Munster Race visits Cobh

Left to Right: Peter O’Mahony – Munster Captain, 23 Ireland Full Caps; Donnacha O’Callaghan – 94 Ireland Full Caps; Martin Kelly – Just signed from Leinster; Mike Sherry – 1 Irish Cap; Billy Holland – Ireland A Caps; JJ Hanrahan – Ireland A Caps; Paddy Butler – Ireland A Caps

Cobh Pirates RFC hosted a leg of the Munster Race last week; more so, Team 4 Timberland, made up of Munster Rugby Senior Players: Peter O’Mahony Munster Captain, Donnacha O’Callaghan, Martin Kelly, Mike Sherry, Billy Holland, JJ Hanrahan and Paddy Butler.

The Munster Race is primarily a team building exercise, where the senior squad hit the road on a two-day tour of the province and take on a non-rugby challenge at the locations where they stop off. This year the ‘race’ finished in Dingle; where all teams met up for an open training session.

Arriving at the Pirates…..

Along with visiting a town, the players are to make sure they engage with folks for selfies and/or autographs, and on their visit to Cobh, being a harbour town, we had to make their task water based; so in conjunction with Rushbrooke Rowing Club, we asked the team to row from Rushbrooke to Cobh, where they were met by a large gathering of folks when they entered the promenade…

After lunch – hosted by the Titanic Bar & Grill

After spending time with the crowd in the promenade, the Titanic Bar & Grill kindly hosted the team of players for lunch. Sincere thanks to James and Alan Murphy for looking after the players. They then moved on to a quick tour across the town, where they met more members of the public along with some surprised faces in getting the opportunity to meet the players up close and in a very relaxed manner.

Donnacha O’Callaghan with Sean Keating and Cillian McCoitir

Many thanks to everyone who turned out on the day; the weather was splendid and all the players noted how well Cobh looked, with the liner and general atmosphere around the town on the day. It was great credit to all who tirelessly give up their time to make the place look so well.

Munster Captain and Irish player Peter O’Mahony meeting Sarah Ahern with Emily and Sam

On the Club front….
Pirates’ will start Summer Tag ( age 6-12) on Monday 11th at 6:30pm and every Monday thereafter for the month of August. Open to boys and girls, no rugby experience necessary.
The Annual 100km Fundraiser Cycle for the Juvenile Section is on August 23rd at 11am; details on the Club’s Facebook page and on posters.

Before the ‘race’ to Cobh…..Munster Players, Billy Holland, Mike Sherry and Peter O’Mahony with Marlene Creevy, John Cahill and David Hally from Rushbrooke Rowing Club

Donnacha swamped in the promenade by autograph hunters.

JJ Harahan, Martin Kelly, Mike sherry and Paddy Butler taking some time out with Andrew Pasley and friend.