JOE MORAN FESTIVAL OF RUGBY 2025
Game Day Programme
Naas RFC 12th April 2025
Teams Representing The 4 Provinces & The Spirit of Rugby
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Dear Players, Coaches, and Teams,
On behalf of Naas Rugby Club, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the annual Joe Moran Festival of Rugby.
This event has been a highlight of our mini-rugby calendar for over 20 years and is a special occasion for Naas RFC. The day is always filled with memorable moments and thrilling matches, and helps nurture the next generation of players. The spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship and the sheer joy that radiates from these athletes is truly inspiring.
To the players as you step onto the field, remember it is not just about the game, but also about the friendships forged and the lessons learned. Each match is an opportunity to grow and we encourage you to embrace every moment with enthusiasm and respect.
To the coaches and volunteers I would like to thank you for your unwavering dedication and commitment to making this event the success that it is. I would also like to mention our Coordinator of Mini-Rugby Jack Keegan and our Head of Youth Rugby Conor Brophy. Without you all this day would not be possible.
A special thank you also goes to our sponsors and suppliers whose support is greatly appreciated.
Enjoy the day.
Yours in Rugby
Gerry Prendergast President,
Naas RFC
U11s COACHES WELCOME
Dear Coaches, Players, Families and Supporters, Welcome to the 2025 Joe Moran Festiva of Rugby at Naas Rugby Club!
The U11s group are thrilled to host over 42 teams for this much-loved event, a highlight of our mini-rugby calendar for more than 20 years.. From Rattlers to Under 11s, it’s been a joy to watch our players grow not just in skill, but in friendship, teamwork and love for the game.
It’s a privilege to welcome Joe Moran today, a founding figure of mini rugby at Naas who will present awards to teams that best reflect rugby’s core values: respect, teamwork, positivity and good behaviour.
Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers, coaches, coordinators, parents, siblings and more, who make this day possible after months of planning. Special appreciation to Rob Malone, Mini Rugby Coordinator, and Jack Keegan, Head of Youth Rugby, Denise Keegan Club CWO for their support and to Barry Redmond, Hon. Secretary of the Leinster Referee Committee.
Finally, heartfelt thanks to festival organisation area leads and our generous sponsors. Your support fuels the fun and spirit that make this day unforgettable.
Warm regards, Naas RFC U11 Coaches.
Colin Gillespie, Gordon Harford, Kieran Madigan, Karl O’Doherty, Finbar O’Regan
A MESSAGE FROM JOE MORAN
I would like to welcome all the players, coaches and supporters from all the clubs to the Naas RFC Joe Moran Festival of Rugby for Under 11s and I hope you will all have a wonderful day of rugby. The emphasis today is on fun and enjoyment. We do not keep score and everyone at the end of the day is a winner. The way it should be. The rest of the world at the moment may be experiencing incredibly dark and dangerous times but here today at Naas RFC we are concentrating on having a fun day of rugby for the Under 11s players from all over the country.
Each year it is the responsibility of the Naas Under 11 team coaches to organise the Festival. There is a tremendous amount of hard work that goes into making today’s Festival happen and this year’s Naas RFC Under 11s head coach is Kieran Madigan. He is ably assisted by Gordon Harford, Karl O’Doherty, Finbar O’Regan and Colin Gillespie. Many thanks go to these coaches and their many helpers for organising such a great day. I would also like to thank our sponsors and supporters for their continued support of the Festival which is now in its 22nd year and counting.
Many players over the years, boys and girls, have played at the Festival and some have gone on to play at Provincial and International level. It is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the coaches of the under-age teams throughout Ireland that our National and Provincial teams compete and win on the world stage.
Their contribution is vital for the future of Irish rugby. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.
Joe Moran
KINDLY SUPPORTED BY:
IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
NAAS
RUGBY
FOOTBALL CLUB CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS, PLAYERS, COACHES & SUPPORTERS
A person shall NOT ABUSE, THREATEN OR INTIMIDATE
a player, referee, touch judge, match official or steward whether on or off the field of play and on club grounds.
A person (inclusive of players) shall NOT USE RACIAL, CRUDE OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE OR GESTURES TOWARDS
a player, referee, touch judge, match official, steward or spectator.
CLUB OFFICIALS AND STEWARDS
Shall be entitled to request any person to leave the club grounds for behaviour that they deem to be inappropriate or in breach of the code of conduct.
THE CLUB RESERVES THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO REFUSE ADMISSION TO THE GROUNDS.
TOURNAMENT RULES:
Format
• 12 min game play on hooter - stop and start - if hooter sounds in the middle of play stop the game. NO SCORE AFTER THE HOOTER.
• 3 Minute turnaround time to start of the next game. Please work with the pitch coordinators and be at the correct pitch on time.
• 10 players per team (5 forwards, 5 backs) and max. 5 rolling substitutes.
• Pitch size 60m x 40m
• Start/restart with drop kick. May be replaced by a tip-off at Referee’s discretion. If kick off goes over dead ball line, scrum to receiving team at half way.
• Kicking only from kicking zone.
Tackles
• Nothing above the waist height
• No swinging tackles
• No hand-offs
• No leading with the forearm or elbow
• No ripping of ball in the tackle
Scrum
• UNCONTESTED Scrums
• Focus on binds and heads in right place
• Feeding scrum half can break (i.e. does not have to pass)
• Scrum half must stay on own side of scrum.
• Rest of back line must retreat 4 metres from scrum.
Line Out:
• Contested jump, 4 jumpers + Hooker, no lifting, no long throws over the top.
• Ensure 1 metre gap between 2 lines.
• Team Awarded Line Out-Scrum half can break (i.e. does not have to pass)
• Back line must retreat 4 metres from line out.
Penalties/Infringement:
Penalties are taken by pass-off with defending team at referees mark.
A scrum is awarded for:
Knock on, forward pass, unintentional kicking of the ball outside the designated area.
A penalty (pass off) is awarded for:
• Off-side - A player handling/holding the ball while on the ground or kneeling.
• A high tackle or dangerous play or Hand-off
• The scrum-half coming around the scrum before the ball emerges.
Rucks and maul
• Referee should count down “5,4,3,2,1” from moment ruck/maul is formed. The “Use it or Lose it” rule should be strictly applied. It is ILLEGAL to COLLAPSE a maul.
Discipline
• No sending off, only compulsory substitutions.
• Dangerous Tackles: High/Swing and Dump Tackles. Player to receive one verbal warning. If the player offends again, compulsory substitution to be made by coach on request. Player is allowed to participate in next match/rest of the event unless there is a repeat of the offence.
• Punching / Kicking of an opponent No verbal warning - immediate compulsory substitution and the player is not allowed to participate in the next match or the rest of the event.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
ARRIVAL:
• Every team must have at least one dedicated coach and one assistant.
• Please ensure that you arrive on time - the festival will start precisely as scheduled.
• Please try to travel by bus. Parking is in designated areas only, as per the car-park attendants’ instructions. Please car-pool if driving to the event.
• On arrival, please go immediately to registration (see map) to inform the organisers that you are on site. They will give you a token which you can use later to collect the food*.
• Attend the event briefing for the coaches at 10:30am. Note: You will need to have a backup adult in charge of your group while you attend the briefing. Attendance at this briefing is compulsory. Please send 1 coach per team.
TOURNAMENT OPERATION:
• To reduce our plastic waste, we ask that all players bring a water bottle. We will have water on site to refill during the day.
• At registration, your team will be allocated a playing zone and group (Attached in this document also). Each zone has 3 full size U11 pitches and separate areas designated as a “base”.
TOURNAMENT OPERATION CONT’d:
• Please refer to map and schedule to see where, when and who you will play throughout the festival. There will be Pitch coordinators to help you be in the right place at the right time.
• Each pitch will have its own referee provided. Referees decisions are final.
• Respect the referee and pitch co-ordinators. They are there to help you and your team have an enjoyable days rugby.
• All of your games will take place in the same zone, so immediately after registration locate your team in the one of the base areas for that zone.
• All groups will kick off at 11:00 and play for 12 minutes (on the hooter) with no half time. Please be ready at pitchside before kick-off, and please vacate the pitch promptly when the hooter sounds. We will have a break for lunch after match round 3.
• Have your team on the pitch and ready to play no later than 2 minutes before the kickoff for your fixtures.
• *NB we cannot guarantee food will be free from nuts therefore we ask you to inform parents of children with allergies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Cont’d:
Schedule:
• 10:00 – 10:30
• Arrivals and registration in the clubhouse
• 10:30 – 11:00
• Coaches briefing - Clubhouse members bar
• Please send only 1 coach per group.
• 11:00
• Start time for all zones
• Subsequent matches KO every 15 mins.
• 12:30
• LUNCH BREAK
• 13:45
• Last round of matches KO
• 14:25
• Trophy & Medal Ceremony
Location: EIRCODE: W91 AX81
Travel Detail: Parking
• Coaches / Buses turn to the right upon entry to the club ground. You will be asked to offload your passengers, and park offsite at Naas Racecourse.
• Cars turn left and will be directed to park or use drop off zone immediately on left.
Approximate Travel Times to Naas:
• Belfast to Naas North circa 2½ hours.
• Cork (Jack Lynch Tunnel) to Naas North circa 2½ hours.
• Waterford to Naas North circa 1hr 40 mins.
• Galway (Oranmore to Naas North) circa 3 hours.
• Limerick to Naas North circa 2 hours.
• Sligo to Naas North circa 3½ hours.
• We suggest you allow at least 30 minutes extra time for traffic delays and congestion at the club.
• Please follow the directions of all stewards at the club.
ZONE AND PITCH LAYOUT
Facilities MAP KEY
FIRST AID / ORDER OF MALTA
REGISTRATION & GOODIE BAG PICK UP
ANNOUNCER BASE
CAR PARKING
SHELTER AREA
TOILETS
WATER STATION/BOTTLE
REFILL
FOOD/COFFEE
DJ / Respect our Game Area
TOURNAMENT GROUPINGS
GROUP 1
RED ZONE
GROUP 2
Naas Green Naas White
Clontarf Red Clontarf Blue
Kinsale Green Kinsale Blue
Clonmel Green Buccaneers Orange
Navan Blue Navan White
Galway Bay Lansdowne
GREEN ZONE
GROUP 1 GROUP 2
Naas Black Garryowen
Clontarf White Donaghadee
Nenagh Red Fermoy
Wicklow Tullamore
Barnhall White Barnhall Blue
Monkstown Malahide
BLUE ZONE
GROUP 1
GROUP 2
GROUP 3
Terenure Black Shannon Blue Buccaneers Black
Shannon White CIYMS Belfast Nenagh White
Tullow White Clonmel Black Tullow Red
Old Belvedere White Arklow Old Belvedere Black
Nenagh Orange Wild Card Terenure Purple
Gorey Green Gorey Blue Enniscorthy
MATCH SCHEDULE – Red Zone
Red Zone Sponsor
MATCH SCHEDULE – GREEN ZONE
Green Zone Sponsor
MATCH SCHEDULE – BLUE ZONE
Blue Zone Sponsor
A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHILD WELFARE OFFICER:
Dear Players, Coaches, Families and Supporters
A very warm welcome to Naas RFC for our Annual “Joe Moran U11 Rugby Festival”. Today is a special day—not just because of the rugby being played, but because of the friendship, teamwork and lasting memories that this festival creates! The enthusiasm of the players and the dedication of their coaches, representing clubs from across Ireland, truly embody the heart and soul of rugby.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our U11 coaches and parent volunteers, whose tireless work behind the scenes has made this event possible. We are grateful to our Naas RFC referees, who are part of the Leinster and National Panels, for generously giving their time today. A special mention to our Youth Rugby players, who remember their own u11 Joe Moran Tournament and who have stepped up to assist with festival duties today, demonstrating the values of community that rugby instils.
At Naas RFC, we are committed to creating a fun, safe, and positive environment for all. I ask that all coaches, parents, and spectators support our Positive Sidelines Policy, ensuring that encouragement and respect are at the heart of today’s festival.
Integrity, Inclusiveness, Fun, Excellence, and Respect—these are the Spirit of Rugby values that guide us at Naas RFC. I hope you experience them in full today. Enjoy the matches, cheer on the teams, and most importantly, have lots of fun!
Best wishes
Denise Keegan - Club Welfare Officer Naas RFC
