News

News Archive

Find the club

Download

Mail Order

Three Barnhall players called for Leinster 7th of  May 2008

The first 2008/2009 Leinster Squad was announced today and Barnhall have three representatives in the squad.
Kevin White at hooker. Thomas McGuirk at No:6 and Joseph Taylor at full-back.

Barnhall Under 16s lift Leinster Schools-Youth Cup to claim the double 6th of  May 2008

Barnhall 15 – Malahide 5 
On a beautiful sunny evening in Ashbourne, perfect conditions favoured the Blues who wanted to move the ball in the hands at every opportunity. This was the opposite of a Malahide team intent on playing a ten man game but fortune favoured the brave and the spoils went to the Young Bulls.
On 20 minutes, Barnhall's 15 man running game led to the perfect team try. With all the players being involved in several phases the Blues attacked from a ruck two metres from the right touch line and passed the ball at pace for Sean O'Sullivan to score in the very opposite corner. This typified the Young Bulls willingness to move the ball at pace at exactly the right time, something that their north side counterparts were never able to do.
The second half went well for the Blues with a well taken try from Darren Higgins. While the Malahide defence stretched wide at the ruck as Barnhall looked to move the ball, the scrum half took a gap beside the break down and ran in under the posts. The conversion by McGuirk put Barnhall in a strong position. Although Malahide came back with a late consolation try, a penalty by McGuirk sealed the win for Barnhall.
This was a terrific performance that typified how much these young players have improved this season. Their fitness was excellent and while Malahide were out on their feet at the final whistle, Barnhall looked ready for more. An excellent defence was both organised and totally committed. But above all, this teams willingness to run a ball wide and fast is what puts them a step above most teams at their age.

If this is the future of Barnhall, the future is bright.

Barnhall Team:

1. Eoin Bathe
2. Craig Mullally (Jake Parker 53 min)
3. Darren Smith
4. Joey Hynes (Sean Guiney 59 min)
5. Thomas McGuirk
6. Stevo Hynes (Mark Guiney 51 min)
7. Strephen Carroll (Aaran Creagh 57 min)
8. Niall Cullen
9. Darren Higgins (Niall Kernan 49 min)
10. Colm Finegan
11. Sean O'Sullivan (Eoin Sedgwick 52 min)
12. Luke Bray (Richie Landers 54 min)
13. Andrew Birchall
14. Colin O'Reilly
15. Joe Taylor

Competition: Metro cup Final (Leinster Schools and youth cup) 6th of  May 2008

Venue: Seapoint
Barnhall U18's 29 Navan 0,

This was a fitting end to a fantastic season for the young bulls, as all seasons should, ending with a cup final as the last game. The young bulls went out against a determined Navan team in Seapoint to fight for the last silverware of the year.
Navan started very strongly with some determined mid-field attacks using their big centre partnership to try and break down the Barnhall defence, but as has been the case so often this year the young bulls absorbed the pressure for the early exchanges and then took control. By half time the score was 14 points to nil and the young bulls were in charge. It was a big ask for Barnhall after another short 4 day turn around since the semi-final against Guinness but the young bulls, despite some sore bodies, gave another complete performance with backs and forwards combining for a display worthy of the Leinster cup champions. The final scoreline being 29 points to 0 in favour of Barnhall.
The scorers on the day were Sam Hare with 2 tries, Padraig Beatty with 1 try, Diarmuid Feeney with 1 try and Tony Bracken Kennedy with 1 try, Leo Quinn put 2 conversions over.
The pick of the tries must go to Tony Bracken Kennedy who, all though a hooker, scored a great winger's try that has to be credited to the front row union. After the ball had moved through several phases of play, big Ray Dufficy and Ben Harrison found themselves out wide in an attacking back line with the flying TBK as their wing man and with great skill and pace the 2 props attacked the line to put the burly hooker in the corner for a well deserved try.
This is the last outing as youth players for a large section of this Barnhall team and they can be rightly proud of their many achievements over their youth team years as they go into the next phase of their development with the 20's. While those remaining for next years 18's can continue to progress with the next crop of young bulls and use their experience to go on to further success. This was also the last outing as a coach for backs coach JJ Kelly who can be very proud of the progress he has made with these young players.

Team:

1) Ben Harrison (capt)
2) Tony Bracken Kennedy
3) Ray Dufficy
4) Alan O'Reilly
5) Peter Hall
6) Ben Moore
7) Padraig Beatty
8) Sam Hare
9) Ray Flynn
10) Leo Quinn
11) Diarmuid Feeney
12) Rob Murphy
13) Eamon Daly
14) Connor O'Sullivan
15) Paul Flaherty
16) Kevin White
17) Rian Glynn
18) Connor O'Melia
19) Gerard “the shadow” O'Reilly
20) Andrew Allen
21) Flan Brennan

Metro Cup Semi Final, 30 th April 2008, Barnhall U18's v Guinness U18's 1st of  May 2008

Result: Barnhall 36 Guinness 8
This semi final was always going to be difficult for Barnhall after the heroics in their Culliton Cup victory at Donnybrook on Sunday and the short 3 day turn around, but the young bulls rose to the occasion. With a slightly shuffled side due to the quick turn around and some sore bodies Barnhall put in another strong performance with the high-light being Eamon Daly's hat-trick of tries. Guinness certainly played their part in a tough match, really fronting up to the young bulls and giving it their all. The forward battle was as expected, very abrasive and confrontational with both packs trying to gain superiority, however it was the Barnhall backline that swayed the contest with good performances from Leo Quinn, Eamon Daly and Ray Flynn who all made multiple line breaks throughout the match. The scorers were Eamon Daly with 3 tries, Ray Flynn with 1 try and Ben Moore 1 try, Leo Quinn also had a good night with the boot, converting 4 of the 5 tries and putting a penalty over.
The young Bulls will now end their season with the cup final being played at Seapoint on Sunday morning at 11am. Come along and show the “Young Bulls” your support!!!!!

Team:
1) Ben Harrison (Capt)
2) Tony Bracken Kennedy
3) Ray Dufficy
4) Alan O'Reilly
5) Peter Hall
6) Rian Glynn
7) Ben Moore
8) Sam Hare
9) Colin Smyth
10) Leo Quinn
11) Paul Flaherty
12) Eamon Daly (Vice Capt.)
13) Rob Murphy
14) Connor O'Sullivan
15) Ray Flynn
16) Padraig Beatty
17) Kevin White
18) Connor O'Melia
19) Diarmuid Feeney
20) Mark Gleeson
21) Flan Brennan
22) Gerard “ The Shadow” O'Reilly

Wild Geese go to Wales 1st of  May 2008

There are only two seats remaining for the wild geese tour 2008 leaving Barnhall tomorrow morning at 6am if your intrested contact Anto Larkin on 087 2128837 or Michael on 087 2889865 or click here to e-mail

Barnhall Under 16s have sights set on league and cup double 1st of  May 2008

The fortunes of Barnhall's under 16s team changed for the better this week. Waiting for the finish of the Leinster Schools-Youth League at the week-end, the young bulls learned they had won the league, finishing top on 94 points, just one point ahead of rivals Malahide RFC, the only team to beat them in the league.
Sunday saw a brilliant victory over De La Salle Palmerston in the quarter final of the Leinster Schools-Youth Cup. A terrific performance put away the strong south Dublin side. The Blues played fast running rugby as is their trademark and DLSP just could not contain the speed of the Barnhall backs. Centres Luke Bray and Andy Birchall were threatening in attack every time their hands were on the ball, with Bray scoring a great individual try from 40m outpacing one defender, stepping the next and bursting through the last defender's efforts to touch down in the first half. Colin O'Reilly on the wing put in his usual days work of tackling everything that moved but the highlight of defence came from the full-back berth. DLSP and Ireland flyer Paul dean had out-flanked the Blue's back line and everyone watching thought he was in the corner to score but a diving ankle tap from Joseph Taylor sent him thundering into touch. Barnhall sighed relief and the forwards took on the task in hand to grind their way back up the field. Thomas McGuirk was outstanding in defence, cropping up all over the place to make big hits. Joseph Hynes dominated the line out where DLSP struggled. All in all a deserved win for a determined team.
With just one days rest, the young bulls headed to Merrion Rd to play Wanderers in a semi final. Having beaten Wanderers in the league by 68 points, the blues knew the well established club would pack their side for the cup and that's exactly what they did. This strong, skilled outfit bore no resemblance to the poor side they put out in the league, in fact it was almost a complete new team. This match could best be described as a battle as much as a football game. Although play was very clean and fair, it was the toughest encounter and hardest performance that Barnhall had ever played. Every sinew was stretched to the limit with the pace of attack and strength of defence. The Blues started like men possessed with the forwards flying into contact. This pace paid quick dividends with second row Thomas McGuirk cropping up outside the centres to touch down wide after 5 minutes for a great team try. Wanderers heads did not dip as they fought back hard. Awarded a penalty around 35m out, their kicker stepped up to slot over three points. The battle continued with Barnhall dominating possession but the home side's defence holding strong. The blues ground their way down field and a ruck formed to the right hand side just 10m out. As the Wanderers defence fanned out to the open side, Joseph Taylor at full-back came flying to the blind side, a lovely dummy threw a defender and stepping the next player saw the line beckoning and the outstretched arm just made it through the last tackle. 10-3 to Barnhall and confidence was high. Barnhall continued to pile on the pressure. Several strong runs came from Andy Birchall who played superb at centre, making huge ground every time he got the ball. Continued domination from all 15 of the blues led to the next score when the mercurial Niall Cullen bulled over in the corner to make it 15-3. This was just rewards for Cullen who spent the whole day not just tackling but turning the opposition at nearly every tackle. Half time came and the Blues needed no encouragement, knowing their good levels of fitness could see them through. Wanderers saw much more possession in the second half as they pulled their way into the game. With a tackle count from Barnhall probably four times more that usual they defended like demons but eventually a crack appeared and the Dublin 4 team managed to go over in the corner to close the gap to 15-8. With ten minutes remaining danger loomed as the Wanderers winger outflanked the Blue with good pace and was one on one against Colin O'Reilly who had moved to full-back for the injured Taylor. A score could level the game. But O'Reilly could give tackling lessons to internationals and as usual stopped the attacker in his tracks. O'Rielly in defence is just pure class, no more can be said.
Barnhall pretty much had very little possession for the remainder of the game and every time they did the referee seemed to blow a penalty against them for something or other. This was to be a true test of character and the Blues passed with distinction. The last 7 minutes saw Wanderers with possession and only 5m out. Phase after phase was talked until a turnover put the ball to Colm Finegan who kicked to touch. A final whistle blew and roars from the supporters and players alike. This was truly this sides best ever performance. All players form 1 to 15 performed without fault. It would seem unfair to single people out but Joseph Hynes played his best ever game as did scrum half Darren Higgins. Niall Cullen and Thomas McGuirk and Luke Bray were outstanding in defence and prop Eoin Bathe seemed ever present.
The final, which is likely to be against Malahide or Seapoint is pencilled in for Sunday but not yet confirmed.
For some of the team there will be no rest. This week sees Thomas McGuirk, Colm Finegan and Joseph Taylor play final trials for Leinster Youths and Thomas McGuirk and Darren Higgins play trials for Leinster section A Schools. They are wished the very best of luck.

Barnhall team for ¼ and ½ finals:

1. Eoin Bathe
2. Craig Mullally
3. Darren Smith
4. Joe Hynes
5. Thomas McGuirk
6. Stephen Carroll
7. Stephen Hynes
8. Niall Cullen
9. Darren Higgins
10. Colm Finegan
11. Sean O'Sullivan
12. Luke Bray
13. Andy Birchall
14. Colin O'Reilly
15. Joe Taylor
16. Niall Kernan
17. Richard landers
18. Eoin Sedgwick
19. Mark Guiney
20. Aaran Creagh
21. Sean Guiney
22. Jake Parker