Skerries Rugby Club

📢 ANOTHER DOUBLE MATCHWEEK ON THE WAY! 😳

🏉 Following a bonus point victory in Banbridge for the senior squad on Saturday, and a hard fought two bonus points in defeat to Clontarf for the J1s yesterday, there’s no rest for either team this weekend, as they both face into away fixtures once again!

💯 In the 2B North, the Linesight and Halligan O'Connor Property Consultants-backed first XV head back up the M1, as they visit Belfast to take on fellow unbeaten outfit, at 2:30pm on Saturday!

🚌 The J1s this time, travel to Merrion Road to face Wanderers F.C. in the third and final round of the Metro League 2/3 preliminary stage on Sunday.

🐐 These fixtures mark the end of a busy first block of action for both teams, so all support this weekend will be particularly welcomed! 🙏🏼



Progressive Credit Union Ltd

🔟 the first XV made it two from two in the yesterday, as they emerged on the positive end of 26-31 score line away to fellow celebrating Banbridge.

🏉 A hard-fought battle throughout, the sides shared six tries in an entertaining first half, as Peter O’Neill, James Brennan and Rob McKey touchdowns, along with a conversion by Jack Litchfield, had Skerries trailing by 19-17 at the break.

🏃🏻 The third quarter would ultimately prove decisive, as Mikey Sherlock and Ronan Mulcahy scored in quick succession, and Litchfield’s extras made it 19-31.

💪 A couple of big defensive shifts kept Banbridge at bay until the home side secured their bonus point score with five minutes to play. It made for a nervy finish for the traveling Skerries supporters but they held out for a valuable away win!

🧢🧢 Among a big squad effort, it was great to see another couple of players mark their first AIL appearances for the club, in Alan O’Connor and Joe May. Perhaps two of the most-anticipated debuts in Skerries’ recent history, but a very happy day for the wider O’Connor and May families.

🙏 Special thanks to sponsors Linesight, Halligan O'Connor Property Consultants and Progressive Credit Union Ltd, to Niall O’Reilly for the match photos, to the Moriarty's SuperValu Skerries U10 boys and U12 girls, who provided entertaining curtain-raisers, and to the massive party of Skerries people who made the journey to support the teams.

⏭️ There’s no let up for the 1st XV in the AIL, as they head back up the M1 next Saturday to take on fellow unbeaten outfit, Malone.

🚨 Final call for the Skerries Rugby Club range!! 🚨

⏳ The McKvr portal will be closing soon, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to get hold of some of the commemorative stock!! 👕

https://eur.mckeeverteamwear.com/collections/skerries-rfc-20929

📢 SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENTS 🥁

💪 After a couple of bonus point wins in their opening league outings last week, the Linesight and Halligan O'Connor Property Consultants-sponored first XV and J1s go again this week with every intention of picking up where they left off.

👀 Unsurprisingly, 19 of the 20-man senior squad are retained for tomorrow’s round two encounter away to Banbridge RFC, with Oisín McNamara swapping in for Kieran Leonard at hoosehead prop, and Hugo Lennox starting at out-half, following his two-try cameo off the bench last week.

🧢 The only addition to the group sees a certain 200+ Ulster-capped Alan O’Connor named for his first XV debut, some 15 years after graduating from the Skerries Rugby Club youths system.

🍾 The J1 squad also has a settled look to it, as they go in search of a victory at Clontarf on Sunday afternoon, with Rory Garland coming onto the wing in an otherwise unchanged backline that put on a show in last week’s win over Old Belvedere.

👨🏻‍✈️ Up front, Cian McGuinness makes a welcome return to the second row after a late withdrawal last week, while spiritual leader Vinny Watson is also back in harness in the front row.

🐐 Two away fixtures on consecutive days is never an easy task but we’re hoping the legendary skerries support rolls out in force in time for Saturday’s 2:30pm kick-off at R***e Park, and Sunday’s 3pm start at Castle Avenue.

Progressive Credit Union Ltd Leinster North East

😳 The fixtures schedule continues apace for Skerries teams, with five matches up for discussion across the age grades this weekend.

💡 In a double helping of , the U13 boys entertain at 7:30pm in Holmpatrick, while the combined U16 girls of , and take on the Ashbourne/Balbriggan team at 8pm in Balbriggan.

✌️On Sunday, there is a double-header of Skerries - clashes, as the U15 boys travel to Balreask Old for a 12pm start, the same time as the respective U18.5 boys sides kick-off in Holmpatrick.

✋ The U14 boys round out proceedings in hosting at 12:30 in Skerries.

🙏🏼 As ever, all support is most welcome!

🤩 With the return of the to Holmpatrick, last weekend provided the first opportunity of the season to our , with the U9s first up in the all-important roles. 🫡

🛋️ First XV team manager, Ross Halligan, and senior player, Conor Nulty were on hand to greet the mascots, and take them of an AIL matchday, something that will hopefully become familiar for them in the coming years. 😳

🧑‍✈️ After leading the first XV out onto the pitch, alongside captain, Kevin McGrath, they joined their U9 teammates in keeping the home crowd entertained during the exhibition match. 🏉

🙏 Generously sponsored by Moriarty's SuperValu Skerries, the minis teams are the lifeblood of a community club like Skerries Rugby Club, with more than 90% of our adult playing group having come through our own minis and youths pathway! 🧒➡️🧑

🐐 If you are interested in getting your child involved in minis rugby, contact [email protected]. 📧

NextGeneration

🎬 Not to be outdone by the first XV’s seven-try haul on Saturday, the J1s went one better on Sunday, as they delivered an exhibition in securing an entertaining 56-40 win over Old Belvedere in the opening round of their Leinster Rugby 2/3 preliminary group phase. 🧨

Try 1 - Harry Cole
Try 2 - Shane Murphy
Try 3 - Harry Cole
Try 4 - Luke Halpin
Try 5 - Robbie Gallagher
Try 6 - Hugo May
Try 7 - Conor Nulty
Try 8 - Luke Halpin

Shout out also to Joe May, who put on a kicking masterclass from all angles with a 100% return off the tee. 🎯

👀 The seven tries weren’t the only eye-catching element of the opening round victory last weekend, as the commemorative jersey got its first runout with the senior squad.

👕 The signature feature of our centenary kit range replicates the colours worn by the club in its early years, with the all-blue shirts and white collar taking the place of the more familiar old gold, cerise and blue hoops.

🫡 Further honouring the history of Skerries Rugby Club, the jerseys bear the names of all 55 past presidents and incumbent, Billy Mulcahy.

🐐 Sponsored by Linesight and Progressive Credit Union Ltd, the jersey will be worn by the Skerries senior squad for this season only, and a limited number are available to buy through the official McKvr portal.

🔗 If you are interested in purchasing a piece of history, whether for yourself or someone else, check out the full details and size guide: https://eur.mckeeverteamwear.com/collections/skerries-rfc-20929

‼️ Important to note that the portal for the commemorative jersey and the rest of the centenary range will close at midnight on October 4th, so don’t miss out! 😳