Roscrea RFC Seniors
The Roscrea RFC senior team have been in terrific form this season. They arrived at their Sunday December 1st fixture against Dogos RFC on a run of 7 wins in a row. There is a certain pressure on a team on such a run of form, the pressure they put on themselves to keep the form going but also the pressure asserted on them by teams hoping to end their consecutive wins. Rugby in December is when the sport is at its most attritional, cold weather and poor pitch conditions often make an expansive running game almost impossible. This is when teams have to dig deep to grind out results, this is the period when leagues are won and lost! One of the greatest attributes of this Roscrea team is that not only can they cut loose and score tries at will when conditions allow, but they also know how to win ugly, to find a route to victory when what is needed is old fashioned grit and determination. The scheduled fixture on Sunday December 1st was one of those days, low scoring and a true battle where every inch was hard fought. Although Roscrea eventually ran out winners on a score of 14 – 7 to hold onto top spot in the league, they were made work for it by a determined and resilient Dogos who have improved immeasurably since the 2 sides previous meeting earlier in the season. The difference on the day was the staunch defence of the Roscrea team and their refusal to concede towards the end of the game when Dogos had looked likely to score a dramatic late try. Tries form Fergus Hannon and Brendan Toohey will no doubt get the plaudits but it was the collective defence that will have most pleased head coach John Maher as his charges now go into the next game against Athboy RFC in Townspark on a run of 8 wins in a row.
Roscrea RFC Girls u14s
The Roscrea RFC girls u14s travelled to Seapoint RFC on Saturday November 30th. With 7 games played this season they can be very pleased with their run of form in what is their first year of competitive rugby. One of the defining characteristics of this team is their determination, they never stop until the final whistle and have won repeatedly at the death when other teams may have conceded to defeat. It is very obvious that there is a strong sense of comradery and collective respect for the team in this group and this is evident in how they play as a unit and fight for each other when ever they take to the pitch. Saturdays fixture against Seapoint RFC was a high scoring and incredibly exciting clash. Within minutes Seapoint had raced into a 10 – 0 lead but thanks to some excellent attacking play from the Roscrea Backs, Roscrea went in to the half time break 17 – 10 up. The 2nd half started as the first had finished with some scintillating play by the Roscrea backs and some brave defence by the forwards. Seapoint rallied and started to build a few scores of their own leading to a grandstand finale. With just minutes left Roscrea found themselves just 2 points up with Seapoint on the attack, some excellent defensive work forced a Seapoint knock on and Roscrea scored to end the game 37 – 30. The games tries were scored by Abbie Meagher, Aoibhe kelly and Ciara Kennedy assisted by some excellent attacking play by Sarah and Emma with some scintillating running by Caoimhe. In defence, Jane, Leah and Sarah were exceptional. Coaches Ciara Maher and Tim Meagher were delighted with the performance and thanked their hosts Seapoint for their wonderful hospitality.
Roscrea RFC Boys u12s
The Roscrea RFC boys u12s have been building nicely in recent weeks with some new recruits really starting to add impetus to the team. On Sunday December 1st they attended the Cistercian College super blitz where they played 5 very exciting games. Portarlington RFC, Tullamore RFC, Nenagh RFC, Naas RFC and Birr RFC provided the opposition where the Roscrea Boys finished the day unbeaten with 4 wins and a draw. Head coach Ger Stone was delighted with the performance of his team and was highly complementary of the Blitz organisers Cistercian College.
Roscrea RFC Primary Schools tag rugby blitz
On Thursday November 28th Roscrea RFC ran a very successful primary schools tag rugby blitz. Roscrea RFC Community Rugby Officer Ger Stone has been working with the local primary schools since the start of September visiting them and running rugby workshops. The primary aim of the programme is to encourage more children to enjoy the wonders of team sport and experience the health benefits both mental and physical. The Roscrea RFC tag rugby blitz was attended by Scoil Losef Naofa, Scoil Eoin Naofa, Scoil Cronain Naofa, St Cronans NS and Clonmore NS all of whom are currently part of the leinster primary schools rugby programme. Tag rugby is a brilliant activity and is played with mixed team of boys and girls of the same age which makes it universally enjoyable. Each team played 4 games, meaning the 170 children in attendance had a most enjoyable and active morning which ended in a wonderfully healthy lunch laid on in the club house. Roscrea RFC community rugby officer Ger Stone thanked the children and their teachers for attending and praised the local schools for the support that they had provided him throughout the year.
