J1 XV v UCD (H) 29.09.2015 by D O’Brien
St Mary’s College RFC J1s V UCD RFC J1s
23 19
Templeville Road
Monday 29th September 2015.
Metro League 1
Overall
With 44 minutes gone and St Marys being led by UCD, 6 – 19, UCD having scored three tries, two converted, it did not look likely that the home club would triumph and indeed had UCD a reliable place kicker they may have had a far greater lead at that stage, especially since in the first half the penalty count was 8: 1 against St Marys. The St Marys’ team was a good one, with a particularly talented backline, but a strange inertia seemed to cover it like a shroud. However, then like a bear from hibernation, the team yawned and stretched and started to play. Robbie Glynn put real pace on the game and Peter Starrett drove his teammates forward. After a penalty, lineout take, and drive in Carvill Corner, Darragh Keller used his power and balance well to grind over and get the score back to 11 – 19. That was on 50 minutes and from then on the urgency oozed and Marys worked with intent. From the middle of the field, young Terry Kennedy showed his zip-pace as he glided through the UCD defence and timed his pass to Matt Tymmons, who also showed a quick step, as he straightened his man and brushed inside him to score a good one. Conor Gilsenan, who had a very fine game at outhalf, and had previously kicked a penalty and a well-conceived drop goal; delivered the conversion to make it 18 – 19. This got the blue blood flowing and back came Marys again, although UCD were themselves working away, and things were even. We worked our way into the gate corner and after some heavy pressure won a penalty, quick thinking Robbie Glynn who at this stage was humming and was, for his overall contribution, MoM, tapped and skimmed along the tram lines before timing his pass to Pierre Rouchy on the wing who used his bulk to squeeze over. Another fine try. It made the score 23 – 19 on 70 minutes. Back came UCD and fairly hurtled into the Marys’ team. Cool heads and bravery were called for and found. Unfortunately, we received a yellow card so it was backs to the wall time to the end. Marys held out; a memorable win, if not a memorable game. A bit of a Lazarus game.
One other person should be mentioned Ali at loosehead; he had played, and played well, three games over the weekend (I only ever remember Enda Riordan playing more games over a weekend, and he was backrower). Well done to Ali showing true Marys’ grit.
D O’Brien
Squad (rolling substitutions)
15 T Kennedy, 14 P Rouchy, 13 S Toal-Lennon, 12 E Robillon, 11 R Carroll, 10 C Gilsenan, 9 R Glynn, 8 H Kellegher, 7 T Lynch, 6 D Keller, 5 P Starrett (Capt), 4 C Mc Donnell, 3 N Murphy, 2 N Murray, 1 Z Ali, S Kearney, C Ryan, R Sexton, J Poirier, M Tymmons.