The future of Swords rugby is in safe hands after the clubs’s mini sides maintained their unbeaten runs with excellent away wins over two very well coached Balbriggan RFC teams at last month…
This was the second of a series of three competitive floodlit games undertaken by these new recruits to the game and once again shows how far the teams have come under the guidance of Swords YDO Jamie Gormly and coach David O’Keeffe.
The team is made up of players from Holy Family Senior National School in River Valley, who have taken part in the club’s youth development programme for the past three seasons.
The Under-12s had a great start at Balbriggan in the second round when Jack O’Connor-Ryan ran in two fine individual efforts. Superb fielding by Mark Daly and some great multi-phase play and the strong direct running of captain Ciaran O’Connor, Andrew Brown and Billy Murtagh contributed to a 7-1 half time lead.
Man of the match Adam Curry stole ball after ball and was rewarded for his hard work and hard tackling with two tries. Other try scorers were Andrew Brown (2), Ciaran O’Connor (2), Steven McGivern and Billy Murtagh.
The Under-12 team, ably led by captain Ciaran O’Connor and with Andrew Brown, on fire on the night, ran out convincing winners 10-3.
Others to star on the night included Steven Mc Givern, Billy Murtagh, Jack O’Connor and outstanding scrumhalf Adam Curry.
All of the squad contributed and a number of the Swords scores came after tremendous build up play and a number of recycles and passes out of contact which would have done the Leinster Senior squad proud!
The Under-10/11 squad played a heretofore unbeaten Balbriggan side and produced a fantastic performance winning by five tries to three. The outstanding player on the night was Jake Albecetti, whose four tries were all tremendous efforts.
All of the team again contributed handsomely, with James Sullivan, Conor Burke, Cillian O’Connor, Conor White, Shane Cunningham, Kyle Maguire, Sean White, Robert Whelan, Eric Duff and Luke Mc Bride particularly prominent.
This young side shows particular promise and their levels of skill at recycling, passing and evasive running were a delight to watch.
A particular point to note about both teams was their tremendous will to win and their never say die attitude. Their tackling was first class and their courage against bigger opposition on the field was amazing.
‘Having watched these young boys train and play in the school over the past few years I am convinced that with the proper support many of them can go on to have very successful careers in the game,’ Mr O’Keeffe said.
‘Who knows we may be looking at future Munster and Leinster, or even Irish stars amongst this group of committed and talented young boys.
‘It is important that the IRFU and Leinster Branch support the work being done by the teachers and Swords RFC in this northside Primary school to expand the game in the capital.
‘Traditional rugby playing schools are a very valuable asset to the game but the raw and undeveloped talent and playing resource that schools like HFSNS offer the game must not be ignored if the game in Ireland is to reach its full potential.’
