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Rugby is played by all boys from Form I to Form VI in their timetable PE and Games classes and as an after school "hobby" several afternoons each week. Rugby is on offer during the Autumn and Spring terms and the boys participate in a wide range of friendly fixtures, tournaments and blitzes. Occasional visits by external coaches supplement the provision of our own sports department staff.
Spring Term 2012
Week of 19th March
Form III Blitz - we welcomed six teams to Castle Park and enjoyed a feast of rugby. All our pupils played outstandingly and our A team won all their matches, claiming top place in the Leagure. Well done to everyone, Mr Hillman was really pleased with your performances and many thanks to all the parents who came to watch.
Week of 5th March
St Mary's Rugby Blitz for Form II
The two Castle Park teams were so excited going into this Tournament, they had been practising for months and were finally going to be given a chance to show off their skills. All the teams arrived at 8.45am bright and early at Kennilworth Square in Rathfar. The two teams were placed in two different groups and the B team enjoyed competitive fixtures against St Mary's, Willow Park and Presentation Bray, Mr Hillman was very happy with the B team's "never say die" attitude and although some of the games were estremely hard at times, the boys played some good rugby. The A Team played St Mary's first. Mr Hillman was delighted with their performance, they cruised to a convincing victory, demonstrating excellent handling and tackling skills. In their second match the A team played Willow Park and again secured a victory in what proved to be a very tough encounter. In order to win the section we had to beat Terenure in the final group game, this match was the toughest fixture to date but again Castle Park showed excellent determination and skill to secure top spot in their section. Well done to all the players and thanks to all the parents who supported to enthusiastically. (Mr Hillman)
Willow Park Rugby Blitz, Saturday 3rd March All of our available Form V boys took part in Willow Park's Rugby Festival. Sixty-six teams, both school and club based, came from all over the county to participate. Our boys were splendidly captained by Max, who showed himslef to be an astute rugby player with a very good appreciation of the best positions to put his players. In the morning session, we had a marvellous win over one of the host's teams, running in seven tries without reply. We lost to Naas and Wanderers rugby clubs, but showed excellent resolve throughout. In the afternoon sessions, we narrowly lost to another Willow Park team and also lost to Bective and St Michael's, both of these teams were quite strong and well-drilled outfits. The boys are to be commended for their attitude, fighting spirit and general behaviour throughout the day. (Mr C Meade)
Week of 16th January
Form IV v Willow Park - all of Form IV were delighted to travel to WIllow Park to play against the traditionally strong opposition from Blackrock. It was a fantastic afternoon and we were extremely well supported by lots of parents. There were three matches in total and every member of Form IV played against one of the teams from Willow. Our A team once again performed admirably and learned a great deal from what was a very tough encounter. The physical nature of the Willow Park players was something that our boys have never come up against but they coped very well, I was very proud of the effort they put in. Our B Team enjoyed a famous victory and played out of their skins to win their match; although the C team were defeated their "never say die" attitude is to be commended. Overall a great trip, well done to all the players from Form IV and thanks again to all those parents who continue to support the boys.
Autumn Term 2011
Leinster Rugby Coach works with Form IV boys
Some lucky Form IV boys are being coached by one of Leinster's top rugby coaches over the next few weeks. They had their first session with Stephen Gore on Monday 14th November and they really enjoyed it enormously. As Joe said - it was so much fun and we did some really cool drills.
Mr Hillman hopes the boys will learn a great deal from the sessions and hopes to see some of the skills developed for use in up and coming fixtures.
Monday 12th December
On an extremely cold evening we welcomed a good St Gerard's team who started brightly scoring two early tries. The second half saw our boys play some of the best rugby of their season, the pack were superb, consistently turning over the ball and securing good possession. The boys scored two tries and got themselves back in the match. However, once again concentration let them down late on and St Gerard's secured victory with a late try. Thanks to all those parents who supported in the wind and rain, especially those parents who continually assist with the refreshments.
Tuesday 29th November
We welcomed two teams from St Michael's to play against Forms V and VI with both matches producing some thrilling rugby.
The A team started brilliantly, scoring try after try. Some excellent work from the forwards ensured the back row dominated possession and scored some well-worked tries. The boys conceded two early tries in the second half but came back with some solid work late on in the game, eventually coming out worthy winners.
The B team also produced their best performance so far in the season and similarly produced a victory over their opponents. Well done to all the boys. (Mr J Hillman)
Thursday 24th November
Rugby v St Gerard's
Form IV - another fantastic performance form our Form IV team, this time against a very strong St Gerard's team. Throughout the tough encounter the boys continued to show good discipline and great skill under pressure. Despite their unbeaten run coming to an end, I was delighted with how they performed in a testing situation.
Form III - once again the Form III team won convincingly against St Gerard's, stretching their unbeaten run. Some excellent tackling and good handling resulted in the boys scoring lots of tries. Thank you to Mr Meade for helping out with this team, and also to our parents for their continued support. (Mr J Hillman)
Tuesday 15th November
Rugby v St Andrew's The boys fixtures are coming thick and fast at the moment and the Fom IV boys are making excellent progress. Once again we produced an outstanding performance, this time against St Andrew's. All the boys performed very well in what turned out to be a resounding victory. Some of the skills, organisation and teamwork were excellent and I was delighted to see all the boys' hard work at practices was really paying dividends. There will be tougher tests to come but I am sure that this team will be ready. Once again, thank you to all those parents who came to offer their support. (Mr J Hillman)
Wednesday 12th October
Rugby Form V and VI v Willow Park - Once again all the boys in Form V and VI were able to take part in the fixture. Everyone played very well and both matches ended in well deserved victories for our boys. I was especially pleased to see the backs putting into practice some of the back row moves they had been working on, and on a number of occasions the boys demonstrated the miss pass, switch and loop. A big thank you to all the parents who continue to support the boys and to Mr Tindale who looked after one of the teams. (Mr J Hillman)
Tuesday 4th October
Rugby - Form V and VI boys played against St Clonleth's. They boys are greatly benefitting from putting their many skills into practice and Mr Hillman is very happy with the progress they are making.
Tuesday 20th September
The first rugby matches of the season took place at home on Tuesday afternoon.
Both Form V and Form IV fielded teams to play against St Conleth's.
The Form V boys had a great match, enjoyed by all players, Jack scored our only try and a strong second half performance by the team resulted in a close final score.
The strong Form IV team put on an impressive display. The fowards worked hard to secure the ball and the backs seemd to find plenty of space and ran in numerous tries. (Mr J Hillman)
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