News Updates
23 August 2010
Supporters Club Launch Night
Portumna Rugby Club are having their "Big Night Out" in the Boathouse House Bar on Saturday the 28th August from 8.30pm. This is to launch their new supporters club and development draw aptly titled "The 16th Man Club". They have already confirmed the attendance of 3 current and former Irish Internationals for the night, with hopefully more to come on board closer to the date. There will a BBQ with music and a DJ on the night and there is no cover charge for this brilliant night out and everyone is invited.
17 May 2010
Rugby Coaching Course in Portumna
It goes to show how far Portumna underage rugby had come in such a short space of time, when the Connacht Branch feel that it worthwhile holding the first ever rugby coaching course in Portumna. This course was run over Friday evening and all day Saturday in the Shannon Oaks Hotel. Portumna rugby club sent in 9 coaches for the weekend and other fledging coaches from throughout the province joined them. This is an in depth course that is for those people who are going to be involved with teams under 13 and brings them through all aspects of coaching with a huge emphasis on safety at all times. Next season will be only Portumna's second season and incredibly they will 13 qualified coaches looking after teams from under 8 to under 11. There is a great peace of mind for the club and indeed for the parents knowing that trained and qualified people are there looking after the future generations of players.
12 May 2010
Michael Goode - "Connacht Rugby Clubman of the Year” Nomination
Michael Goode of Portumna Rugby Club was recently nominated as one of only three people in the province for the prestigious "Connacht Rugby Clubman of the Year" award. This award is presented every year at the Annual Rugby Awards night to someone who in the eyes of the Connacht Branch and the wider rugby community have given their time, effort and energy to benefit, improve and promote rugby in the province. This nomination goes to prove the every increasing standing of Portumna Rugby in the eyes of their peers, even though they are a young club at the very edge of the providence and more so the very high esteem in which Michael Goode is held. As first team manager and club secretary amongst other titles he is the cornerstone of the club and even though he did not win the title this year, even getting nominated in the first place is a huge achievement for someone so modest and slow to draw attention to his dedication and work. Congratulations Michael Goode and remember there's always next year.
03 November 2009
Ballinasloe V Portumna
Portumna RFC recorded a very important win away to Ballinasloe on Sunday last. From the outset, the match was a close encounter - in a game where poor weather conditions played a huge part. Ballinasloe took a 7 - 5 lead at the break. Mid way through the second half Portumna out half Eoghan O Toole converted a difficult penalty to give them a one point lead. An excellent defensive display in the last quarter saw Portumna hold out for a deserved win. The Oliver Flynn memorial trophy is contested annually by both sides and was presented PRFC winning captain Michael Harding by John Flynn of Ballinasloe RFC.
Next fixture is a home tie vs Westport on Sunday at 2.30.
27 October 2009
Fashion Show - Portumna Rugby Fundraiser
The Annual Portumna Club Fashion Show was as on last Friday night and once again was a roaring success. Almost 300 people gathered in the Shannon Oaks Hotel for a great night of fashion and of course fun. Portumna's own "Posh and Becks" a.k.a Michael and Muirne Goode were the MC's for the night and they did a fantastic job. The crowd were entertained by large amount of fashion from local shops and for the first time ever, shops from outside the town. This also included members of the underage teams modeling as well.
The fashion was broken up with intermittent bits of the rugby clubs own brand of fun, which included having members of the crowd up on stage trying their hand at lineouts and scrums, some with hilarious consequences, but it was the show finale that had the room in hysterics. Three members of the senior team appeared on stage in costume to the sound track of "All the Single Ladies" from Beyonce and re-enacted the famous video to the best of their very limited abilities, Conor Casey, James McGrath and Johnny Smith take a bow. Congratulations to the rugby club for once again putting on a wonderful show and providing a great night out for the huge crowd that deservingly supported them.
12 October 2009
Fashion Show - Portumna Rugby Fundraiser
Don't forget the biggest night on the rugby calendar is this Friday 16th @ 8pm when the annual Fashion Show kicks off. Members of the rugby club will be strutting their stuff on the cat walk showing off fashion from Portumna and further a field, all in the name of raising some much needed funds. This is always a fantastic night, with loads of fun as well as fashion and always something a little bit different to leave their guests smiling. Tickets are only €10 and some will be available on the door.
Carrick-on-Shannon V Portumna
Portumna got back to winning ways with a well deserved 12 - 6 away win to a very strong Carrick-on-Shannon outfit. First half tries by Andrew Keary and an excellent solo effort by Ronan Moore, converted by Evan Moran saw Portumna lead by 12 - 6 at the break. A very physical effort by both sides in the second half did not yield any scores and Portumna held on for the win. The league table is finely poised with Portumna now in joint second.
Next up is the vital home tie vs Loughrea next Sunday at 3 pm. Please support.
08 October 2009
Portumna Rugby Club's Annual Fashion Show
Portumna Rugby Club's Annual Fashion Show is on Friday night 16th October. While there will obviously be a lot of local fashion on show from the likes All Occasions, Ladies Day, Palmerston Stores, Cul Sports, D Finest and Knit It, they are breaking a little with tradition this year by inviting some shops from outside of Portumna including Michael Ward of Ballinasloe, Guna Deas and Pia from Loughrea, Kabello from Birr and Bombyx Mori the silk studio from Powers Cross. Tickets are a steal at €10 including a cheese and wine reception at 7.30pm and are available for all club members and participating shops. This is always a great night out, with plenty of fashion, frolics and fun.
05 October 2009
Connemara V Portumna
Portumna RFC travelled to Clifden on Sunday last to take on a very fancied Connemara team. It was the Connemara lads that got off to the better start, running in a well executed try on 7 mins but failed with the conversion. Portumna stuck to the task however and got back on terms on 12 mins with a penelty from the boot of Evan Moran. Another try from Connemara was answered by penalty from Moran leaving the scores 10 - 6 at the break. Constant pressure from the home side yielded a third try opening the gap to 15 - 6. It was the Portumna lads that finished the stronger however and with the last play of the game, worked the ball from their own 22 and a brilliant combination between David O Hara and James Mc Grath fed the ball to James Lynch to score under the posts. Eoin O Toole added the conversion to leave the final score at 15 - 13 to the home side. Portumna showed true character to battle back and gain a bonus point out of this difficult fixture.
Next up is an away fixture vs Carrick on Shannon, Sunday 11th Oct.
28 September 2009
Dunmore V Portumna
Portumna RFC got their season off to a great start with a superb 19 - 14 away win to Dunmore. Always a tough fixture, the Portumna lads played a super first half to lead deservedly 12 - 6 at the break with well taken tries from John Smith and David O Hara. Evan Moran added the conversion. However the Dunmore team came into the second half a lot stronger and took a two point lead with 15 minutes remaining. Excellent pressure from the new centre pairing of Andrew Keary and James Lynch paid dividends,with Lynch making a brilliant block on the Dunmore 10 as he tried to clear his lines. Lynch managed to control the ball and ran in a brilliantly taken try under the posts which was converted by Evan Moran. This was a total team effort and Portumna dug deep to run out deserved winners.
Next up for the lads is an away fixture to Connemara on Sunday 4th October.
08 September 2009
Underage Rugby Registration Evening
Portumna Rugby Club are having a registration evening in the Leisure Centre of the Shannon Oaks Hotel on Tuesday 15th September between 7pm and 9 pm. This is for Under 8's, born in 2002 or 2003 and Under 10's, born in 2000 or 2001. Anyone born before 2000 is overage. Parents will need to bring a photocopy of their child's birth cert and €60 membership fee. A membership pack includes; a jersey, togs, socks, gum shield, a membership card and a rugby ball. Only 40 membership packs will be available on the night. Training starts on Sunday 20th September from 12.30 to 1.30pm. For more information contact Mark Scannell 087 6434230 or Brian Murphy 087 9279205.
21 August 2009
New Signing?

Has Paul O'Connell signed for Portumna Rugby?
11 August 2009
Underage Rugby Golf Classic Winners

Winners of the recent Portumna Underage Rugby Golf Classic; Brendan Murray,Paddy Walsh Carlton Hotel Group (main sponsors), Brian Murphy, Tristain Horey, Iain Foulger, President of Portumna Rugby (missing Dermot O'Brien).
Golf Classic for Underage Rugby
Portumna Rugby Club recently held a very successful Golf Classic in aid of underage rugby in the surrounding areas. A tightly fought competition was won by Brendan Murray, Brian Murphy, Tristain Horey and Dermot O’Brien. They won a fantastic prize of 2 nights B&B and an evening meal in the plush Carlton Hotel & C Spa in Kinsale, the prize also included greens fees for the exclusive Old Head of Kinsale Golf Course. Even in these tight financial times, the underage rugby received tremendous support from local business and this have given them a great platform to launch the new teams.
25 June 2009
*New* Underage Rugby In Portumna And Surrounding Areas
Portumna Rugby Club are taking their first tentative steps into underage rugby in the coming season. We plan to have both under 8's and under 10's teams - the qualifying age is 1st January on the appropriate year. Training is due to commence in late August with times and exact dates to be confirmed. Parents who are interested in getting involved and helping to train the team should contact Mark Scannell on 087 6434230 or Michael Goode 086 2715501, you do not need any previous experience and there will always be a qualified coach there to help and instruct you. It is crucial to the success of the underage teams that parents get involved, so please contact us as soon as possible.
There will be a registration day in mid August -exact date and time will be confirmed later.
Golf Classic for Underage Rugby
In order to raise much needed funds for the new underage rugby venture, Portumna Rugby Club are holding their annual golf classic in aid of underage rugby. The classic will take place on Friday 31st July in Portumna Golf Club, tee times are available all day and can be booked by calling 090 9741059. A team of 4, any combination costs €160 to enter. Anyone interested in sponsoring a hole, making a donation or looking for information can contact Michael Goode on 086 2715501.
10 May 2009
Six Nations Cup & Triple Crown Trophy in Portumna

Mike Goode, Ethan Dagg and his father Simon Dagg, and Mike Brady
19 February 2009
Awards Night
Portumna Rugby Club recently had it's players night out including the presentation of their annual awards. All the awards were kindly sponsored by Fergal Coghlan of the Boathouse Bar. The Player of the Year award went to John Mannion for his strong and consistent on field performances throughout the season and for his willingness to play in any position without complaint. The Most Improved Player of the Year went to Aidan Doyle who is relatively new to the game and is learning fast, his effort and performances this year have been excellent making him an easy choice for this award. The final award of the night was the "Clubman of the Year", this goes to an individual who makes an extra effort for the club above and beyond the call of duty, whether it be on or off the pitch and not just over one season, but over a number of seasons. The award went to Michael Brady who fits the bill perfectly both on and off the pitch. In typical fashion when Michael was presented with the award he only asked that all present support the upcoming club table quiz to help raise much needed funds.
11 November 2008
Abbatoir Performing Live - Video Clip
Abbatoir performing live at the recent Rugby Club Fashion show. PLEASE view it, rate it online and tell anyone you know about it:
Video of Abbatoir Performing Live
29 October 2008
Fashion Show News
A large crowd of nearly 300 people supported the Rugby club fashion show last week and all appeared to enjoy the night out. The International Rose of Tralee 2008, Aoife Kelly, was the very special guest and she was very well received by the crowd. While the fashion shows are supposed to all about clothes from local retailers, the rugby club always has a sprinkling of fun and this year was no different. A local Abba tribute act called Abbatoir closed the show and while they were undoubtedly great entertainment, I don't think the record deal is too imminent - Michael Brady, Michael Goode, Fergal Coghlan and Derek Frawley take a bow.
A Very Brief History (may not be 100% accurate, but you’ll get the idea)
Portumna Rugby Club was only reformed in 2002, a massive 40 years since their last game. The decision was initially conceived late one night when a number of ex-rugby players got talking about the "good old times" in one of the local "watering holes". What seemed like a good idea then, still seemed like a good idea the next morning and so the process was put in place. While the "alacadoos" and "Blazers" who re-started this great plan had obviously hung up their boots a long time, they still had the considerable energy to kick start the process and breath some life in the seemingly dead club. Initially they used the facilities in the local school, but now they have graduated to their own pitch under the shadows of Portumna Castle, while they use the Shannon Oaks Hotel & Country Club as their changing area and unofficial clubhouse. At present there are gentle rumblings within the club to try and get their own facilities and clubhouse.
Portumna entered the Connaught Junior League and in their first year agonisingly lost the "Ard na Cregg" Cup Final (The main competition they could enter). Every year seems to be an eventful year for the club, who seem to have been promoted or relegated every year since. This year is no different with the club in the middle of a strong push for promotion and are fancied by many to do well in the cup competitions as well.
At present Portumna field one adult team, which competes in the Connacht Junior League. They are also hoping to field an Under 18 team for the first time this season. While the club are determined to develop an underage structure, they are mindful of improving their facilities to cater for any increase in teams and securing the long term future of the club.
Portumna is widely regarded as a friendly and social club (although friendship is temporarily put on hold when the players cross the white line on match day), new members are greeted with open arms and their games are noted for the number of families who attend and the friendship that is generated between the members, players and supporters. The club responds to this by trying to provide some small refreshment for any children that are present.
Club Contact Details
| President: |
Iain Foulger C/O The Shannon Oaks Hotel & Country Club Portumna, Co. Galway |
| Hon. Secretary: |
Michael Goode Claggernagh, Portumna Ph: 086 2715501 michael.goode@ie.michelin.com |
| Fixtures Secretary: |
Derek Frawley St. Brigids Rd., Portumna Ph: 087 6441143 |
| Hon. Treasurer: |
Simon Dagg Moorview House, Lorrha, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary |
| PRO: |
Michael Brady Fishermans Wharf, Portumna Ph: 087 2936054 |
| Club Captain: |
Michael Harding |
| Underage Rugby: |
Mark Scannell Fairyhill Cottage, Portumna Ph: 087 6434230 |