This article is from page 37 of the 2007-05-01 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
RUGBY has broken into the GAA stronghold of west Clare.
Munster’s newest rugby club West Clare Warriors RFC was formed in February to give boys and girls from Miltown Malbay and Mullagh areas an opportunity to play rugby. Al- ready over 70 children are attending training sessions.
The club was officially launched in Spanish Point by Bob McConkey,
Senior Vice-President of Munster Rugby and present were representa- tives of other Clare clubs. As part of the celebrations the Heineken Cup won by Munster last year visited lo- cal schools in the area and was re- ceived with great enthusiasm.
President of the Warriors is local Miltown Malbay publican David Hillery cousin of another famous President, Dr Paddy Hillery former President of Ireland. His wife Ca- triona is club treasurer.
The officers are all delighted with the support the new club has received from the public.
“Its fantastic to see the huge num- bers turning up for training and its great to see the youth of west Clare getting the opportunity to play rug- by,” said David Hillery.
Former Shannon RFC player Paddy Hayes who is Club Youth Officer said: “our club is enabling the young boys and girls to participate in a game that has never been as popular
as now with the success of Munster and our Irish rugby team.”
Other high profile Munster rugby officials present at the launch cel- ebrations were John Noonan, John King and Gerry Quaid.