Roscrea RFC Boys u14s make it 11 out of 11.
Played 11, won 11. It’s an incredible record at this stage of the season for any team. However, it is not the mathematical figures that are most impressive about this teams’ performances, but the displays themselves. Head Coach William Hayes and his assistants have nurtured and developed a very well-oiled machine, with all the key cogs turning with super efficiency. It’s testament to the coaches that the relentless hard work and dedication on the training ground has culminated as the basis for the successes to date. With an ever-expanding panel, plenty of competition for places and strong work ethic, the sky is the limit for this group.
Roscrea RFC Boys u14s team v Dundalk RFC
1.Cormac Bourke, 2. James Ryan, 3. Matthew Bergin, 4. Donnacha Cantwell, 5. Euan Patterson, 6 Harry Loughnanne (Captain) 7. Joseph Stapleton, 8. Ben Pearson, 9. Josh Loughnanne, 10. Tadhg White, 11. Callum Patterson, 12. William Hayes, 13. Robert Carney, 14. Ciaran O’shea, 15. Fionn Carney, 16. Liam Delaney, 17. Tiarnan Kelly, 18. Kevin Barry, 19. Robert Crampton, 20 Robert Lee, 21 Ryan Stone, 22 Aodhna Barrett.
On Sunday, January 12th the team welcomed Dundalk RFC for a 12:00pm kick in their first home league game of the year in their scheduled fixture in the Leinster Schools youth league. Dundalk RFC travelled with a strong and well-balanced team and have been in excellent form this season. On the back of some great displays this year, Roscrea were hoping that they could find yet another big performance at home for their dedicated supporters. Roscrea started well and were quick out of the blocks, in turn Dundalk showed early on that this was going to be a very tough contest. The Roscrea RFC u14s have been worked hard in training recently focusing on their defence and structure. It was the adaptation of this that most impressed during the opening exchanges of the game. Roscrea’s defence and line-speed was exceptional.
Roscrea’s prolific centre Robert Carney put the first points on the board as he crossed the whitewash on 10 minutes. The try was converted by the ever-reliable boot of Tadgh White. This settled Roscrea and allowed the pack to get an early foothold into the game. The Roscrea forwards spent the day in the trenches with some big physical hits being exchanged upfront. Just before half time Roscrea’s indomitable hooker James Ryan blasted through the defensive line 30 meters out like a young Sean Cronin and had the speed and power to go all the way and get over the line for a super individual try. The subsequent conversion was missed. At half time the score was Roscrea 12 – 0 Dundalk with all to play for. Head coach William Hayes was forced to make some changes at half time with Joeseph Stapleton receiving a shoulder injury, the result of his usual outstanding tackle count. As the second half commenced, Roscrea started to find more space and began to assert some territorial dominance on their opposition. Robert Carney again should his speed, power and excellent skill after a well-worked back move, scoring a super try. Captain Harry Loughnane took a pass flat and crashed over in the corner for another try. Roscrea’s Fionn Carney was not going to be outdone by his twin brother Robert as he showed a piece of magic with dazzling footwork, skipping past a number of defenders and scoring under the post. Tadgh White again added the two points. Aodhna Barrett came off the bench with 15 minutes left on the clock and with his first touch of the ball scored a sublime try out wide in the corner. The final blew with the scoreboard reading Roscrea 34 – 0 Dundalk.
After the game head coach William Hayes thanked Dundalk for making the journey and wished them well for the remainder of the season, he also paid tribute to the excellent home support who have followed the team throughout the year.
After the game, the much-coveted Roscrea RFC boys u14s best effort award was given to Michael Sammon who had played superbly in his first game for the club. Michael Sammon pictured here with Head Coach William Hayes, Captain Harry Loughnanne and Coach Richard Loughnanne as he receives a Moloney sports voucher sponsored by K9 Security.
