West Offaly Lions News

West Offaly Lions Host first ever touring team Rockfort R.F.C. Buffalo N.Y.

WOL Seniors finished their season with a game against Lockport RFC from Buffalo New York on Sunday. A new Lions team took to their task with zeal against their physically superior opponents. George Moony opened
the scoring but slack tackling by the Wol midfield allowed the American centre in for an equalising score. Wol started their continuity game to which the visitors had no answer. A second half revival ensured a better contest after the break but the result was not important as both teams took leave to express themselves on this fine easter afternoon.

Players and members of the West Offaly Lions R.F.C. and the Lockfort R.F.C. after there game.

Padraig Flaherty organised a Blitz to finish off the u.14 season last saturday in Ferbane. All teams had an enjoyable day and  at the end of a long day Buccaneers were presented with the cup by Marion Gilligan Secretary of West Offaly Lions. Hopefully this will become an annual event on the calender and many thanks to the Flaherty family for providing the soup and sandwiches for both the players  and mentors.
MINIS The mini season concludes with the annual fun day at 11.30 next sunday in the school field. Peter Auret and Charlie Couper have organised a better than ever event which has proved so enjoyable in the past. Parents be ready to pit your wits against the u12s in a tag game. So all adult u14 mini players and parents are welcome.
Congratulations to Callum Boland who has starred in Irelands games in the FIRA u18 championships in France and to all those who have contributed to his being there

The first ever West Offaly lions u14 blitz took place in ferbane last saturday under wonderfull conditions. It was a great day with the sides involved displaying excellent rugby skills. All the matches very keenly competed with each side attacking well and defending just as good and when matters came to a close it was Buccaeers who were victorious beating Monivae in a very competitive final.

Monivae vs West Offaly Lions               Monivae vs Buccaneers

West Offaly Lions Secretary Marion Gilligan presenting Buccaneers U14 captain Stefan Kilroy with the cup.

So the curtain closes on the West Offaly Lions second competitive season in junior rugby in what was all in all a successful season for the club. The first team came agonisingly close to promotion into the J1A division only to be piped at end line in a promotion playoff by local rivals Buccaneers in Ballinasloe, it was a step up for the lions and although they competed well and never shied away a few lessons were learned in what it takes to compete at a higher level, but it all bodes well for next season and the hunger is there from all involved to bring this club on further, the second team played well in some games and not so well in the others but it was a huge success for the club to be able to field two teams in there competitive leagues, the main problem with the second team was lack of practice together but as with the first team these are all lessons learned and to be taken forward to next year.