The new season for Donaghadee Rugby Club begins this Saturday (18th) when we host Queens University Belfast, Suttonians and Limavady to Donaldson Park for a Pre-Season Tournament. The Dee are delighted to welcome Senior opposition in the form of Queens who are currently in AIL 2A and Suttonians who play in AIL 2B. Former Dee stalwarts are involved in both Clubs with Chris Moore involved in the coaching set-up at Queens and Paul Proctor still starring in the back row for the Dublin club. In addition we are once again delighted to have old adversaries & friends Limavady RFC in attendance who are bringing two sides with them.
The format for tournament (which will be played under controlled conditions) will be as follows:-
1.00 – 1.45pm Donaghadee v Limavady
1.50 – 2.35pm Queens v Limavady
2.40 – 3.25pm Donagahdee v Suttonians
3.30 – 4.15pm Queens v Suttonians
Each game will be played in 2 x 20 minute periods.
On the bottom pitch Donaghadee 2nd XV will take on their Limavady counterparts in a game of 3 to 4 20 minute sessions commencing at approximately 2pm.
During the afternoon and early evening there will be Olympic themed events for the kids, childrens’ entertainment and an all-day BBQ. The day’s “athletic” events will be brought to a close by what has been euphemistically described by the organisers as the “Players’ Olympics” to be followed by entertainment late into the night in the Clubhouse.
After an extremely successful campaign last term the Dee will be keen to get the new season off to an encouraging start with new coaches Paul McKenzie and Stuart Hennessey, new Club Captain Alastair Lockhart and Vice-Captain Gareth Gordon & new 2nd XV Captain Andy Dunn keen to once again garner the local support which proved an integral part of that success and validate the hard work put in by all of the lads over the close season.
So that’s it – no more gardening or shopping on a Saturday afternoon, summer’s over (to be fair it was anyway) so back to Donaldson Park for what we hope will be another successful season.
