Roscrea 10 Balbriggan 7

The Balbriggan U13s went down narrowly to Roscrea in the league final in Naas on Sunday. In a very close match the Roscrea team just edged it. Roscrea had finished top of the league and while the two teams had not met, Roscrea had inflicted heavy defeats on other teams in the league. It was Roscrea who started stronger and it took Balbriggan a little time to get into the game but it was Roscrea who got on the scoreboard first with a try in the corner. Balbriggan then had a good spell and with Roscrea conceding penalties on their line Aitzol King took a quick penalty but lost the ball as he went over the line. Just at the end of the half Roscrea spread the ball wide to score in the corner. In the second half Balbriggan were up to the pace of the game and the play ebbed and flowed. Sean Garland and Aitzol King carried well and Keelan King was covering a lot of ground tackling everything. Balbriggan lost their lively scrum half Issac McGrath when he suffered a high tackle that went unpunished. As the match neared the end Balbriggan eventually breached the Roscrea line when flanker, Ciaran Darby got the ball down by reaching out his arm when tackled short of the line. King added the difficult conversion but the ref then blew for full time when there appeared to be still five minutes to play. Considering they started off the season not knowing if they would have 15 players this team has achieved a lot on their first season in youths rugby. Well done to them all.

Photos courtesy of Catherine Lynch

Balbriggan Women’s team put in a brilliant performance in the Cup final against Div 2 side Gorey. Sadly the double was not to be, as the Ladies suffered their first competitive defeat of the season. They went down 15 v 3, though the score does not give a true reflection of what was a very hard fought and close encounter. A last minute breakaway try by Gorey skewed the final score. Congratulations to Gorey on their win. But most of all congratulations to Balbriggan Womens’s team, Captain Sandra, Leigh, Mick and Ivan. And thanks also to the tremendous support, and throughout the season. The Women have had a great year, League Champions and Cup Finalists! Who would have thought that when we started out on this adventure!

There is a busy weekend ahead for Balbriggan RFC. On Friday, 24th April Ardgillan Community College Junior Rugby Team are in the final of the North Dublin Cup. They play Colaiste Choilm from Swords at Balbriggan RFC. KO 12 o’clock.
Then on Saturday, our Women’s team play Gorey in the final of the Paul Cusack Leinster Cup. This game takes place at Greystones RFC. KO 1.45pm.
On Sunday, the U13s play Roscrea in their Cup Final. This game takes place at Naas RFC. KO 11am.
Finally, a Cup final is taking place in Balbriggan RFC on Sunday. Dundalk will play Wexford Wanderers in the final of the Dunne Cup. KO 3pm.
Come and support Balbriggan in this important weekend for the club.

Balbriggan’s Women’s team defeated Old Belvedere in the Paul Cusack Cup semi-final at the weekend. The final score was 10 v 12.
They’re now through to the cup final which takes place this weekend, Saturday 25th April, at Greystones RFC. Balbriggan will play Gorey in the final. KO is 1.45. Come support Balbriggan’s Women’s team and enjoy a great day of rugby. (Admission at the gate is €5 per adult)

In front of a great crowd, the Pat Browne Memorial Cup Final took place this evening, between St Maloga’s and Balrothery National Schools. St Maloga’s won 2 tries to 1 try, with a late interception score winning them the Cup. It was a very even game; congratulations to St Maloga’s, and hard luck to a very good Balrothery team. Here are some pictures from tonight, including Rita Browne presenting the Cup to the Captain of St Maloga’s. Thanks and well done to Eamon Darcy, Paul Varga and Gerry McCleery, and to all who participated in this great competition.

The Pat Browne Schools Cup final takes place tomorrow, Thursday, at Balbriggan RFC. KO is at 7.30pm. St Molaga’s NS and Balrothery NS will be competing in the final for this cup. All support welcome.

Winners of the Pat Browne Memorial Cup 2014

The Executive of Balbriggan RFC tonight re-affirmed it’s adherence to the IRFU Child Protection Policy, which was adopted previously as the Child Protection Policy of Balbriggan RFC. This policy can be accessed through ‘Useful Links’ on the clubs website. Further information on this policy, together with contact information for the new Child Welfare Officers will follow shortly, and will be advised to all members through all club media. In the meantime, please note that Balbriggan RFC’s Child Welfare Officers are Peter Duff and Lisa Kelly.

Balbriggan’s U13s have beaten Mullingar B in the League semi-final! Final score was 31 v 0. Well done to Victor and all the team! Details of final to follow.

Balbriggans 2nd XV take on Ardee, Fri 10th April, in the Dunne Cup. This is a home game, KO 8pm.
Our U13s play Mullingar B in the semi-final of their League on Sat 11th April. This game takes place in Ashbourne, with KO 11am.
All support is greatly appreciated for both of these games.

Congrats to the U13s who maintained their unbeaten league record when they defeated Portlaoise away 19-15. Travelling with only 16 players two of whom were carrying injuries and two recovering from illness this was a great performance by the team. They are now guaranteed a home league play off and they play Roscrea, who are also unbeaten, on Good Friday. Watch Facebook for kick-off time and come along and support.