The 1stXV and 2ndXV are proudly sponsored by Kingsbridge Private Hospital, North-West, DMC Properties and Mortgages, Air Cool Engineering and Mitsubishi Electrics for the 2023.24 season.
The season was somewhat of a mixed bag with highs and lows. In the early games there were victories against Foyle, Coleraine and Strabane. This was a good start for the team led by Captain Odhran Clenaghan, with Cooper McCausland as Vice-Captain and Killian Brolly as the Junior Vice-Captain. Unfortunately, an away game to Portadown and a home game to Banbridge put an end to this winning streak.
The first game in the round of Schools Cup in October saw the team put out a superb performance to beat Ballyclare 26-24 in an exciting game. Limavady GS took an early lead thanks to tries from Killian Brolly and Ben Moore, with James Laird scoring 1 penalty and 1 conversion. Ballyclare scored two tries. Ballyclare equalised in the second half but a try from captain Odhran Clenaghan and some exquisite kicking from James Laird kept Limavady in front for the win. It was an excellent team performance with both senior and young players stepping up. Strong performances from the team forwards especially Dara McAuley, Arlen Magee, Adam McConnellogue, Makenzie Guthrie, and Jacob Baird were instrumental in this victory.
Next up was an away game against Carrickfergus Grammar School, the boys made it 2 from 2 in the Schools Cup with a superb performance beating CGS 34-7 with tries from James Rhodes, Scott Hawthorne, Odhran Clenaghan, Callum Watts, Ben Moore and Freddie Gault. Cooper McCausland at out half slotted over the conversions. Strong performances from Ethan Mullan and Jack Butcher in the pack facilitated the try scores. Some great running and passing from James Mackey and Fintan McIvor saw Limavady break clear of the Carrick defence. A number of younger players got their chance with appearances from Alexander Blaha and Conor Kelly Carton in the front row with Alexander Steele and Jacob Baird in second row.
Hopes were high for the next game in the Schools Cup group stage and perhaps the biggest challenge, away to Banbridge. The training was intense and everyone was up for the challenge. Limavady started strongly with a number of line breaks. They took an early lead through 2 penalties. Banbridge then replied to make it 7-6. Through continued pressure Limavady scored another penalty to make it 9-7. The half time score was 17-9 to the Banbridge side. The overall result does not reflect how close the game was, with Banbridge scoring a few tries late on
The draw for the next round of the last stage of the Schools Cup drew LGS at home to Lurgan College on the 13th January. The team got back to their winning ways with a convincing win 40-0 against Lurgan. The team were outstanding with tries from Odhran, Cooper, James Laird, Jack Butcher and James Rhodes, conversions from James Laird sealed the score. James Baird and Cooper McCausland both had great games, Lewis Lynch stole the ball at every opportunity, Josh Connolly distributed well, Seth Guy, Ethan Mullan, Dara McAuley and Adam McConnellogue all drove and tackled Lurgan off the pitch.
The 1st XV progressed to the next round of the Bowl which drew them at home to Omagh on the 27th January. In another strong performance LGS beat Omagh Academy 29-12 with tries from Odhran, Cooper, James Rhodes, and Adam McConnellogue and conversions from James Laird.
The Quarter finals of the bowl saw LGS drawn against Down High School at home 10th February. In front of a large crowd Limavady put on a strong performance against a good Down team. With the score at 15-8 for Down, Limavady thought they had clinched the game with a push over maul from a lineout however the referee was unsighted and ruled the ball was held up. Unfortunately, the game was lost and the Schools Cup run ended.
This year’s forwards were strong and showed some excellent skills. In the front row we had Seth Guy loosehead, Killian Brolly Hooker with Jack Butcher at tight head. Adam McConnellogue, David Quinlan, Arlen Magee, Conor Kelly Carton and Alexander Blaha providing cover at prop and hooker when required. In the engine room we were spoilt for choice with Joel Osbourne, Jacob Baird, Makenzie Guthrie, Conor Jones, Alexander Steele, and Leo Collins to name but a few. The back row was one of our biggest strengths this year, led by the Captain Odhran Clenaghan the ‘king of the jackal’ at 7, and ‘the beast’ Ethan Mullan at 6, with Dara McAuley at 8. Lewis Lynch (new king of the Jackal) and Chris Smith were valuable additions to the back row as needed.
In the backs we had a large number of talented players. Josh Connolly at 9 and Cooper McCausland at 10, with Alexander Howe providing excellent cover. The centre partnership was strong with Callum Watts at 12 and a young James Mackey at 13 and Jamie Carmichael filling in where necessary. The back three consisted of Scott Hawthorne, newcomer Ben Moore and James Laird with Freddie Gault, James Rhodes, Jack Lyndsey, Antoni Zietala, and Fintan McIvor able to be slotted into any position necessary. For kicking duties, Cooper McCausland, James Laird and James Rhodes all took their turn.
It was not the end to the season we would have liked, but the effort and enthusiasm throughout the year was fantastic with seniors training in the gym twice per week in the mornings and lunchtimes and on the pitch three times a week. In addition, we had video analysis sessions after every game in an attempt to improve.
In the final game of the season the leavers played the remainers in what turned out to be a closely fought contest with the leavers winning by a last-minute Jack Butcher try in a very entertaining game for all present.
A testament to the level of rugby training at the school is that a large number of senior players went straight from the school into Limavady Rugby Club and are now playing at a high level at the club.
I would like to thank Andy Lemon for his continued assistance, Simon Connolly for his help with 2nd XV and to Mr Alistair McFarland and Mr Aaron Mullan for his first aid support. We would like to thank our sponsors Kingsbridge Private Hospital North-West, DMC Properties and Mortgages, Air Cool Engineering, Mitsubishi, and Kukri Sports. Thanks also goes to St John’s Ambulance for their continued medical support every Saturday and to Marshall Howe for sponsoring jackets for all our coaches. We value your support in helping LGS rugby grow!
Mr Andrew Lemon
Coach of the 1stXV