ANOTHER representative of Tralee RFC will join the ranks of players from the club called up to the Ireland Women’s squad over the last few years.
Zoe Grattage, has travelled to Belfast to take part in an Ireland training session today (Saturday) to hopefully stake her claim for a place in the squad for the coming season.
She will follow in the footsteps of club-mates, Siobhan Fleming and Ciara Griffin, who have pulled on the green shirt.
A regular starter for Munster, Zoe’s preferred position is hooker.
Earlier this year, Ireland reached the semi-finals of the World Cup beating New Zealand on the way and capturing the imagination of the nation.
Coming up in November are two internationals against England and France, after that the focus will be on claiming back to back Six Nations titles.
Ciara Griffin will not take part in the training camp because of injury, but she is expected to be back before Christmas.
Tralee RFC started their season with a loss last week when they narrowly lost to Thurles on the road.
Anthony Walsh of UCD on the attack in the early stages of the 2014 Lacey Cup.
THE 2015 Lacey Cup, the grand opener in the cycling season here in Munster, is all set to kick off this year on Sunday, February 22.
The event, which is being be hosted by Tralee Manor West Bicycle Club with the headquarters for cyclists at the Manor West Hotel who sponsor the club.
With over 240 riders competing in last year’s event, the field is sure to be packed with many racers anxious to show off some good early season form and who are all intent on taking home the coveted Lacey Cup.
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Spectators should be on the look-out for a host of top Irish riders who will be taking part. Amongst these will be Damien Shaw who was the undisputed victor in lasts year’s race, and also a pre-race favourite for this year’s again.
Amongst the other pre-race favourites are Seán Lacey, already an incredible five in a row winner of the Lacey Cup, Paidi O’Brien who finished the season very strongly last year , Keith Gator and Robin Kelly of Waterford Racing Club.
Strong competition also from Barry Horgan and Cian Hogan from host club Tralee Manor West BC.
Riders ready for the Roll out of the 2014 Lacey Cup.
Departure from the hotel will be at 12.10pm sharp. Racing will officially commence from George Poff’s Garage on the Dingle road at 12.30pm and will pass through Blennerville (12.35), Camp (13.00), Upper Camp, Gleann na nGealt (13.10), Annascaul (13.25), Inch (13.30), Boolteens (13.50), Castlemaine (13.55), Sliabh Mish (14.05) and finishing at 14.15 at 60km signs at Skehanagh Cross on the Killorglin road in Tralee.
Sign On will be open from 10.00am to 11.30am sharp at the Manor West Hotel, who will provide parking and facilities for the presentations following the race.
It promises to be an intriguing and exciting day’s racing for all, with plenty of exciting action along the route to keep spectators entertained.
For further information contact Matt Lacey (087) 2258159, Barry Murphy ( 0872352200 ) or log onto the club website which can be found here.
Austin Stacks, team manager, Stephen Stack Photo by Dermot Crean.
Gavin O’Connor previews the Austin Stacks v Ballincollig Munster Club Championship semi-final at Austin Stack Park on Sunday (2pm)
THIS is a weird one for Stephen Stack and his band of champions to prepare for.
The celebrations and good vibes that spread across the town when Stacks won the county final would be enough to distract anyone from the next prize, which is now Munster Championship glory.
If they are to progress, first they will have to overcome Cork champions, Ballincollig. The club just outside Cork City are in a similar boat to the Rockies in the sense that they have been without county championship silverware also for 20 years, though that trophy was Intermediate.
Coming into this Munster semi-final, Austin Stacks can almost report a completely clean bill of health with only forward, Darragh O’Brien, an injury doubt for Sunday.
“The celebrations weren’t a distraction at all, very quickly I got the lads together on the Wednesday after the final to get them focussed for Ballincollig,” said Austin Stacks’ team manager, Stephen Stack.
“Our performance in the replay wasn’t perfect. We’ve analysed the game very closely ourselves and there are areas we can still improve on,” said Stack.
“As I said to the lads, they might get one opportunity at this in their career. Mentally we’re in a good place, but under no illusions about what we are going to face,” said Stack.
Stacks have a record-equalling 12 senior county titles, while Ballincollig picked up their very first one, three weeks ago against Carberry Rangers. Within their ranks are two well known faces who have worn the red of the Cork jersey.
The veteran, John Miskella, who was at one time one of the best half backs in the country – and was rewarded as such in 2009 when he won an all star – and Paddy Kelly who is a creative, industrious half-forward. Both picked up Celtic crosses for Cork in 2010.
Kelly is in good form also. Last Sunday, at the Cork All Star awards, he was selected as the Cork club player of the year, one of nine Ballincollig men to pick up All Stars.
Just like Austin Stacks, Ballincollig have a never say die spirit. Twice in the Cork final, they fell behind by six points and clawed their way back into the game. On their way to to county honours, they also knocked out Tomas O’Se’s new club and Cork kingpins, Nemo Rangers.
Another factor both sides have in common is a high winning average – Austin Stacks won their games in the county championship this year by an average of seven points, with Ballincollig it’s six.
Both sides are in similar head space coming into this match, which is quite possibly the most difficult to prepare for in the All-Ireland Club series. For Ballincollig the two weeks extra to prepare will stand to them, they also had two good looks at Austin Stacks in the county final and replay.
But one key component is in Stacks favour; in almost every game since his rejuvenation as a heavy-hitter this summer, Donaghy, has been a decisive player for both club and county.
On current form Donaghy is unmarkable and is a driving force in the side. Allied to that, Stacks have some other players in top form such as, Wayne Guthrie, Mikey Collins and Shane Carroll.
The home venue will play its part too and the fact that Kerry isn’t a happy hunting ground for Cork sides traditionally.
FOUR underage Tralee rugby players have had a busy few weeks representing Munster sides at home and abroad.
The four players who are all members of Tralee RFC are Eoin O’Carroll, James O’Connor, Josh Barnes and Jack Quilter.
“We consistently have three or four guys playing in Munster underage teams, which is very good for a small club,” said John Murray P.R.O of Tralee RFC.
“They are terrific athletes and it’s great to have them at the club because the younger players look up to them,” said John.
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Eoin O’Carroll is on duty with the Munster U20’s in France where he played in a challenge rugby academy U20 tournament. Other teams that are taking part in the tournament include Clermont, Leicester and Georgia.
On Tuesday O’Carroll was part of the side that lost by six points to Clermont. Next month the winger will have the opening game of Inter Provincial championship to look forward to against age old rivals Leinster.
James O’Connor and Josh Barnes have been in action for the U19 team. They made a successful trip to Wales last week where they were part of a side that beat Cardiff by 24 to 20 at the Cardiff Arms Park.
On Friday the lads will take part in the Munster U19’s final warm up match against Cork Constitution at Temple Hill. Leinster will be waiting after that in the Inter Provincial championships the Saturday after.
The Munster U18 team was also in Wales last week, Jack Quilter was on Munster duty with a team that played two warm up games against Cymoedd and Cowbridge.
The Munster U19 side that beat Cardiff in Cardiff featuring two Tralee RFC players, James O’Connor and Josh Barnes.
At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, Christian Casey on Donnacha Ryan’s shoulders, Alexandria and Antoinette Casey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
A RED tide swept into Tralee yesterday afternoon as Munster players, Conor Murray, Keith Earls, Donnacha Ryan, Felix Jones and BJ Botha among others made appearances at Lifestyle Sports in Manor West and Tralee Rugby Club.
The players are visiting Kerry as part of ‘The Munster Race’. This is where the squad split up into six groups and tour the six counties of the province before ending up in Dingle.
The purpose is both a team building exercise and a chance for the players to meet fans who might not be able to make it to Thomand Park this year.
“I have great experiences of Tralee, I used to come down here to the Aqua Dome when I was younger, I think we’re going to pop back there later a few of us for a swim,” said Munster and Ireland international Keith Earls.
“The overall experience has been great. Every place we’ve been has been brilliant to us between the food and activities,” said Keith.
“We’re started off in Killaloe and went to the Killarney club yesterday. This morning we went to the top of Molls Gap on a helicopter so that was a good thrill,” said Munster’s Felix Jones.
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“It’s a great way for the guys to get out and meet the people who we’re playing for,” said Felix.
“I’ve been to Tralee a good bit, ever since I was a kid on the way down to Derrynane or Castlecove. It’s a great spot,” said Felix.
The Munster lads then went off to Dingle where they held a public training session at Corca Dhuibne club on Friday morning.
See video below and scroll further down for photos…
Jack Doyle meeting Munster rugby star Conor Murray at Tralee Rugby Club on Thursday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Some of the kids who were involved in the Tralee Rugby Club summer camp who met the Munster players on Thursday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Meeting Munster player Damian Varley at the Tralee Rugby Club were from left: Killian Keating, Jennifer Keating and Jordan O’Shea. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, Sean Griffin and Munster star B.J Botha. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, from left: Felix Jones, Fionn Henderson and Ronan O’Mahony.One little fan was taking it all in his stride when he met Munster and Ireland international Felix Jones. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, from left: Maureen Guerin, Donnacha Ryan and Ryan Guerin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, from left, back row: Grace Stack and Keith Earls. Front Row: Amy Currans and Ciara Currans. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.Munster players with some of the kids who were involved with the Tralee Rugby Club summer camp this week. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West for the Munster players appearance were, from left: Keith Earls and Christian Casey. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.At Lifestyle Sports in Manor West to meet the Munster players were, from left: William and Caoimhe Summers. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
