Club News: Munster Round-Up

WILLIE DORAN APPRECIATION MATCH: Willie Doran has been a stalwart of UL Bohemians for many years. He was instrumental in setting up the club’s under-age structure back in 1982, and so many years later his foresight is evidenced by how many of club’s under-age players have come through and now play at all levels, from the Bohs’ senior team up to Munster, Ireland U-20, Ireland ‘A’, etc.

Willie was also a Youth Representative on the IRFU for over 10 years and during his active years he was a constant and determined member of the management of various teams and committees of the club.

Unfortunately, Willie now suffers very badly from rheumatoid arthritis and is wheelchair bound. This is a debilitating illness which affects joints in the body and makes normal day-to-day activities very difficult and painful.

As a result of this condition, in recent years Willie cannot get out to see UL Bohemians play and his absence from the Thomond Park and Annacotty sidelines is lamented by his many friends there.

In appreciation of his services to the club and as a get-together for friends both old and new, UL Bohemians are organising a celebration match between Bohs All-Ireland League Division Four winning team from 1993/94 (featuring Brian Spillane, Alan Doran, Graham Burns, Christy Neilan, Micko Benson, Mike Doyle, Niall Lawler and many more) and the Limerick Leprechauns (featuring Peter Clohessy, Len Dineen, Harry Harbison and many more).

The match will be played on Good Friday, April 6 at 5.30pm, in the Arena at the University of Limerick.

The evening will also provide an opportunity to view the Heineken Cup trophy and to meet some of Munster’s finest players. Presentations will be made and refreshments served directly afterwards in The Arena Sports Bar. This will be the first rugby match to be played in ‘The University Bowl’ and it promises to be a very enjoyable evening.

A special committee has been set up to organise the event under the direction of Pat Durkan, the manager of the Bohs senior team, and James O’Donovan of O’Donovan Caulfield Lavin.

Your support for the event will help to provide Willie with a great day out and will go some way towards helping to provide him with the quality of life that his friends would wish for him. A special bank account has been set up in this regard, details of which are as follows:

Bank: Bank of Ireland, Caherdavin
Bank code: 90-07-62
Account number: 62648988
Account name: William Doran Benefit Fund

All donations will be gratefully received and receipted. Donations will be accepted on the day but any support that you can provide in advance of the event will be most appreciated. If you do not have the opportunity to lodge directly to the account then your donation can be forwarded to the offices of O’Donovan Caulfield Lavin, 1 Mount Kennett Place, Henry Street, Limerick.

Corporate and business sponsors will be provided, upon request, with an invoice in addition to their receipt. UL Bohemians and the special committee look forward both to your support and to your attendance at this event.

LIMERICK IT TAKE COLLEGES TITLE: Limerick IT secured their second Irish Colleges title in three years last Wednesday when they beat the Garda College 22-5 in the Division One final at Templemore.

In an entertaining game, Limerick’s dominance in the backs was key to their victory. They outscored the Garda by three tries to one with centres Paul Dillon (2) and Pat O’Connor, with Dillon earning the man of the match award.

The Garda had the lion’s share of the early possession but a series of missed penalties and spurned try-scoring opportunities meant they did not trouble the scoreboard until the second half.

The Limerick side hit the front just before the break when strong running from captain Alan Guiry allowed out-half Tadhg Bennett to break clear and send his Shannon club mate O’Connor over for the opening try.

Limerick IT led 5-0 at half-time and pushed further ahead when Clonakilty man Dillon capitalised on good play from Francis Broderick and Philly O’Connor to touch down.

Garda skipper Adrian Hanley got his side back in contention with a try, but they failed to score again. Bennett kicked a penalty for the victors and then converted Dillon’s second try which was the last move of the game.

Afterwards, Limerick IT coach Ken Imbusch complemented the Garda and their coach John Lacey and manager Tony Wells on their progress this season, after they were bottom of the league last year.

John O’Loan, the President of the Irish Colleges Union, thanked the Garda for hosting the finals for the first time and praised their facilities and hospitality.

CLANWILLIAM U-18S ON THE MARCH: The Clanwilliam Under-18s have progressed through to the East Munster O’Rahelly Cup final with a comprehensive home win over Thurles.

The Clanwilliam pack took the game by the scruff of the neck and provided the ideal platform of possession for their backs to grab some crucial scores. Out-half Richard Childs was a superb link man and his distribution was top notch throughout.

The hosts led 17-0 at the break and they tallied up five tries in all, from David McCormack, Kevin Coffey, Calum Quinn, Brian O’Donnell and Childs, who also kicked three conversions. The final of the East Munster O’Rahelly Cup takes place on Saturday week between Clanwilliam and Waterpark.

HIGHFIELD HOLD BENEFIT FOR ‘TONY OG’: Highfield RFC recently held a benefit night for Anthony Wise, the club’s much-loved Fijian flanker who has become to be known as ‘Tony Og’ due to his likeness to Cork hurler Sean Og O hAilpin.

The social night, which followed a viewing of Munster’s Heineken Cup defeat to Llanelli, included a predict the score and man of the match competition. As usual, the ladies came out on top on that one – organiser Aoife Mahony and Norita Duggan shared the nearest score prediction with Keith Roche of the Highfield U-20s.

Ger ‘Sid’ Stack did a great job as MC of proceedings and Dave Barry spoke eloquently of the regard in which ‘Tony Og’ was held and of the hope that he would be seen in Highfield colours again in the future.

Food was kindly provided by Clancys bar and other major supporters of the evening were Lee Press (printing & advertising), O’Herlihy’s Centra, Specsavers, and The Top Drawer, who provided the prizes for the raffle.

The organisers would like to thank these and the other sponsors: Looneys Tyres, The Evening Echo, McCarthys Bar & Restaurant, The Rendezvous, Clarion Hotel, Senator Windows, Cantwell Keogh & Associates, Snap Printing, Karcher, Tom Murphy Outfitters, Health Screen Ireland and Club Rugby, for their donation of spot prizes towards the evening.

Approximately €4,500 was raised on the night, which will go towards defraying Anthony’s expenses as he undergoes surgery and rehabilitation. The club wish to thank also those who turned up and supported this worthy cause, and contributed towards a hugely social club night. A special thanks are due to Dave Barry and Aoife Mahony, who worked so hard to make the night a success.

SUNDAY’S WELL AND YOUGHAL PLAN BLACK TIE EVENTS: Sunday’s Well RFC will be holding their Centenary Ball in the Carrigaline Court Hotel on Friday, April 27. The night will provide plenty of fun and entertainment and tickets are available from club PRO Claire Powell who can be contacted on 086 8151501. Tickets cost €75 each and it will be a black tie affair.

The Annual Dinner Dance at Youghal RFC takes place again this year at the Pavilion on Sunday, May 6. This promises to be a great night so be advised to get your tickets early. This year the event will be held inside the Pavilion, so no marquee. To this end numbers will be limited to 110 people and tickets are being sold on a first come first served basis.

Tickets, priced €40 each, are available from PJ Terry (tel: 0872457042). As always, this will be a black tie occasion.