By Dearbhla Parry
U14: Ennis RFC 50 – 10 Bruff RFC
The Ennis U14 team successfully began their North Munster League campaign with a dominant victory over Bruff RFC in the Ennis RFC Showgrounds on Saturday 9th September.
The Ennis team were dominant from the beginning, allowing the scrum-half, Steven O’Neill, to deliver the ball wide early. It wasn’t long before Alex Pelczar scored the first of his three tries with a touchdown in the corner.
Their determination continued throughout the first half of the game, with further tries by Alex Pelczar, Jake O’Donoghue and Steven O’Neill. Captain O’Donoghue’s second try was one of many highlights of a productive first half for the Ennis U14 boys.
The Bruff team deserve credit for their reluctance to drop their heads and their competitive flair in the second half of the Rugby game. One highlight of the second half included O’Neill’s mazy run, who had the wherewithal to offload just before the line to flanker Cormac Dinan, who finished after tracking throughout.
The Ennis Rugby team worked diligently, resulting in a successful match. A special mention goes to the pack leader Raphael Yabre, prop Reece Yeung and back-row brothers Cillian and Cormac Dinan, who all helped the U14 to their victory.
Ennis RFC: Oisin Egan, Shaun Woods, Reece Yeung, Raphael Yabre, Colm Griffin, Cillian Dinan, Cormac Dinan, Josh Flynn, Steven O’Neill, Jake O’Donoghue, Eoin Keane, Alex Pelczar, Conor Owens, Fionn Molony, Josh O’Halloran, Jamie Culleton, Luke O’Connor, Dan Holly, Reece Corbett and Ronan O’Leary.
Senior: Ennis RFC 43 – 14 Presentation RFC
The Ennis Senior Men’s RFC team came out victorious in their match against the Presentation RFC in Limerick on Saturday the 9th of September.
7 tries for the Ennis team were scored by Calum Barrett (x2), Brendan Keane (x2), Oisin Mangan (x1), Ben Quinn (x1) and Ben Gearthy (x1). Furthermore, 4 out of 7 conversions were scored by Oisin Mangan.
With only 16 players in the squad and high temperatures, their success marks the second win for the Ennis RFC on this day.
U16: Ennis RFC 15 – 17 Shannon RFC
On Sunday the 10th of September, an U16s rugby match took place in Coonagh, where results of Ennis 15 – 17 Shannon were seen.
Starting from the kick-off, Ennis took a 5 – 0 lead after giving Shannon territory.
The first half of the game belonged to Ennis, consisting of 2 tries from Malachy O’Halloran and Ruairi Keogh, and a conversion and penalty from Ruairi Keogh. Results were looking at Ennis’ lead of 15 – 5.
Things for Shannon began to look up when they scored 2 late tries in the last 8 minutes to seal their win in the U16s game.
U18: Ennis RFC 14 – 17 Shannon RFC
Lee’s Road in Ennis was the venue for the U18s match on Sunday 10th of September.
Beginning with an explosive start, fiery exchanges were seen in the first quarter of the game. Shannon was first over the Ennis line and an unconverted try led to an Ennis 0 – 5 Shannon result. A strong start for the Shannon rugby team.
A strong second quarter performance was witnessed from Ennis RFC when Marco Cleary performed a cross field kick. This was capitalised on by Oisin O’Donoghue and before long, Ennis was over the line. Marco Cleary converted this, leaving the results so far with Ennis 7 – 5 Shannon.
A timely block down from Cian Enright showed a great display of individual ingenuity and courage in the third quarter. Enright scored Ennis’ second try which was converted by Marco Cleary, and the score showed Ennis 14 – 5 Shannon.
The ruck began with excellent jackalling from Jonno O’Donoghue, resulting in a penalty for Ennis. Marco Cleary attempted to extend Ennis’ lead, but was denied by the post.
The Shannon team showed Ennis that they were not going down without a fight. Changes were made to their personnel throughout the pack and they set up their attack on the Ennis try line for a significant period of time. A converted second try resulted in Ennis 14 – 12 Shannon.
Shannon were on the attack again following the kick off. Tired bodies in searing temperatures ensued a 4 on 1, which the Shannon team capitalised on. Marco Clearly managed to push their man out, but a crucial Ennis line out won by the Shannon RFC saw them breach the Ennis line one more time.
Fixtures
U15 friendly: Ennis v Shannon
Saturday 16th September
Kick-off at 12:30 in Lee’s Road
Senior men’s: Ennis v Fethard
Saturday 16th September
Kick-off at 14:30 in Ennis
U13: Ennis v Thomond/Richmond
Sunday 17th September
Kick-off at 11:00 in Fitzgerald Park
U15/16: Ennis v Thomond/Richmond
Sunday 17th September
Kick-off at 12:00 in Lee’s Road
U18: Ennis v Thomond/Richmond
Sunday 17th September
Kick-off at 12:00 in Thomond/Richmond
