West Kerry rugby’s success story on RTÉ

THE story of one of Europe’s most westerly rugby clubs, in the heartland of a GAA county and region, is being brought to life in a documentary on RTÉ One next week.

‘The Geansaí – Rugbaíig Croíthailte na Caide’ is the story of a grassroots rugby club, Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne, and how the club continues to grow, despite its place in a traditional GAA county.

It’s a story with a bright future and a colourful past that stretches back before the founding of the Republic, set to the backdrop of the under-14s going for glory in the West Munster plate.

The documentary produced by Michael McCormack features Conall Ó Ciobháin and Paddy Fenton, who are at the heart and soul of Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne. They first worked together when Paddy managed the seniors at the club and Conall was his captain.

Both talk about the difficulty the club has at fielding a team at any level because of a relatively small local population, and competition from a hugely successful GAA club (An Ghaeltacht) only a half-mile down the road from Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne’s ground (An Charraig).

Creating a local workforce for the young men in the locality, Dingle Distillery has become essential for the club’s survival, providing five players living who work locally that can turn out every Sunday.

The documentary also visits Danno’s bar, a shrine to local rugby, and Danno himself is Mr Rugby. He was in fact instrumental in helping bring the club back from its early foundation to its current, rising fortunes.

Some of the team’s players – including Dara Fitzgerald who is now being selected for the Ireland u20s team – first began his career in Rugbai Chorca Dhuibne and proves that, despite its isolation and difficulties, West Kerry has its share of talent.

The story of this popular and rising rugby club will culminate in the U14s’ road to the West Munster Plate, and all eyes are on the youth team as they hopefully bring rugby success to West Kerry.

And they have huge support in their endeavour including from Kerry rugby star JJ Hanrahan, who also features on the documentary, which will be aired on Tuesday, October 30 at 7pm.