Rugby HistoryHome / Culture & Research / Rugby HistoryConnemara Rugby History and MemoriesConnemara Community Radio believes that it is important to capture the History of the area incorporating segments that were not particularly covered in the past, or more importantly in a format that is not widely used – audio from some of the key actors in the various disciplines. This has been achieved in collaboration with segments of the volunteers. For example, to date we have been associated with the GAA and Political families - see the website Connemara GAA & Political - History, Folklore and Audio by Colleen Curran and John O’MalleyThis current research programme deals with a relatively new culture in the Connemara area = Rugby. Although Rugby officially commenced in the early 1970s, we have unearthed audio rugby memories from the 1940s.Connemara Rugby and Connemara Rugby Club Audio Memories/HistoryRugby has been played by Connemara players for a very long time. However, most of the players from the past played Rugby in the Rugby colleges. The first player from Connemara based on current research that played for Ireland was Jimmy Joyce from Oughterard in the 1940s, however this was not classified as an official full international cap as this was in the 2nd World War era. The next player was Mick Molloy, listen to Mick’s audio. The current Connacht full back Tiernan O’Halloran was the latest to be capped for Ireland.Connemara Rugby Club was established in 1973. This was the first official Club to be established in Connemara. However, it should be recorded that there was an attempt to establish a team in Connemara in the 1940s. This team played a number of games but was in effect ad hoc and failed to establish itself. It was mainly comprised of college players and could only field during the Xmas holiday period. Another reason was the GAA ban on foreign Games at that time, as the vast majority of its potential playing pool would be GAA players. However, it should also be remembered that there was no official GAA club in the Clifden area in the mid 1940s. This ad hoc team also incorporated players from Oughterard, primarily the Joyce family, one of whom - Jimmy - was the first Connemara man to play for Ireland at senior level in the 1940s (based on current research available). One of the most prominent Connemara men to be capped for Ireland was Mick Molloy (Dr) from Cornamona, who played between 1966 and 1976. However, Mick never played rugby in Connemara. The next Connemara player to play senior for Ireland was Tiernan O’Halloran; although not born in Connemara, he can truly be recognised as a Connemara man - his grandfather hailed from Inishbofin Island and his father was based in Clifden when Tiernan commenced playing Rugby (currently a professional with Connacht Rugby 2017). In addition, the creation of women’s rugby has brought Connemara its first success in this field when Mairead Coyne from Leenane was capped in 2016 and became the first woman from Connemara to be capped for Ireland.Foot note: The first record of a Clifden based team is 1914. This is the year that Clifden Marconi Rugby team travelled to Galway and defeated University College Galway.The Connemara Rugby Club of 1973The Club of 1973 played its matches at ‘Woods Field’ (where Clifden Glen is today). It later progressed to establish its own grounds at the Monastery Field, which is its current base. The Club has a general run of success since its foundation, especially in the 1990s.The presentation will focus on the commencement of Rugby in the Clifden region. It will also focus on the Secondary School. The audio presentation will commence with the construction of rugby in the School.As with any event, it is not unusual to find some key stats disputed, for example who scored the first try/score at Schools and Club level? So if anyone can absolutely clarify, please let us know, as it is easy to amend/include in this digital format. Other outstanding stats would also be nice to include, such as who was the first player to compete for Connacht, etc. We would like the respondent to be in a position to say - ‘I know because I was there’1940s - An attempt to establish a club in Clifden was led by James B Joyce from Clifden and the Joyce family from Oughterard. That group of players were primarily students from rugby colleges. This was in effect an ad hoc team and only played matches during the Xmas holiday period. To listen to Fr Ned Stankard (a playing member at that time) speak about the rugby of the 1940s, click on track Rugby 01The 1960s - There was no rugby club in the 1960s. However, this was the decade when rugby was established in the Secondary School, which commenced in 1966. To listen to Br Vivian Cotter and Paddy Flynn (Corinthians RFC) recollect their memories of this event, including the following years of the decade, press on track Rugby 02 and 03, take these two tracks together.The 1970s - The 1970s saw the establishment of the Connemara Rugby Club, which occurred in 1973. It also saw an expansion of Rugby in the School. It also brought the Club’s first sevens success in 1976 in the Millar Cup. Matt O’Sullivan and Paddy Flynn give their memories of playing events in this decade, including the Club’s first Connacht final appearance in 1975, on track Rugby 04The 1980s - The 1980s brought the Club’s first success in Connacht when the Club won the Ard Na Cregg Cup in 1980/81, captained by Gerry King from the Coral Strand Ballyconneely. This competition is generally for the second teams and/or below junior level. But the Connacht Branch allowed Connemara exemptions to compete in that season. It also brought the Club’s first league success when the Division 2 title was won in 89/90. This time the captain was Gerry King from Errislannon.To listen to the memories of the club’s first league victory at Connacht level in 1989/90, listen to Gerry King, on track Rugby 05The 1990s - This decade brought numerous successes at both senior and junior level, with the team reaching two senior cup finals in 1994 and 1996. It also brought the Club’s first Connacht Junior Cup success in 1995. In addition, it also brought 7 victories in the Connacht league - five victories in the Blakes sevens and one victory in the Kinsale sevensThe 2000s - This decade saw the Club reach All Ireland League standard in Division 3 in 2001 and won the event in 2002. It also brought success at senior level in Connacht, reaching three finals and winning the Cup in 2003; also winning the junior cup and league double in 2000 and 2001. The Club also reached three under-20 cup finals, winning in 2006.To listen to Pat Walshe Connemara Community Radio relive his memories of the All Ireland success of 2002, click on track Rugby 06Additional AudioDr Mick Molloy: from Cornamona, who played for Ireland between 1966 and 1976. Click on track Rugby 07Aidan O Halloran: whose son Tiernan was recently capped for Ireland - click on track Rugby 08Mairead Coyne from Leenane was capped in 2016 and became the first woman from Connemara to be capped for Ireland, click on track Rugby 09Paddy Flynn former Connacht player gives his memories, click on track Rugby 10Kenny Pollington names the Connemara all time team to celebrate 21 years of the Connemara Club (1994), click on track Rugby 11AcknowledgementsI would like to thank the contributors for making this presentation possible. The importance of their contributions is that it’s their own unedited memories and will be there for eternity. While acknowledging that it is a difficult task, because one knows that there will be many that will always contradict one's memories, for all type of reasons?Connemara Rugby Club Roll of HonourPete Smyth who has primarily researched the Roll of Honour of the Club, including the team captains where currently available. The benefit of digital is that amendments can be readily applied if necessary. So don’t ‘shoot’ the researcher who has spent numerous hours/days/months/years on the topic, just contact him if you have any additions to this section. This is available on text only.All Ireland League2001 Qualified2002 Winner AIL Div. 3Connacht Junior League Div.11990-91 Winner1992-93 Winner1993-94 Winner1994-95 Winner1996-97 Winner1998-99 Winner1999-00 Winner2000-01 Winner2014-15 WinnerConnacht Junior League Div.21989-90 Winner2014-15 WinnerConnacht Senior Cup1994 Finalist1996 Finalist2003 Winner2004 Finalist2009 FinalistConnacht Junior Cup1975 Finalist1993 Finalist1994 Finalist1995 Winner2000 Winner2001 WinnerConnacht Junior Plate2014 WinnerMini (1999) & Youth (2002)2001 Connacht U12 Blitz Winner2002 Connacht U13 Blitz Winner2004-05 Connacht U16 League Winner2012-13 Connacht U15B League WinnerConnacht U16B Cup WinnerConnacht U17 Div.2B League WinnerCawley Cup2014 WinnerArd na Cregg Cup1980-81 WinnerConnacht U20 Cup2005 Finalist2006 Winner2007 FinalistConnemara Sevens Tournament (Millar Cup)1976 WinnerKinsale Sevens Tournament1995 Junior WinnerBlake Sevens Tournament (Galwegians RFC)1994 Winner1995 Winner1996 Winner1997 Winner1999 Winner