19.02.2011 J2 XV v Clontarf (A)

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19/02/20113:00pmLeagueClontarf13 – 12St. Marys J2 XVAway

Clontarf J2 13 St. Mary’s J2 12
 

We were beaten for the first time this season by Clontarf in Castle Avenue. It moves them one point ahead of us and we have three games left including a return game against Tarf at home. This was a game we could have won and in many ways it was a great performance given the circumstances. An injury to our hooker Tommy Meredith derailed our game plan as our front row cover was not a recognised hooker. Therefore our lineout suffered especially our tail of the line option which has been key to our attack strategy.

Our pack stood up magnificently to the Clontarf big and experienced forwards. We had a clear edge in the backline which manifested itself in two classic first half tries. Brilliant running, passing and off-loading by Joey Connolly, Barry Cahill, Alan Shirley and Charlo Connolly twice carved open Clontarf to put us 12 nil up. From there our problems started and Clontarf used their pack to dominate possession and territory when the wind was against us in the second half. We defended heroically and limited them to one try. In the last moments of the game we lifted the siege and had an opportunity to win but it was not to be.

We look forward to our last three games – one in particular.

Stephen Shirley.


15. Neil Cowhey  14. J Verdon 13. A Shirley 12. C Connolly 11. B Cahill 10. J Connolly 9. E Mucker 1. M Houlihan (C) 2. T Meredith 3. R Goode 4. G McInerney 5. Paul Foran 6. B Brophy 8. M Aboud 7. Louis Burke.
 
Subs (all used): K Lannon, R Ryan, G Prunty, A Mullin, George Mckay.