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Clondalkin Rugby OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME SUNDAY 03RD MARCH 2019 FIRST XV LEINSTER LEAGUE (J1) - DIVISION 2A CLONDALKIN RFC VS RAILWAY UNION RFC KICK-OFF 3:00PM SECOND XV LEINSTER LEAGUE (J2) - DIVISION 2A CLONDALKIN RFC VS RAILWAY UNION RFC KICK-OFF 1:30PM PROUD SPONSORS CLONDALKIN RUGBY TODAY’S MATCH DAY OFFICIALS LEINSTER LEAGUE (J1) - DIVISION 2A REFEREE: ALEX STAVELEY LEINSTER LEAGUE (J2) - DIVISION 2A REFEREE: JOHN COSGRAVE ALL ARLB Acknowledgements Editors: Gareth Steed, Gary Branigan & Vincent Quinn Photographs: Sharon Flanagan Photography Facilities: Kevin Laide Printed by: Tico Mail Works Refreshments: The Laurels Clondalkin & The Finnstown Castle Hotel Clondalkin RFC thank all those who contributed articles to this programme and all sponsors and advertisers for their very generous support. For up-to-date details of all fixtures, results and events, visit our website and various social media platforms. 1 03RD MARCH 2019 WELCOME… Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who has I want to take this opportunity to thank all the come to offer support today and to welcome players who have contributed to the massive Railway Union to Gordon Park. success we have achieved as a squad so far this year, in total we used 63 players for both teams It has been a long league campaign, full of ups across the season, with 35 of them playing for and downs that culminates in this fixture today. the firsts. It has honestly been a group effort. Our seconds, who have already captured the league title, seek a win today to finish with the I would also like to thank our supporters who perfect season - 12 wins from 12 games - and have travelled the length and breadth of our firsts are hoping for a win today to secure Leinster to follow the team, your continued their league title also and, with it, automatic support is very much appreciated by myself and promotion back to Division 1B. all the players. I hope we have provided entertaining rugby for you to watch and enjoy We have had many big games over the years and I pray we get the result you all want to see with Railway Union … the Spencer Cup final in today. 2006, the league promotion playoff games in 2007 & last season but this is arguably bigger We will be focusing all our efforts next week on than them all, as we seek to win our first ever winning the Towns Plate and the Seconds J1 Leinster League title. Towns Plate along with the Lalor Cup so this is hopefully not the last big day we have this We expect a tough game today and we have season. prepared ourselves this past 2 weeks like never before, training has been held at a very high Enjoy the Game!! standard and the attitude of all has been impeccable. We come off the back of a huge Philly Byrne win away to New Ross (92:0) so confidence is high and the lads are in top form. Head Coach Clondalkin RFC. 2 03RD MARCH 2019 MATCHDAY PROTOCOLS Fáilte romhaibh go léir go Cumann Rugbaí Chluain Dolcáin agus tá súil againn go mbainfidh sibh sult as na cluichí inniu. We welcome everybody to Clondalkin Rugby Club and hope everyone enjoys today’s matches. It is important that we all respect the players and officials. They are amateurs and are here to enjoy themselves as well. Therefore, we expect that everybody behaves appropriately. PITCH SIDE MANNERS Do support your team positively Don’t abuse opposition players Do remain silent when kicks are taken Don’t use foul language Do welcome opposition support Don’t abuse referees or touch judges Do restrict alcohol to patio area Let’s hope for a good game and may the best team win Clondalkin RFC 3 03RD MARCH 2019 CLON… IN MY OWN WORDS When Gar asked me to write a piece for this Relegation changed a lot - games moved to week’s programme, I was really honoured. I Sundays which meant I was unavailable for was a bit surprised as I’ve only been involved in selection most weeks. People asked whether I one of the home games for the 1sts this season would stick around or leave. There wasn’t but I’ll try tell my story with Clon in a few anywhere else I could see myself being as words anyway! happy - the friendships I had built with the likes of Mikey, Karl and Matt were genuine. I just Clon has always felt like home. In the time I related to the people in the club very well. played with Lansdowne 20’s, I felt a little on the exterior. Nothing against the club - just a 4th season with Clon was with the 3rds. It different vibe. First training session with Clon in wasn’t always easy but it was serious craic. I 2013, I decided to be honest with Bago and was able to take a step back and see that rugby Philly and explain that I didn’t play on Sundays doesn’t have to be the key driver of happiness. because of my faith. It’s something we I was nervous and are involved in for didn’t know how it fun, so perspective would be taken. “No is needed. That also problem, just go helped me to get a play”. That stuck ~ deeper conviction with me. about my faith. The first season was The leadership great fun, just mad group of Sweets, keen to get the Murts and Joey respect of the likes drove everything, of Big Dan, Noley, ably supported by Bru, Chris and Kingo. the rest of the team. It had its ups and I didn’t have to do downs, being too much after that. dropped halfway 2 promotions in 1 through but playing on the 2nds with the likes season wasn’t really the plan, but it was still a of Tiggy and Polar Bear gave me a great insight sweet feeling! Philly and I decided on two goals into what it meant to play for Clon. for the 3rds early on - firstly, having a group that loved playing for the club and secondly, My favourite season was probably my 2nd, developing players for the 1sts and 2nds. where I could just play. Division 1A: mentally, technically and physically tested every week. Over the three seasons since that, we’ve been The 3rd season brought a move to 9 and able to nurture some serious talent. That’s relegation. That was tough - I probably took it become what motivates me. To be the best too personally and found myself being overly example I can to the likes of Ambo, Sparrow influenced by the result on a Saturday. and Dar Dar. Seeing them kick on and establish 5 03RD MARCH 2019 themselves at 1st team level means a lot to me, There is a concept that one should spend 6 having seen them start their careers with the years working hard and have the 7th year as 3rds. They have probably taught me to relax a fallow. Without knowing this concept, I played bit too - McDonald’s after games would have 6 years in school plus 1 season at 20s, taking a been a no-no for 2014/15 Delano! There is also year out in my 2nd year at 20s. I came back in something very cool about seeing lads like Abie 2013, hungry and highly motivated. Now feels and Mick Gilbert come to rugby later in life and like a natural fallow point for me - I’ve had 3 becoming important team members. years at 1sts and 3 years at 3rds. The project is probably as far as it can go - for now - with 4 Gar also asked me what my goals are for Clon promotions in 3 seasons. A year out is what I for the next while. In the short term, getting need to regenerate and regather. the upstairs gym to a similar standard to the adult one is the main priority. We need it to I would like to thank Philly, Finbarr, Tiggy and allow our 12s, 13s and 15s to flourish. Being Andy for their continued commitment every involved with coaching the 15s is special. The week. It doesn’t go unnoticed. I would also like passion the lads have for the game is so pure to say a special thanks to Deccie Flanagan and and motivates me to try and help them to Joey Lovett for their massive efforts with the deliver on their potential. It is humbling to see 3rds. Big thanks to Sharon for all the photos of the effort that goes in from parents and me with my tongue hanging out over the years. volunteers to make it all happen. Thanks to the Football & Executive Committees for their huge support over the years. To everyone I’ve played with over the last few seasons, it’s been a privilege to be involved, the way I have been welcomed as part of the family since day 1 has been special. As the legend Stevie Cunningham once said, “Hotel Clonifornia - you can check out, but you can never leave.” Thanks, Delano 6 03RD MARCH 2019 GIVE IT A TRY On the 3rd of February, the Clondalkin all-girl ball making their way to the try line. They won minis took part in their first blitz in Old their opening match and the energy and Belvedere. 10 girls ranging from age 5 – 10 excitement was clear to see. took part on the day. Next up was Seapoint and now the girls were The club hosted a blitz for all age groups to playing and moving as a unit - a real team.

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