Cobh Pirates are pleased to announce the continued support, and sponsorship of laya healthcare.

Laya have been the clubs principle sponsor for a number of years now, and their continued sponsorship of Cobh Pirates highlights their community support ethos. John McCall, Head of Provider Relations with laya, was on hand to make the jersey presentation before the Munster Junior League Division 2 game against Mallow.

Pictured is Mr Kieran McKeown Club Chairman,Mr John McCall laya, Ruairi Geary Club Captain and Mr Tony O’Malley Club Trustee.

John spoke about the company’s recognition of the work carried out by the committee and coaches throughout the club, and in particular the underage/minis section within the club which hosts hundreds of children every week. Having had the pleasure of witnessing what he described as an hour of great fun and enjoyment had weekly by the children and parents alike, he was keen to point out that that was what sport should be all about. He wished Cobh the very best in the coming season across all the grades, and hoped to see the first XV move back into the Munster Junior League Div 1 for the 2016/17 season.

The weather over the weekend played havoc with the fixtures, in particular Saturdays ones with no games going ahead as planned.

The ladies game on Sunday also fell foul to a water logged pitch in Limerick, leaving the double header against Mallow in the Paddocks the only fixture over the weekend.
It was the turn of the Junior 2s at noon to get the day under way, and they did so in style. In a game where the blustering wind was blowing across the field, it did not favour either side. The young Pirate side ran the ball at every opportunity, with Cian Gormley at full back and Killian McKevitt playing at 9 playing well and keeping Pirates on the front foot. In the pack young prop Anthony Devlin Buckley played beyond his years. Dave Chandler and Aron OFlynn crossed the line for Pirates, with Killian Barry picking from the base of the scrum, near the half way line going on a brilliant scoring run. Ian Jones added 2 conversions leaving Pirates run out 19-7 victors.

In the afternoon fixture, the wind blew down the field favouring Pirates in the first half. Pirates started the game with intent and had Mallow on the back foot from the start. Not long into the opening half and it was second row Mick Keating who barged over after a series of rucks with quick “pick and go’s”. Eamon Ronan dually slotted over from in front of the posts to put Cobh 7-0 in front. The Pirates pack were now dominating in the scrum, much to the admiration of the forwards coach Peter Brick Ahearn. This resulted in a penalty try under the posts after another spell of sustained pressure; again bring a wry smile to the face of the forwards coach. Alan Langford added the 2 points to make it 14-0 Cobh. Mallow were to get their only scoring change just before the break, and when play broke down they opted for a kick at goal for the last action of the first half which went just wide of the upright. On resumption of the second half, the play centred around the middle of the pitch for large periods, with both sides struggling for handling in the testing conditions. Last man tackles by Andy and Alan were to prevent Mallow from scoring, and Pirates made their way back up the field again. From a scrum Mallow ran at Cobh, only to be overturned by scrum half and captain Ruairi Geary, to score in the corner, Pirates 19-0 Mallow. With the sniff of the bonus try Pirates upped the pace again for the last 10 minutes, with succession of quick tap penalties taken by jack Hickey almost coming to fruition. But time was against Cobh to grab the 4th try, with the game finishing up 19-0.

Man of the match was presented by laya’s John McCall to Cobh no 8 Alan Lambe.

The first of the quarterly draws was made with the lucky winner, Eoin Chandler, winning the first prize of €1,000, Colm O’Connell €200 and Mick Walley €100. With 3 quarters remaining subscription is still being accepted by email to honsec@cobhpirates.com.
Club membership can now be paid, also to the secretary at the above email address.

Keep an eye out on the clubs Facebook page for all forthcoming fixtures.