Mini’s & Youths Rugby notes for weekend 29/11

Under 9s

Ballincollig u9s travelled to kanturk on Saturday morning where they took on the home team, Crosshaven and Youghal. With some new faces this year and a few absent, our lads gave a good team display overall. Our first game off the bus was against Crosshaven where we took a bit of time to get to grips with the tempo of the game. From there the lads met kanturk and then Youghal. Easy to see that the lads are enjoying their rugby and beginning to develop their skills. All good for the year ahead.

 

Under 10s

Ballincollig U10s travelled to Kanturk on Saturday where they played both Kanturk and Youghal.  The morning saw two great displays and tries from Jack Murray, Tomas Shanahan, Arran Smyth, two from John Horgan and three from Pete Kelly.

 

Under 11s

Ballincollig U11s travelled to Kanturk on Saturday and the team had a very enjoyable day out. Kanturk were great hosts and very strong opponents. A weakened Ballincollig team found it hard to stem the tide of hard running attacks. We came second in both matches and after making a poor start but the team showed great spirit and resilience and got better and better as the day went on, keeping our very best to the last quarter. Stalwart defence from Robert Dennehy, Even McArdle, Ronan Power, Rory Kiely and Matt Moran were notable. Cathal O’Donoghue, Dean Carey, Eoin O’Brien, David Hurley, Paddy Mulchrone, Zac Davis and Tighernach O’Leary all impressed in attack as indeed did Daniel Keating, Jamie Brydon, Daniel Quinn, Cillian O’Farrell and Matt O’Driscoll. The team were very well supported by the injured David Fahy.

Under 14s

From the score line it appears that this was a match that Ballincollig lost badly however it doesn’t capture the tenacity of Ballincollig defence in the face of persistent pressure from an undefeated panel and touted Champions elect. It should be born in mind that Ballincollig had previously conceded 15 tries to this time two seasons ago and fielding a stronger panel let alone team on that hitherto ocassion. The 12 Under 14 Boys soon to be men were aggregated by a half dozen willing under 13s which meant that even before the game had begun Ballincollig seemed to be swimming not against a torrent but a tsunsami of size, experience and event. The Game kicked off with Skibbereen putting Ballincollig on the back foot from the outset. The Ballincollig defence held firm but failed to make much yardage exacerbated by a wall off westcork adolescence, many of whom stood firmer than their game opponents. Within ,minutes another foray by Skibbereen blitzed into the Ballincollig ten metre line but noble entrenched defending only surrendered a line out just outside the 22. Unfortunately an infringement by one of the forwards gave Skibbereen a penalty and a shot at goal which was converted. From the resulting kickoff Ballincollog failed to make to gain line and continued pressure moments later resulted in an accidental high tackle which culminated in another penalty for Skibereen which was put soundly between the posts. Ballincollig heads momentarily dropped but after an avalanche of pressure finally conceded the first try of the afternoon with resulting successful conversion attempt. Moments later the first half drew to a close. The second half began in earnest with Skibereen fielding the ball and again making inroads through a stoic but porous defence and sadly it appeared that the floodgates may open when another try on the wing cut open the Ballincollig defence. The conversion sailed over and now Ballincollig faced an uphill battle. The last few moments the game was largely fought in ballincollig’s 22 with the odd advance but never really threatening the Skibbereen 22 let alonethe  try line. The accreting tidal onslaught resulted in the final try of the game in the right hand side corner and a tricky conversion followed but the kicker held his nerve with an astounding 100% record. Despite some aimless lateral play and some missed tackles in midfield this was a victory of sorts for this young Ballincollig team where the match was lost but pride restored against monumental opponents not to mention odds. The defeat lay not with the effort of the 15 lads who played but rather the fact that this courageous team functioned fielding  a team composed of barely twelve under 14s with the addition of one third, on hire, under 13s, to make a squad fit for duty. It should be borne in mind that the opponents could have fielded two under 14 teams ( the difference in size and experience of just one year is magnified exponentially at this level) and made best use of their substitutes, a luxury Ballincollig could not call upon.  A lot of credit must go to the fighting spirit of this young side who played with and for each other today

Under 16s

Ballincollig 23   Highfield 17

Ballincollig U16s beat Highfield  in Tanner park last Saturday by 23 points to 17 points. This was a closely contested and competitive league match with some great defensive and attacking play by both teams with some great individual displays as well. Ballincollig scored the only try in the first half resulting from a well worked move when they ran the ball from a penalty awarded 10 metres from the Highfield line. With the addition of a Ballincollig penalty the half time score ended 8 points to nil. Highfield fought back well in the second half with both teams scoring 3 tries each. Ballincollig struggled with the lineout during the match and Highfield also exploited gaps and space in the Ballincolligs defence in the last 20 minutes. Ballincollig claimed the win and put their disappointment of the loss to Muskerry behind them and put themselves back on the top of the league table. Well done to all

 Fixtures Weekend 06/Dec/2014

U7 – Training 10am Tanner Park

U8 – Training 10am Tanner Park

U9 – Training 10am Tanner Park

U10 – Blitz away Mitchelstown bus leaves Tanner Park 9am sharp

U11 – Training 10am Tanner Park

U12 – Blitz away Mitchelstown bus leaves Tanner Park 9am sharp

U13 – Skibbereen Tanner Park kick off 11am

U14 – Training 11.30am Tanner Park

U16 – Training 11.30am Tanner Park

U18 – Cork Constitution away kick off TBC

All player registrations & subscriptions are now OVER DUE these can be paid in the club house on Saturday morning

Club shop open every Saturday morning 9.45am