Saturday

Sunday
If Under 7's are Playing

Barnhall RFC sent an under 17 squad to participate in this prestigious international youth tournament. Kicked off with an appearance from French international prop Olivier Milloud, this promotional event for the Rugby World Cup 2007 was a showpiece for young European rugby talent.
Thirteen countries from as far away as Lithuania and Romania were invited along with very strong French regional sides. The tournament was staged over two days in the Stade Jean Etcheberry, Vienne on a pitch that was manicured to a carpet. Catering for thirty two teams and their support crews along with many French spectators meant that the event was massive. A full entertainment programme of acrobats, gymnasts, performing artists and fireworks made for an abundance of entertainment in the opening and closing ceremonies.
Barnhall's first match was the opening game of the tournament, against a very physical Czech republic national team. The match was played under blazing sun and Barnhall's young bulls played with a speed and intensity never seen before. Knowing that in the 20 minute game format a good start is everything, the Barnhall boys played like men possessed from the first whistle. They literally tore into their opponents with every ounce of energy and aggression they could find. The Czech team did not know what had hit them as the proud Irish lads played fantastic flowing high octane rugby. Every pass seemed to reach a perfect target, every loose play supported well and every tackle crunched into the shocked opposition. The first score came in the second minute from Padraig Beatty and a conversion by Joe Taylor put the Blues in the driving seat. Further tries from Peter Du Toit and Ben Moore in the next few minutes sealed the game for Barnhall. Although the Czechs came back in the second half with a much improved performance, the score remained at 21-3.
Barnhall's second test was obviously to be the big one as they were drawn against the powerful “US Romans”, the hotly tipped favourites from the South of France. A massive blow came to the Barnhall team as pack leader Padraig Beatty was stretchered off to hospital with a suspected neck injury. Thankfully he got the all clear that evening. In a game where Barnhall matched the excellent opposition in every department they couldn't just get the bit of luck they needed and were defeated 14 – 3 and the tournament favourites were on course.
The Blues third match was against a European selection, a Barbarian style team made up of guest players from all over Europe. The Young Bulls, still smarting from their defeat, gave the perfect comeback as they ran riot, scoring 43 points in 20 minutes and putting on exhibition rugby. Conceding no scores, this put them into a second place going into the knock out stages.
Disappointingly though, the defeat to US Romans meant that Barnhall could no longer reach the semi final stages and make the final four.
Barnhall had two more matches on day two. First up was a strong Belgian side, La Hulpe. Barnhall played some good rugby but their pack was now suffering as the thirty degree heat and blazing sun took its toll. The coaches could see the young players literally fade away in front of them. This match finished three points a piece and went to a penalty shoot out. Unfortunately, nerves got the better of the Barnhall lads who missed their first two penalties to give the win to the Belgians.
This left Barnhall with one remaining game against another physical French side, Beaurepaire Rhodia. Determined to go out on a high, the young Bulls played some outstanding rugby, with captain Eamonn Daly finally getting a try which came in fitting fashion as the Irish ran the ball from their own 22 with lovely movement to score under the posts. The last win giving the Bulls a very respectable record for the two days, scoring the third highest amount of tries and conceding just two, which gave them the best defence in the tournament.
The day was rounded off with Barnhall's coach, John Taylor refereeing the final. John, who is an IRFU Leinster referee, had to quickly learn some French commands but the match went well, played in front of three thousand typically vocal French supporters from the two rival areas. The match ebbed and flowed in both directions from two excellent teams but game was won by US Romans scoring an intercept try from a quick line out to the delight of half the stadium and the torture of the rest.
All in all it was a very successful participation in what was a tournament of the very highest standard. Barnhall were duly noted by all in attendance as a side willing to demonstrate great running rugby combined with a tenacious defence. The club of Barnhall will now be recalled throughout Europe and particularly in the region of Lyon in France.

Barnhall Squad:

Gavin Egan, Kev White, Peter Hall, Al O'Reilly, Rian Glynn, Gearoid Conway, Padraig Beatty, Ben Moore, Peter Du Toit, Ray Flynn, Mark Gleeson, Colm Finegan, Joe Taylor, Dermot Feeney, Eamonn Daly capt; Conor O'Sullivan, Eddie Delahunt, Conor O'Melia, Niall Cullen, Mark Canavan, Derek Whiston, Stephen Hynes, Jeff El-Damasi.

Barnhall R.F.C Awards night will be held in the club at 8pm next Friday, details of the AGM are to be confirmed, keep an eye on barnhallrfc.com for more details

As advertised here on www.barnhallrfc.com yesterday Ian Morgan did not appear on the front row on Setenta sports due to a change in programming. But Ian should appear shortly watch this space.

Following an invitation from Rugby Viennois Rhodanien (a union of 5 French clubs), Barnhall have entered a team to play in A L'Ouverture this com9ing May 18 th & 19th. This international tournament, to be held in Stade Etcheberry, Vienne, is backed by the French Federation of Rugby to promote the forthcoming Rugby World Cup 2007. Barnhall are playing in the French category of Cadets which is Under 17s.
The French age for playing is different from the IRFU and accordingly a Barnhall squad was selected from boys born in 1990 & 1991. This encompassed the current U18, U16s & U15s. Twenty three players are travelling, along with four coaching staff. The team are staying in Cotes D'Arey which is south of Lyon.
In total, ten other European nations are competing. The standard should be high, as not only are the French entering regional sides, five other nations are entering their full international U17s teams. Teams as diverse as Estonia, Belgium & Romania should make for a truly multi cultural event.
Barnhall's team features seven of last years All-Ireland winning team and with recent good results from the 16s & 18s, both winning the Metro Cup, Barnhall should be able to hold it's own amongst such strong opposition. The team will be coached by John Taylor & Keith Bewley and assisted by Kevin Sheil & John Bagnall. All four being ex-Barnhall players. Click here to see the team

Barnhall 1st XV Coach Ian "Moggy" Morgan will be a guest on tonights front row on Setanta sports at 10pm, Trevor Brennan is also hanging with Hector tonight on RTE.

Victory in the Under 16s Metropolitan Area Cup Final brought a fitting end to a very successful season of youth rugby in Barnhall RFC. With cup wins at Under 18s and Under 20s in the last three weeks, things are looking good for the future of the Blue Bulls ...more

In the last game of the season Barnhall U18's were up against the Welsh touring side Penygraig at Maynooth NUI grounds. This is a return fixture to Barnhall's visit to the Welsh valley outfit last Easter that produced some of the best rugby of last season from the young bulls. From the start the Barnhall side played with excellent composure against a talented Penygraig outfit that included several Cradiff Blues and Welsh youth players. The Barnhall forward pack again took control of the game and had the edge in the set piece winning terrific line out ball and taking scrum ball against the head on at least 6 occasions ...more

Barnhall picked themselves up from Saturdays disappointment to gain victory against Clontarf in the Metropolitan Cup final played at the
Iveagh grounds May 2nd. The Barnhall side were again in fine form on a very warm evening in Crumlin. Brian Kenny and his men started in a very determined way playing clever rugby and pushing Clontarf deep into their
own half....more

In the Leinster cup final, held at North Kildare on Saturday 28th April Barnhall U18's lost 20 points to 21 to Naas.
This was the best performance of the year for the young bulls, who can be extremely proud of their display on the day. The game was well attended by Barnhall and Naas supporters that certainly got their money's woth of excitement and thrills and cheered both sides right to the end of the match ...more

Was it the good weather? Was it the honour of playing on probably Ireland's second most desirable pitch after Lansdowne Road i.e. the Leinster H.Q. at Donnybrook? ( I ASSUME Thomond park wouldn't rate above it) Was it the team smarting from a semi-final defeat to Edenderry the weekend before? Or was it because the opposition was a Dublin 4 team (Bective) ...more

Dear Rugby Follower,

I am writing to you looking for your support for Trevor in his forthcoming appeal against a life ban from Rugby. Trevor's rise to the very top of world rugby has been well documented, and unique, and I believe an inspiration to young rugby players from various backgrounds.
Trevor is a genuine guy who is always willing to help various causes both on and off the rugby field. Trevor loves playing and been involved in rugby and to deny Trevor the right to be involved in rugby for the rest of his life is, I believe a grave injustice not only to Trevor but to genuine rugby people throughout the game.

Please e-mail your support for Trevor

or write to :
Ian Morgan
c/o Barnhall RFC,
Parsonstown,
Celbridge,
Co Kildare.

Yours in Rugby,

Ian Morgan (Mobile 086 3857561)
Michael Mousley (Mobile 0872889865)

They will however be in action next Saturday, the 21st April, against Guinness in another semi final, this time the Metropollitan cup, to be played at the Iveagh Fields

Under 17s in France

Ian "Moggy" Morgan

Barnhall Under 18's : Pick themselves up to win metro Cup last night in Crumlin

Barnhall Under 14's are: Back Row: John Grace, John Laheen, Mark Guiney, Michael Wade, Stephen Carroll, Liam Banks, Craig Mulalley, Tom McGuirk, David Morris Smyth, Brian Du Toit, Lee Kearns, Daragh McGee, Thomas Creighton, Kieran Mc Gee Front Row: Dewi Harrison, Eoin Hayes, Denis Stewart, Emmet Quinn, Neal Harrison, Sean Guiney, Ryan Grace, Eric Mulhall, Peter Flynn Absent: David Mongey, Craig ' Trippy ' Phillips, Carl O Connor, Karl George and Fergal Conway

The Anglo Irish Bank Sponsor's of the Under 17's team at the A L'Ouverture tournament in France on May 18/19th

E-mail Support: Thanx alot for all the support e-mail's received keep them coming

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