J1 XV v Old Belvedere (H) 23.4.2017 by D. O’Brien

/in , /by

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

9 34

Metro 1 Plate Final

Templeville Road

23rd April 2017.

Overall

A bright day a bright game and a glittering bright Belvo team, that earned a deserved victory. Although a well-deserved victory for the visitors, it was not a completely one-sided game and for the first 20 minutes Marys were in the ascendancy. Overall the skill levels and intensity of the game were high. However for Marys, losing outhalf Matt Timmons, who was controlling the game well, caused a reshuffle and rebalancing of the backline. In the first half the home team scored three good penalties from Conor Gilsenan, who showed sparkle and skill and was well served by scrumhalf Ben Hoey, to Belvo’s goal and penalty, 9 – 10.

The second half saw Belvo do all the scoring, and with two late goals it made the score line somewhat distorted.

The pack competed well, with Colin Mc Donnell, Stephen O’Brien and the retuning duo of Darragh Keller and Mark Fallon to the fore in the loose. Leading form the front as is his wont, was, captain over the past two years, Pater Starrett. Sadly Peter is moving away from Dublin and will not be playing at St Marys next season. Over his period with the club he has been exemplary in his play, his training and his attitude. He will be a big loss and all at the club wish him well.

Although it was not in the end, a fruitful year in terms of trophies, it did see a group of motivated players who showed spirit and skill advance to this final, with promise of better to come.

Gratitude and admiration must go to Steve Bradshaw, coach, Gareth Roche, John Bainbridge, Ger Pelosi and Mick (The Medium) O’Connor, all management. It was good to see Pater Burke there too, in support

J1 is a group that needs careful husbandry, and attention to ambition and disappointment.

So well done to all.

D O’Brien.

Team (Rolling replacements)
15 D Bowe, 14 Z O’Hagan, 13 C Gilsenan, 12 M Joyce, 11 C J Kennedy, 10 M Tymmons , 9 B Hoey 8 M Fallon, 7 E Conroy, 6 D Keller, 5 C Mc Donnell, 4 P Starrett (Capt), 3 C Ryan, 2 S O’Brien, 1 N Murphy, L Moran, R Gillen, R McPhillips, D MacDonald, JJ Clarke.