1st XV Limerick Tour
Limerick Rugby Tour
Tour Captain James Wright writes......
On the 20th October 2006 we set out from Heathrow to start our tour. We had a short flight to Shannon airport and many boys had a quick Irish breakfast on the plane.
We settled into the hotel and had a game of touch to burn of excess energy and then on to the shops where David Goody managed to convince someone he was 16. Then back to our hotel for a good night sleep.
We were up early and were ready to go off and play we arrived an hour before the game and had a look round the primitive facilities. We fought hard but the Castle Troy team was just too big and very skillful. We dressed in casual clothes and headed of to see the Shannon vs buccaneers.
The day after and almost but no quite a lie in we headed of to nenagh for our second game. The match ended 19-14 to Davenies. A good match and a well earned victory.
The next day was a free day and we went to the castle of King John in the morning. Then we hit the shops and we hit them hard. With boys buying shirts with names printed on the back. That evening Mr. Roberts treated us all for a dinner at an Italian restaurant with free non-alcoholic cocktails.
Then we were of to the cliffs of Moher. The 1 and a half hour journey was stifling along with O'Rendell’s singing and the windy cliffs soon made us all feel a lot better. After we went straight to our game against St Munchin’s school. Considering they had almost played two full sides we did well to only narrowly lose 24-19.
We had another swift flight back to England and arrived home with all our baggage.
Overall we had a great tour and learned a lot about each other and Ireland and on behalf of the boys I would like to show are appreciation to Mr. Roberts and Mr. Pawson for all the work they put in to make the tour happen
Tour Diary
FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER 2006:
Tour party met up at Heathrow at 8.30 am. Most of the boys arrived early, leaving Mr Roberts and Mr Pawson to almost be the last to arrive.
Check-in went smoothly and then it was through to security. Jackets, shoes, belts all came off as the party successfully made it through…..all except Mr Roberts who had his bag searched – teach him to carry a laptop! – and Ollie Rendell who was “patted down” by a very nice man!
Then it was onto the shops. Chocolate, crisps, drinks and magazines were quickly purchased – or not in Troy’s case! Joe B (a true romantic) bought the girlfriend something, whilst the rest of the group tested out the latest CK fragrance.
At the gate the party came across a gentleman who was obviously a little worse for wear…there are photos to prove it! How he managed to stay asleep is anyone’s guess……or perhaps he’d been tasting the Guinness a little early that day…
An uneventful flight saw us land in sunny Shannon to be met by our coach driver for our stay, Jim. Then it was straight on to our hotel, The Sarsfield Bridge.
A great location, but a little early as all the rooms were not yet cleaned. The boys gradually disappeared to their rooms as they were cleaned and readied. Mr Roberts’ was left till last.
The group met up again in the restaurant, where Mr P opened the bank. Then we moved over the road to the local park for an impromptu game of touch…trying to avoid the trees which seemed to jump out and tackle boys at just the last moment!
A few silly team bonding games and then it was on to the shops and dinner.
Several of the boys headed for Burger King whilst others headed for that well known Irish supermarket-Tesco’s. Several balls, of all descriptions, were purchased along with “team” t-shirts (OR, JH, XWdG)
AS experienced the strange phnonmemen of having to buy carrier bags, almost getting himself arrested for thinking it was a joke!
Back to the park for Touch Round 2, this time trying to avoid the dog pooh rather than the trees!
Evening was spent in the hotel. Cards in the bar, led by MK. Sale v The Ospreys on the TV and then up for bed. DJ & MG had to move rooms as their toilet began to overflow…..an excess of burgers and chips maybe??
SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER:
It was an early start for the boys. Wake up calls at 7.15 and breakfast at 7.45. All made it and looked quite awake too.
Off to our first match against CASTLETROY COLLEGE U13’s at The UL Bohemian Grounds. We were met by one man and his dog as we arrived early and changed into our boots for a run-out on the pitches. The club and its ground could easily be described as “rough”. Two massive containers, changing rooms locked with iron gates and an outdoor bath were the extent of the facilities.
The match went badly for us, losing 0-52 to a very big, skilful side. Stout Davenies defence and doggedness was just not enough in the face of such an onslaught. The boys played with a huge amount of pride and finished the match still fighting, still pushing, still working for that elusive try. Players of the match were JW, MK & OR.
There were no after match ceremonies, save for the opposition coach giving our boys a very stirring post-match speech in our changing room (was that JP taking notes?)
Back on the coach and back to the hotel to change, dump our kit, grab some lunch and then head off again. The “hunter-gatherers” were sent out to get food (and rather wet as the heavens opened).
We boarded the coach again and headed for the afternoon match, Shannon RFC v Buccaneers RFC, a top AIB League match. As the boys watched both teams warmed up, the crowd slowly gathered (the one man and his dog we met earlier would have doubled the crowd!) and then we took our seats in the stand to watch a good quality match.
The home team ran out easy winners and the boys made friends with some local lads.
Back on the coach once more and off to the next stop – the cinema. Mr R bought the tickets, causing a little consternation and confusion at asking for 21 tickets in one go! As we had a little time to kill, it was off round the shops again (boys and shopping – a match made in heaven!). We watched “the Guardian” with Kevin Costner (or was that Mr R?) as “Senior Chief” and, “Ooh-rar!” what a great film.
We arrived back at the hotel just as the guests at a 21st birthday party did. Blonde, leggy and carrying balloons – certainly brought smiles to the boys’ faces! Take-away pizzas and a much needed beer for Mr R brought the 2nd day to a close. Second match tomorrow, lots of pride to play for, but a bit of a lie in first..
SUNDAY 22 OCTOBER:
Not quite as early a start for Mr. P’s birthday (and wedding anniversary!) and the boys presented him with a card signed by the squad.
We boarded the coach at 9.30 and headed for Nenagh, a coach journey of about 45 minutes. We arrived at our second match in plenty of time. In fact, just in time to be told we were facing several of their U14 squad! The opposition coach couldn’t have been more helpful though and dashed off to round up more of his U12’s to make the match a fairer contest.
Changing facilities were basic, and the toilets consisted of the back outside wall of the changing block. The pitch wasn’t much better – no lines, a touchline marked out with cones and a post protector made up of an old tackle shield and a length of rope.
Whether it was the unsettling thought of facing U14’s, the pre-historic changing rooms or the cow-field pitch something affected the boys and the warm up was appalling. Balls were dropped, moves forgotten, and Mr R lost it! JW & OR were sent off to sort the squad out.
The opposition asked Mr R to referee and the match started superbly with Davenies having all the possession and all the pressure. An early interception lead to a try from Nenagh’s own 22 and this was quickly followed by a missed tackle and a second try. Davenies had never come back from behind this season, could they do it now? The answer was an emphatic “yes” as MGr drove over for a try (well, he was probably about 6 inches short but with no lines…..) Two further tries followed and the match ended 19-14; a win for Davenies.
A quick change into Number 1’s and then it was off to the main clubhouse down the road to enjoy an after match tea. The boys were treated to a traditional Irish stew and the staff to the best pint of Guinness so far tasted on tour! The boys gave Mr P a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” to which he replied by downing his pint in one!
Back at the hotel the boys settled down to watch the Munster (the Limerick side) play Leicester in the Heineken Cup. A win for Munster saw the locals end the afternoon much happier than our boys – especially MK who managed to lose 5 Euros to Mr R.
The evening was spent at the local bowling alley and arcade, “Fun World”. Mr R took on some of the boys at bowling, JH coming out on top. OR took on all challengers at “Air hockey”, causing one of the few injuries on tour (to Mr R!). And Mr P and GB were seen getting in a little SWAT team practice. MGl was the biggest winner (and fastest loser) of the night on the “push-Euro” machines.
Finally, back to the hotel for an early night (or so it should have been) and highlights of the Heineken Cup matches.
MONDAY 23 OCTOBER:
Today was a “free” day so the boys were allowed a lie-in. After a lazy breakfast it was off to King John’s Castle for a bit of culture and history. The castle exhibition was excellent and fitted in with the history the boys are studying at school.
Then it was off back into town for the boys favourite activity – shopping! The boys came back to the hotel after lunch, some of them having bought half of Limerick by the number of bags they had.
Mr R ran a card school in the bar in the afternoon, with OR & TJVV scooping most of the sugar sachets (well, we couldn’t play for money, could we?). Then it was off to the park again for another run around and game of touch. GB managed to avoid all the opposition players on his way to the line, but was stopped by a tree and DG had the honour of being the first player to bleed on tour having been cut on the hand by the ball?!
We all went out to dinner that night to a very nice restaurant called “Luigi Malone’s”. The boys dressed in their finest and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The return journey to the hotel was slightly marred by an incident which the rules of touring forbid me from re-telling – I’m sure the boys won’t forget it!
TUESDAY 24 OCTOBER
An early start again and then it was off on the coach to the Cliffs of Moher. The journey took 1 ½ hrs and took us through some lovely Irish countryside (not that the boys noticed!). Typical of Ireland, we passed the spot where a new road building project had been held for 2 years because of a Fairy Tree!
The cliffs were impressive, and windy, but again the highlight for the boys seemed to be the gift shop!
Back on the coach and off to the local seaside resort – which was mostly closed as it was the off-season. Lunch, a run on the beach and a very heavy rainstorm all followed before we boarded the coach and headed back for our final game.
St Munchin’s College is one of the strongest rugby schools in the area and we were expecting a tough match.
The game started well with two tries from CS and JH, but the opposition then called upon their numerous reserves and the match evened-up. The game ended 24-19 to St Munchin’s, but Davenies had fought hard and the tears at the end from many of the players showed just how much it meant to them. They had given everything against tremendous odds and could be justly proud of what they had achieved.
An end of tour dinner rounded off our final full day. Number 1’s, music courtesy of OR & MGr and awards for all the players.
Tours Awards:
| “Best Celebration” | – M Green |
| “ATM” | - G Bollon & S Myers |
| “Best Shopper” | - O Rendell |
| “Belt-Up” | - J Shaw |
| “Girlfriend” | - J Breckenridge & M Kendall |
| “Poker” | - O Rendell & T Janse van Vuuren |
| “Diet” | - X White de Groote (also up for “Blind Man’s Shower”) |
| “Sharpest Knife” | - C Sheen |
| “Sour Milk” | - D Gooddy & M Glover |
| “JP Junior” | - H Breckenridge |
| “Lone Ranger” | - J Wright |
| “Magic Roundabout” | - D Jones |
| “Bedtime Story” | - R Fitz-Hugh |
| “Press” | - A Settle |
| “Wing Walking” | - J Hurford |
The reasons and stories behind these awards were explained on the night but again, tour rules forbid me from divulging too much!
WEDNESDAY 25 OCTOBER:
Our final day saw the expected rain finally arrive. The boys tidied their rooms and packed their bags – some more successfully than others! Then it was onto the coach for the final time.
MK presented Jim, our driver with a small collection and a Davenies tie. He had been a great driver and had been an integral part of the tour.
A final round of shopping at the airport, trying to spend those last few cents and Euros and a relaxing Shiatsu massage chair for some saw us say goodbye to Limerick and Ireland.
A short flight home and a warm welcome from our families saw us back in England and brought a very enjoyable and successful tour to an end.