The successful candidates will have a good rugby understanding, with strong communication, organisational and teamwork skills.

They will be working closely with the 1st XV Coaching team to deliver results.

There are also Coaching Vacancies at J3 and J4 Levels for anyone looking to get involved in Coaching or Management in a progressive and ambitious club.

E-mail: bernardjackman@o2.ie for further information.

Groundbreaking Initiative Continues

Last weekend Ballymena Youth Rugby and Clontarf Rugby Club from Dublin continued with their groundbreaking cross border initiative. The two Clubs have become partners in an effort to secure closer cross border links and show their young players that rugby brings people together in a way in which they can compete but make still new friends.

The event was organised by Clontarf’s Youth Director Rory Ryan. Rory had brought West of Scotland and Suttonians to the Club and all four youth teams competed in a round robin competition.  However, the highlight of the day for the coaches was a match where Clontarf and Ballymena formed two teams made up from players of both Clubs. This saw Ballymena boys pull on Clontarf jersey’s and Clontarf players put on the famous Ballymena black shirt. It may well have been a friendly fixture but the boys on both teams held nothing back and the tackles were soon flying in. Indeed it seemed both teams enjoyed making big hits on their own Club mates as much as anything else.

The match actually did see some great rugby played which showed how the boys from both Clubs bonded together and were able to perform to a high level. Defences,  although aggressive,  lost out in the end and the match ended in a high scoring draw 28 – 28.

In the Clubhouse Clontarf President Jim McIlveen welcomed all the boys but had a special word for the boys from Clontarf and Ballymena. He was delighted that this initiative had been undertaken and believed it showed the future of rugby both North and South was in good hands. He told a large audience that several Presidents from other Clubs had contacted him to hear more about the initiative and that they hoped to follow the lead set by the two Youth Sections. Suttonians President echoed Mr McIlvena’s words and he said that many Clubs were impressed with the efforts being made by Clontarf and Ballymena. Tom Wiggins, Ballymena’s Youth Convenor thanked Clontarf for the hospitality but then turned his attention to the boys. He said that since the initiative started the boys had shown fabulous enthusiasm and their willingness to compete and make new friendships would put many adults to shame. He told the boys he hoped to run a tournament next season at Ballymena where Clontarf and Ballymena would join together to put two joint teams up against four other teams. This would truly be a first in Irish Rugby with joint Youth teams playing in a competitive rugby tournament.

The day was a great success and another important step in the development of this exciting initiative. Ballymena RFC would particularly like to thank Glens of Antrim Potatoes who have both supported and sponsored this very worthwhile endeavour.

The 3rds played into a gentle wind in the first half. The game was always going to be close but with the visitors needing 4 tries, a bonus point win as well as overhauling a 14 point points difference the Tarf side were not going to shy away to easy. In the end it was to big a mountain to climb for the visitors as Tarf claimed the title missing from the cabinet for too long.

Congratulations to Clontarf’s Cian Healy and Sean O’Brien on both winning their 2nd caps in last Saturdays win over World and Tri Nations Champions South Africa. It’s a great boost for Clontarf with Cian having represented the club from mini to youth and senior team status.

Also for Sean who is employed this season with the task of coaching our Under 21 side. Well done to both and we all here at Clontarf wish them the best for the future and many more caps to follow.

Bernard was joined on the stage by Santa and together they and the crowd counted down from 10 to 1 before switching on the lights on. After Bernard was joined by fellow Leinster prop Stan Wright to sign autographs for local children.

“Its a great honour for me to be invited  to switch on the lights tonight here in the village” said Bernard

The 20 foot plus high tree situated across from the bottom of Vernon Avenue was erected by Dublin City Parks Division and brought up from Wicklow during the week.

Clontarf Rugby Club Chairman Geoff Curran commented ” It was great to see all the local business working together like a team and we at Clontarf Rugby Club are very proud to be part of the celebrations”

With Flannery declared fit, it means Connacht’s Sean Cronin will deputise from the bench, while John Fogarty will make the trip to Belfast to link up with the Ireland ‘A’ to take on Tonga at Ravenhill on Friday night.

Fogarty will join his brother Denis in Belfast with the latter to deputise for his sibling from the bench.

Today’s announcement shows 13 of those who started against Wales in the final Six Nations as Ireland went on to secure the Grand Slam for the first time in over 60 years.

Further details to follow

Ireland (v Australia): Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster), Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster), Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster), John Hayes (Bruff/Munster), Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements: Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster), Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster), Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)

Monday, 2nd November, 2009: Dublin Port Company announced that it is renewing its sponsorship of Clontarf Rugby Club and will continue as the club’s main sponsor until 2012. The news was officially announced to club supporters on Saturday 31st October, prior to the match between Clontarf and Blackrock. Buoyed by the news, the Clontarf team beat the visiting team 9 – 3.

Dublin Port Company has been the main sponsor of Clontarf Rugby Club since 1994. The sponsorship will support the continued growth and development of the club and help maintain the club’s position as one of the most successful All Ireland League clubs.

Geoff Curran, Chairman of Clontarf Rugby Club, said “Dublin Port Company’s continued support of Clontarf Rugby Club is essential to help us compete at the top level of club rugby in Ireland and ensures that we continue to attract talented players and coaches and a large active rugby playing membership.”

Enda Connellan, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company, said “We are delighted to announce the renewal of our sponsorship of Clontarf Rugby Club. We have supported the club for the past 15 years and during this time we have seen the club retain its standing as one of the top All Ireland League clubs. As a company we are committed to supporting the local community, and we are therefore actively involved in many sporting, educational, socio inclusion and cultural initiatives, to make a positive contribution to the area.”

Clontarfs’ sluggish start to the season continued in the opening exchanges which saw the visitors camped inside the Clontarf half. The home sides’ inability to secure the restart or effectively clear their lines allowed Blackrock take the lead through an early James Power penalty. Unphased Clontarf responded swiftly with a superbly struck Martin Dufficy drop goal.

Blackrock threatened much but converted little in an opening half in which Clontarfs’ scramble defence was severely tested. Clontarf however came closest to crossing the try line after Aaron Dundon put through Michael Keating having found space in the loose. Keating, showing his massive potential and raw pace, ran an excellent support line and was perhaps unlucky to be pinged for a double movement on the line.

In the second half Clontarf made the most of the Castle Avenue slope and noticeable wind advantage to enjoy the lions’ share of territory. Despite working deep into the Blackrock half through good, phased possession Clontarf left their opponents 22 on at least three occasions having failed to convert pressure into points. In the end Clontarf edged ahead through an opportunistic drop goal and solid penalty strike from Dufficy.

For much of the game Clontarf proved far more effective without the ball in hand, constantly disrupting their opponents’ set-piece, and creating good turnover ball in the loose. From one to fifteen the defensive effort was immense. Denying Blackrock kickable penalty opportunities in trying conditions was a credit to Clontarfs discipline and a major plus to take from the game. Henry Bryce delivering on early season form cut a physical presence in midfield and under the high ball. Similarly, fellow recruit Peter Synott was highly effective in support and on the ground.

In what was a must-win game so early in the season, Clontarf did just enough to continue their climb up the division 1A table. The level of intensity and commitment sustained by the players over the 80 minutes must be applauded. Clontarfs’ newly assembled squad look to be turning a corner and seem prepared to fight in the trenches for one another. The ability to grind out ugly W’s may not win hearts and minds but is exactly what is needed as playing conditions worsen in the coming months.

Clontarf resume old rivalries next Saturday against Belvedere in the AIB Cup looking to overturn an early season defeat and build upon their recent run of results.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE  10 -  CORK CONSTITUTION 3,  Stradbrook

DOLPHIN 18 -  SHANNON 14,  Musgrave Park

GARRYOWEN 3 -  ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 6,  Dooradoyle

UL BOHEMIANS 3  – CLONTARF 8,  Thomond Park

Clontarf move off bottom place in the league with an away win at Thomond Park.

On behalf of the President, Executive Committee and Members of the Club, we wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Bobby’s wife Jo, to Robin and to all the family.

As a mark of respect the J1 game between Clontarf and Wanderers, scheduled to be played in Castle Avenue this evening (Wednesday) has been postponed.

May he rest in peace