Coolmine U16s have Georgia on their minds

A YOUNG team from Dublin 15 have returned home from a tour of rugby-mad Georgia after becoming the first European side to play in the country’s prestigious AIA Kutaisi rugby arena.

Hosted by AIA Kutaisi and guided by former Georgian international Nick Abdaladze, whose son Vakh currently plays for Leinster, the 20-strong Coolmine U16s will have lifelong memories of their fantastic trip.

After an 18 hour journey, the local club arrived in Kutaisi on September 28 and after a light rest had their first training session in the modern 5,000-seat rugby complex where AIA Kutaisi play home games in the Georgian professional league – the Didi 10.

The local lads and their three coaches then hit the road to visit one of the largest cave complexes in the world – the Prometheus cave complex.

The returned later for a joint training session with their opposite counterparts, a Kutaisi U16 metro selection. This was hosted by the current Georgian international U18s coach and proved to be a great intro for both teams.

Even at this age the legendary size of the Georgians gave the Coolmine boys food for thought.

The following day saw them relax with some whitewater rafting before preparing for the match which attracted a huge attendance.

The first half was an extraordinary game that literally went from end-to-end with neither side able to break through the other's defences.

Both sides, despite the home team having a superior physical advantage, played great rugby.

Just before half time, a bit of sublime skill by the Kutaisi full back, which was applauded by everyone, saw him cross the line for the opening score.

The long journey to Georgia began to show on Coolmine in the second half, particularly when they received a yellow card and allowed the home team to build a lead.

However, the Dublin 15 team came back and finished strong to close the gap before running out of time in the end. Not that the score mattered as both groups revelled in their historic encounter which was covered by local media.

A BBQ party, gift sharing and presentations followed until very late as well as the customary Kangaroo Court a la the Lions.

Sunday saw the Coolmine contingent head to Batumi, a Black Sea resort, to take in a dolphin show and some lineout-lifting practice in the Black Sea before beginning the epic journey home.

Coolmine would strongly encourage any club to travel and play in Georgia as the team was given an unbelievable welcome and the experience the U16s had has been described as the best thing the lads have ever done.