The final weekend of the AIL Division 2 league campaign brought us and our near neighbours Young Munster together for a game of massive importance for both clubs. Young Munster with a number of clubs chasing them had to win to secure promotion to Division 1 while we need at least a point and maybe two to make sure of our survival in Division 2. Having lost the toss, we played with the elements in the first half and proceeded to take the game to our visitors. Encamped in the Young Munster 22 we spurned three kickable penalties before taking a deserved lead with a penalty duly converted by Brian Begley. We failed to add to our lead and in the dying moments of half with their first foray into our half , Young Munster earned a penalty which was put between the posts to give our side a four point lead at the interval. After some anxious phonecalls during the interval which told us the teams below us were both losing, we took the field for the second knowing that a brave second half performance would keep us in Division 2.

See Pictures of the game here!

The second half commenced and Young Munster chipped away at the lead with a drop goal to leave just a point between the sides. Then our discipline broke down and we lost two forwards to the sin bin in quick succession. Young Munster took the opportunity to score an unconverted try to take the lead for the first time in the match.  Restored to 14 men, we again took the game to Young Munster and were awarded a penalty which was goaled by Brian Begley to reduce the gap between the side to a single point.

However, from the restart we conceded another penalty which was successfully kicked  by Young Munster to restore their four point lead.  The final ten minutes of the game were nerve racking for players and supporters alike but both defences held firm and at the final whistle the large Young Munster following cheered their success but the Crescent fans had to wait until the Barnhall & Suttonians game were over before they could learn of their fate. After another couple of anxious phone calls, the cheers went up from the Old Crescent faithful that both of them had been defeated meaning the great escape which so many people thought was unlikely to happen was achieved.

Great credit is due to Jed O'Dwyer and his coaching staff and the players for the way they turned the season around in the last 5 games of the season.

Congratulations to Castletroy College on their recent successes. Old Crescent had representation on both the Junior and Senior Cup teams that won there respective Munster Cups. On the junior starting team was Greg Barrett and the senior team had Kevin Doyle and James Real. Congratulations to all involved.

The club U16’s are playing Ennis on Sunday morning at 11.30am in Rosbrien. If the team wins this match then the U16’s will have won the U16 North Munster “A” League. It is not a final but having not lost a game during the season a win on Sunday will put them in a unassailable position in the league standings. During the current league campaign the  the U16’s have already beaten, Bohs, Garryowen, Shannon, Newcastlewest and Bruff.

The 3rd XV were also in action last weekend going out of the O'Carroll Plate with defeat to Newcastle West on Sunday. They will bring the curtain down on the adult teams competitive season on Friday night when they play Bruff in the final of the McInerney Cup in Bruff at 7pm. We would ask as many members as possible to attend to support the team.

The under 18s had a very successful tour to Wales last weekend winning both their matches. This weekend our under 12s take to the road taking part in tournaments in Belfast & Cork. We wish both squads the best of luck. Training as usual for all other age groups on Sunday with minis at 10am and youths at 11.15am.

The winner of our most recent car draw which took place last Saturday was Emily Sexton - congratulations to her. The President  Night takes place on Saturday April 12th in he Falls Hotel in Ennistymon. Tickets are available from any member of the committee.

Finally this week best of luck to the Munster squad for their big game on Saturday and safe travels to all who make the trip to support the side.

We had three minutes of darkness on Saturday last but we survived!

It was two minutes into injury time of our last away game of the season and despite an excellent performance from our side, with Mark Ryan in particular outstanding, we found ourselves one point down and the reality of relegation staring closely at us. In desperation we made brought on the ever green Steven Touhy with the intention of getting a drop goal to secure the priceless victory but this seemed to have been in vain as we found ourselves defending inside our own 22. Then we managed to gain possession and began to run the ball at the Ballynahinch XV. As if by magic we broke through their defence to score in the corner. Steven Touhy added the difficult conversion to give our side not only a victory but also a winning bonus point to take us out of the bottom two for the first time since before Christmas.

This weekend our AIL season comes to a close with the visit of our near neighbours Young Munster to Rosbrien for the biggest game for both club since the turn of the century. Our visitors need a victory to ensure promotion to Division 1 and our side need at least 2 points from the game to guarantee survival in Division 2 next season.

We would appeal to all our members and supporters to come to Rosbrien early on Saturday to support the team. Gates will open at 12.30pm and kick off is at 2.30pm.

The only other side in action last weekend were the 3rds who hosted Harvard Business School RFC on Saturday evening. It was an most enjoyable game played in a excellent spirit with our side running out winners by 27 points to 5.

This weekend they travel to Newcastle West on Sunday to play in the O'Carroll Plate with kick off at 2.30pm.

The under 20s are also in action this weekend in the North Munster League on Saturday with Bruff the opposition in Bruff on Saturday at 12.30pm.

Our under 18 side go on tour to Wales this weekend and we wish them every success on their trip.

Under age training resumes after the Easter break with mini at 10am and youths at 11am.

A quiet week with the under 20s the only adult team in action last weekend. They hosted Garryowen on Saturday in the North Munster under 20 league. Our side put an brave performance in the opening 20 minutes but eventually the superior fitness of the visitors drove them onto victory. This weekend the play Newcastle West in the league on Saturday at Rosbrien.

The AIL returns on Saturday with the long trip to Ballynahinch for our 1st XV in their quest for Division 2 rugby next season. We would encourage as many members as possible to make the journey to support the team.

The 3rd XV host a touring side from Harvard University on Saturday at 4pm.

In under age news, the highlight of the weekend was the visit of Cork Con under 18s to Rosbrien on Monday. Our side put in an excellent display of rugby taking the game on a score line of 10 points to 7.

There is no training on Sunday morning for under age as it is Easter Sunday. Training resumes on Sunday March 30th at 10am.