Rugby team from Chicago area at Meath u-21 HC final

The hurlers from the Clann na nGael club in Athboy turned on the style in Pairc Táilteann in Navan today when they captured the u-21 B HC title for the Dinny Donnelly Cup and they were roared on by a group of visitors from the USA.

Richard Foster, who is the president of Rockford Ravens RFC, took the opportunity to speak to the Meath Chronicle at half-time during the u-21 game between Clann na nGael and Rathmloyon.

Richard explained that his group was looking forward to a three-game tour of rugby friendlies starting tomorrow against an Athboy selection.

Athboy play in the Leinster Rugby League and can expect a stern test from their USA visitors from Rockford which is close to Chicago.

It's likely that there will be plenty of celebrations tonight in Athboy with the hurling final victory to enhance the events that are planned around the visit of the USA guests who certainly added to the atmosphere as they sampled hurling for the first time.

'It's like baseball on steroids' was how one member of the group described the game after watching the first-half.

The second-half was much moere exciting and the group from the USA certainly seemed to enjoy the spectacle and they also mingled with the players on the pitch after the game.

The Rockford Ravens Rugby Football Club was established in 1976 and has a fine tradition of excellence on the field and fraternity off the field.

Rockford play in the Midwest Union and the Chicago Area Rugby Football Union (CARFU) sub union.

IRISH TOUR

The Rockford Ravens Ireland tour for 2015 is from Thursday 19th November to Sunday 29th November.

They arrived in Athboy on Friday with three nights in the Darnley Lodge Hotel departing on Monday for three nights in Dublin and they will depart Dublin on Thursday for three nights in Galway.

FIXTURES

Sunday 22nd November - Athboy v Rockford Ravens at 2.30pm.

Wednesday 25th November - St Mary's College v Rockford Ravens.

Saturday 28th November - Galwegians v Rockford Ravens.