£500 Raised for Help The Hero’s
The players and supporters of Ards and Cumnock RFC who took part in the fun day at the club on Saturday 7th May raised over £500 for Help the Heros
Well done to all those who took part in the fun tournament on Saturday. with four sides in all and a wide range of players taking part.
The Day opened with the Mayor of Ards making a presentation to the Cumnock captain before the visitors were pipped onto the pitch by young Matherw Wallace, who then dashed for the changing room to change for the games (Many Thanks Mathew)
In the first round of matches visiting side Cumnock RFC competed against Ards under 19s aka Kellys Heros while Eachy’s birds took on Nutt’s Crackers.
After a break and some not so light refreshments Nutt’s Crackers took to the main pitch to play Cumnock, while the Kellys Heros got a lesson from the old hands Eachys Birds.
Again after another refreshment break the teams moved around, Eachys Heros rolled onto the main pitch for the match of the day against Cumnock, and Kelly’s Heros played Nutt’s Crackers.
It was tremendous to see a number of veteran players turning out for Eachy’s Birds. With players like John Barkley, Michael Piper, (both of whom played longside their sons) big Eachy, Joe Kelly playing alongside a number of current first team players there was certainly no shortage of experience.
Then there was Nutt’s Crackers, who by the looks of their warm up thought it was them on tour. This side was made up of 2nd and 3rd fifteen players, and boy but they know how to have fun!
Moving on to Kelly’s Heros. The under 19s certainly done themselves proud as they stood firm against the senior players. They took to the spirit of the day like ducks to water as they showed they could run the ball from their own try line as good as any other side.
Last but not least, we must acknowledge the performance put in by the tourists, Cumnock RFC. This is now the third year of this fixture with Ards due to travel to Cumnock again next season.
After the rugby was out of the way it was down to the serious business of the day as everyone dashed for the club house just as the rain started. The Ards Perenial Trophy was presented to Eachy’s Birds as outright winners of the tournament, followed by boat races, press up challenges, and general socialising.
Unfortunately two Ards Players sustained injuries during the matches, Jay McKenzie and Kenny McCombe. We wish them both a speedy recovery and hope to see them back in action for the pre season training sessions.
Thanks must go to the three refs Teddy Sloan, Danny Flemming and Duncan Wallace who officiated throughout the day. We must also congratulate Stevie Nutt, big Gary Aston and Joe Kelly who put a lot of time and effort into organizing the event. Thanks all!
Hundreds Raise Thousands At Cois Gala Dinner
There was much to celebrate at the Europa Hotel in Belfast on Saturday night, when generously charitable people dug deep in memory of Cois. read on
The generosity of those in attendance at this Gala Dinner in memory of Cois, was greatly appreciated by his family and friends and helped to boost the overall fund target for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The next stage of this mammoth fundraising event will start on May 27 with the 3 Nations Cycle Ride to raise yet more funds for this very worthy cause.
The organisers and family and friends of Cois, would also like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed in a any way to help raise funds for Marie Curie.
For more information on the 3 Nations Cycle Ride or to make a donation, please contact Rachel Beukes 07793 134212 or Neil Workman 07767 846282
Or log on to http://www.justgiving.com/coiscycle and http://www.expeditionwise.com
