THE Mysterious Milk Tray Men and Rashers Batters were left celebrating last Friday night after the hugely successful Mayo News sponsored Tag Rugby League came to a conclusion at Carrowholly.
Paula Duffy’s Mysterious Milk Tray Men captured the prestigious social league crown with victory over a star-studded AMO outfit while Marian Sheridan’s Rashers Batters held off The Young Guns in an exciting super league decider.
The finals took place last Friday evening at Westport RFC’s ground and for a change the weather was dry and mild which made for a very enjoyable evening.
In the social section the top four teams in the league made it through to the semi-finals, despite the best efforts from Club Physio who were defeated by Kelly’s Heroes by just one point in the quarter-final.
AMO and Mysterious Milk Tray Men, captained by Paula Duffy, made it through to the final. Despite the best efforts of Louisburgh GAA stars and finely-tuned athletes, Jarlath O’Malley and Alan Moran, it was the Mysterious Milk Tray Men who triumphed 5-2.
The winners had big performances from the likes of Pat Carolan, Richard Moylette, Lisa and Niamh Corcoran, Ailbhe Gill, Eoin Sweeney, Ger and Joey Corcoran, Derek Gilger, Aileen McNamara, Padraig Moylette and Brian Clerkin.
Islandeady’s Padraig Moylette was their key man with a series of exceptional tries but AMO will feel hard done by after two ‘girl’ tries were ruled out in the first period; the referee receiving some ‘helpful’ prompting on the line from some Milk Tray supporters.
AMO deserve a special mention on reaching the final. Last year they lost every game in the league but seemed to do a lot of work on the training ground in the interim. This year they finished top of the league and made it to the final but fell just short on the night.
However, AMO won the ‘Spirit of Tag Rugby’ prize for playing their games in good humour and in a sporting manner. It was good to see that there were a few teams in contention for this prize.
In the Super League it was last year’s winners, The Young Guns and Rashers Batters, who made it through to the final. The well-drilled Rashers Batters, captained by Marion Sheridan, came first on the night on a 10-7 scoreline with the likes of Conor O’Brien, Eddie Walsh, Des Reidy, Michael Heneghan, Joe O’Malley, Tracey Moran, Noleen O’Grady and Claire O’Grady all playing major roles.
The ‘Spirit of Tag Rugby’ prize went to Ocean Spirit in this section. Their team was made up of novice tag rugby players but they put in a lot of effort over the competition, won their final game in the league, and just lost by a point in the quarter-finals. Next year Ocean Spirit, captained by Paul Collins and coached by George Visser, will be much more experienced and will be jostling for a position at the top of the league table.
The presentations were made to the winning teams after the finals by Sinead O’Malley from The Mayo News and Robert Kilkelly, President of Westport RFC. Despite some bad weather during the league most players enjoyed themselves and are looking forward to next year’s competition. In the meantime there may be a mini-competition held on a Saturday so keep an eye on The Mayo News
