sunday in the Munster Junior League Division three. Ross Clery kicked two penalties in the first half. Half time score was 6:3 to Carrick. James Wallace got in for a try early in the second half after good work by Peter Steele going up the right wing, he offloaded in the tackle to James Wallace who still had a lot to do but broke tackles to go over for the try. Later winger Alban Coghlan got a try after Alan Murray had broken the gain line and offloaded to Alban who scored the try by the posts, Ross Clery added the conversion. Douglas got a late try for a final scoreline of Carrick 18 Douglas 8. Carrick are currently top of the league table with 12 points, equal with Galbally who we play away this Sunday November 9th.
Pictures from Douglas match:
