NEW SEASON AWAITS
The 2015/16 season opens at Donaldson Park on Saturday 15th August 2015 when we welcome Limavady 1st & 2nd XVs to Donaghadee for two “pre-season” friendlies. The following week Bangor will be the visitors when the two 1st XVs meet to challenge each other for the Rodney Gray Cup and the 2nd XVs play in a friendly. On 29th of August the 1st XV will host Ballymena II in the reinvented Conference League and will play the rest of their games for this format in the ensuing three weeks alternating home & away. The 1st XV will play host in the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup First Round to Academy on Saturday 26th September 2015 before opening their Qualifying League programme at home to Grosvenor the following week. The full 2015/16 fixture list for all teams in the Club has been published and is now available for view and / or download from the Club’s website at www.donaghadee-rugby.co.uk.
HEAD COACH
New Head Coach Graham Cloke now has his feet firmly under the table at Donaldson Park and took some time out to convey his pre-season thoughts. “When I accepted the Dee Head Coach position, I felt somewhat guilty as maybe, in some small way, I had contributed to them beginning this season in Qualifying League 2, as I coached Dromore last season and the Dee narrowly lost that match at Barban Hill in late season which didn’t help their cause at that time. With Ards being relegated from the AIL and Instonians not going up to replace them it meant two going down from Qualifying One, but I soon found out that that fact is old news at the Club and so now our work at Donaghadee starts in earnest with the target being to get promoted straight back up to the premier Qualifying division from what is a very tough & competitive Qualifying League 2 where there are several clubs looking to do exactly the same as we ourselves are. The most pleasing thing is that the Donaghadee senior squad has reacted well to the new set-up and there is a great buzz about the place. While numbers have been more than decent at training there is always room for improvement – those players who have not been about as yet know who they are! With the 2nd XV being promoted to Junior 3 and the restructure of the Junior League meaning that they will now be playing some club 1st XVs as well as high quality Qualifying second strings and Senior third strings we need to hit the ground running. Therefore I would encourage any Dee players from last season who have not made it to training as yet to make the effort and help make this a memorable season for all at Donaldson Park”.
TRAINING
Training is now well underway at Donaldson Park every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7pm. In addition there is also social touch rugby at 7pm on Thursdays.
WORK DAY
Anyone who has been at Donaghadee Rugby Club over the last couple of weeks will have noticed the fantastic work being done to refurbish the changing/shower area downstairs. In line with this, the Club is having a work day on Saturday 8th August (this Saturday) kicking off at 10am to get the both upstairs & downstairs of the Clubhouse and also the grounds shipshape for the start of the new season. This is when we see the real Clubmen – so please come and lend a hand for a few hours, no matter your skill level. For anyone who wants any further information please contact Paul Blewitt.
MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS
The start of a new season means that all subscriptions are now due and payable so please make every effort to settle these as soon as possible by cash, cheque or standing order. Full details may be had by contacting Jonny Ballagh, Bill Allen or Garth Bennett.
GET INVOLVED AT THE DEE
Donaghadee RFC 1st XV play in Kukri Qualifying Two and have enjoyed no little success over recent years winning the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in 2011, qualifying for the prestigious All Ireland Junior Cup in two out of the past four seasons, winning Conference League One in 2012/13, reaching the final of the 2014 Powerade Towns Cup losing narrowly to 2013/14 Qualifying One winners Clogher Valley and reached the semi-final of the same competition in 2014/15. The Club is not just about 1st XV success and has three adult teams playing every Saturday during the rugby season. Last season the 2nd XV gained promotion to Junior League 3 and the 3rd XV won the Butler Shield. We are always open to new recruits. Those who have maybe played a bit at school and are looking for some social rugby are welcome as well as total newcomers to the sport or indeed those who are after a change of scenery. Our Club is renowned for its hospitality and social atmosphere… and the rugby isn’t bad either. If you would like to play at the Club please contact Director of Rugby Chris Good, Head Coach Graham Cloke, Assistant Coach John West or any of the team Captains – Nigel Barker – 1st XV, Stephen Cullen & Davy Kirkpatrick – 2nd XV and Andy Monson – 3rd XV. In addition to adult mens’ rugby the Club also offers Mini Rugby (contact Niall Moraghan) or Disability Needs Rugby via the Seaside Sharkies (contact Kerry Kennedy). In the last season the Club has developed Youth Rugby via their CCRO Guy McManus so if you are between the ages of 11 and 17 and would like to get involved in age-grade rugby at the Dee please contact Guy.
