Ashbourne Progress to 2nd Round of Provincial Towns Cup
Ashbourne progressed to the 2nd round of the Provincial Towns Cup with a 26 point to 8 win over neighbours Boyne.
Ashbourne have drawn Wicklow away in the next round and this game will be played on Sunday the 21st of February with a 3.00pm kick off
More information nearer the time.
Business Networking Lunch
Where: In Kettles Country Hotel, Rolestown
When: 12th February 2016Ashbourne RFC will be hosting a lunch on Friday 12th of February, 2016.We are delighted that Mr Raymond Coyle of Largo Foods and Tayto Park has agreed to be our keynote speaker at the lunch and in addition we are expecting to shortly confirm a former Irish international rugby player who will also speak.We are inviting businesses, service providers and traders in the Meath and Fingal region to the lunch and believe the lunch will provide all guests with an opportunity to meet with friends, customers, contacts and competitors at an enjoyable event.
The lunch will take place at Kettles Hotel in Rolestown with a 1.30pm meet with lunch to be served at 2.15pm.
IRFU TO APPLY FOR PARTICIPATION IN WORLD RUGBY "RALERI” GOGGLES TRIAL
Irish Rugby Football Union today announced its intention to register to participate in the ongoing World Rugby Raleri goggles trial. The IRFU Medical Committee made the recommendation following a thorough review of World Rugby trial data and updated advice given by independent medical experts. Some of the initial concerns that had been raised have been addressed by design changes in the goggles.
The current restriction on goggles remains in place until such time as the IRFU has been confirmed as a trial participant by World Rugby. The IRFU hopes that this will be completed early in the New Year.
If the IRFU is accepted onto the trial those seeking to wear goggles on the field must then apply to World Rugby to participate in the trial and purchase the Raleri goggles directly from the Italian manufacturer – in accordance with the terms of the trial, no other eyewear will be permitted.
The IRFU encourages parents, players, coaches and volunteers to review information available from World Rugby in relation to the trial. http://playerwelfare.worldrugby.org/goggles
To assist those seeking a greater understanding of the situation the IRFU advised:
1. What is the World Rugby goggles trial?
1. World Rugby is conducting a trial to test the safety of goggles/eyewear.
2. The trial covers one set of goggles (manufactured by Raleri Italy) in one size.
3. The trial was due to be completed in May 2015 but has been extended on two occasions and is now due to be completed in late 2016.
4. Players can wear goggles if they are members of a union that is partaking in the trail, they register for the trial with World Rugby and they wear the Raleri trial goggles.Players must present a letter, to the referee, from their eye expert confirming their need to wear goggles.
2. What is the current status of this trial?
1. The trial has been extended until late 2016.
2. As the trial has taken longer than initially planned the IRFU sought trial data from World Rugby for review.
3. Based on this review, and an updated goggle design, the IRFU Medical Committee has advised that the IRFU can apply to enter the trial.
3. Has the IRFU ever allowed people to wear glasses or goggles on the field of play?
1. No, with the exception of non-contact forms of the games such as Leprechaun, Tag and Touch rugby, it has never been permissible to wear eyewear of any variety whilst playing contact rugby in Ireland.
4. Why did the IRFU initially decide not to participate in the trial?
1. Based on independent medical advice and medical/safety concerns (in relation to the initial goggle) it was decided that Ireland would not participate in the trial.The IRFU understood that this decision would not be popular with many, but the Union will always put player welfare first.
2. Over the course of the trial the goggle design has been updated and based on this, and the trial data to-date, the decision was made to enter the trial.
5. What are the next steps?
1. The IRFU will now register its intention to enter the trial with World Rugby.
2. Upon approval the IRFU will advise club and schools that applications can then be made to World Rugby by players seeking to wear goggles as part of the trial.
6. What advice does the IRFU have for any coach/parent/player or referees that may be tempted to allow people to play with goggles immediately?
1. The current restriction in relation to the wearing of goggles in contact rugby remains in place until such time as the IRFU has notified clubs and schools that Ireland has been accepted onto the World Rugby trial
2. Once the IRFU have been accepted by World Rugby and are participating in the trial, the wearing of the Raleri goggles only will be permitted by players who have been accepted into the trial.ALL OTHER GOGGLES WILL REMAIN PROHIBITED IN LINE WITH WORLD RUGBY LAWS.
For further information please contact:
Stephen McNamara, Director of Communications
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: +353 87 387 4596
Ashbourne Draw Boyne 2nds at Home in Provincial Towns Cup
Ashbourne drew Boyne 2nds in the 1st round of the Provincial Towns Cup at the draw on Saturday in the Ballsbridge Hotel. Ashbourne were actually first out of the draw once the byes had been drawn, and will meet near neighbours Boyne in the 1st round on the last Sunday in January.
See full draw attached.
Ashbourne Bow Out of their First Venture in the All Ireland Junior Cup
Ashbourne visited Enniscorthy for a second time this season and though the lost by a score of 32 to 20 this was a much improved display in many facets of the performance from the previous encounter. With a semi final place at stake in the All Ireland Junior Cup, Ashbourne found the Leinster League leaders too much on the day.
On a bitterly cold afternoon in Wexford, Ashbourne were caught cold at the start of the game and within 18 minutes were 17 nil down. Two early converted tries and a penalty saw Ashbourne face huge challenge to get something from the day. A slow start and poor tackling saw Enniscorthy use their very efficient back line to rack up the scores.
But Ashbourne in fairness worked their way back into the game. Ashbourne scrum had the upper hand and the pack in general led by McCaghy start putting some momentum into the Ashbourne game. It was from a scrum that Crotty score the first of his 5 kicks. Two more penalties brought Ashbourne back into the game by the break but there was a cutting edge missing in the backline on the day.
Trailing by 9 points to 17, Ashbourne would have hoped for a better start to the second half but Ashbourne conceded a try from the kick off so they were back to square one, but they did not give up. Rooney and Deevy carried well and the two Wall brothers worked very hard. McNally and Crotty distributed well while Kent and Cramer tried to make ground. But it was the boot of Crotty that narrowed the score to a converted try. The two kicks brought the score line to 22 points to 15. Ashbourne were in with a shout and very competitive but they still could not master the Enniscorthy movement out wide.
A two-try burst by Enniscorthy between the 28th and 30th minute, both in the right corner, saw the home side seal the game and both were uncoverted. A score of 32 points to 15 was too much for Ashbourne to recover from. That said Jake Wall touched down for a consolation try in the last few minutes but now Ashbourne will return and focus on the bread and butter of the league next week.
The league returns next week and Ashbourne are away to Suttonians next Saturday in with a 2.30pm kick off. The second XV play the same opposition at 1.00pm
Team: Alan Wall, James McCaghy, Mark Behan, Eoin Mc Guinness, Ciaran Roche, Jake Wall, Mark Rooney, Simon Deevy, Conor McNally, Donal Crotty, Andrew Tormey, Sean Kent, Tristan Cramer, Adam Hughes, Cathal Field,
Subs: Dan Norton, Keith Kennedy, Stephen O’Neill, Casey Dunne, Dermot Colreavy
Goggles In Rugby Q&A
There has been much discussion on this subject and we have been asked by the IRFU to post the following Q&A on the matter for your attention.
Ashbourne RFC is affiliated to the IRFU and are thus the guiding body for our sport and we as a club are bound to comply with the present situation.
If this matter is of concern to you it is hoped that the IRFU have addressed all of the issues on the matter in the following memo
Should there be a point not addressed please message me and I will forward the question to the IRFU.
Regards
Bill Duggan
Hon Secretary
[email protected]
Dear Honorary Secretary,
As you will be aware, for safety reasons, World Rugby and IRFU regulations the wearing of eyewear on the field of play was never permitted.
In recent years World Rugby has decided to explore the safety of allowing players to wear goggles on field and are conducting a trial in relation to the issue. The IRFU declined to be part of this trial, based on safety concerns.
Whilst the IRFU has communicated this policy on a number of occasions, in recent weeks we have received a number of enquires about the wearing of goggles.
As it is likely that you have received similar queries in clubs we have developed a Q&A document which we hope will assist you, your club, volunteers, coaches, players and parents to understand the issue, the steps the IRFU have taken in relation to the trial, and to underline that the IRFU must prioritise safety.
This information should be shared with everyone in your club and we encourage you to post this information in your clubhouse and on your various digital channels such as your website and social media sites.
Yours sincerely
Scott Walker Dr Rod McLoughlin
Director of Rugby Development Head of Medical Service
Q&A – IRFU and Eyewear/Goggles
1. Has the IRFU ever allowed people to wear glasses or goggles on the field of play?
a. No, for health and safety reasons it has never been permissible to wear eyewear of any variety whilst playing rugby in Ireland.
2. What is the World Rugby goggles trial?
a. World Rugby is conducting a trial to test the safety of goggles, specifically for those who require corrective lenses/eyewear.
b. The trial covers one goggle (manufactured by Raleri Italy) in one size.
c. The trial was due to be completed in May 2015 but has been extended on two occasions and is now due to be completed in late 2016.
d. Players can only wear goggles if they are members of a union that is partaking in the trail, they register for the trial and they wear the Raleri trial goggles.
3. Why has the IRFU decided not to participate in the trial?
a. To establish if the IRFU should participate in the trial the Medical Committee of the IRFU sought independent medical advice from one of Ireland’s leading ophthalmic surgeons. Based on this advice it was decided that Ireland would not participate in the trial, as to do so would potentially jeopardise the health and safety of those playing our game. Therefore, the wearing of eyewear on the field of play continues to be prohibited.
4. Is Ireland the only country not to participate in the trial?
a. No, the IRFU, the English RFU and the French Rugby Federation (amongst others) are not participating in the World Rugby trial. A number of unions are participating. The IRFU is responsible for the welfare of all those playing the game in Ireland and the decision not to participate was based on expert medical opinion received in Ireland.
5. What is the current status of this trial?
a. The trial has been extended until late 2016. As the trial has taken longer than initially planned the IRFU has sought trial data from World Rugby and will present this information to medical experts to see if it addresses the concerns initially raised in relation to the trial.
b. The IRFU will not seek to influence the advice from these independent experts and will respect any finding or recommendation they make.
6. What does the IRFU say to the players affected by this issue, and their parents?
a. The IRFU strives to make our game as inclusive as possible, and understands the frustration of players and parents in relation to this issue. However, it must be accepted that the number one priority of every sport must be health and safety. Rugby, as with all physical sports, will not be available to everyone, for various reasons, and until such time that medics are satisfied that health and safety is not compromised the IRFU are unable to allow players to wear goggles. It is worth remembering that the IRFU have not brought in any new restrictions on those who require eyewear – it has never been permissible to use eyewear on the field of play.
7. What advice does the IRFU have for any coach/parent/player or referees that may be tempted to allow people to play with goggles?
a. Under existing World Rugby regulations, and IRFU policy, players are not permitted to use goggle/eyewear when playing. Injury as a result of a player wearing goggles could have far reaching and difficult personal consequences for the individuals involved as well as reputational, insurance, financial and legal consequences for the club/school and the individuals in question.
8. With a number of people calling on the IRFU to enter the trial, will it now do so?
a. As the governing body for rugby in Ireland the IRFU has a duty of care and a moral and ethical responsibility to do everything possible to protect against and mitigate player risk or injury. The IRFU will work with World Rugby to review the trial data to-date and will only enter the trial if based on the review of the trial data by independent medical professionals that it is deemed medically safe to do so.
9. If World Rugby complete the trial and subsequently allow goggles to be worn will the IRFU follow this regulation?
a. Yes, the IRFU observes all World Rugby regulations, laws and policies. However, it is important that clubs, players and parents are clear that even if such a situation were to occur, the permitted World Rugby equipment would be limited to the trial goggle (manufactured by Raleri Italy) and all other goggles/eyewear would continue to be prohibited.
10. Is there any rugby game that those requiring eyewear can participate in?
a. Yes, the restriction in relation to the wearing of goggles applies to the contact game only. Therefore, goggles may be worn in non-contact rugby such as Leprechaun, Tag and Touch.
Kind regards,
Stephen McNamara
Director of Communications
Fund Raising by Shopping Locally at Tesco
We just received confirmation that Ashbourne Rugby Club are on the TESCO Shopping token list for the next 8 weeks.
This means when shopping in TESCO Ashbourne if you take the blue tokens and put them in the shoot on the way out to build up support for our club we will get a bigger donation than the other two organisations also chosen for tokens.
In other words shop in TESCO and put blue tokens in the slot on the way out. The club will then get a cheque for anywhere between €400 to €1,000 euro. Could you please spread the word.