J1 XV v Old Belvedere (A) D. O’Brien 26.11.2017

/in , /by

Old Belvedere RFC J1 V St Mary’s College RFC J1

53 6

Metro League J1 A

Anglesea Road

Sunday 26th November 2017.

Overall

This was always a rear guard action for Marys. There had been several enforced changes before the game and during it there were several injuries, including a shoulder dislocation to Liam Curran who was doing very well. This meant that the second half was played with fourteen men, eventually, near the end, only 13. Mark Fallon was also carrying a dead leg for most of the second half. Half time, the score was 13 – 6, a converted try and two penalties to two penalties. However, Belvo playing against a strong breeze, always looked stronger.

The second half was one sided, mainly due to the circumstances and indeed it ended with non-contested scrums. It must be stated that Marys never stopped trying or shirked in any way, they were in fact eventually overrun, Belvo scoring 40 points in the second half.

Conor Gilsenan and his partner Mathew Timmons as ever, tried everything they could and Jamie Kennedy kicked well, scoring two penalties. Unfortunately, Mathew Oppermann on the wing got little chance to show his worth. In the forwards Paudge Dundon was effective and Lucas Moran and Richard Dowling Cullen laboured manfully. Gareth Hennessy, son of Steven, and recently home from USA, came on during the second half, but got injured.

It was dispiriting for Rodney, Gareth, Paul and Mick, all of whom put a great deal of time, effort and knowledge into their roles. However, they will rally their players and many better days will be ahead. These kind of days happen every team and it is important that they are taken stoically, lessons are learned and remedies applied.

D O’Brien

Team (Rolling Replacements) 15 J Kennedy, 14 M Opperman, 13 C. Delaney, 12 M Joyce, 11 L O’Regan, 10 M. Timmons, 9 C Gilsenan, 8 M Fallon, 7 D Lyons, 6. R Dowling-Cullen, 5 M Ridgeway, 4. L Curran, 3 P Dundon, 2 L Moran, 1 N Murphy. C Connolly, G Hennessy, D Daly.