The underage teams at Ennis Rugby Club began their seasons with some promising results over the weekend.
The U13 team came out ahead of a close encounter with Thomond/Richmond in their first game of the season during the U13s Development League last Sunday.
In the first half of the game, Ennis moved ball wide and moving the opposition pack around during early exchanges. This tactic soon paid off as Robbie McMahon raced through for the first try and then shortly after, a second try. Both tries were converted by Ben McAllister.
After Thomond/Richmond scored their first try, Ennis stretched their lead through a powerful run and try from Colm O’Gara. Ennis defended well and maintained the lead until the final whistle, winning by 19 points to 15.
The players included Alexander Labuhn, Ben McAllister, Cian Friel, Colm O’Gara, Conor McMahon, Dara Ryan, Donnchadh Warner, Dylan O’Loughlin, Finn Ellingstad, James Howard, Luke Phillips, Michael Meere, Mícheál Thornton, Niall O’Connell, Oisin Hough, Paraic Keane, Robbie McMahon, Sean Costello and Thomog Ryan while the panel officials were Dave McDonagh, Denis O’Connell and Niall Thornton.
The U16 team recorded a big win over Richmond last Sunday in only their second game of the season. Paddy Sweeney scored an 11th minute try, which was then converted by Cian McAllister, who also scored a 16th minute penalty. In the second half of the game, Oran Considine, Darragh Fahy, Cian O’Connor, Ruairi Keogh and Oisin Vaughan all scored tries, with Cian McAllister taking 5 more conversions, resulting in a victory for the Ennis RFC and the signs are optimistic for the season ahead. The final score was Ennis RFC 48 – 7 Richmond RFC.
The Ennis U16 team consisted of Ali Gram, Malachy O’Halloran, Cian MacGearalit, Cian O‘Connor, Sean Maher, Paddy Sweeney, Emmanuel O’Morodian, Danny Molony, Ruairi Keogh (captain), Cian McAllister, Fionn Guthrie, Darragh Fahy, Oran Conaidine, Conor Haran, Oisin Vaughan, Kristian Burke, Conor Lyons and Jamie Cullinan.
There was a local derby for the U15 team who took on a strong Shannon outfit at Lee’s Road last Saturday. After a compelling tussle Shannon, took the local honours, winning by 40 points to 7.
Their Ennis team was made up of Thomas Rynne, Conor Molloy, Cian Earle, Ciaran Sheehan, Sean Hanrahan, Donnacha Begley, Donnacha Byrne, Evan Cusack, Frank O’Sullivan, Iwan Phillips, James Moloney, James Nihill, Jamie Sheerin, Oisin Considine, Oisin Galvin, Radoslav Petric, Ronán Killeen, Shaun Roche, Tadhg Bane and Tom Fitzpatrick. The Panel Officials were Darren Earle and Finbar Fitzpatrick.
Andrew Hamilton is a journalist, investigative reporter and blogger who has been working in the media in Ireland for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include the environment, mental health and politics.