Last Saturday, our U11's traveled to Thomond Park to take part in the half time Exhibition match during the PRO14 match up betweek Munster and Welsh outfit the Dragons. Excitement was building in the run up to the big day and we learned early on that Tipperary club Kilfeacle RFC U11's would be our opposition - a truly Munster wide match up.
We gathered at Aghadoe on Saturday morning while the U8 and U10 age groups trained and the atmosphere was electric as the U11's and a huge number of their U12 colleagues boarded the bus - even the much anticipated rain held off! There was nervous and good natured chatter all the way to Limerick and more than once the eternal question 'Are we there yet?' raised it's head. As we crossed the border into Abbeyfeale, County Limerick it was mentioned that we were now in 'Limerick' - and thus followed a lesson in local geography and premature excitement until the realisation sank in, that we had a bit to go yet!
Finally we hit Limerick City and with Thomond in our view parked at the Institute of Technology. coaches Tom O'Leary and Richard O'Brien made their way to the Players Entrance to receive their wristbands and find their way to their designated place in the West terrace - not before meeting the Munster Mascot in their dressing room! The rest of us wandered down to the Fan Zone and met players including Paddy Bulter on our wander. He was very complimentary of the team's recent visit to Killarney and was delighted to pose for photos with our charges.
Then it was time to head in to the terrace for the big match. Munster were utterly dominant over the Dragons in the game itself with JJ Hanrahan very impressive from the boot and Corkman Shane Daly lighting the park up with a spectacular performance. Then came the main event for our youngsters. The referee blew the half time whistle and the boys took to the field with their Tipperary counterparts. The boys represented the club with pride and the tackling, passing and rucking was a sight to behold with captain Liam McCarthy scoring a try and Sean P. Fleming scoring a brace. Every single player stood out on the day, making amazing tackles and supporting each other as a team. It was great to hear the crowd get behind both teams and before we knew it the referee blew the whistle and it was all over. Both teams shook hands and left to a rapturous applause - very well deserved.
Afterwards the dressing room the lads were buzzing, they ignored the lashing rain and mingled with their opposition for photos. It was a lovely occasion for the players, their parents, the coaches and all who were there. Thanks to coaches Tom O'Leary and Richard O'Brien for looking after the lads on the day and to Tom and Minis Coordinator Liam Murphy for organising theday - a day that will live in these boys memories for ever. Thanks to Munster Rugby for the opportunity and to Kilfeacle RFC for the game - we are already organising to have Kilfeacle visit us soon. A team was forged at Thomond Park - a band of brothers that stood up to be counted and backed each other as one could only hope.
The Team who represented the Black and Red Army of Killarney RFC on the day were:
Sean P Fleming, Donncha Murphy, Sean Landers, Se Kennedy, Ronan O'Brien, Liam McCarthy (Captain), Jayden Kelly, Luke O'Malley, David Hallissey, Aaron Barry, Mikey Moroney and Rafa Andre.
#blackandredarmy
By Liam Murphy
