Enniscorthy’s 2008 Tag Finals

On Saturday 9th August, Enniscorthy RFC hosted the season’s finale of Budweiser TAG, the IRFU’s Official Tag Rugby programme after a fantastic summer of mixed social rugby

Tag is a fantastic and social form of non-contact rugby. It has been played every Thursday night during the course of this summer by approx 150 men and women in Enniscorthy’s Ross Road ground.

One of the fastest growing sports in Ireland, tag rugby offers the unique mix of active competition and a whole new social scene which has seen people in their thousands take part throughout the country

Enniscorthy’s finals night was played in surprisingly dry conditions despite the floods that affected many throughout the country including Wexford supporters in Croke Park. With 4 league grades to be decided on the night the stage was set for the night’s action. Most of the early evening interest was for matches deciding 3rd& 4th Place playoffs. Despite this competition was still fierce with wins for Stephen Hemmingway’s team – Sofa King Good & also for The Pretenders. There was a dramatic late late score for The Mixed Ups in the beginner’s playoff which resulted in a draw with The Forward Passes. In the Grade C league, The Kidney Failures set up a league decider match later in the evening by beating The Mixie Tippers, captained by Shane Maguire.

Cup Final matches were played under floodlights as the dark clouds briefly threatened to spoil the party. The Beginners League Cup Final was lifted by Ivan Poole as his team, The Individuals ran out 16-3 winners against Any Team Will Do. In what was arguably the game of the night, the Grade C league after 6 weeks came down to a decider between The Professionals & The Kidney Failures. In the end it was Michael Kelleher’s Professionals team that narrowly took the title 10-6. Credit goes to The Kidney Failures and The Mixie Tippers for helping make this league the most exciting of the season.

A large crowd had by now built up to watch the final 2 matches of the season, The Grade A & Grade B finals, played simultaneously under the Floodlights. The Grade B final between Slaney Sirloins and D’Unbelievables was finely balanced for 20 minutes. However in the second half the Sirloins raced away to a 19-5 win. An injured Jonny Leech watching from the sidelines was proud of his team’s efforts but they were beaten by a stronger team.

The Grade A final turned out to be a real family affair. On one side The Multiple Scoregasms were captained by Graham Chapman while facing him on the other was his brother’s team, Who’s Ya Daddy. In the end it was Bruce who had bragging rights as his team ran out comfortable winners in the end 17-5. Evelyn Quigley, who later picked up a personal award, was the outstanding player for Multiples and was a decisive part in the manner of the victory.
And so Enniscorthy RFC’s first TAG season drew to a close. Not before the impressive silverware was presented by Club chairman, David Wrafter, to winners and runners up at the prize giving party afterwards.

Commenting on the season, David Wrafter, Chairman Enniscorthy RFC, said
“Budweiser TAG Rugby has been a huge success here in Enniscorthy and brought a real buzz to the club throughout the summer. It has introduced a large number of people, both male and particularly female to the sport of rugby and we hope that they continue to lay the game at any level. He thanked the IRFU for their help during the course of the season”

David Ryan, venue manager, added
“The inaugural Tag rugby season here in Enniscorthy has seen nearly 150 men & women play social rugby throughout the summer with a smile on their face! Teams travelled from as far away as Carlow to participate and we hope to have an even bigger and better season next year. A big thank you to all the referees without whom the event would not have happened. Roll on next season!”