Clonakilty Rugby football Club was formed in 1977 following attempts in 1890
and again in the 1930s to get the game started here. The first game, a
friendly, was played against neighbours Bandon on a pitch borrowed locally.
Clonakilty's victory that day was to commence what continues today to be a
strong rivalry between the two clubs.
The club commenced competitive rugby
at Minor A level and won its first trophy, the Dromleena Cup in 1978. Following
victories in 1980 and 1982 in the Minor A league it was decided to move up to
junior grade in 1982/83.
The current season 1995/96 is proving to be one of
the most successful in the Club's history. The O'Neill cup has been won
(against Bandon in the final!) and the junior 1 team has just won promotion to
the 1st Division as well as winning two local cups and the annual "Jimmy
Blewitt Memorial Cup" played between Clonakilty and Donaghadee.
The
under age section of Clonakilty Rugby Club was started in the first year of the
Club's existence in 1978. The success of this underage structure could be
easily summed up by the fact that, with the exception of one player who grew up
in England, the entire current squad have come through the under age ranks, some
having began as early as Under 8. Other players that have come through the
under age ranks have gone on to succeed at higher levels of the game [Terry
Dillon playing his 7th Senior year at Highfield R.F.C., Maurice Shanley playing
his second at Highfield, Eddie Knowles - Prop, Munster Junior Interpro, now
senior at Dolphin R.F.C., Derek Dillon (20) Munster Junior Interpro 1994/95,
Kevin Mullins - Munster Youth Interpro 1993/94, 1994/95, Irish Youths 1994/95,
Ian Murphy - Castleknock scrumhalf, toured Australia with Leinster Schools 1995,
Eoin Scannell - London Irish U19 1994/95 + 1995/96 and many other examples over
the years].
Recent under age successes include the under 12 side of 1993/94
who were the first team from a junior club to win the South Munster Under 12 Cup
as well as the South Munster League, Highfield tournament and the All Ireland
Mini Rugby tournament at Dundalk R.F.C. The following year the Under 12s
retained the South Munster Cup and the All Ireland Mini tournament.
Clonakilty
U18 team were defeated in the final of the South Munster Cup last year.
The
under 14 and under 16 teams have competed strongly in their respective leagues
this season with scores over 50 points to nil being recorded in their favour in
more than one instance this year.
INDEX
Clonakilty R.F.C. began playing at the local Showgrounds and a subsequent
pitch at Lyre some distance from the town before arriving at its current
location in Shannonvale in 1982. The first step was the development of two
playing pitches and in 1987, the ten committee, under the presidency of Raymond
O'Neill decided to approach the owner of the adjoining "Ashlawn House"
and grounds to negotiate a purchase of the property. This was achieved using
funding detailed later and the Club had continually made improvements to
clubhouse and grounds. See Appendix (i).
The official opening of the
Clubhouse was performed by Tom Kiernan during a week long celebration of rugby
from 21st - 29th April, 1990 culminating in an exhilarating match played by many
of rugby's household names here in Ireland as well as in Wales.
The Clubhouse consists of 4 dressing rooms, 2 shower areas, Referee's room,
Medical room, Member's Bar, Disco Bar/Night Club, Kitchen, Meeting Room and
other ancillary facilities.
There are two main pitches, one of which is
floodlit and the club has this year developed a third pitch for the primary use
of underage teams. The club has also this year, organised indoor coaching at a
local equestrian centre for its under age teams for use in winter.
The Club
has allowed its facilities to be used for the community in general and regular
soccer and football training takes place there as well as assisting the local
GAA club in the running of the National Sevens Tournament.
INDEX
In 1990 Clonakilty R.F.C. identified its main problems as (i) lack of
coaching experience in a traditional GAA area and (ii) lack of profile amongst
the community.
To rectify these areas, it was decided to invite a foreign
player/coach to Clonakilty for a season to help promote rugby football in the
area. One of our ex-youth players, playing at senior level with Highfield
R.F.C., Cork, travelled to New Zealand to expand his playing horizons and
returned with Simon Brooke, a brother of the All Blacks, Robin and Zinzan.
Simon duly joined our club and began to coach our relatively inexperienced adult
coaches and teams. The underage committee immediately enlisted his help. The
benefits were soon apparent. His introduction to Clonakilty R.F.C. created a
huge interest in both the adult and underage sections. The club has endeavoured
to have outside assistance since then.
This season '95/96, we have employed
the services of a qualified New Zealand coach, Brendan Breen. Brendan has added
a new dimension to Clonakilty R.F.C. since his arrival to West Cork. A native
of Timoru, N.Z., he has successfully completed New Zealand R.F.U. Coaching
Levels 2 + 3, International Coaching Effectiveness Programme.
Clonakilty
R.F.C. fields three adult teams, under age teams from 18, 16, 14, four sides at
under 12 and two sides from each section 8, 9 and 10. Brendan is completely
responsible for the adult training and plays an active part in the coaching of
each of the youth teams. It was always the Club's intention that Brendan would
advise all under age coaches and supervise the sessions. As a result, each
youth coach has benefited from Brendan as of course will our young players.
In January, a group of the club's underage coaches attended a very useful
coaching session in Bandon R.F.C. given by John Mitchell, assistant coach to the
international side and former All Black captain.
Also in attempting to
promote the game of rugby football in Clon.' and to encourage new youth members
to join, we set up coaching sessions in the local schools. We have coaching in
operation in the primary school involving all six classes, half hour sessions
with fifteen people per session (approx. 30 per class). We also hold lunchtime
sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Clonakilty Community College and
are proud to mention that on average 5 - 7 of those participating are non-rugby
players. A Risk Analysis Management Form has been completed by Brendan Breen
and these coaching sessions are carried out under these guidelines. A course
of Lesson Plans have been provided to the schools so if Brendan leaves or is
unable to continue these courses, it is our hope that they will be carried on by
perhaps a member of staff i.e. P.E. teacher. As a Club we are completely
funding this coaching through our resources as this is not eligible for FAS
funding.
We conduct regular training in our floodlight pitch as follows:
Clonakilty Rugby Club is very fortunate in having access to a number of
communications outlets which greatly help spreading of the 'gospel' on a regular
basis. In the West Cork region, a weekly newspaper, The Southern Star, is
published. Amongst its many regular features is a page devoted to each town
allowing Clonakilty to promote itself in many ways. We take the opportunity to
send in rugby notes each week during the season covering areas such as adult
and under age match reports, upcoming fixtures and any other aspect of the club
of interest to the community.
Also, a weekly advertising pamphlet is
published locally which we use to promote our weekly Disco, forthcoming games
and the results of our popular weekly "Lotto" draw. A parish
newsletter is distributed by the Catholic Church each weekend and contains items
of local interest including regular submissions from the club. We also make use
of the many notice boards in pubs, hotels and other gathering places to promote
the club's activities. The boards in the schools.
See Appendix (ii) for
further details.
INDEX
It has always been acknowledged that there would be difficulties in
attracting players to rugby in an area as steeped in GAA tradition as
Clonakilty. The Club has been very successful in encouraging players to
participate since its foundation. Indeed many of our players participate in
both games and the skills acquired have helped to complement each other. The
high level of support given to under age players has given parents the
confidence required to let their children play and has also encouraged children
to stay with the game as illustrated earlier.
The club is engaged in a
constant drive to encourage activity from its many members. A social committee
is in place and is responsible for the smooth organising and running of the many
non-playing activities enjoyed by club members. These include the hugely
popular weekly disco held in the ground floor bar area, whilst the more relaxed
bar upstairs has a piano which facilitates the many impromptu music sessions
from local musicians and indeed has been entertained on many occasions by the
performances of local M.E.P. Brian Crowley.
The annual Dinner Dance
featuring presentation of the "Player of the Year", "Most
Improved Player of the Year" and "Club Person of the Year" is one
of the most anticipated social events in the local calendar.
Overall, the
social aspect of the Club has enjoyed a major revival in the past two years and
with the diligent efforts of the social committee hopes this will continue. A
list of other non-playing events organised by the club is provided in Appendix
(iii).
In recent years, a tour committee has been formed within the Club.
Weekends away within Ireland and abroad are organised on alternate years and
have helped to raise the comradarie amongst our members. This year, a group 26
travelled to England and visited a London Club on 29th - 31st March.
The non-playing aspects of the Club are of course complemented by strenuous
efforts to encourage young players to further participation in the club.
Players are canvassed at school to attend local adult games and buses are
provided for those interested in travelling to away games. Under age teams have
been brought to International matches at Landsdowne Road and an under 14 Tour to
Chatualin in Brittany has been organised for the 1996/97 season. We also hope
to host Glamorgan Wanderers R.F.C. from Wales and the underage teams of
Rondebosch Boys High School in South Africa that hope to travel here in December
of this year. Indeed the Club has earned a name for being one of the better
hosts of touring sides (on and off the pitch!).
Glamour is a useful tool in
the attraction of young players to a sport, and Clon.' R.F.C. has been fortunate
to play host to such notables as Terry Kingston, Brendan Mullen, Bernie McCahill
(New Zealand), Noel Murphy, Ralph Keyes and many others who have been involved
in exhibition matches as well as providing guest coaching. The value of such
guidance can scarcely be measured; the attraction of top class players being as
important as the advice given itself.
There are of course other events which
may be of more amusement to younger members then actual skill benefit, primarily
the Ladies and Veterans mini-tournaments which feature many of their parents.
INDEX
As outlined, the Club has put enormous resources into the development of its grounds and Clubhouse. The estimated expenditure to date has been in excess of £350,000 funded as follows:
Bank Loan £100,000
Life Membership £ 30,000
National Lottery Funding £ 33,000
Amenity Grants £ 2,500
Draws £147,500
Members Loans £ 36,000
And others
Further development in the form of flood-lighting was installed in 1991 at a
cost of £14,000.
The estimated yearly operating expenses of the Club
are approximately £30,000.
This incorporates a large travelling expense
due to our peripheral location. Quite a lot of this can be credited to the
underage sides as transport is provided to away games free of charge. A £2
weekly subvention of adult members is put towards this significant outlay. As
an encouragement to youth players and an act of good faith to parents, we
provide part sponsorship for the first club jersey. See enclosure.
This year Clonakilty R.F.C. has invested heavily in its underage teams
through the long awaited development of its third pitch for the exclusive use of
youth players. We felt that a commitment such as this was necessary,
particularly in the light of increasing use of the other pitches for adult
games. The total expenditure for this project has amounted to £17,000 so
far, with an estimated additional £5,000 being required at a later stage
for fencing and other finishing.
We have also this year introduced indoor
training during times of inclement weather for underage teams at a local indoor
showjumping arena at quite an expense to the Club. Again no charge was passed
on to the younger members.
The Club has been very fortunate in having a
dedicated fund-raising team and several activities are carried out to attempt to
balance the books.
The Club has gratefully accepted sponsorship from the following sources:
The Kilty Stone pub - sponsors of 1st team Jerseys, balls and medical
equipment.
The Courthouse Tavern - sponsors of 2nd and 3rd team Jerseys.
This
year the Club has engaged in the optimistic and successful venture of
surrounding the perimeter of the no.1 playing pitch with advertising hoarding.
Local businesses were more than generous and future plans involve the expansion
of this.
There has also been local sponsorship for individual games which
has yielded considerable funds.
This year a lottery was set up with tickets being pushed through every work and social outlet possible. The persistence of the sellers has made it very successful especially when considering competition with the local Enterprise Board Lottery.
One of the major contributors in recent years has been the weekly discos'
door and bar receipts. The Club has established itself as one of the more
popular local night-spots and this funding has been invaluable.
The theme
nights and other special events mentioned in the promotional activities are also
very important income sources.
The Club has also more recently let its
clubhouse out to other organisations and private groups for social events.
Although the club endeavours to assist other organisations in their pursuits, a
nominal fee is charged; again, every little helps!
Other basic methods such as a raffle after each game played are useful.
An annual membership fee of £25 (£5 to students) is collected.
There
is no charge to underage players.
INDEX
Coupled with many of the activities outlined above, many of which occur off
season, the Club does everything in its power to keep its players occupied in
rugby off season. Mid-June, a local fitness centre is subsidised by the Club
for all its members to avail of. Each player is tested and given training
programmes by a professional instructor to improve overall strength and stamina.
In August a seven-a-side league competition is run for both adults and under
14s and 16s. This competition has proved to be as successful off the pitch as
on as our bar facilities are always available for refreshments
INDEX
Clonakilty Rugby Club has grown rapidly and successfully to a level where it
is a major contributor to the social fabric of the surrounding area. It has
promoted the game and encouraged participation from all walks of life. As well
as adult playing successes, it has developed a fine clubhouse, the envy of many,
through tireless fund-raising efforts and most importantly let its success be
for the benefit of the entire community rather than just the rugby playing
section.
The dedicated development of the underage sides is something to the
top flight of junior rugby now expects to gain even better support and
participation for the locality. It is hoped to develop further our training
facilities and invest further in equipment such as scrummaging machines, tackle
bags and there is an optimistic plan to build a dedicated weights room. Any
assistance which can be acquired from Rugby H.Q. would of course be gratefully
accepted.
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