Roots & All is a project where we pick a few teams that don’t normally make the spotlight week in week out and feature them regularly throughout an entire campaign.
We’re pleased to welcome Iveragh RFC to the project, they will be updating us on their progress from tonight until the end of the season.
Iveragh Eagles RFC was founded in 2009.
The first game was played in April 2010, a challenge game, against neighbours Killorglin. The club entered the J2 league in September 2010. This proved to be a steep learning curve as nobody on the team had any experience of playing rugby and the first few games were heavy losses, however as the season progressed, a steady improvement was seen but the season finished with no victories . A draw and a losing bonus point were were all we had to show for about fifteen matches.
A last minute try by Killarney knocked us out in the first round of the Galwey-Foley cup . 2011 season started with two hammerings in challenge games with Killarney and Killorglin .The training effort was increased dramatically and the results showed as Iveragh secured an historic first victory in the league ,a one point away win to Listowel .More wins followed along with respectable displays in defeat . After Christmas ,the club entered the Munster competitions ,the first game was away to Bandon ,again another learning curve and a forty point hammering .The forward orientated game which had served us so well now had to change as scoring not defending was the way ahead in Munster. Victory in the early rounds of the plate competition bought us to a home semi final against Munster kings, Dolphin .
A 36-7 defeat in which we dominated possession and territory showed that developing back play was now our priority. The season finished with defeat to Killarney in the Galwey-Foley Cup again and victory in the Finnegan shield in a ferocious battle with neighbours ,Kenmare .2012 season began with a good run in the league leaving us finished in second place and also getting into the Galwey-Foley Cup final .The final played on 29th December ,gave us our first silverware against old sparring partners, Kenmare. Massive celebrations followed as this cup had been a target of ours since we were formed.
The first round of Munster was on 13th January against Bandon . A respectable three point defeat showed the improvements since last year’s beating.
Iveragh also have formed an underage section…the first year, we entered the u13s in the West Munster league and they enjoyed a great run winning four matches .We also had u15 and u17 teams taking part in blitzes which gave them valuable experience and also allowed the Munster scouts to assess talent .Two u17s were called to Munster trials ,Chris O’Sullivan and Padraig MacGillycuddy ,and Chris made it into the west Munster development squad ,an incredible achievement.This season we had u13 ,u15 and u17 teams entered in the Munster league .Again a lot of players have never played before and are learning but next year should see rewards.
Our biggest success this year has been u12 ,u10 and u8 .We have had huge numbers at training and also success in the local blitzes including our own. These players will be the future of our club for the next ten years as starting young is the secret of success in any sport.
