06/07 Youth Rugby Sponsor

Ophir RFC gratefully acknowledges the support of Awards For All
for their assistance in this project.

Welcome to the Under 18's Section

2006/7 U18 Player of the Year David O'Reilly receives his trophy from Club President Malcolm Kane.

2006/7 U18 prizewinners with club president Malcolm Kane and coaches Gavin Robinson and Ivan Smith.

The 05/06 season was a very enjoyable one for both players and staff. Having played 9 matches in total the teams progress was never more evident than the last match against westbury Colts (England) when we recorded a well deserved 31-22 victory.

The players are drawn from several local schools, including St. Malachys Clooege and Glengormley High School. We hope to continue with the help of an Ulster Branch appointed Youth Development Officer who will assist in these schools.

For the coaching staff and the committee it's a great sight to see the U18's progressing into senior rugby, following their eighteenth birthday.

Training sessions will form a major part of this development under the watchful eye of Laurence Kelly, Ophir's head coach and is assisted by Gavin Robinson, Youth Development Co-ordinator. Training will take place at Magowan Park, Mallusk, on Tuesdays from 4.30-6pm. All players between the ages of 15 & 18 years old will be made very welcome and transport is available from the Antrim Road/Glengormley, to and from training.

For more infromation contact Gavin Robinson at:

Home: 028 9083 5504

Mobile: 07914 310 694

Fixtures & Results

05/06 Season Coach's Report

This year was very enjoyable as we had over thirty boys at training at the start of september. With the majority of them experiencing Rugby for the first time, the old heads of the squad quickly took the new boys under their wing.

As the days got colder & wetter the numbers dwindled to around twenty which became the eventual squad for selection. The first game against Glengormley High School was eagerly awaited by all and ended in a 21-21 draw, this proved to be the start of a very competitive season.

The team were narrowly beaten in each of their next seven games but, competed with good character and sportsmanship which earned them good compliments from both sidelines, none more evident than against a very experienced Randalstown team. The season was topped off by an end of season tour to Westbury in England where the team recorded a 31-22 win against their hosts.

Hard work and training paid off for the team and hopefully this will follow into the 06/07 season.

Gavin Robinson - Youth Development Co-ordinator

05/06 Youth Tour

Flanker Jonny Murphy was named Ophir Youth Player of The Year, while second row Paddy McAuley won the Player's Player of The year award. These awards were presented during the sides recent tour to Westbury RFC in Wiltshire, England.

During the tree day trip the young Ophir side took on Westbury Colts and enjoyed a visit to Bristol for the Shoguns V Northampton Saints Premiership game. The tour, which was was enjoyed by all, w2as made possible with support from the awards For All Lottery funding programme.

Despite going behind early in the game against Westbury Colts, scores from Paddy McAuley, two from Captain Fergus Loughrey and two conversions for Conor Campbell gave Ophir a well deserved 19-5 lead at the break. A rejuvanated Westbury regaind control of the game early in the second period, three scores putting them ahead again. Ophir responded well and began to play the flowing Rugby they had displayed in the first half. in a thrilling finish, two tries from man of the match Conor Quinn and a conversion from Gavin Baxter gave Ophir 1 31-22 win.

Ophir Squad - Flood, Martin, Cush, McAuley, Doyle, Murphy, Neary, McTaggart, Baxter, Campbell, Loughrey, Catney, Seeley, Quinn, Casement, Aiken, Murphy, Sheehy.