THE STAR

September ‘17-’18Volume 2 Issue 1

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Seniors score over 50points against last year’s runners-up

Experience somenostalgia as we take alook back in our new‘Yesterdays’ section

Find out in this issuehow your voice can

be heard.

Garryowen Rugby Club @GarryowenFC GarryowenRugby.com

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Table ofContentsSenior News… 3

Third’s… 4

Ladies’ Tag … 4

Under 20’s… 5

U’Age Fixtures… 6

Seconds… 6

Yesterdays… 6

UBL Table… 7

It is with a profound sense of honourand pride, that I take over asPresident of Garryowen FC in its134th Year. The sentiment however,is tinged with sadness due to thepassing of our former president, PaulO’Byrne on 22nd May 2017. Paulwas an highly-respected ConsultantSurgeon, based in BarringtonsHospital. His leadership and affablecharacter will be sorely missed bythe Garryowen FC Family.‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh an anam.’Following some tough years both onand off the field, there is a generalsense that we have turned a cornerin Dooradoyle. Our Senior squad isled once again by Head Coach ConanDoyle as Director of Rugby, ablyassisted by Paul Neville, JohnStaunton and Sean Skehan. NeilCronin captains the side.Recruitment has gone well in the offseason and we are upbeat that thecoming season will see us, onceagain, competing for honors, acrossall major club competitions. To thisend, I wish them every successStaying with the Senior Club, lastseason was very successful for bothour J2 and Under 20 Squads, with avirtually clean sweep of all availabletrophies. It is encouraging to seethat many of the players from thesesquads are now pushing forward forinclusion in the first team setup.There is a steady supply of newtalent emerging from both ourunder-age structure and new

member registrations. I wish ourSeconds, Thirds and Under 20management, coaches and players,an enjoyable and successful season.Our Under-Age structure under thedirection of Michael Power,continues to grow with over 550players competing across all agegroups, on any given weekend. Thiswould not be possible without theassistance of our wide group ofvolunteers, who are involved incoaching, admin and fundraisingactivities throughout the season. Ahuge degree of gratitude goes out tothese members.Over the Summer period, TomFogarty once again, ran the highsuccessful Youth AthleticDevelopment Camp, in conjunctionwith Setanta College, the leadingeducational institute in PerformanceScience, Strength and Conditioning.A special word of thanks to our titlesponsor Quattro Plant, who are nowin their second year. Muchappreciation is also extended to ouradditional sponsors; Medicare, FirstChoice Financial Services, DownesSolicitors, Frank Hogan Motors andAsystec. I would also like to thank allthose who advertise with pitch sidehoarding, those who support ourfund-raising events and attend ourpre-match lunches. I would also liketo thank everyone who took part in,or supported, the Garryowen FC GolfClassic.Finally, it gives me immensepleasure to extend a very warmwelcome to all visiting teams,coaches, members and clubexecutives. I trust your trip toDooradoyle will be an enjoyable one.I look forward to meeting you beforeand after the game in our clubhouse.

Yours in Rugby,

Tony O’Rourke,Hon President,Garryowen FC,2017/18

Edited by AnthonyGeoghegan

Photographs provided byKieran Ryan

Welcome

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First XV

Charity Cup

Before kicking off their Ulster Bank League campaign,the senior side advanced to the Limerick Charity Cupfinal.

The light blues outclassed the reigning championsYoung Munster and local rival Old Crescentrespectively in their route to the final.

Nenagh Ormond defeated both Shannon and ULBohemian in their historic campaign and they look toend their underdog story with a win against the lightblues.

However, the senior side will be sure to notunderestimate the premier county natives as theywere knocked out of the Munster Senior Cup byNenagh Ormond, last year.

The 93�� Charity Cup will take place on November 17��.Jack O’Sullivan, a ‘Garryowner’ introduced the cup inorder to raise funds for Barrington and St. John’s Hospitalin Limerick.

Nenagh will make their first appearance in a Charity Cup Final on Nov. 17��

The new Division 1A season kicked off three weeks agofor the senior side against 2012 champions St. Mary’sCollege at Templeville road.

It proved to be a battle of attrition for the light bluesas two crucial St. Mary’s penalties would prove to bethe deciding factor in the end as the home sideretained the Shay Deering trophy.

Despite losing 13-7, this the seniors clawed a losingbonus point a difficult achievement for any travellingside.

A week later the senior side hosted newly-promotedBuccaneers at Dooradoyle.

Buccaneers recorded a spirited 10-19 loss to favouritesLansdowne at Dubarry park the week prior.

Garryowen’s backline unleashed a flurry of attacksleading to tries from Dean Moore, Darren Ryan, JasonMcInerney and Munster hooker Mike Sherryrespectively.

A resounding 29-17 victory for the home side, twomatches two bonus points to lay the foundation for anexciting season ahead for the light blues.

The seniors concluded the month by entertaining 2-time winners Clontarf at home in Dooradoyle.

Our skipper Neil Cronin alone outscored the bulls bycontributing a whopping 26 points in total, to the lightblues’ 51-17 staggering victory.

The attacking prowess of the week prior showed nosigns of slowing down as along with ‘Neilly’, tries fromwinger Liam Coombes, Sean Rennison, Hugh O’Brien-Cunningham and Peadar Collins sent ‘Tarf.

This was the first time Garryowen have scored 50points in a single All-Ireland League game since their54-5 thrashing against Galwegians in the final game ofthe 2009/09 season,

The Seniors will surely look to continue this emphaticform in their trip to Terenure College next Saturdaywho have been performing well above expectationswith their 100% record. After that it’s another Dublincollege against UCD at home on the 28�� of October.

GARRYOWEN: David Johnston; Liam Coombes, Sam Arnold, Peadar Collins,Hugh O’Brien-Cunningham; Bill Johnston, Neil Cronin (C); Niall Horan, MikeSherry, Andy Keating, Aaron McCloskey, Dean Moore, Tim Ferguson,Darren Ryan, Sean Rennison.Replacements: Liam Cronin, Barry McNamara, JP Phelan, Mikey Wilson,Jamie Gavin.Scorers: Neil Cronin, Liam Coombes [2], Sean Rennison, Hugh O’Brien-Cunningham, Peadar CollinsConversions: Neil Cronin [6]Penalties: Neil Cronin [3]

CLONTARF: Max McFarland; Rob McGrath, Sean O’Brien, Matt D’Arcy,Cian O’Donoghue; David Joyce, Sam Cronin; Ivan Soroka, Dylan Donnellan,Royce Burke-Flynn, Cormac Daly, Ben Reilly (C), Tony Ryan, Neil Reilly,Michael Noone.Replacements: Andrew Feeney, Joe Roe, Mark Sutton, VakthhangAbdaladze, Vincent Gavin.Scorers: Penalty try, Vakthang AbdaladzeConversions: David JoycePenalty: David Joyce

Referee: Mark Patton

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Thirds

The thirds side have run rickshaw in the McInerney Cupthis month, producing two dominant victories in a rowagainst Old Crescent and St. Senan's respectively.

The Gleeson League holders made the short trip downto Rosbrien and racked up a 29-19 against theirneighbours.

It was a more one-sided affair in Jimmy Slattery parklast week as the light blues won the semi-final 52-5against shattered St. Senan's side.

Garryowen will meet old rivals, Shannon in the final thevenue and date has yet to be announced, keep in touchwith our social media for more information.

Until then, the thirds begin their Gleeson Leaguedefence against Newport on Saturday the 7th ofOctober at Dooradoyle, kick off is at 2:30.

This year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup inspired manyyoung women to be involved in the wonderful sport ofrugby and we at Garryowen want to help these womenreach their full potential.

Follow in the footsteps of the likes of Irish skipper NiamhBriggs and history-making referee Joy Neville and getinvolved in our Ladies’ Tag Rugby Teams.

Interested? Contact details are below.

Girls Tag Manager Rachel Joyce. Mobile: 087 2057362Girls Tag Coach: Kate Nevin. Mobile: 085 8460874 E-Mail Address: girlstagrugby@garryowenrugby.com

Ladies’ Tag

Source: Ulster Rugby Youtube

REMINDER FOR MEMBERS!Your Club Membership can be registered and paidonline at garryowenrugby.com/members by CreditCard, Debit Card (such as Laser) or by Cheque.Or by using the myclubfinances app available only onitunes.*Payment of Under-Age subscriptions will be managed by thesubscriptions team on Sunday Mornings at the Club House.For Adult Members and Players, please contact the Hon.Registrar, Billy Purcell. Email: registrar@garryowenrugby.com Mobile: 086-6799109

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Clubhouse

It is with great sadness that we learn of the deaths ofthree of our loyal members of the club, Mrs. MáireMagee, Neville Furlong and Dermot Keyes this pastmonth.

Máire from O’Connell Avenue is survived by her sonDavid a former player at the club and the formerHonorary Fixtures Secretary and Ronan who is also aformer player.

Neville was a popular and hard working member ofGarryowen FC and represented us as a player,underage coach and Chairman of Underage Rugby.Neville also had the distinction of representing Irelandas a player.

Dermot, from North Circular Road and his family have along association with the club both as players andmembers.

Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Magee,Furlong and Keyes families.

‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh an anam.’

The young stars scored over 100 points in the twogames this past month.

The Under 20’s as expected finished top of their NorthMunster Under 20’s Group ahead of Tipp sides Thurlesand Nenagh Ormond.

In their trip to Nenagh the light blues won 59-5, thefollowing week the young stars’ momentum continuedin a 59-0 whitewash at Dooradyle.

With scores like those, supporters will be rest assuredof the attacking rugby the current Donal Walsh trophyholders will look to implement when they get theiropportunity.

Under 20’s

Pos. Team Pld. W D L Pts.

1 Garryowen 2 2 0 0 10

2 Thurles 2 1 0 1 4

3 Nenagh Ormond 2 0 0 2 0

Wild Swans at Coole’by William Butler Yeats.

The nineteenth autumn has come upon meSince I first made my count;

I saw, before I had well finished,All suddenly mount

And scatter wheeling in great broken ringsUpon their clamorous wings.

I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,And now my heart is sore.

All’s changed since I, hearing at twilight,The first time on this shore,

The bell-beat of their wings above my head,Trod with a lighter tread.

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U’Age Fixtures

Keith Wood braces for impact Source: INPHO/Billy Sticklandt

18�� September 1994Blackrock College 7-18 Garryowen

The 1993 All Ireland Champions Garryowen begantheir campaign in a difficult trip to the capital againstBlackrock College.

It was a repeat of the final match of the previousseason where in a infamously muddy affair, the lightblues ran out 9-3 winners securing the league title.

Despite being in control for the majority of the first halfthe light blues only led by 5 points.

Blackrock’s Alan McGowan was unable to secure twovital penalties same with Garryowen’s fly half Ken Smithhowever, tries from Neville Furlong and Keith Woodaccompanied by conversions and penalties executed bySmith proved to be the the difference leaving thechampions with a 18-7 victory at Stradbrook.

Eddie O'Sullivan who coached Blackrock at the timestated that, "They were the better side by a street. Theycontrolled the first-half and a five points interval leaddid not reflect the real level of their overall superiority.”

Wood’s shoulder issues forced him to withdraw fromthe Shannon clash the following week, since hisshoulder surgery that took him out of Garryowen’ssuccessful Munster Senior Cup campaign many wereworried if this would hinder his career…

As we all know, it did not.

Date Team K-O Venue

Under 18’s1/10 Nenagh Ormond 12:45 (A) Nenagh8/10 Thomond 12:45 (H) Dooradoyle

Under 15’s01/10 Old Crescent 11:45 (A) Rosbrien15/10 Nenagh Ormond 11:30 (H) Dooradoyle29/10 Richmond 11:30 (A) Richmond Park

Under 14’s8/10 St. Senan’s 12:00 (A) Jimmy Slattery Park22/10 Nenagh Ormond 11:30 (H) Dooradoyle

Under 13’s15/10 Ennis 11:30 (A) Ennis

Seconds

Following the cancellation of the seconds’ proposedmatch against Nenagh Ormond, the second sidekicked off their Seconds North Munster Leaguecampaign against Bruff last Sunday.

A total of five tries were scored by the seconds thescoreres included two tries from Sam Gleeson and ascore a piece from Micky Wilson,, Dara Shanahanand Mark Roly.

It was a very hard match as it always is against anyBruff side against their prevalent large pack.

Jamie Galvin had a good outing at fly-half with theyouthful Conan Doyle at full-back . So we are off andrunning with a bonus point win.

it’s short trips to Thomond and UL Bohemians on the8�� and 15�� of October respectively for the lightblues.. Kickoffs for all games are scheduled for 2:30.

Yesterdays

D.O.B: 6/8/1979School: Ardscoil RisCurrent Role: Forwards coachFavourite Player: Zinzan BrookeAdvice for young stars: “Keep at it,Never Give Up.”

Achievements:Represented Munsterand Connacht atSenior Level,

Capped for IrelandSevens, Under 21’sand Under 19’s

The 2007 Treble andanother Munster SeniorCup in 2012

Munster Senior CupFinalist in 1993

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It’s a new year for The Starand this season we arelooking to incorporate a vitalelement of our club into ourmonthly newsletter,

You.

Yes, you whether you are a supporter, player, veteranor some randomer that managed to get a hold of thisissue, we want your thoughts and opinions of the clubin our new opinion section.

Garryowen couldn’t have possibly garnered as muchprestige and success over the years, without the loyaltyof our supporters backing players both young and old.

Therefore we believe it is crucial that the voices of ourmembers be heard both positive and negative so that theclub can achieve future successes.

If you wish to submit your piece please use the contactdetails below:

Opinion

Ulster Bank League 2017/18

Pos. Team Pld. W D L F A Diff BP Pts.

1 Terenure College 3 3 0 0 95 56 39 3 152 Lansdowne 3 3 0 0 96 27 69 1 133 Garryowen 3 2 0 1 87 47 40 3 114 Cork Constitution 3 2 0 1 83 62 21 3 115 UCD 3 2 0 1 80 46 34 2 106 Clontarf 3 1 0 2 68 97 -29 1 5

7 Young Munster 3 1 0 2 57 88 -31 1 5

8 St. Mary’s College 3 1 0 2 50 72 -22 0 4

9 Buccaneers 3 0 0 3 51 80 -29 0 0

10 Dublin University 3 0 0 3 20 112 -92 0 0

Contact us:E-Mail:thestarnewsletter1884@gmail.comPhone: 085-7548568

Pre-Match Lunches Entry to the game, a three course

lunch with wine for just €25.

To book your place contact Hon.Secretary Geraldine Morrissey at

087-2466815 by Thursday prior toany match

Garryowen Rugby Club @GarryowenFC GarryowenRugby.com

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