DONAGHADEE RUGBY SEASON AT HALF-WAY POINT

Like everyone else in the British Isles Donaghadee’s rugby players and officials have been obliged to cope with what for many has been the worst cold snap they have ever seen. Pitches have had to be given extra care, and players have had to look forward for days to a game that ends up being postponed because of the snow.
Anyone reading this knows that the mantle of snow and slush finally disappeared overnight last weekend. However, the turf underneath was soft and wet, and the long-awaited clash between a Donaghadee representative team and an Exiles’ XV in the early afternoon was doubtful. There was of course some disappointment when the decision was finally taken to make this annual fixture a short Touch Rugby encounter.
The Boxing Day festivities at Donaldson Park have been such a popular event for many years that the numbers turning up on Monday were hardly diminished, and after the family Christmases of the previous two days, hundreds of club members and friends were able to meet and greet each other to catch up after perhaps a year of little contact – even flights from Britain managed to get rid of the backlog in time to get people home for the holidays.
With the launch of the club’s 125th Anniversary Brochure having been forced to be cancelled on the 18th December it was gratifying to see so many being bought on Boxing Day in the clubhouse. Opinions were very positive about this 100-page booklet. It is a colourful publication, full of pictures of teams, past and present, and some entertaining articles about the club’s achievements over the years and the characters who contributed in all their different ways. For those who were unable to get to Donaldson Park last Monday, copies of the attractive publication are on sale at a number of outlets in Donaghadee and some even further away.

For Your Diary this week
There will be a fairly informal touch-rugby session on Thursday 30 Dec.
More serious training resumes in the New Year with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday (4th and 6th January 2011), prior to a game on Saturday 8th Jan, hopefully, but still not confirmed, against CIYMS. On the same day the Seconds visit BHSFP and the Thirds have a Second Round Cup game (opponents not yet known.) Check with the usual people.
It is most important that after such a successful start to Donaghadee’s season during 2010 the momentum must be picked up again. Of course, the weather might still have a surprise in hand, but don’t forget, every club in the country has enjoyed (?) the same weather and disappointments. In 2011 Donaghadee must hit the ground running.