ALL IRELAND JUNIOR CUP QTR FINAL
O HALLORAN BRACE BRINGS TEARS OF JOY
BALLYCLARE (CO. ANTRIM) 24-26 NEWCASTLE WEST RFC 1ST XV
There’s a song we are all familiar with regarding it’s a long, long way from Clare to here.
It’s a long, long way from Newcastle West to Ballyclare. It’s actually 428 kms. But that was the journey our 1st XV set off on Friday at 4 pm. All logistics sorted by manager Donal Egan and fixtures sec Liam O Connor, the club would not be found wanting when it came to accommodation, food, refreshments etc. After overnighting in a hotel near Belfast they awoke to a winter setting of white fields as there had been a significant overnight frost.
With all the formalities over it was now down to the squad of 20 who would cross the whitewash and put their bodies on the line.
The visitors would be seen as the underdogs in this game as overnighting does not make it easy for players.
NCW opened strongly and were not found wanting in the early exchanges, however they made tow costly mistakes with a few missed tackles allowing the home side in to score two try’s in a ten-minute period. But they hung in there and would finish of the first half 14-6 down with Shane Airey kicking two penalties. Our ex-President Brian Nash’s comments at half time were that we were still well in this game.
Sean Ivess got on the end of a great passing movement initiated by a quick pick from the base by Keelan Headd and touched down to bring the score to 14-11.
The visitors were gaining confidence and were rewarded after the forwards used all there mauling power and close in skills to get over the line with Man of the Match Eoin O Halloran scoring the first of his brace.
14-16 was now the score but there was a long way to go, and there would be some drama before the final whistle went. Alan O Riordan was having his best game in the black jersey for a while, the carries he made all day laid the foundation for what was to come.
Ballyclare would score a converted try next to take the score to 21-16 and in the 71st minute they would convert a penalty to bring the score to 24-16 and with the visitors now reduced to 14 men Paddy Power was offering in running odds of 500/1 on NCW to win. In the 77th min disaster struck, and a red card reduced NCW to 13 and the odds were now gone out to 1000/1.
But what unfolded in the next 9 minutes will live long in the memories of all who were in Ballyclare on 19/11/2022.
In the 81st minute the visitors were awarded a penalty and knowing the needed to score twice the referee was asked would there be a restart and yes was the answer. Shane Airey stepped up and kicked the penalty and the score was now 24-19 with nobody but the referee knowing what was on the clock, NCW were now back to fourteen players. Restart by Ballyclare, ball gathered by Captain Gerald Griffin maul set up, recycled to Airey who kicks up the middle of the field, Ballyclare out-half gathers he attempts to kick but then he arrives like a vision or manna from heaven, stretch’s high and blocks down on the Ballyclare ten metre line 40 metres from the goal line, cool as you like he kicks the ball ahead and outruns the home defence to touch down 20 metres to the left of the home sides post,24-24.Quick check the rules, in the event of a draw, it would be extra time.
However, in the mind of Shane Airey it was winner take’s all and he stepped up to kick, bisects the uprights and as they say the rest is history. History indeed, coach Aidan O Halloran a man who rarely shows his feelings shed tears of joy with his son Eoin being one of the heroes of the day.
Hero’s indeed, it was not a final or a semi-final, but it will be remembered as one of the great days in our history. Robbery,absolutely,but the team kept playing and believing they could do it.
Hero’s one and all and we have the pictures to prove it.
A home draw would be a great thing for the team and the club, keep an eye out for updates.
The semi-final is down for Saturday December 17th 2.30 pm

Score’s: Sean Ivess Try, Eoin O Halloran 2 Try’s, Shane Airey 3 Penalties,1 Conversion
After the drama of last weekend, the league resumes on Sunday 27th November with a very tough away game in Mallow.
Fixtures.
Munster Junior League
Mallow v Newcastle West, Sunday 27th November 2.30pm Mallow
Gleeson League
Ard Scoil Old Boys V Newcastle West, Saturday 26th November 2.30 pm UL 4G Pitch

Split the bucket draw

Congrats to Brian Mcguinness Winner of €470.00 in this week’s split the pot draw…

You can sign up for the draw via our website our clubapp and facebook pages our purchase your weekly envelope in Killeline or the local pubs.

The monies raised through the weekly draw are a big help with the running cost of the club so your support is much needed and we are grateful to all who take part.

Our Minis are back training now every Sunday morning in killeline at 10.30am so if your child would like to take up rugby please call up and we would be happy to introduce you and your child to our club boys and girls and all ages welcome.

Newcastle west under 15s team

Under 15’s produce the goods in Newport

Our under 15 squad made the trip to Newport on Sunday to take on the Tipperary side on a cold, wet afternoon. Credit must go to the home club as the pitch was in great condition and while the ball would be wet, the footing was solid and lent to a great game of rugby. We got off to the worst possible start and found ourselves 12 – 0 down within 10 minutes and having barely touched the ball, it looked as if it may be a long hour. Our boys soon came to life though and after some stern defending by our back row of Luke Foley, Dara O Brien and Jack Dillon we got our hands on the ball and got into the contest quickly. Josh O Connor at 13 was starting to make a big impact and always looked dangerous in possession. Darragh O Keeffe at scrum half was now starting to get clean ball with our pods working well. Cillian Keating as always provided safe hands at 10 and once we got the ball away, we always looked dangerous. Dara O Brien at No.8 was imposing himself on the game and it wasn’t long before he broke the gainline with his powerful running to go under the posts to get us off the mark. A great break by Josh and a brilliant offload had our lively second row Cian Mulcahy racing for the line with Newport backs chasing in vain as Cian sped away to touch down and we were now firmly back on track. Josh was at it again soon after, racing away from the red & green jerseys showing great pace & power to score the first of two a brilliant individual try’s. We gave 5 minutes defending our line just before half time but with brilliant tackling especially two massive tackles by Jack Dowling & Luke Foley on our try line, Newport just could not break us down and we held out with Ryan Rooney being hard done by for a great poach which the referee seemed to miss. The second half saw us standing up to everything the home team could throw at us, and their big ball carriers found our defenders unrelenting and putting in huge hits every time they broke. This laid the foundation for us to turn over ball and soon Dara O Brien had his third try of the day with another great break. An intercept by Darragh O Keeffe and a quick offload had Luke Foley over the line to put the game beyond the hosts. It would be hard to pick a man of the match but it must be said that Josh O Connor, Luke Foley and Dara O Brien were to the fore. A huge thanks to all the parents that travelled. Without you this this team does not exist and we are very grateful to you all. It must also be mentioned that Breda Hough showed great footwork when the referee tried to destroy her boots while marking a lineout.

Team

Finbarr Madden, Daniel Bobea, Bradley Greaney, Billy Hough, Cian Mulcahy, Jack Dillon, Luke Foley, Dara O Brien, Darragh O Keeffe, Cillian Keating, Ryan Rooney, Josh O Connor, Ebhain Pegley, Jack Dowling, Liam Cussen, Luke Rowsome, Daibheid Regan.

Liam Cussen making a break with Daibheid Regan in support’

Newcastle west under 9s team

U9S had a great morning of rugby last Sunday 🏉, an absolutely brilliant performance by each and every one of the players 👏.

Some great tackling, passing of the ball, and trys scored.

Thanks to all and parents and guidance for going all the way to limerick. Ye're support is really appreciate.

Let's keep up all the good work at training and keep enjoying our rugby. 🏉 see ye next Sunday

Looking to be a club volunteer

The club is always looking for help, we are currently looking for a person to help us manage our social media platforms if you can help please email,ncwrfcsecretary@gmail.com