A roundup of what's been happening in the Donegal Community Rugby Project during March

SCHOOLS GO TAG MAD AT LETTERKENNY RFC

Over 400 primary school pupils were involved in the Letterkenny RFC TAG Rugby Festival recently, one of six similar festuvals happening around the county this month. The blitz was attended by 15 schools from the region and based on participation of the non-contact form of Rugby. These blitzes have been the first step for many of the children joining the local clubs in Donegal which has resulted in a 400% increase in playing numbers at Mini Rugby Level. The game is aimed at introducing young children to the basics of the game and developing their evasion and handling skills. Thank-you to all the schools and teachers for their hard work preparing for the day.

INISHOWEN RFC TAG RUGBY FESTIVAL

Carndonagh CS was the venue for this year's Inishowen Tag Festival. The event, based on participation in the game at primary level, involved over one hundred pupils from around the peninsula. The event was run by Donegal Project YDOs Philip Brady, Johnny Quigley and Adam Keys. This was the second of 6 festivals taking part during March that will target raising participation in Rugby and sport in General. The event has no finals or winners under the new IRFU policy of focusing on participation and not result, this new focus aims to create more enjoyment for all of the schools and pupils involved. A big thank you to Carndonagh CS for the use of the school pitch and Paul Mc Carroll, John Merritt (IRFC President) Brian Harkin (IRFU Mini Manager) and Shane Mc Dermott for their support on the day.

SUN SHINES ON TIR CHONAILL TAG

The Tir Chonaill Tag Rugby festival took place on a sunny day in North West Donegal. The blitz was run by Donegal Project YDOs Jonathan Quigley and Philip Brady at Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. This was the 4th of 6 festivals being run by the Donegal Community Rugby Project to increase the participation in rugby at school and Club level. This was the first festival held in the Gaeltacht region of Donegal and aimed at giving young children exposure to the sport and possible lifelong involvement in the sport. The local Tir Chonaill RFC, based at Carrickfinn, has only been up and running for 6 months yet already boasts a thriving mini section that have been playing against other clubs in the County. The club train every Saturday morning at Carrckfinn and are keen to see all players and parents from Gweedore, Rosses and Cloughaneely get involved in the newest sport in the region. A big thank you to all the schools and teachers taking part, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair for the use of the school pitch and Chris Blockley for helping with the refereeing.

KEVIN DURRAN RECEIVES LETTERKENNY IT SPORTS SCHOLARSHIP 2010

The Letterkenny IT Rugby Scholarship for 2010 was awarded to Kevin Durran from Convoy earlier this month. Kevin, who has been playing rugby since he went to St. Columba's College in 2003, has never looked back. He initially began playing his rugby as a Hooker in his first two years at school, but has gradually moved backwards into the back row where he now plays as Blindside wing forward. In the 2006/07 season he became school captain, which inspired him to join local club Donegal Town RFC where he played Under 18s Rugby. He continues to play his club rugby with Donegal Town and is now prominent member of the 1st XV.

In 2007 Kevin was nominated by his club coach Aidan O'Shea to attend Co. Donegal Development Squad training and was a member of the County Squad team that toured Limerick, and played against the Munster U18s squad who won the 2008 inter- provincial series. Moving to LYIT in 2008 where he is studying to be a nurse, Kevin was introduced to the Rugby team and in the 2008 season, the rugby team went on to Qualify for the semi-finals of the All Ireland Colleges' Cup, unfortunately losing to the eventual winners Athlone IT.

Kevin, who is a current senior member of the Letterkenny IT Rugby team, likes to compares himself to Ulster's Stephen Ferris, as he is a big physical player. He also hopes to aspire to Ferris' level one day and represent his province or even his country. He remembers the first time he played and the first piece of advice he was given: "Pass back, run forward and don't stop until you have scored a try!" This has served him well in every game he has played in.

Kevin received his scholarship from LYIT President Paul Hannigan who, at the awards ceremony, thanked all those students present for their efforts on the sporting field and hopes for yet another successful year. The President admitted that he looks forward to the sports scholarships event each year, as it underlined all that is good in the sporting area of the Institute.

LORETO MILFIRD, MULRIOY AND ST EUNAN'S MAKE DONEGAL CUP QUALIFIER

Loreto Community School Milford hosted ITS first ever rugby fixture on Tuesday 9th March against St. Eunan's College and Mulroy College. The first game between Loreto Blues and St Eunan's Chiefs got things off to an excellent start with both teams playing at a high tempo but finding strong defences difficult to break down. A fine break was made by Adam Khavia for the hosts to open up the try count, but St. Eunan's, captained by Ryan Mortimer, were soon back in the game and would go on to score four tries in total from Aaron Diver, Jason Doherty and two from the excellent Seanie Henry.

Loreto did add another try to their count, scored by winger Brandon Troye, and he was well supported by Barry Trearty, Kedar Friss-Lawerance, Patrick Shiels and Myles Trearty. Loreto captain, Conor Murray led his team by example getting through a tremendous workload of tackling and ball carrying and was unfortunate on a number of occasions to be held up short of the line. The final score in a highly entertaining game was St. Eunan's Chiefs 20 - 10 Loreto Blues.

In the second game, St Eunan's, who were already well warmed up from the first game, got off to a very quick start against Mulroy. With Seanie Henry again to the fore, the team scored four tries from Henry (2) and one each from Oisin Carr and Jason Doherty. However, Mulroy did find their feet and and were to prove tough opponents showing a fine all-round display. They doggedly stayed in touch with their opponents with Noel Dougherty, Conor Orr and try scorer Justin Allen being particularly impressive in leading the charge. The final score in another entertaining game was St Eunan's 20- 10 Mulroy College.

Due to time constrants the Milford derby between Loreto and Mulroy had to be postponed for another day. Sincere thanks to St Eunan's and Mulroy College teams for coming to Loreto and to there coaches John Fox and Evelyn Crampise. Thanks also to Loreto coaches Carmel Egan and John Lynch for organising the games and to the referee Chris Blockley and to Jonathan Llewhellin of the DCRP for attending.

Click here to see photos from the above events

News Roundup from Donegal Community Rugby Project

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