The Boyne U13s rounded off a successful season with a tour to Luxembourg Rugby Club’s under 13 tournament. Boyne had just enough players to make up two teams, the Warriors captained by Hugh Egleston and the Bulls captained by Michael Briscoe. Both teams had a rocky start to the tournament probably not helped by travel the previous day and sleep deprivation through unsanctioned social activity in the youth hostel the night before. The youth hostel on the first night was like a rural training camp and was situated in Hollenfels in the lower reaches of the Ardennes.
Boyne Under-19's efforts to add the Culliton cup to the towns cup won by the seniors came up just short in this entertaining decider at Donnybrook on the May bank holiday Monday.
Opponents Enniscorthy were the more fancied side, but Boyne - coached by first-team players Cillian Duffy & Niall Kerbey - shaded the early exchanges on a pitch that resembled a sandy beach in parts. After eight minutes Boyne won good ball from a ruck , and when full-back Ciaron Clinton entered the line he off-loaded in the tackle to the supporting Robert Tallon to run in unopposed for an excellent try.
In the first of the youths finals Boyne have reached this season the Under 17's defeated a strong Naas team by 28 points to 8.
Full Match Report to Follow:
Boyne 17's travelled to Navan to take on Barnhall in the Leinster 17's plate. Taking to the pitch straight after Boyne 19's had defeated North Kildare in the 19's Cup Semi-final Boyne had an unlucky start when the referree penalised them for hands in the ruck, in what looked like a very harsh decision. Penalties were then swapped to leave the score at 6 - 3 to Barnhall. Cormac Brodigan made a super break and offloaded to Shane Dowling to touch down which Richard Keane converted.
Following a long season of training, matches and finishing with a selection blitz last weekend the preliminary Leinster clubs u-18 squad for 2011 was selected. Boyne had 3 players who were part of the selection process and two of those, John McDonnell & Ciaran Clinton have been selected to continue on to the Leinster squad. Boyne hooker, Ruairi Hickey was the one not selected. The North East teams have a total of 11 players in the squad.
Congratulations to John & Ciaran.
Boyne U-14's traveled to Navan to take on North Kildare in the Leinster U-14's cup semi-final. It was a warm sunny afternoon when both teams lined out. Boyne made some changes to the line-up to try add some solidity to their defense in the back line and while this was a plus on the defense it lessened our ability to get quick ball out wide. The game played out in true cup fashion with both teams giving their all, and the scoring chances were rare. Boyne went in at half time 6 - 0 up from two penalties by scrum-half John Connolly.
Boyne 14's hosted English tourists Melton Mowbray for an Easter Sunday game in Shamrock Lodge. It was a well balanced game with both sides showing a great willingness to run with the ball. Boyne mixed up their squad, welcoming Peter Prendergast back from boarding school and moving no 8 Neil Reilly to inside center amongst other changes. It was a useful set of alterations and give the coaching team plenty of thought before next weekends Leinster Cup Semi-final against North Kildare.
Boyne ran out 24-20 winners against Seapoint in a very disjointed Schools/Youth cup Qtr Final. This was not the best display from Boyne and the team have shown they can play much better.
At the end of the day this Under 15 team now contest their third Semi Final of the season and if they play to their potential have the ability to reach the final.
Boyne hosted Navan in this quarter final of the u-14 Schools-Youth competition in Shamrock Lodge expecting to have a good tussle with their neighbours. Navan however were stronger on the day, their back row being first to the breakdown and turning over a large amount of ball. With the game scoreless Boyne full-back Ciaran McArdle took a knock to the face which finished his involvement in the game. The ensuing reshuffle saw Navan go over in the corner when the cover wasn't there.
Boyne Under 19's advanced to the semi-final of the Leinster Culliton Cup following a well earned quarter final victory over Kildare club Barnhall at Leixlip on Saturday. Boyne outscored their opponents by 2 tries, 2 penalties and a conversion to a converted try for the home team.