Mullingar rugby news

Under 13 reportWe had an opportunity to play two teams together this weekend over in Boyne and we decided to mix the lads into the Tigers and the Lions rather than an A and B side as was agreed with Boyne. We made the long trip to Drogheda and were well accommodated with two pitches side by side so we the coaches could see all going on all the time.The Lions consisted of Patrick Trapp, Jack O'Leary, Michael Clinton, Paul Rock, Johnny Moran, Peadar Scally, Niall Pringle, Roy Cleary, Jacob Powles, James Butler, Eoghan Mullarkey, James Shaw, Alex Butler, Brendan King, James Cox, Jack Kennedy, and David Collier. This team played well and scored four tries and converted one. Too many missed tackles allowed Boyne to score five tries and convert three. Good performances from Peadar and James Butler and James Cox were particularly evident. Lessons were learnt about turning backs when advantage can be played, silly mistakes were punished. Unfortunately too much ball watching by too many people left just a few to do too much. We need to get into the rucks and mauls and stop hanging around the sides. We need to make the tackles and not wait for someone else to make them. It was nice to see some of the newer members of the squad playing well. Matches have a way of exposing the ability whether by way of commitment or focus and it must be said that all enjoyed the game.The Tigers consisted of Patrick Phipps, Eoin Hayden, Andrew Paton, William Hayes, Darragh Gray, Cashel Slevin, Eoin Ashe, Ben O'Reilly, Hugh Duffy, Rory Johnston, Joe Hyland, Cian Kennedy, Fionn Daly, Thomas O'Rourke, Billy Flynn, Pauric Kincaid, and Luke Mc Keon. This team had an emphatic win scoring 11 tries and only two conversions. It is not the score that was important but the manner in which the lads played from the first whistle. It was teamwork at its best. Eoin Hayden and Rory Johnston were signficant in their linking of the plays between forwards and backs releasing the big runners who caused havoc. William Hayes and Darragh Gray made yard after yard forcing the big tackle and the offload moved to the next phase of play. Both are playing with a bit more aggression and if they could believe in themselves a bit more they would be unstoppable. Joe Hyland shows that he has the potential to play out-half. Needs to concentrate on what he is going to do and where he is on the field and we could have a good'un. Cian Kennedy did very well making some very important tackles and covered his wing brilliantly and made some good yards in a run down the line. Centres were a little flat in attack but defence was excellent. Full back Pauric Kincaid also played very strongly and is starting to understand the tactics of the position attacking on the outside every time he fielded an attempted clearance. Billy Flynn also played well making quick darting runs through the defence, needs to look for support and offload at the right time and more almost scores will be scores. Ben O'Reilly also played well, particularly in defence and showed he has been watching his brother David, making several important last ditch tackles and this definitely kept our line unbroken. Patrick Phipps playing captain did well in the tight and Andrew Paton also got himself round the park better than usual and was in their faces all day. Well done Cashel Slevin for a tidy performance, well done Luke for excellent running particularly in support of everyone near him to score some good tries on his wing. Eoin Ashe did well too but has to get more stuck in. Well done to Hugh Duffy who is really trying to make an impact and concentrating on learning and trying really hardThis was a very good performance by a lot of guys. It was great that everyone has gotten some full game time and it good fun for all. We play Sligo at home next Saturday.Mullingar U-10'sThe Mullingar U-10's were playing at home last weekend. We played Moate Warriors and Edenderry in very enjoyable games.With the numbers that are training with the U-10's we were able to play 3 teams so all the players got a chance to play. First up for Mullingar were Moate. The match was a real ding dong battle from the start. There was great rugby played by both sides, the tackling was ferocious and the commitment and skill level displayed by both sides was great to watch. At the final whistle the match finished level, with both sets of players exhausted.While we waited to play Edenderry we played matches among our own Mullingar selections so that the large gallery of watching parents got a chance to see the progress that these talented group of lads have made so far this season. The matches were played with great intensity and again with a high skill level. All the matches were close affairs and very enjoyable to watch.Last up for Mullingar were Edenderry. Again this match was a bruising affair, total commitment from both sides. From the tip off both teams played great attacking rugby, good rucking and support play and great ball handling. The game went from end to end, with some heroic defence from both sides. At the end of the match Mullingar ran out narrow winners.We would like to thank all the parents from Moate, Edenderry for the support shown to all the kids who played, it is great to hear parents praise the opposition and support their own kids for the effort that they put into the games.Thanks to Nuala for the First Aid and also to all at helped with the catering in the club house.Your help is appreciated by all the coaches.The squad that played were: Leon,Daniel,Simon,Diarmuid,Michael,Jack,Andrew,Joseph,Niall,Stephen,Evan,Conor,Aaron,Joshua,Andrew,Gavin,David,Jack,Luca,Oisin,Jenson,Harry,Kyle,Paul,Aran and Stephen.Our last training session before Christmas will be Saturday next at our usual time of 10am.