In December of this season the U13s were first to bring in a League Title. They went unbeaten in the Leinster Schools/Youth League and secured the title before Christmas. Meanwhile the U17s topped Section A of the Leinster Schools/Youth league table to earn a home draw in the League Semi-Final. In January a close fought semi-final saw Skerries leading 13-14 in Castle Avenue with only minutes remaining. Clontarf scored a late try to win the game 18-14. Two weeks later the U17s dispatched Seapoint with clinical efficiency in the final – winning 23-0.

The U13s began to progress steadily in both the Metro League and the Schools Youth Cup. Meanwhile Clontarf U17s progressed to the final of their Schools/Youth Cup. During mid March a new U16s squad assembled and qualified through a blitz competition for the finals of the Sean Stratton Cup.

On Monday 23rd April the U13s won their Metro League having gone unbeaten in that competition. Three nights later the U17s were narrow losers to Old Belvedere in the U17s Schools/Youth Cup loosing 9-6. On Saturday 28th April the U16s assembled in DLSP to play their quarter final in the Sean Stratton Cup blitz competition. Old Wesley, Galway Corinthians and Mullingar were duly dispatched by a strong Clontarf U16s and they lifted the Cup shortly after 1.30pm.

Finally the fifth title was secured by the U13s on Sunday the 29th April. Despite facing a very strong Terenure side they ran out winners on the day 24-0. That final fixture saw the U13s go all season without loosing a game.

A great season all round for youth rugby and a good sign for the future.

Clontarf were crowned champions of this year’s Leinster leg of the IRFU Club Sevens after defeating Old Wesley 26-14 in the Cup Final. Both finalists now progress to the All-Ireland Club Sevens Championship which takes place at Dubarry Park, Athlone on Saturday May 12th.

Other trophies won were the Plate which went to last year’s champions, Old Belvedere and the Bowl which was won by St Marys College.

This will be a great day out for all the family, and a great way to stretch the legs!There are two walks to chose from- a 5k walk or if you fancy a challenge there’s the 10k walk. All monies raised will go towards the refurbishment of both Clontarf Rugby and Clontarf Cricket Clubs. Cards returned with a 50EUR sponsorship will be put in a draw to win a fantastic prize.

To download a sponsorship form, please click here

This is bound to be a great day out for all and there will also be a free burger and a drink for all walkers afterwards back in the clubhouse.

For all further information please contact 01 902 3965.

Proudly sponsored by Office Depot (Ire) Ltd.

Irish Olympian and boxing legend, Michael Carruth is currently putting Brian through his paces in preparation for fight night.  However, to get him into the ring he has to raise sufficient sponsorship funds to make it worthwhile. This is where you come in. You have the double incentive of helping to raise money for the inspirational Sergio whilst at the same time condemning a referee to a beating. How can you resist?

If you wish to sponsor Brian and ensure that he has to fight on May 11th then please send an email with your donation amount to brian.macneice@kotinospartners.com or by text on 087 2422290. He will make an arrangement to collect the donated sum in advance of fight night.

Clontarf U16s had not played together in the club since two seasons ago (U14s) when they were runners up in the Leinster Schools Youth League. A few new faces together with most of the old ones assembled as a virtual ‘scratch team’ for this tournament. The first weekend involved 4 games back to back for ‘Tarf U16s and the final weekend included a quarter final, semi-final and final. Clontarf saw off challenges from St. Marys, Corinthians, Skerries, Mullingar, Old Wesley and North Kildare over the two weekends to lift the cup on Saturday afternoon.

Graham Cooke of DLSP and his team put in a huge effort to arrange the tournament and did an outstanding job. The tournament was designed to bring Schools Junior Cup players back to their clubs with a view to playing in U17s competitions next season. Our sincere thanks go out to Graham and all those involved in planning the tournament.

Sean Stratton is the ‘father’ of Mini/Youth Rugby in Leinster having been instrumental in its development during the 1960s. It is fitting that this competition contributes to club rugby by relaxing Leinster Rules to allow JCT players participate. As many JCT players enter transition year they will rejoin their club mates and take up where they left of in mini rugby.

Throughout the season they have played a good brand of rugby, the aim of which is for everyone to handle and run with the ball. Captain Donal Ryan has been tremendously consistent all the way through, as has vice captain Frankie O’Dea. This has already been the most successful season at under 13s for lots of reasons: while the silverware is great, the numbers registered at this level are over 70, with players spread over three squads. Attendance all the way through has been very strong and as well as a dedicated group of coaches we have a great group of parents who have supported all three squads through thick and thin since September. We hope to see everyone back again in September.

Club President John Glackin presented the cup to the players (Pictured above) on the steps of the clubhouse. He gave a short and passionate speech to the players. He informed them that the last U13 team to enjoy similar success provided last Saturday’s Senior XV with no less than eight players.

Cash cannot be taken at the turnstiles, but you can buy a ticket either in the Lansdowne Clubhouse on the day (adults €10, children FREE) or for your convenience, we have arranged that tickets can be purchased from our club office between 9.00am and 1.00pm this Thursday (19th April) and Friday (20th April), or alternatively from behind the bar on both evenings from 7pm until close.

For the clubs on the other side of the accounts ledger; those who are solvent, raise money before they spend it, and manage their debts with scrooge like intensity Saturdays contest in Castle Avenue was their answer to the debate. Two Clubs from vastly different traditions, from different sides of the City, clashed in a game that , had it been attended by any neutral party in this wasteful discussion would surely have ended the debate flat. Dead as a doornail!

If this is an example of a Club game in crisis then we have all been wasting our time for the last fifteen years. In front of a crowd of c. 2000 spectators Clontarf and St. Mary’s delivered a contest straight from the pages of the Norse Sagas and in an 80 minute battle ended the argument about the viability of the Irish Club game. If this was an example of wasteful Clubs spending foolish money on uncommitted , greedy players then they need to watch the playback and count how many times the Mary’s captain Hugh Hogan threw himself head first into rucks ; they would have liked to have been in the Clontarf medical room after the match to see Killian Lett almost fainting with pain and exhaustion after a titanic contribution to a lost cause; they could have seen the Clontarf tight head and try scorer Niall Treston at the end of the game crushed with emotion after an effort that was unsuccessful on the scoreboard but glorious in its corinthian intensity.

The game can be summed up as the Clontarf bludgeon versus the St. Mary’s rapier. Clontarf dominated possession and territory but failed due to the tenacity and commitment of the St. Mary’s defence where, as mentioned, Hugh Hogan was immense and was closely followed by hooker Richie “Chips” Sweeney. Clontarf will rue the 10 minute period starting just before half time when three home errors gifted tries to the sparkling Mary’s wingers and on a day where place kicking was a lottery that was to prove too high a mountain to climb for the home side. But by God did they give it a shot ! The last 20 minutes were spent effectively camped on the Mary’s line where the men in blue repulsed wave after wave of attack. At one point the crowd noise became a blur of screams as the tension from both sets of supporters gave voice. In the end Mary’s held on and deservedly go in to the last round of games with the momentum. Clontarf will require a performance against Lansdowne on the Main Aviva pitch next Saturday and will be hoping that Young Munster bring their special brand of defiance to Templeville at the same time.

For me this special day was summed up by the sight of a little girl , no more than 5 or 6 , her face, apache painted, in blue stripes lounging underneath the Mary’s bench as the game and the excitement went off around her. It was that kind of day . Great for families and local supporters, and great for the two Clubs.