DONAGHADEE RFC IS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN FOR SEASON 2014/15
It’s now late summer and the rugby season is almost upon us at Donaldson Park. For anyone that isn’t aware of it Donaghadee RFC 1st XV play in Kukri Qualifying One and will be entering their fourth consecutive season at that level in 2014/15. The 1st XV have enjoyed no little success over the past three years winning the Millar McCall Wylie Junior Cup in 2011, qualifying for the prestigious All Ireland Junior Cup in two out of the past three seasons, winning Conference League One in 2012/13 and, most recently, reaching the final of the 2014 Powerade Towns Cup losing narrowly to 2013/14 Qualifying One winners Clogher Valley. The Club is not just about 1st XV success and has three adult teams playing every Saturday during the rugby season. We are always open to new recruits. If you’ve just left school & want to make the transition to adult rugby or maybe you have been playing and fancy a change of scenery or 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. 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 Paul McKenzie, Assistant Coach John West, Club & 1st XV Captain Alastair Lockhart, 2nd XV Captain Stephen Cullen or Andy Monson for the 3rd XV or….. just pop along to training any night (see below). 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). Over the next year it is hoped to start to develop Youth Rugby within the Club so these are exciting times to be involved at Donaldson Park. Club Training in 2014/15 will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays @ 7pm sharp. See our website: www.donaghadee-rugby.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter for more information about the Club.
CCRO
The Club are delighted to announce that, in association with the IRFU (Ulster Branch), they will have a Club Community Rugby Officer (CCRO) for the incoming season. The post holder will provide rugby development services on behalf of the Club in primary schools, secondary schools and community organisations throughout the local area. The recruitment process, managed by the Ulster Branch, is ongoing and a Donaghadee RFC CCRO will be in place by September 2014. This is a major coup for the Dee and represents the initial step forward in a process which, we hope, will bring Youth Rugby to the Club at U12, U14, U16 & U18 levels in the next few years and at the same time introduce rugby to hundreds of children in the local area.
FIXTURES
The Senior Club fixture list is now available. The fixtures for the 2nd & 3rd XVs have now been added to the individual team fixture lists on this website as well. All players and supporters are encouraged have a look or download to ensure your availability for whatever team you are involved with throughout the season. The fixture list is available now at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/donaghadeerugbyclub/ , on the Club Notice Boards in Donaldson Park with a limited amount of black & white copies available to take away at the bar once the season is up & running in September.
The 1st XV tournament scheduled for Saturday 16th August at Donaldson Park has been cancelled due to logistical problems but, as we go to press, efforts are being made to secure a suitable friendly fixture – should this be successful details will be posted on the Club Website and Facebook Site.
The 1st XV have a friendly fixture away to Carrick on 23rd August before the league season opens the following Saturday when we welcome CIYMS to Donaldson Park. The following week (6th September) the side travels to The Cran, Fivemiletown to play Clogher Valley in the league. The last time the two sides met was at Ravenhill on Easter Monday in the final of the Powerade Towns Cup when Valley ran out narrow victors by a 15-7 scoreline.
The 2nd XV will open their season with a league game at home to Ballymoney III on 6th September whilst the 3rd XV will get their first run out the following week (23rd September) when they meet Civil Service II at Donaldson Park. All of the above games kick off at 2:30pm.
