We have now covered Armagh, Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballyshannon, Carrickfergus, Cavan, City of Derry, Civil Service, Clogher Valley, Coleraine, Donegal Town, Dromore, Enniskillen, Finn Valley, Inishowen, Letterkenny, Lurgan, Monaghan, Omagh, Portadown, Rainey Old Boys and Randalstown so far this season.
What is our overall impression of these games, systems, clubs, coaches, supporters. Undoubetly commitment, skill, knowledge, and perhaps equally importantly, friendliness and professionalism are displayed by each and every system. The rugby is excellent, the coaching is excellent, the absorption of the latest ideas and systems in terms of rugby development are happening immediately clearly having been practiced in training. Innovations in the game are being generated and incorporated into the philosophy that the players and coaches are bringing to the game across the key areas of nutirion, conditioning and basic skills such as offload while in motion, set pieces, rucks and counter rucks.
Confidence, self esteem and respect for the referee and the laws of the game are demonstrated by each and every team member. Also, and absolutely brilliant to report that every week and we have covered a youth system every morning there was only one instance of physical violence breaking out between players, which means that we are not animals and are not deteriorating pyschologicaly into a base and negative expression of emotion, instead the athletes are competing in an emotionally controlled fashion in which the implementation of the players knowledge of the game is to the fore. Very very well done to the athletes, parents and coaches for playing such intensely and healthily focused concentration on implementing each aspect of the game and what is emerging is self confident players who’s skill level is to the fore.
Work rate on the pitch and out of training practice is putting the finishing touches to the players development and the result is very proficient rugby played in an intelligent and professional manner and focused on set piece implementation, passing and team work. Really brilliant to watch how the dignity of the players is respected by focusing on the number 1 priority which is player welfare particularly when injuries have occurred. We wish every single player who is or has been injured a speedy recovery, and we urge you to follow the return to play protocols.
Feedback from supporters and parents and friends has been very encouraging, a lot of people have been commenting that player welfare is obviously to the fore with medical kits, referee / coach assessments of players should there be possibility of concussion, physios etc, which is bringing a core of goodness and respect for the athletes in everything the community is doing. Very proud for everyone to be part of a system that values individuals welfare. There is something very good and moral about a system that values people.
Last week we attended Armagh v Monaghan U14s & U16s, we got pictures and interviews, the pictures can be accessed on the following links and of course they are for free download CLICK HERE for U16s, CLICK HERE for U14s while the interviews and video footage are to follow.
Below is a round up of results from week ending 20th of December 2014.
Qualifying U18
20/12/2014
Malone vs Instonians
Civil Service vs Larne Alan Wilson
U18 League Section 1
20/12/2014
Armagh vs Monaghan
Banbridge 44 vs 12 Ballymena
Lurgan vs Randalstown
Rainey Ob vs Carrickfergus Steven Robb
U18 League Section 2
20/12/2014
Coleraine 5 vs 31 Letterkenny
Dromore vs Donegal Town
Portadown 10 vs 15 Omagh
Ballyclare vs Enniskillen Ted Edwards
U18 League Section 3
20/12/2014
Ards 19 vs 18 City Of Derry
Clogher Valley vs Dungannon
Lisburn vs Ballymoney Richard Wiseman
Qualifying U16
20/12/2014
Ballymena 2 vs Civil Service
Newry vs Ophir
Malone vs Instonians Duncan Wallace
U16 League Section 1
20/12/2014
Armagh 52 vs 0 Monaghan
Banbridge 10 vs 26 Ballymena
Rainey Ob vs Carrickfergus
U16 League Section 2
20/12/2014
Ballyclare 0 vs 24 Enniskillen
Dromore vs Donegal Town
Coleraine vs Letterkenny
Portadown 10 vs 34 Omagh Keith Lewis
U16 League Section 3
20/12/2014
Ards vs City Of Derry
Qualifying U14
20/12/2014
Limavady 0 vs 48 Finn Valley
Malone vs Instonians
Newry vs Clogher Valley
Strabane vs Inishowen
Virginia vs TBC
Civil Service vs Larne
U14 League Section 1
20/12/2014
Armagh 17 vs 17 Monaghan
Lurgan 5 vs 32 Randalstown
Rainey Ob 5 vs 52 Carrickfergus
Banbridge 28 vs 0 Ballymena
U14 League Section 2
20/12/2014
Dromore vs Donegal Town
Ballyclare vs (win for Enniskillen) Enniskillen
Coleraine vs Letterkenny
Portadown 27 vs 14 Omagh
U14 League Section 3
20/12/2014
Clogher Valley vs Dungannon
Ards vs City Of Derry
Newry vs Clogher Valley
