Under 14 B Cup Semi Final Match Report 5/04/08
Cobh Pirates 62 Highfield 0
Pirates travelled to Highfield last Saturday in their cup semi-final
fixture. This team had prepared well and were eagerly anticipating this
encounter. Pirates were the hungrier team right from the kick off, which
proved all too much for the home side with relentless attacks from Aaron
O Flynn who put in a man of the match performance. The combination of
strong running and ball retention from the forwards and excellent ball
handling from the backs put Pirates very quickly on the scoreboard. The
Pirates scrumaged very well, turning over a lot of Highfield ball with
big performance from Pete Chandler, Ryan Lane and Glen Mc Keown in the
front row.
Pirates ended the first half 27 point up on the opposition. They took
to the field in the second half and with the wind at their backs, Pirates
were camped in Highfield’s half.
Aaron O Flynn and Dave Griffin making some excellent breaks supported
by John Little, Dylan Stack and Ross Cavanagh gave Highfield no chance
of a counter attack.
Eoin Geary linking as usual with Denis Kinevane proved to be a potent
combination and were instrumental in every attack. Jack Cahill and Chris
Moynihan were causing havoc in the centres providing a great supply of
ball to Rob Brown entering the line from full back and both wingers Darragh
OKeeffe and Kevin Quinlan all of which got on the scoreboard. In the end
Pirates proved too strong for the home side running out convincing winners.
They now are training hard for the final in two weeks. We ask that a large
supporting crowd again travel to urge them on in the final. The scorers
on the day were Ross Cavanagh 2, Dave Griffin, Denis Kinevane, Rob Brown,
John Little 1 and 1 Con, Kevin Quinlan, Aaron O Flynn, Darragh OKeeffe,
Peter Chandler and Eoin Chandler 5 cons.
Ken Mc Namara
Under 14 Match Report 26/01/08
Cobh Pirates 7 Mallow 17
After recent good results the Pirates travelled to Mallow last Saturday to play in a very tough encounter in difficult playing conditions. The pirates started the game well making some hard fought yards through their reliable back row of Aaron O Flynn and Dave Griffin. Both teams held out with some excellent defensive work. Mallow scored a converted try near half time to go in at the break 7-0. Cobh took to the field on top in the second half but a few controversial decisions by the Referee saw Dylan Stack in the sin bin and Pirates 14-0 down. Eoin Geary latched on to a Denis Kinevane break to score an excellent individual try. Mallow kicked a penalty in the dying minutes to end the game 17-7 in their favour. Players that preformed well on the day were Peter Chandler, Dave Griffin, Aaron O Flynn, Ross Cavanagh, Denis Kinevane, Eoin Geary and Rob Browne.
Last weekend also saw the commencement of the Munster Cadet Academy
for players born in 1993. Cobh Pirates were strongly represented in the
opening training session in Midleton on Sunday last. Eight Pirates participated
fully in the session and were a credit to the club. These players were
Conor Foley, Shane Connelly, Aaron O Flynn, Dave Griffin, Dylan
Stack, Ross Cavanagh, Denis Kinevane and Eoin Geary.
They will now go forward to the next session which will take place this
coming Sunday 3rd Feb in the Paddocks.
I would also ask if any Juvenile or club coaches that are free on Sunday morning at about 11 to come up to the club as any assistance would be gratefully appreciated as the onus is on the Pirates to host the session for approx 40 players and at the moment there are only two of us.
Ken Mc Namara
Under 14 match report 05/01/08
Cobh Pirates 76 Dolphin 7
The Pirates started the New Year with a comprehensive win away to Dolphin. This team has shown great commitment over the last few weeks recovering from some heavy defeats with an excellent team display. They started the game with a try after the first few minutes which opened the flood gate thereafter. There was some excellent running and support play from all players, in particular the potent back row pairing of Dave Griffin and Aaron O Flynn with Ryan Lane in the front row made some surging runs. Scrum half Denis Kinevane and Eoin Geary linking very well to create some fine running ball. There were some very good individual performances on the day by Jack Cahill who is just back from injury and also Peter Chandler, Dylan Stack, Glen Mc Keown and Aaron Gilmore. Scorers on the day were Eoin Geary 5 tries 1 con, Denis Kinevane 2 Tries, Ryan Lane Try, Dave Griffin 2 tries, Aaron O Flynn Try and 1 Con, Darragh O Keeffe Try, Jack Cahill Try, Dylan Stack 1 con. Pirates will be looking to keep up their winning ways at home this weekend to Youghal.
Ken Mc Namara
Saturday 1st December, 2007
u14 - Cobh Pirates 5 - 24 Fermoy
Pirates took to the field in Fermoy after a lapse of 5 weeks without a game. They dominated the game throughout the first half with some excellent attacking runs from the pack in particular Captain Dave Griffin, Aaron O Flynn and Dylan Stack who started the game in the unfamiliar position of No. 8 and proved a worthy choice at the back of the scrum. Pirates remained camped in the Fermoy half for the majority of this half but just could not get the ball over the line. There was some excellent running ball from Eoin Geary and Jason Butler in the backs that asked questions of the Fermoy defence. A missed tackle out wide resulted in Fermoy getting a try through their winger that would eventually go on to score all their tries. A fired up Pirates team took to the field in the second half and again dominated the game but was not able to get on the scoreboard. Again some very strong running was to be seen from the Pirates pack with Ryan Lane charging for the line with three Fermoy players on his back only to be stopped a meter short. Karl Preston also was very unlucky being bundled into touch as her went over the line. Pirates again allowed the Fermoy winger too much space and he used his very quick pace to run in three tries in the last 15 minutes of the game. Eoin Geary showed great commitment in his covering tackles throughout the game. In the dying moments of the game Denis Kinevane scored a fine individual try in the corner to eventually get the Pirates on the scoreboard. The final score did not reflect the game that was played, but the whole team showed excellent discipline and commitment throughout the game particularly when there were quite a few controversial decisions made by the Referee in Fermoy’s favour. The Under 14’s are playing at home next Saturday against Kanturk.
Report submitted by u14 Coach: Ken McNamara
Saturday 20th October, 2007
u14 - Cobh Pirates 24 - 7 Midleton
A much improved performance this week by the Pirates at home to Midleton. In an evenly matched first half saw the away side score first midway through the half. Pirates were very lucky not to be a further try down when Midleton attacked straight from the kick off and looked to have scored but the winger had put a foot in touch and the try was not allowed.
Pirates picked up the pace of the game with some surging runs from the Captain Dave Griffin and Aaron O Flynn. Jack Cahill was making some crunching tackles in the centre which resulted in him fracturing his collar bone and will unfortunately see him sidelined for a while Eoin Geary linked well with Denis Kinevane to score a try to and followed by his conversion left the score at 7-7 at the break. The introduction of Ross Kavanagh at half time put more pressure on Midleton in the pack.
There were some fine passages of running play from the pirates and they were unlucky not to have added to the scoreboard. The pirates pack were again making some surging runs and resulted in a fine try by Ryan Lane. Pirates kept the pressure on from the kick off and kept the ball alive through several phases and again Eoin Geary took the ball from Denis Kinevane and scored a fine try but unfortunately missed the conversion. In the dying moment of the game Midleton failed to clear their lines with a kick which fell to Karl Preston on the wing and he showed his pace beating the Midleton backs to the corner but a high tackle by Midleton as he went over the line resulted in a penalty try which Geary converted.
Report submitted by u14 Coach: Ken McNamara
Community Games Finals u14 & u11 Teams
Saturday 13th October, 2007
u14 - Cobh Pirates 18 - 35 Old Christians
The U 14’s kicked off their league campaign last weekend away to Old Christians. This was the first game at under 14 level for a number of the Pirates panel. Old Christians who had a few games already under their belt this season and began the game very strongly and scored three tries in the first half mainly through their large second row and first centre. Pirates responded with a fine penalty from out half Eoin Geary.
Pirates regrouped at the break and took to the field but again Christians scored a quick try again through their pack. Dave Griffin played the captains role very well with some great defensive work and also scoring a great try.
Pirates had some great passages of running ball through the backs with
Full back Jason Butler linking well with Eoin Geary to store a fine try
under the posts which he added the conversion. Pirates winger Rob Browne
took a heavy knock with 10 minutes to go and required hospitalisation
due to a suspected neck injury but thankfully he received the all clear
later on Saturday afternoon and I am sure he will be welcomed back to
training shortly by his team mates. The game was then abandoned to make
way for an ambulance with the end score line reading 35 – 18 in favour
of Old Christians.
Report submitted by u14 Coach: Ken McNamara