Rugby News
November 26th, 2007 by S Hanna
Rugby News
RUGBY 2008
As part of the University of Ulster’s Sport Outreach Programme students from Edmund Rice College attended a rugby coaching clinic hosted at UUJ. The students were under the watchful eye of Rugby Development Assistant Jonny Morgan, and Edmund Rice staff Mr Ford and Mr Magill who took them through different coaching clinics covering various aspects of the sport.
During the day the students had access to the new High Performance Centre. Belfast Harlequins player and University Sports Development officer, was thoroughly impressed with the enthusiasm, effort and skill levels of the boys who have only been playing the sport for a short while.
A game with Glengormley High looms on the horizon for the boys, and with full attendance and dedication to further training, hopefully it will be another victory for the team.
Rugby Report 2007- Edmund Rice
The senior rugby squad is made up of pupils aged 15- 17 and we train each Thursday after school. Currently, the squad contains over 20 players training and playing regularly, any additions to the squad would be welcome, and no prior experience is necessary.
So far, the season has been a successful one with the boys performing well in all of their matches, often against a more experienced opposition.
The first game of the season saw the team travel to Rathmore, who were a well organised side boasting a player with representative honours. The first half was a steep learning curve for the hightown boys who found themselves 12-0 down at half time. However, all was not lost, and Edmund Rice rallied in the second half and managed to earn a hard fought draw. Paul Baker and Damien Mc Ilreavy were the try scorers in the second half with Ryan Campbell converting on of the tries in the second half to level the match at 12-12.
Next on the agenda was a tournament in Ballymena, organised by the Ulster Branch for school keen to develop Rugby. In their two matches at the tournament, Edmund Rice managed to win one and lose one. In the first match, against Larne High, the boys struggled to get to grips with a combative Larne side, but were still unlucky to lose 0-5; a result which many onlookers felt was against the run of play. In their second match, the hightown team showed the resilience, and team spirit which has become a feature of their play, to pick themselves up after the disappointment of the Larne game and record a resounding 34-0 victory over St. Benedicts. The tournament was a tough test for the side but both individually and as a team, they showed that they could compete against other schools. Noteworthy performers were captain Mark Chungwe, vice captain Paul Baker, Daryl Mc Call and Thomas Foster in the pack and try scoring backs Micheal Magill and Ryan Campbell.
Due to a number of frustrating and disappointing cancellations, the senior squad had only one more outing in 2007. This was a game against Carrickfergus Grammar School; a rugby playing school competing at the top level in school rugby. The boys competed well and lost narrowly with Paul Baker scoring at the end of the game to round off an excellent performance from the team. Credit is due to all players who acquitted themselves well against tough opposition and we hope for a victory in the return fixture after Christmas.
Mr Ford, Mr Magill and Mr Mc Goldrick would like to extend their thanks to all boys who attended both training and matches; we would like to take this opportunity to welcome any newcomers to the training after Christmas which will resume on Thursday 17th January 2008.
