Local CCRO Patsy Gorman recently held another school Tag Rugby blitz for local school children at Edenderry RFC…

On the day there were over 120 schoolchildren taking part from local primary schools in Broadford, Edenderry Boys school, Ticknevin, Cadamstown and Johnstownbridge.

All schools got three or four of Tag matches each with two teams reaching a final. It was a good day weather wise and rugby wise, and the level of attacking rugby played was excellent, with some of the pupils that took part playing in their 3rd or 4th tag blitz over the past three seasons.

Gorman said: “It is remarkable to see the improvement with some of the pupils over the past few years, they looked so comfortable running and passing a rugby ball, which is a big achievement for some of them considering this is a GAA heartland. Lots of the pupils would not have held a rugby ball, prior to schools Tag rugby, so it is also a testament to the support and commitment of many school principals and teachers, whom now are very comfortable working with me in the Tag rugby partnership”.

After a couple of hours of rugby the highlight of the rugby day was the final between St Mary’s Broadford and St Brigids Ticknevin, both of these schools take part in the Play Rugby programme. This was a great open game of rugby with both sides trying hard, in the end Ticknevin ran out winners under the coaching of their principal Sheila Ryan. There was great celebrations at the end and Ticknevin received the winner’s trophy and medals and Broadford under coaching guidance by Noel Swan received a runners up trophy and medals.

There will be another school Tag Blitz run by CCRO Patsy Gorman in the coming weeks which he hopes to have 10 schools attend. Gorman would like to thank Martina O’Rourke and Grainne Vaugh for assisting on the day, and also special thanks to Edenderry RFC and the executive committee for continued support.