Coolmine 21 Guinness 19

Coolmine 3rds took the game to Guinness RFC from the start and the early pressure yielded two early tries with one converted. 
Coolmine looked to capitalise on this commanding lead and held all the possession. 

Guinness struck back with a try against the run of play and put them back in the game. 

Stephen Hanley scored three penalties in a scrappy affair. 

When the teams returned for the 2nd half Guinness got into the game more. They were awarded a penalty try after a number of penalties had been given away.  

Coolmine played well but found the line at the top of the pitch out of their grasp,

Guinness  scored a late try in the lower corner to bring the game close, but as the conversion was landed the whistle went meaning Coolmine 3rd XV had 4 points to start their Metro Division 6 Journey. 

Ken Condon's team are one of the standard-setters in this league and will be confident of repeating the breakthrough year they had last year.

Coolmine 17 vs Cill Dara 5 Leinster Division 1B (IIs)

Coolmine 2nd XV vs Cill Dara

While Coolmine carried the day here it wasn't always plain sailing and the team under the tutelage of Andrew Wood and Jason Winfield have plenty to learn from this encounter with a tough opponent.
The score didn't really reflect the battle the teams had particularly at the breakdown where Coolmine's overall aggressiveness in this area won an important advantage for the team.
This allowed them the platform to dominate from thereon and tack on the scores through some controlled phase play and good moves.
Ben Newscombe and Tom O'Connor crossed for Coolmine's two first half tries.
It was Ben's first try in senior rugby for the club. The first of many we hope.
The second try saw Rob Walsh get over the line for Coolmine and it was duly converted by Dave Moore.
The team welcome Tullow at home in Ashbrook on Sunday 4th October for their first home league of the season and will be hoping to repeat the effort and gain maximum points.

Coolmine vs Cill Dara Leinster League Division 1B

Coolmine 18 Cill Dara 15

This was a see saw affair with Coolmine the better team overall yet not quite finding it easy to convert the superior playmaking into scores on the board.

Cill Dara were keen from the start to cause an upset and came at league newcomers Coolmine with everything, taking the lead after some early pressure and good phase work while Coolmine adjusted to the tempo.

But Coolmine soon began to use their stronger ball carriers and superiority in the lineout and scrum to good effect and after an intense exchange of play from both teams and good work from around the breakdown Mark Whitehead crossed for Coolmine's first try of the new season league campaign. Conor Hayes converted to level the teams.

A quick long ball from the re-start which Coolmine could have cleared quicker put them under pressure and the resulting play allowed Cill Dara to cross for their second try. A missed conversion made it 7-12 to the Curragh club.


Coming out in the second half it was clear that Coolmine needed capitalise on their overall control of the game and get some points on the board. Some great line breaks by Ruairi Farrell and good phase-work by the pack allowed the team to keep Cill Dara hemmed in their own 22 for the first ten minutes of the second half.
The pressure was duly rewarded with Russ Shortt crossing for a great team try to make it 12 - 12 as we missed the conversion.

Coolmine went in search of the killer score to put distance between them and this tough outfit and should have had at least two clear cut chances that went askew on us on their line. A knock on from us at a crucial moment gifted them a reprieve.

Then a break out kick and chase brought play back into our own 22 and after they were awarded a scrum Coolmine fought hard to get the turnover and won a penalty with some staunch defending.

Another break by Farrell brought play back into their 22 only for a knock on to let them off again and give them a scrum.

But Coolmine won the ball against the head as Cill Dara showed signs of wear and tear. Conor Hayes stepped up and duly slotted over the penalty to make it 15-12 and the first time Coolmine had taken the lead, half way through the second half.

From the restart Cill Dara came looking for a score and were awarded a penalty in front of our posts for a high tackle.
After they levelled through the penalty - Coolmine quickly went looking for a score and upped the tempo with some fine individual efforts and well worked passages of play. Their lineout work in particular was never troubled and it gave them a great platform to take the game to Cill Dara.
With the injury toll beginning to mount for both sides, Coolmine finally got the break they needed when Cill Dara were blown up for going in at the side of a ruck in their own 22.

PICTURED ABOVE - the defining moment - Cill Dara blown up for infringement at the ruck which Coolmine duly converted to take the lead. It was to be the match-winning score.

Conor Hayes converted the kick from a not-too-easy angle (see pic above).

But the drama wasn't finished as straight from the re-start Coolmine gave away a penalty which Cill Dara opted to take but it came up short. The kick however came off the side of the upright, was half fumbled and pounced on by the oncoming Cill Dara team.  Somehow the Coolmine defence dug deep and turned over the possession and cleared the danger.

For the remaining ten minutes Coolmine turned the screw but the scores just wouldn't fall their way with three missed penalty kicks - one coming off the upright and numerous close encounters with the try line but no chalk on the ball.

The sense of relief at the final whistle was palpable for this team as they have been through the wars for the past 18 months. A first league win and a good start to come back from behind and close the game out.

Plenty to be positive about for Coolmine.

U14 METRO SEMI FINAL

COOLMINE 27 ST MARYS 7

The sun was shining down on Ashbrook on Sunday morning as the Under 14s teams from Coolmine and St Marys started their semi final earlier than usual at 11am. Having met already this year this would prove to be a challenging match.

With a quick check of studs, the French lady referee set the game in motion and help release the tension of both teams in front of a large turn-out in the Ashbrook grounds of Coolmine RFC.

What may easily have been the fastest try of the season, Dean Ennis made a break, from loose ball to run length of the pitch and grounded the ball, within the first 10 seconds of the game. Louis McDonagh converted for Coolmine. St Mary’s have significant talent but a determined defense from Coolmine chased, tackled, brought the players to ground over and over during the first quarter of play. There were some errors on both sides with balls turn over but again Coolmine recovered quickly. During the 8th minute of the game, a Chris Agnoli tackle on the Marys half back resulted in a strong scrum by the Coolmine forwards and some good passing.  Thien called for the ball and it found its way to him and he was away, and brought the ball home to score the second try but failed to convert with a tight angle.

At the break of the second half the St Mary’s players caught an unaware Coolmine and scored a well-deserved try.  The Coolmine captain, Chris Agnoli, rallied the Coolmine players and steadied them after the conversion.  With the introduction of fresh legs, Harry Meehan, Jack Fitzpatrick and Ben Colgan, the pressure was intense for both teams.  A pivotal try scored by Dean through multiple phases of play helped move the game closer to Coolmine.  Their efforts were rewarded when Conor Dunne intercepted a high pass the ball to bolt down the pitch to ground the ball between the posts, lining up Louis nicely with a straight forward conversion. Score stood at 24-7 with only a matter of minutes to play, when the final whistle blew.  A well turned St Marys did their club proud but on the day the Coolmine 14's had the upper hand.

Onward to the final.  Show your support for the lads and get behind them for the final. Come on Coolmine!

METRO U14 QTR FINALS

 COOLMINE 38 RATOATH 7

To win away from home is challenging, to win a quarter final away from home requires you to dig deep and deliver. The sun was shining on Sunday in Jamestown. Continuing the theme of Saturday's 6 Nations rugby, this game was pulsating, demonstrating Youths rugby at it's best - plenty of ball carrying, rucks, mauls and that was the spirit for the entire match.

Coolmine got off to a fast start with Ben Colgan reaching the try line. We were 5 points up!  Followed in quick succession, Liam Coyne went over the line, with Louis McDonagh kicking the conversion. A slight error from Ratoath, allowing Harry Meehan to intercept, resulting in him crossing the tryline, right in the corner which set Justin Leonard up to kick the conversion, between the sticks. Coolmine were relentless, and this pace continued. The Coolmine forwards barracaded their line and Ratoath simply couldn't penetrate through. They managed to make a break in the last couple of minutes of the first half, however, an error resulted in Ben Mancini ripping the ball and covered some ground until he could see Max Gerhardt on the wing. Successfully passing the ball, Max sprinted to the line with at least 5 Ratoath players in pursuit - it wasn't meant to be! Max skipped over the while line, Justin converted. Half time score 0-26 to Coolmine.

Second half started with a series of changes in Coolmine, notably some of our new players starting. Our forwards coach Andrew Kelly has been busy recruiting in the local schools - and we have had 4 new players join the team in the last few months. They have settled in quickly and brought fresh ideas and approaches to the team. Having clawed back a try in the early minutes of the second half, it was vital that Coolmine didn't get complacent - the final whistle had not yet blown. The next two tries were scored by two of our new players, Kristians Feldmanis and Bao Trans. The gap has widened to 7-38 In the last few minutes of the game, through a couple of errors from Coolmine, we find nearly all 30 players along the Coolmine try-line, with Ratoath trying to put a dent in the score. Ratoath's determination is applaudable, Coolmine's defense is determined. And just when you thought that Ratoath were to ground the ball, Max Gerhardt dived in, tackled the unsuspecting players legs with support from Ben Mancini on the other side - you couldn't see the ball or line for the mass of players sprawled across the line.

The referee blew the whistle and the try was held up! Victory to Coolmine, 7-38 and we march onto the Semi-Finals. Congrats to both teams for a great game of rugby.

COOLMINE U12 AT DLSP BLITZ

COOLMINE U12 AT DLSP BLITZ

Sunday March 22nd when they came away from the DLSP Blitz with their heads held high.. The players arrived in DLSP just before 10:00am and played their last match just before 2:00pm,  on a beautiful Spring day. Coolmine Mini Rugby has a long and successful history in this competition. Thirty two players from the under twelve age group made the trip to DLSP There were sixteen teams in total at the U12 age level taking part on the day, from clubs such as the hosts (DLSP) Barnhall, Blackrock, Old Wesley, Wicklow Enniscorthy.  Terenure and of course London Irish. . Games were twenty minutes long and were refereed by representatives from clubs other than those involved in the individual games. Coolmine fielded two teams and both started brightly defending their line with vigor and scored some wonderful tries on the day. All games were played in great sprit and were keenly contested by the players . Coolmine knew from the outset they had the measure of the very well coached sides from a variety of Leinster finest Clubs. Each of the two Coolmine teams played four games each over the day with pitch and weather conditions ideal for fast flowing Rugby.

DLSP President David Lillis spoke to us afterwards and was keen to bring to our attention that the Coolmine game versus London Irish was the best game they had seen all day. London Irish had played St Mary's U13s the previous day and had won. In our opinion they were lucky to escape with a draw from the Coolmine game. For the coaching group that was result of the weekend despite impressive results for the Irish National team in the Six nations on the previous day . Both teams made the coaching group and their parents really proud at the effort they made to play pure rugby and it really was great to watch them move the ball so well and support their team mates at every break, ruck and tackle.  What came across to the coaching group from both teams, that even faced with a more fancied opponent, the guys stuck to playing rugby they way it should be played. Their passing game at this level is great to watch when in full flight. While we a have alot of work to do yet (starting slowly and tackling chief among them), we have come a long way since our first blitz in Blackrock at the start of the season. The two Coolmine teams had minimal subs which were rotated during the games, every player made a big contribution to the Coolmine cause. It would be unfair to name individuals but suffice to say everyone gave their all, scoring an impressive number of tries and conceding the minimum. The Coolmine U12 players can feel rightly proud of their achievements on a very successful days rugby in DLSP.

A special word of thanks goes to the DLSP Club who hosted the event and provided refreshments for parents and kids on the day . A particular word of thanks to DLSP. Mini Coaches who organised an enjoyable day’s Rugby and ran the matches of in quick succession was a great day in the young Rugby lives of Coolmine U12’s  Next up for the the U12 Team is a Tour to Limerick where the players will travel to Thomond on Saturday eving for the Munster V Connacht game. On Sunday they will play in a Blitz at Gary Owen RFC.


Written by PJ McGovern March 24th 2015

METRO 7 LEAGUE FINAL

COOLMINE 13 OLD WESLEY 40

Our famous tradition of fielding and dominating the respective 3rd XV competitions and leagues continued this season with our team achieving an impressive run of league form culminating in a winner takes all in the final playoff against a seasoned and experienced Old Wesley XV in Donnybrook.

Old Wesley who were the previous seasons runners up, approached this game with one league final lost last season with intent and vigor but Coolmine had other ideas and were not going to be second best on this occasion competing aggressively and passionately for this very special trophy which is very dear to us all at Coolmine RFC, namely the Dr. Bill Linihan Memorial Cup dedicated to our co-founder.

Both teams for this League final met on the home ground of Old Wesley on the new 4g pitch for a game that promised a great deal of specific types of rugby styles; hard and determined forward orientated play from Coolmine or the Wesley style of free flowing combative and utterly competitive rugby underlining their seasons impressive performance in this seasons league winning against all teams including ourselves.

The game itself started well for Coolmine with some dominance in all aspects forward and backs involved skill level contributed to an excellent try on 3 minutes with a valuable 5 points scored. Unfortunately we didn’t convert due to a difficult angle on the 22. The restart commenced and Wesley were dominant and commanding secure ball possession and despite great Coolmine defence in opposing a strong Old Wesley forward orientated play resulted in a great try by them and converted too which left the score after 18 minutes Old Wesley led at 14 – 05. Old Wesley conceded a penalty close to the conclusion of the first half which was kicked successfully by Coolmine narrowing the gap to 14-8 at the conclusion of the first half.

As the second half commenced we had a great flourish to take the game to our opposition and show what we meant. We fought hard and resiliently, but allowed Old Wesley to commence a great move which culminated in a further Old Wesley try on the 6th minute of the second half to stretch the score difference to a now 21-8. An upward battle loomed for Coolmine RFC to overtake the point’s difference and establish dominance. However this was Old Wesley’s purple patch and they went 3 try’s unanswered by Coolmine the home team showed dominance and decent ability to demonstrate their impact. The score in the second half was now a very daunting 40-8 with tremendous Old Wesley dominance capitalised with their impressive score line. However , the Coolmine spirit didn’t surrender and we kept fighting creating our own pressure with our fighting spirit leading us to securing a second try in the dying minutes and left the final score at 40 – 13.

Old Wesley claimed the Dr. Bill Linihan Cup which was presented by Billy Linihan. Coolmine RFC fought hard with a young team and what we can be assured of as that our 3rd team will return next season with a harder, smarter and experienced team. We look forward to the next season following their progress. Our congratulations to the team’s leadership and coaches on a job well done.