Carrick RFC's Diarmuid O'Connell selected for Ireland Schools clash with Wales

Good news on and off the field for Carrick RFC as Diarmuid O’Connell has been selected for the Ireland Schools team facing Wales next Sunday while the club’s U13 squad had a comprehensive win in Clifden in the Connacht Cup.

Huge congratulations to Carrick on Shannon's own Diarmuid O’Connell who has been selected for the Irish School’s team to play Wales next Sunday March 10. O’Connell, recently named as joint winner of the Leitrim Sports Star Junior Award, represented Ireland last year and is a key figure in Sligo Grammar School’s bid to retain the Connacht Senior Cup this year.

U13: Connemara Oughterard 0 Carrick  31

Carrick-on-Shannon’s 22 strong U13s squad made a lengthy journey on Saturday to play their first Connacht Cup game at Clifden against Connemara Oughterard in windy but dry conditions.

Carrick were quick to open the scoreboard in the first half with a converted try within the first five minutes. Carrick crossed the line again shortly thereafter but a final pass was deemed forward to deprive Carrick from a second try, which would have given Carrick the momentum to build up a comfortable lead. 

A gritty team with good tackling and counter rucking disrupted Carrick’s rhythm, which eventually led to Connemara Oughterard knocking at the door of Carrick’s goal line with three minutes to go before half time. 

However, relentless defence by Carrick stopped several attempts by Connemara Oughterard to score an equaliser after a series of penalties against Carrick to make the halftime score 7-0 to Carrick.

Carrick were more clinical at the breakdown in the second half and strong forward play gave Carrick’s backs a solid platform to attack space with brilliant individual running. 

Carrick’s quality substitutions helped Carrick shift through their gears to score a further four tries, two of which were converted, to make the final score 31-0 to Carrick. 

Credit to both teams who played the game in good spirit and to Connemara Oughterard who made hard work for Carrick throughout most of the game. 

A special thank you for the hosts’ hospitality after the game and before a long journey back to Carrick-on-Shannon - we look forward to visiting Clifden again.

Sligo Grammar

In the Junior 'A' Connacht Schools Cup semi final played last Thursday, Sligo Grammar School overcame derby rivals Summerhill College on a scoreline of 10 points to 8.

Well done to the Carrick players Alistair Hewson, Reece Hill, Theo Gately and Shane Murtagh who steered the Grammar to victory with Hewson scoring the winning try.

U14

Carrick lost away to Sligo in the Cup.