Press Notes 02 09 2007

The season opened with our Seniors entertaining Waterloo RFC in a friendly
at a sunny and well attended Dooradoyle last Saturday. The game was our
boys last warm up before departing to represent Ireland in the Amateur Club
Championship in Languedoc from 03 to 14 September. The inaugural six-team
competition sees us carry the flag as AIB League Champions and hopefully we
will represent our club, city and country with both pride and commitment.
It was an opportunity for our new Technical Director, Greig Oliver, to run
his eye over a number of close-season additions and the three 30 minute
periods certainly generated enough passion between the opposing sides.
Brian O'Shea (son of Mick and nephew of Ger, both former light blues) lined
out on the left wing and he certainly caught the eye with two well taken
tries, the second when he sold a peach of a dummy near half-way and
scampered all the way to the line. His right-wing colleague Lorcan Burke
also showed some nice touches and settled in nicely as we spread the ball
wide at every opportunity. The bench was used to great effect by both
coaches and although Conor Kilroy pushed our score to 16 with two
penalties, the visitors finished the stronger in the third period and were
full value for their late scoring burst to edge home 17-16 winners. Plenty
of food for thought. Indeed, speaking of food, the barbeque and
entertainment afterwards for our tour co-sponsors AIB and IRFU was of an
exceptionally high standard. It was also the first official outing for our
team wearing the logo of the new club sponsor resource. The sponsorship had
been announced earlier in the week at the Clarion Hotel by Paul Bean MD
resource. Our new sponsors recently acquired Corporate Cleaning Services.
Killian Slattery's company had provided the necessary support for the past
three seasons and the club is indeed grateful to him for his excellent
hands-on and financial support for our teams in achieving an unprecedented
grand slam last season. A special word of thanks to Tom Griffin, chef
extraordinaire, and his assistant Seamus Maher for providing the barbeque
which ensured all the troops were well fed.  John Callaghan, representing
the IRFU, had some very encouraging words for our squad. John had recently
been in Dooradoyle to run his eye over the Tag Rugby Finals and will be
accompanying the tour party to France. This Saturday there is a Tag Rugby
open day in Dooradoyle at 1.30. Check web site for further details. Our
U18's played Epsom College in a mid week friendly. The students fitness in
the latter part of the game proved decisive and they ran out 31-5 winners.
No marks for guessing the big event this weekend. It's been 34 years since
Limerick last brought home Liam McCarthy. Hopefully the disappointments of
94 and 96 will be put behind us at Croke Park on Sunday. The very best of
luck to Richie, Gary, Damien and all the players from everyone here in
Door Doyle.

ends/cjb