If those cement steps could talk………….

Tag Rugby at Corinthians has become an integral part of Galway’s social scene.

An expansion of the beginners league is afoot, so anyone that hasn’t already played, come aboard.

For those of you that are returning, get your team happening, get registered! Click on Volkswagen Tag Rugby button on the home page and get started.

Quirky and hilarious event nights are what makes Corinthians tag so much more than just a bit of rugby.  What will this seasons events entail? Watch this space.

Puzzlers from Mick Roche

Answers will be listed next week

Question 1

Darren gets a pass but as he gets it, the ball goes forward from him.   Before the ball  hits the ground Peader Tonery (who was behind Darren) with his superior speed, gathers the ball.

Is this a knock on?

Question 2

Hutchy, in scoring a try, hits the corner post .

Try or not?

Question 3

A. Conor Murphy is late tackled as he kicks the ball which lands 40 metres in front of him.

Where is the ensuing penalty?

B. Same situation but Conor kicks the ball into the wind and it lands 20 metres behind him.

Is the penalty where the ball lands or somewhere else?

Corinthians First Season

This story begins at a committee meeting on an evening in February 1933,  held in the Mechanics Institute. Corinthians had  been in existence for only one season.   It was decided that they would travel to Dublin for the Ireland v Scotland Fixture.  They arranged a fixture with Dublin University College 2^nd fifteen and an overnight for the International game on the Saturday.  As the Great Southern Railway rate of 16 shillings a head was too expensive,  it was decided to travel with the Galway Omnibus Company of which its manager Mr Sparrow been a member of Corinthians and allowed a better rate of 12 shillings and 6 pence.

Weather Ahead

Weather forecasting at the time was more than eratic and uninspired guesswork.  The team (which was captained by Jack Browne) and alickadoos assembled at Eyre Square for the trip.   The instincts and a cloud laden sky was enough to warn them that the journey would not be the most comfortable that they ever had.  This Corinthian team were a youthfull side, however,  made up of mostly ex Bish players and a few Jes thrown in for good measure, nothing daunted as one would say as they, took off for Dublin.

A light fall of snow, driven by an east wind,  greeted them at Oranmore but things soon got worse.  A blizzard of growing intensity developed and within a half mile of New Inn the Omnibus had slowed to a crawl and became embedded in a four foot snow drift. They vacated the bus and made their way to a premises which happened to be the local Garda Station.  It was about noon at this stage.  The Guards made them welcome and gave the visitors the full use of their day-room.  The day slipped by with no let up of the blizzard and  the travelers were comfortable near a roaring fire.  They learned later in the day that like themselves, a bread van was marooned a few hundred yards further on with a plentiful supply of confectionery on board.  The ravenous Corinthian outfit had commandeered all of the van’s  contents which had disappeared entirely by tea-time.  The night passed by with spinning of yarns,card playing, etc.  The most vivid recollection, made by Brian O’Connell, the clubs first secretary is the “Griff” (Paddy Griffin) holding court in front of the open fire laying down the law and threatening fire and brimstone on the next …. how’ your father etc etc ..who left the door of the day room open behind them when they went out to relieve themselves.

The unfortunate Barracks housekeeper kept brewing tea until dawn broke.  The bedraggled group decided that their best course of action was to head for Woodlawn Railway Station and hope for a train going east or west.  On their way they retreaved some of their luggage after climbing into the back of the Omnibus.

A Bedraggled Lot Make Their Way Back Home

The snow was thick and walking conditions were almost impossible but the members of the team were attired in their rugby boots and socks which formed a slight form of protection.  The allicadoos were worse off and had to walk on top of the roadside wall.  They reached Woodlawn Station in two hours (a distance of five miles) only to find there was no chance of getting a train, due to the snow being two feet high on the railway line.  On route to the station they enquired at a house (Mrs Rafterys as was learned later)whither there was any place where they might get a meal for over twenty persons (this was about eleven am).  Mrs Raftery said no, but invited them in and preceded to feed the whole Corinthian flotilla, in relays,  with beacon and eggs.  Misses Raftery was ably assisted by two or three of her children and a maid.  After the meal and all the thank yous the group headed for the station again.

They then decided to walk the permanent way all that distance of twelve miles to Lathery Station hoping to catch a train into Galway. This they achived walking in two feet of snow in football boots etc.  They sang all the way to Athenry with that man again ,“The Griff”,  leading the way.  His favourite was“To the table down in Maurys”, which got many a rendering down the years. Other songs to be heard sung by the miles men working on the permanent way was the “West Awake” and” Corinthians are we”

There were many tales told of that famous journey, one of which was of the treasurer “Bubbles O Flaherty”sliding down the embankment, covered by snow.the only item to be seen was his hand pertruding from same holding on to the money bag for dear life.   They achieved the trek to Athenry in two and a half hours where they got a great welcome.

They caught the four thirty train to Galway a damp and weary bunch,but their greatest welcome was at Galway Railway Station as news of there trek had spread to their wives and girl friends.

Some weeks later a group headed to Woodlawn consisting of Mr G H Warner(President),Miko Gallagher,Jack Browne and of course Paddy Griffin where a presentation was made of a Silver Plate and coffee/tea set for her kindness and hospitality which was suitably inscribed.  The rest of the personnel on that journey were M Browne,J Deacy,M Deacy,G Mahony,T Mullins,W Toner,H Flatery,D O Donovan,J Reid,G Glynn,”Brod” O Halloran and first secretary of the club Brian O Connell who along with Brod,  were the main suppliers of the tale.

Story brought to us by Brendan Cassidy

CONNEMARA 0 -  CORINTHIANS (Black) 59.

The U13‘s travelled to Clifden on Sunday last to play Connemara. The weather conditions and the pitch could only be described as perfect. It only took three minutes for Corinthians to cross the oppositions line with Jack Nevin crossing for his first of 4 tries of the day, an outstanding display at number 8. Marcus Burke added the extras. With Tom Forde at scrumhalf Corinthians played some very inspirational rugby, with Tom scoring 2 tries himself. There were big performances from Maitias O’Griofa, who had an exceptional game, Macdara O’Duibhir and Cillian McHugh. Openside  flanker Cathal Wall carried a lot of ball and was eventually rewarded with a try. At any time the Corinthians could have become complacent but their captain Sean Curley Caulfield kept the lads grounded and led by example. Tight head prop Dylan Tierney Martin barged over the whitewash twice in the second half and had a useful afternoon around the pitch. Sean Kilmartin made some beautiful runs throughout the match and was unfortunate not to make it onto the score sheet. Max  Payton had a great game at outhalf, a position he would not be familiar with. Marcus Burke had an outstanding  afternoon in the centre with a personal tally of 2 tries and 3 conversions. Barry O’Shea had a good match and was an integral part of the backline but found his efforts to get on the score sheet thwarted on the day.  Fionn McGabhann made several efforts from the wing but couldn’t avoid the attentions of the Connemara full back. This was a  great team effort with the forwards winning a good number of scrums against the  head and the oppositions lineout. Lads, an outstanding team performance.

CORINTHIANS   63    -      WESTPORT        0

Despite missing a number of players away with other sport committments and a few injuries the U16 squad had a comprehensive victory over Westport on Sat 21st Jan. A fantastic team display with good ball provided by the forwards to a flying backline who scored most of the tries. So many players had great games and the quality of handling,rucking and support play was a pleasure to watch. The front row of Ciaran Murphy, Phelim McGovern and Sean McKeogh did tremendous work in tight supported by Stephen Flanagan and Jack Gavin in 2nd row. Robbie Kenny got the ball away at every opportunity to a backline that moved it wide at every opportunity and gave the opposition no space when they had possession. Another great team display by these U16s.

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