Killarney RFC AGM 01 June 2023 – Senior Review

Senior Review – Brian O’Leary

2021/22 Season ended 17th April 2022 with aleague win vs Douglas, securing promotion to D2 for 2022/2023 season.

Senior Coaching Group (BOS, BF, JOC, BOL) met on May 19th 2022 to review the previous season and plan for the approaching season.

Agreement to commence preseason on the 13th of June with voluntary gym work following feedback from players. Agreement to communicate plan to all players on the 22nd May.

Pre-season was broken down into 3 block format.

1. 8 weeks optional Gym based training, commencing Monday June 13th . This block involved 3 nights training. 1 group session and 2 remote sessions. Block broken into 2 x 4 week phases. Gym, facilities, coaching, software and technology provided FOC by Activate Gym and Brian Foley. 39 players registered to participate including 8 U18.5’s
2. 9 week pitch based preseason with optional 1 day supplementary gym session (delivered remotely) commencing Monday 8 th Aug.
3. Kerry cup utilised for match conditioning and selections leading into league start (assumed as Sunday 4th Oct). League subsequently fixed for Sunday 9th Oct, adjusted accordingly.

Review took place on Monday 18th of July. Present were Senior Coaching group + U18.5 Head Coach BS to review progress, outline on field training plan and share learnings. Agreement to mix seniors U18.5s in Mondays sessions for block 2

Effort was made to recruit Physio to support the Senior Team, unfortunately there is a shortage in the Cork/Kerry area. Elaine Burke of Be-Pro Therapy again committed to supporting when available.

Kerry Cup started 4th Sept 2022, successfully progressed to final scoring 9 tries in two games losing in the final of the McElligott cup to a strong Tralee side

10 of the starting 15 for the opening game were U23. 16 of the 19 match day panel are former KRFC age grade players, other 3 have played all their senior rugby with KRFC. 4 former U18.5s hadn’t played for KRFC in 18 months, 3 in over 2 years.

Opening round of the League was a tough loss. It was a big learning for the coaching and playing group. The response to the loss was excellent. 18 of the match day 22 were former KRFC age grade players, 9 of the starting 15 were 23 or under.

What followed was a pattern of giving teams at the top end of the league very close, tough games. At the same time, it was a very beneficial experience, both for players who had never played Senior and those who had played in D3 last year.

The away performance to league leaders Kinsale, was a personal highlight. The performance was brave, belligerent and ambitious. We deserved more out of the game, but it set the tone for the rest of the season. The League concluded on the 5th of Feb with a 6 tries to 0 win at home over Douglas. 13 of the starting 15 were former KRFC age grade players, 16 of the matchday 22 the same. 9 of the starting 15 were 24 or under.

The season finally concluded on the 19th of March, 6 weeks later. That game was one of 3 games spread out over a period of 15 weeks. I want to acknowledge the students who continued to travel from college to training over that time, and to the senior team members who continued to turn up twice a week and drive us forward. It was without doubt, the most challenging part of being involved in Senior Rugby team and played no small part in my decision to step back as head coach. Time away from my family was the primary driver.

This run of 3 games in 15 weeks contrasted of run of 8 games in 9 weeks from October to December 2022. 5 Senior players suffered season ending injuries during this run of games. 2 of them should make a full recovery but unfortunately it looks like 3 of those players may not play rugby again.

Coaching, volunteering and being involved with a club is very rewarding. The positives far outweigh the negatives. Having said that, this approach to fixture setting does not promote the best interest of Junior Rugby clubs. Particularly those from non-traditional rugby playing areas. The final game finished with a last minute, one point loss in the Munster Junior Bowl. It was a game we scarcely deserved to lose, but that summed up our season. We played harder and deserved more than the results sometimes reflected.

I’d like to thank the Committee for all their support during this year (and indeed other years).

I’d like to thank Darren Enright, who stepped in as captain and led the team in a selfless and good natured way. It was a good foil to the bad-tempered leadership coming from some of the coaches.

I’d like to thank John for the work done in his role as Transition officer. Without this, I feel the senior team would have struggled, given the number of former age grade players who are now senior team regulars.

A big thank you to Brian & Roisin Foley for allowing us the free use of their business. I’d also want to thank Brian individually, for his generosity and his coaching knowledge.

Thanks to Brian O’Sullivan, as committed a Killarney Rugby Club man as you’ll find Thanks to my own family for all the support they’ve given me.

Finally, thanks to the players, especially the young fellas that made it so enjoyable. Coaches are overrated and are really just facilitators. It’s players who play and compete and they did both with great distinction this last season.