In this episode of The Knock On, Stephen Byrne is joined by Tom Crotty from Carlow Rugby Club, James Blanchfield from Kilkenny RFC and Paddy Browne from Tullow RFC.
Kilkenny got the better of Gorey by a point in what was a cracking game, says James Blanchfield. However, discipline is an issue, as they saw another two cards handed out—that’s five in two games. The second team lost their game. The Kilkenny women were beaten heavily by Ashbourne, and they play the South East Lions next. The youth sides had a mixed bag at the weekend.
Kilkenny takes on Wexford in J1 and J2 this weekend.
The Carlow youths had a good weekend with a few wins chalked up while the U18s lost. Carlow’s ladies’ team had their first game in over a decade against De La Salle Palmerston and won. Tom Crotty says they’ve 22 players in the squad and more coming on board now. The U18 Rhinos team played with 14 players and had a great win. The J1 and J2 teams travel to Wicklow this weekend in the league in what is another tough encounter. Tom Crotty is expecting a big physical game and they’ve yet to adjust to the step up to Division 1 rugby.
The Tullow ladies took on Cooke in their second round of the AIL, they lost the game 36-12. Their women’s seconds team will make their debut, making more history for ladies’ rugby in the club. Tullow’s J1 and J2’s head for Suttonians this weekend where Paddy Browne is expected another tough game. The youths sides won seven out of the eight games they played. Tullow got €20,000 in funding as well to upgrade their walking track.
The lads also talk about the advantage the Dublin teams have in Division 1A of the league in terms of strength and so on. Country players have quite a lot of commuting for work, and physical work, and lose young players when they head off to college in Dublin.