The Colts  U12 and U15 teams travelled to Wales this month to participate in a rugby tournament. After a wonderful weekend, they returned home with a cup and lots of great memories writes Cróna Esler.

While their friends and siblings were tucked up in their beds and just turning over for their second or third sleeps on Friday morning, April 11, the U-12 and U-15 Claremorris Colts RFC teams were lining up at The Square in Claremorris to climb aboard the buses and set off on an adventure to Wales. It was 4am when the 85-strong group pulled out of Claremorris that morning but the excitement and expectation among the group was palpable and the bus journey to Dublin was anything but quiet.

Before Christmas, the club had received an invitation to enter teams into a rugby tournament in Aberystwyth and the decision was taken to put forward the U-12 and U-15 squads. A lot of training and work went into preparing the teams for the tournament. In addition, fundraising activities to subsidise the costs were organised and the two teams rolled up their sleeves and hosted a car wash and a table quiz ahead of their trip.

In all, there were 22 members of the U-12 team, the full squad of 25 from the U-15 team, eight coaches and 30 parents who signed up to travel to Wales for the weekend. Needless to say, it was an experience they’ll never forget, with friendships forged and memories created that will last these youngsters a lifetime.

The bus journey to Dublin on Friday morning was followed by a ferry ride to Holyhead and then another three-and-a-half-hour bus trip to the Quay West Campsite, some 26 miles from Aberystwyth. It was 4.30pm by the time the two coaches pulled in to the campsite and once the rooms had been allocated and the group had checked in and unpacked their bags, the youngsters set about discovering the campsite – some deciding to head to the beach, some opting to play crazy golf and others going for a swim.

It had been a long day for the Claremorris contingent and there were no objections to the 9pm curfew that night. After all, there were a few busy days ahead for the Claremorris rugby players and the teams knew they needed their rest.

At 8am on Saturday morning, the buses pulled out of Quay West and journeyed to Aberystwyth, where the tournament began at 10am. In total, 36 teams from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales were signed up for the tournaments in age groups stretching from U-9 to U-16. The Colts U-12 side were pitted against teams from Maldron, Aberystwyth, UL Bohemians, Daventry, and Altrincham & Kersal in their league, while the U-15 side were in a group with teams from Dunfermline, Aberystwyth, Connemara Blacks, Monmouth and Old Rishworthians.

Each of the teams played three games on Saturday in a league system and with none of the Claremorris games overlapping, there was wonderful support from parents and players for each game.

The games were wrapped up by 2.30pm on Saturday and back at Quay West, the Claremorris boys were free to participate in on-site activities.

Sunday began with another 8am bus journey to Aberystwyth, where the remaining two league games were played by each of the teams and the Claremorris sides found themselves in a battle in the Trophy Cup Final in their two age groups.

Rugby was tough throughout the tournament, with the Claremorris boys meeting players on the field who were up to eight months older than them and physically much bigger. Nonetheless, the Colts didn’t take anything lying down and tackled and rucked bravely in every game.

The U-12 captains for the tournament were Kyle Leonard and Cian Quinn, while Brian Quinn and Liam Walsh captained the U-15 side. However, when the U-15 team faced Old Rishworthians, the captain’s duties were handed over to Daniel McAllister. Daniel played with Old Rishworthians when he lived in the UK as a child and so the game was all the more special for the Colts player, as he faced his old teammates on the field.

The U-15s played their old friends, the Connemara Blacks, in the Trophy Cup Final and the game finished in a draw, with three tries apiece. Unfortunately, there was no added time and the decision came down to the Golden Try Rule, with the Trophy Cup awarded to the Galway side because they had scored the opening try of the game.

The U-12 side, however, definitely meant business and when they faced UL Bohemians in the Trophy Cup Final, they held their opponents scoreless, with three tries to nil. There was no need for the Golden Try Rule to come into play in this game and the Claremorris side were presented with the coveted cup, while the U-15s collected medals as runners-up.

From the U-12 side, the Player of the Tournament for the Colts went to Conor Toughey, while the U-15 Player of the Tournament went to John O’Connor. The players and parents also made presentations to the coaches for their efforts over the weekend – Pearse Hahessy and Michael Smith with the U-15s; Fergal Leonard, Eddie McLoughlin and Paul Cunnane with the U-12s. Other coaches who travelled for extra support were Gemma Marren, Robbie McCawley and Michael Toughey.

Back at Quay West again, there were great celebrations and brilliant fun among the Claremorris contingent, with Pearse Hahessy even heading up a Kangaroo Court…but what goes on tour stays on tour!

On Monday morning at 8.30am, with bags packed and heavy hearts, the Claremorris group boarded the buses once more and began to journey home. After a bus, ferry and another bus trip, the teams and supporters arrived back in Claremorris at 9.30pm on Monday evening.

It had been a hugely enjoyable weekend for the players, coaches and parents and while it was the first trip overseas for any Colts squads, it most definitely won’t be the last.

U12 Squad:
K. Leonard, C. Quinn, M. Kelly, D. Morris, A. Vahey, M. Vahey, C. McAuley, C. Toughey, C. Kennedy, S. Hession, S. Thornton,  M. Pilbrow, D.  Nevin, P. Kirrane, C. Hession,  M. Merrick,  L. Byrne, C. Phillips, P. Cunningham, A. Conway, O. Prendergast, C. Kilcullen

U15 Squad:
L. Walsh, B. Walsh, B. Quinn, A. Gilmore, C. Murphy, H. Keane, J. O’Connor, P. Bowne, B. O’Reilly, S. McGreal, C. Mullee, F. Brady, D. Murphy, D. Jennings, J. Kelly, J. McDonagh, A. Thornton, D. McAlister, C. Jordan, R. Commons, O. Hunt, B. McGing, J. Ronayne, R. Merrick, J. Moran