Claremorris RFC Tag League – 2011 Review

“Tag…sure it’s purely social” may have been quoted on a number of occasions over the last number of weeks but it was very much in evidence last Friday night, July 22nd, as players and supporters gathered for the final night of thrills and spills. And what an evening of action it was…both on and off the pitch!

On the pitch, Is Féidir Linn were victorious in the Cup game, after going unbeaten throughout the competition. Meanwhile in the Plate, it was Fantagatastic who came out on top, while in the Bowl, the Hunks and Honeys were the ones celebrating.

In the Cup final, Is Féidir Linn certainly had luck on their side. With the clocking rapidly approaching the final two minute mark, the local side were staring defeat in the face and trailing Kiltimagh’s Got The Runs 6-5. But all of that was about to change and out of nowhere Caroline Walsh swivelled those hips one last time to touch down in the corner and secure victory for Is Féidir Linn.

Indeed, this was Caroline’s second try of the game and it duly won here the Player of the Match award, which saw her claim the Match Ball at the end of the evening.

Needless to say, the Cup Final proved to be an extremely tough encounter for both sides and one has to have a certain degree of sympathy for Got The Runs who put in a mighty battle and lost out in what was an epic game.

If the Cup final was dramatic, the Plate final was equally so, with extra time needed before a winner could be decided. Peter Gaughan looked to have stolen the win for Taggin Waggin but Fantagatastic came storming back to leave it locked at 8-8 after normal time. In the five minute period of extra time, Fantagatastic scored on three occasions to seal the deal and bring home the Plate.

The final of the Bowl may wasn’t quite as dramatic as the other games but still proved to be a hugely entertaining encounter. In this match, The Hunks and Honeys triumphed over the Irishtown Yankees by 20-13.

Of course nobody likes going home with the Wooden Spoons and in the final of this game, Simon Says Tag were the unfortunate victims, losing out to the Unbelievables. In the 3rd and 4th place play-off games it was Hanley’s Hookers who came out on top against The Robe Ruckers in the Cup play-off, while in the Plate play-off MBJ overcame Team RAM.

From beginning to end, the finals at the Mount St Michael convent pitch were full of high drama, intensity and jaw-dropping action…but the best part of the night was yet to come. And, after quick showers, the players, referees and supporters retired to Mulligan’s Bar for the prize giving ceremony (prizes were sponsored by Eamonn Walsh of Hanley’s Bar and Eddie McLoughlin of Mulligan’s Bar).

Once the Cup, Plate, Bowl and Wooden Spoons had been presented, there were a number of individual and team awards to be claimed. First up was the Friendliest Team award, which was won by The Randy Badgers, led by Ian Walsh.

The Best Dressed Team award was claimed by Fantagatastic, while the prize for Best Team Name went to Is Féidir Linn. It was Caroline ‘Hips’ Walsh from Is Féidir Linn who bagged the Player of the Cup Final award.

Next up, it was time for the Best Male and Best Female players of the tournament to be announced. As with last year’s league, both of these awards were hotly contested, with a number of players secretly hoping to get their hands on the crystal.

But alas, there could only be one winner in each category. The Best Male Player title went to Pat ‘The Assassin’ McGee of the Irishtown Yankees, while the award for Best Female Player was claimed by Rowena ‘The Tagger’ McLoughlin from Is Féidir Linn – two hugely deserving winners by all accounts.

With the games played, the winners announced, and the prize giving taken care of, it was time for the real fun to begin. After seven weeks of dedication by players and referees alike, the teams and organisers were finally able to relax, celebrating another magnificent Tag Rugby season for Claremorris Colts RFC.

Undoubtedly, a great deal has been said about Tag Rugby in the last few years, with its popularity continuing to soar both here in Mayo and indeed all across the country. But, while the competition may be fierce on the field, once the games reach conclusion each night, crowds gather across myriad venues to enjoy the banter and have the crack.

In 2010, the Colts hosted their first Tag League in Claremorris and the organisers were bowled over by the response. It came as no surprise therefore when details of the 2011 Tag League were announced earlier this summer and in record time, 14 teams (168 players) had signed up for the action.

While the league gives men and women a chance to get out and get active during the summer months, there’s so much more to Tag Rugby than that. During the inaugural Tag League, many life-long friendships were forged and nights out enjoyed and this year followed suit. Tag Rugby is continuing to take the nation by storm and already, teams are being planned for the 2012 Colts season.

Certainly, there’ll be many with their sights set on the prizes and surely, there’ll be a yellow card or two produced during the course of the 2012 Tag League. But behind it all, there’s the enjoyment and entertainment because here in Claremorris, there’s one thing for sure, when it comes to Tag Rugby…sure it’s purely social!