Just when the Colts’ U10 team thought their mini rugby season was finished they got one more chance to show their skills as they participated in the inaugural national U10 blitz on the hallowed turf of the Aviva Stadium.

20 excited players along with some just as excited players and coaches headed for Dublin with only one entry in the satnav the Aviva Stadium. As the glass roof of the Aviva game into view there were cheers and gasps to be heard and that was just from the parents on board the bus as they knew their opportunity of a lifetime was getting ever closer.

The blitz was scheduled to kick-off at 12pm but before the games could begin each team was called in one by one to march on to the Aviva pitch with their coaches in tow. The entire team got to run down the tunnel just as every other Ireland team have done before them and get their team photo taken on the pitch in glorious sunshine.

Once the formalities were done and dusted it was time for some rugby. The Colts were allocated to play their games on Pitch A and first up was a game against Larne of Antrim. It was a tough encounter with both teams getting their opening trys of the day.

Next up was  a match against Scarriff RFC. This was a game high on skill and endevour as both teams gave it their all. After a short break wihich gave the squad a chance to visit the dressing rooms and other areas of the stadium it was back to the action and a match with Longford RFC. The Leinster boys provided tough opposition for the Colts and both teams displayed all that is good about mini rugby.

The final game of the day was against  Monaghan RFC the home club of current Irish international Tommy Bowe. This was a game high on skill and endeavour as both teams gave it their all. After what was a blistering hot day all members of the Colts squad acquitted themselves admirably and the club can be very proud of how their performed. Hopefully we will see some of these players grace the Aviva pitch once again in years to come wearing the green of Ireland.

We would like to thank all the parents who made the journey and to the coaches Micheal Toughey and Joe Gilmore for their work on the day. Thanks also to Robert Campbell and Martin Lydon for their work as pitch coordinators. There was also a strong Colts representation on the Aviva pitch as Kevin O’Malley & Paul Cunnane spent the day reffing teams from across Ireland in the hot Dublin sun.

Colts Squad: Samuel-John Connelly, Cian Campbell, Aaron Sinkevicius-Fitzmaurice, Nathan Smith, Luke Colleran, Arthur Lydon, Aidan McGing, Peter McHugh, Jack Melvin, Oisín Kilroy, Paul Gilmore, Oisin Jordan, Darragh Hughes, James Heaney, Jack Creighton, David Murphy, Darragh Judge, Conor Healy, Conor Geraghty, John Dillon.

Coaches: Micheal Toughey & Joe Gilmore