Corinthians 14     Clonakilty 7

Corinthians bounced back with a win after losing out to Terenure last weekend. Bottom of the table Clonakilty were the visitors to Cloonacauneen last Saturday a contest that was played in very heavy conditions. The Cloonacauneen outfit were first on the score board after ten minutes with a easy penalty in front of posts which was converted by outhalf Eric Flynn. This came from good play by the Corinthian pack which grinded their way into the opposing teams twenty two and were penalized for dragging down the ensuing maul. The side had another opportunity mid way through the half when the two new halfbacks Mickey Murphy and Flynn created a great break with full back Darrin Classens coming into the line but the slippery ball spilled when he was about to touch down. The score remained three points to nil at the break for the home side.

With the elements assisting the Cloonacauneen side in the second half and sustained pressure by the pack which mauled its way down the pitch. Scrumhalf Murphy eventually picked from the base of the maul to set up hooker Kevin O Byrne to touch down in the corner. Center Wayne Williams missed out on the extras from out wide. The west Cork outfit never gave up and were rewarded after twenty minutes into the second half after a great break by number eight Ger McCarty to set up left winger Kieran Howlin to get over the try line. Fullback Matt Kirby added the extras to leave only a point between the two sides. The home side upped their game again even after what looked like a serious injury to second row Pat Cunningham who had to helped off the pitch. With replacement Joey Merrigan coming into the fray they gained a foothold into the Clonakilty twenty two. From the ensuing lineout the visitors were penalized by IRFU referee Nigel Correll for an infringement. Williams converted same. Despite good work by the Clonakitlty halfbacks Mark Purcell and Joe Crowley they were unable to make any inroads into the Corinthian half. The home side finished off the scoring in the last few minutes with the back row driving forward especially Aurelien Casanova and Luke Bertini. Referee Correll again penalized the visitors for foul play. Williams converted to finish off the game leaving the home side winning by fourteen points to seven. This was a much improved performance from the previous week which should give coach Sean Duighan and captain Finn Gormley some joy.

Corinthian Team: D Classens.E Daly.F Gormley.(capt).W Williams.B Dixon(J Buckley).E Flynn.M Murphy.(M Byrne).F Bealham.K O Byrne.T Toolan(D Small).G Warde.P Cunningham(J Merrigan).S Gerrity.L Bertini.

Corinthians travelled to Dublin on Saturday to take on Terenure hoping to consolidate their position in Division two but the home side had another agenda.The first half was a very dour affair been played in perfect but chilly conditions. The contest itself showed that the Christmas break did not help the standard of rugby that was produced. The visitors started well with their forwards doing good work out of touch especially Pat Cunningham and Sean Geraghty .Corinthian right winger Brian Dickson had an opportunity midway through the half of getting in for a try but a great tackle into touch by Terenure’s fullback Conor Gildea saved the day for the home side. The Lakelands Road’s right winger Conor Kelly let an chance go a begging with the goal line at his mercy but for Corinthians winger Darren Classens to thump him into touch. IRFU Referee Jonathan Peake blew the half time whistle with both sides scoreless.

Terenure sub Niall Casey was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle early in the second half this seemed to give more impetus to the home side putting severe pressure on the visitors. After Corinthians were penalized for foul play Nure’s outhalf Dave McAllister kicked a great ball to bring play to the visitors five meter line. From the ensuing lineout the home side second row and captain Brian Moroney took a great ball and fed scrumhalf Mark O Neill who side stepped the Corinthian backrow to get in for a touch down. McAllister added the extras. The Cloonacauneen outfit still had plenty of time to level matters with Classens kicking a fine line ball bringing play into Terenure’s twenty five. Geraghty stole a great lineout for the visitors and with a quick ball out to the backline, but the final pass went forward with the line at their mercy. The home side broke down the pitch again in the final minutes and a turn over by the Dublin outfit saw centre Andy Wallace slice through the visitors defence to touch down wide of the posts McAllister added the extras. Referee Jonathan Peake then called time. Final score Terenure 14 –Corinthians Nil.

Next Fixture is at home to Clonakilty. Saturday Feb 4^th. Kick off 2.30pm.

Corinthian Team: F Bealham(J Burton).K O’Byrne.D Small(T Tolan).P Cunningham.G Ward.A Casanova.S Geraghty.L Bertini.N Murphy.C Murphy.B Dickson.O Daly.F Gormley.D Classens.D Palmer.

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

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.

The under 16 league restarted after bad weather and Corinthians got a great win away in Monivea with 6 tries and one conversion to no score. Monivea were a big strong side and this was not an easy win, but with an organised defence which did not give an inch around the set pieces and breakdowns Corinthians moved the ball wide at every opportunity and scored all tries through their backs. Johannes O’Coistealbha (3tries), Paddy Griffin(2 tries) and Keelan Ward (1 try) with Mark Kenny adding a conversion. Another great team effort with some fantastic tackling by all particularly Philip Murphy,Stephen Flanagan and Michael O’Connell.

Corinthians  U13 (Black) travelled  to Westport  for  their  first  outing  of  2012  and  what  a  start to  a  new  year . Conditions  were  excellent  for  rugby , the  pitches  were  in  great  order  given  the  weather  conditions  recently . It  took  Corinthians  about   sixty  seconds  to  cross  for  the  first  of  9  tries  of  the  afternoon . Westport  were  considerably  better  than  the  scoreline  suggests  and  only  for  some  great  defending  by  Corinthians  things  would  have  been  different , substitute  full  back  Michael  Barry  making a  definite  try  saving  tackle  in  the  second  half . Outhalf  Jack  White (2 Cons.)  made  several  useful  breaks  as  did  Tom  Forde , who  was  rewarded  with  a  try . The  forwards  made  life  difficult  for  Westport  at  ruck  time  with  great  work  done  by  Jack  Nevin (2 Tries) , Maitias O’Griofa (2 Tries) , Dylan Tierney Martin , Declan  Gill(1 Con.) , Conor  Powderly , Alan  Duggan , Ruairi  Waldron  Caufield , Colm  Joyce. Liam  Melia  entered  the  fray  for  Ruairi  in  the  second  half , and  it  must  be  said  played  very  well . Cathal  Wall  was  unlucky  in  the  second  half  when  he  was  just  pushed  into  touch  inches  from  the  line . Ciaran  Weldon  had  a  cracking  game  at  scrumhalf,(2 tries). Max  Peyton  and  Barry  O’Shea  scored  one  each  and  worked  hard  during  the  game . Fionn  MacGabhann  made  some  good  runs  aswell  . All  in  all  a  great  example  of  a  team  playing  together .

Look at her, she is soooo happy – someone gave her tickets to the 6 Nations Ireland v Wales match.

Would you like to make someone this happy? Why not give someone the tickets as a Christmas Present?

Its as easy as emailing John at:

jgm@ireland.com

Paid up members will be given priority for all international tickets, remaining tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Go on, make their Christmas.

Development

Corinthians Mini Rugby for boys (and girls) from under 7s to under 12s is part of the IRFU’s long term player development, promoted as ‘from 6 to 6 Nations’ Rugby for these youngsters is all about fun with an abundance of Blitzes but no competition, no semi-finals, no finals, no trophies, no losers, a wonderful manifestation of the vision of Jimmy Joyce.

CRFC Minis Rugby began in earnest in the 90’s and has grown from strength to strength.  It has been a great addition to the club and has quickly come to be known as an integral part of the future of the club.  It wasn’t long before it was decided that the Minis needed somewhere that they could congregate but still participate in the buzz that surrounds the seniors in the club.

A Room of Their Own

A storage room and pseudo weight room on the ground floor of the club was cleared of its clutter and deemed a perfect space to house the new Minis room.  Dividing walls were erected, the place was painted, tables, chairs, a TV and catering facilities where added.

The Jimmy Joyce Room

Jimmy had a long history with Corinthians where he played at full back while his brother Mickey Joyce featured at outhalf. The two brothers were also outstanding servants of Bohemians AFC. In 2009 the Minis room was named the Jimmy Joyce Room to recognize the Corinthian that pioneered the mini rugby revolution at the club.  Jimmy’s contemporaries, friends, club members, officers, parents and of course many of the Minis gathered at the official launch of the Jimmy Joyce Room.

Peep your head into this room on a Saturday morning and what will you see? Parents having a chat or maybe reading the newspaper while sipping a cup of coffee or tea, while their Corinthian is out on the pitch training.   Often times you’ll see player’s siblings taking advantage of the coloring pencils and paper on the tables or watching TV.   After training the room comes alive with players popping in and coaches being handed a well deserved sandwich and cup of tea while they yak about the days progress.

Visiting underage teams give us the opportunity to show off our fabulous facilities. Visiting kids are handed a hot dog and a drink and a chance to relish in the comfort of a purpose built room. The room is never taken for granted and appreciated by all.

It is a fantastic facility that does us proud.  Our thanks go out to those of you that had the vision and put so much time and effort into making it all happen.

Thanks to everyone for their support

Corinthians were hoping for some Christmas cheer and seeing the year out with a win against Bective Rangers but the visitors had other ideas.Both sides needed a win to keep in touch with the top half of the teams in their division. Bective decided to play against the elements in the first half and looked like that they would be blown away from the pressure of the Corinthian pack. The home side had two opportunities in the first quarter to touch down but knocked on in their final play. They finally got on the score board after seventeen minutes when the Dublin 4 front row were penalized for collapsing. Centre Conor Murphy converted for the home side. The visitors pack seemed to settle better in the second quarter with their flankers David Daly and Joe Moran driving forward at every opportunity and ably assisted by scrum half Brad Allam. On the half hour the home side had another opportunity to stretch their lead after scrum half Kieran Marmion made a great break to get the ball out wide for winger Darrin Classen to take on but his final pass was off target another opportunity gone a begging. Just before the break the Cloonacauneen outfit drove forward again with veteran second row Pat Cunningham to the fore but unfortunately the ball was again knocked on leaving Corinthians leading by three point to nil at half time.

Referee Eddie Hogan-O’Connell started the second half with the conditions really deteriorating and a three point lead for the home side did not look too good. In fairness the Corinthian pack stayed strong and held the visitors scoreless for twenty minutes of the second half but eventually the Corinthian front row were penalized for barging in front of posts. Bective’s out half Geroid O’Grady slotted the penalty to make it three all. The Donnybrook outfit committed the same mistakes as the home side they kept rushing there play. But eventually IRFU referee O’Connell awarded a penalty to the visitors on Corinthians ten meter line after an infringement. Galway man fullback Cormac(Ginger) O’Beirne slotted same for Bective to lead by three points. In the final minutes of the contest Corinthians with there never say die attitude kept plugging away to work their way up to the oppositions try line but all to no avail as the visitors cleared down field for the referee to blow the final whistle. Final score Corinthians 3—– Bective Rangers 6.

Corinthians next outing is away to Galwegians in the Connacht Senior Cup semi final.Venue Glenina; Kick off 1.30, Sat 17^th

Corinthian Team:D Panter,D Classen,F Gormley(capt),C Murphy,M Murphy,M O’Flynn,K Marmion,D Small,K O Byrne,T Toolan,G Warde,P Cunningham,J Merrigan,S Gerrity,A Casanova,