Articles in the Rugby Category

JACK MADDEN casts a cautionary eye on the multi-million euro funding deal for the Six Nations and finds a mismatch between financial and emotional investment… Money, money, money,/It’s a rich man’s game…. Two years on from the iconic Eurovision hit “Waterloo”, Swedish pop group ABBA released “Money, Money, Money”. A singalong that swept across Europe, something the ordinary man could relate to. A multilingual approach brought astronomical success. A Europe united, both politically and in song, just a few years on from both Ireland and the Uk’s entry into the European ...

Two days after his sensational try against South Africa last Saturday which saw Ireland beat the team rated the second best in the world Tommy Bowe scored again at the Official Launch of his new clothing brand XV Kings “Tommy Bowe Designs. “The Morrison Hotel Dublin where the event was held was packed to capacity with the media, Tommy‘s family and invited friends. The stunning collection of quality garments has been designed, sourced and distributed from his beloved county Monaghan. Tommy told reporters “The work taken to get this Project off the ...

Last week one of Ulster’s biggest clubs, Ballynahinch, couldn’t get its U17s across the line against this Premier outfit (with the growing reputation), and were comprehensively beaten by Derry. But our U17s did what Ballynahinch couldn’t do ! Anyway, just 4 of this MN team are moving on next season and 7 just joined this season, so we get a picture of the relative youth and inexperience of the MN lads. …MN were up against it, opposition was older, wiser and a more experienced outfit. But MN coaches accept that the ...

While Ireland’s international rugby fortunes have slipped into temporary eclipse, the combined efforts of Monaghan Rugby Club and exponents of the game from the Miramichi Valley High School in New Brunswick have over the last week delivered something of a Grand Slam in positive promotion for the heritage links bonding North Monaghan and Canada. The High School party, accompanied by top Miramichi tourism official Peter Murphy, have enjoyed a packed programme of activity in our midst since their arrival – and as they departed this, Thursday, morning for Dublin ...

A new sporting dimension to the strong and still evolving bonds forged between Co Monaghan and those of Monaghan descent in Canada will be marked next month with the visit of the Miramichi Valley High School Rugby Club for a ten-day sojourn that will coincide with local St Patrick’s Day festival celebrations. The official guests of Monaghan Rugby Club, the 25 players, accompanied by coaching personnel and their High School Vice-President, will be prominent guests of honour in the Monaghan Town St Patrick’s Day Parade and will also participate ...

Monaghan 2nds 3 Ballymena 5ths 32 Monaghan 2nds headed to Eaton Park in Ballymena for the 2nd round of the Forster cup but found their hosts far too expierenced and wily for them. Ballymena 5ths is made up primarily of players who have retired from playing senior rugby for the club and now choose to play socially for the 5ths. While their fitness may not be what it once was they were, they can still play very good rugby. Togging out on this accasion were 11 players with 10 or more ...

Monaghan’s 1st XV travelled to BHSFP RFC(belfast high school former pupils) on the Carrickfergus road to try to regain their winning ways after last weeks disappointing result against the PSNI. The PSNI match was one that got away from the Monaghan lads and they were keen to make a means. Monaghan have travelled to Belfast for this fixture for years now and have yet to earn a win on Belfast soil. Last years away fixture was one the poorest performances the Monaghan lads registered that season, they were lucky that ...

Donegal obviously taking inspiration from their GAA fellow county men came to play and play they did.Tries for Monaghan by Richard Carleton and Dwayne Rooney ably converted by David Berry were not enough to secure a win on home soil. Significant changes required after injury to Darren Berry at outhalf last week and significant other key players absence of others due to illness and commitments meant that Monaghan were forced to adapt as they went along allowing some build up of frustration, in turn causing silly mistakes and giveaway penalties. ...

Monaghan 1st XV 13 Strabane 1st XV 8 Monaghan claimed their first senior trophy for nearly thirty years with a controlled display of rugby at Ravenhill on Saturday last. There was an expectation coming into the game that this was a more balanced Monaghan side than might have previously competed in finals, brimming with attacking talent. Under the tutelage of David McGregor, and the captaincy of Marc McArdle, they had a keen eye for the win, and although the 2011/12 season hadn’t brought the anticipated league success, there was no lack of ...