Under 13 Match Report – 25th Sept. 2022
Our Under 13 boys team commenced their youth rugby journey in impressive and emphatic fashion on a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon.
The Under 13’s boast a strong squad of over 50 players under the guidance of head coaches Shane McEntee, Rob Ryan and JP O’Dwyer.
Their first match was an always eagerly anticipated clash against neighbours Terenure A. The Mary’s boys were straight on the offensive putting Terenure under immediate pressure. That pressure paid off. The first half yielded three unanswered tries (one converted), the first by Hugh Fitzgerald and two from full back Josh O’Dwyer. Special mention must be made of Josh’s second try – a length of the pitch effort including a kick chase finished by himself. It was – in the opinion of many present – as fine a try as was seen in Templeville Road for some time.
The half time score was 17-0 to the boys who wear the blue and white.
Where the first half saw Mary’s display their attacking prowess, the second half saw them show the steel in their defence. Terenure battled back very impressively but could not close the first half deficit. In fact the second half saw both teams share a try apiece (Paddy Cullen for Mary’s) for the match to finish at 22-7. A most impressive debut.
The second game saw Mary’s play the newly created Rathfarnham, Stillorgan, Tallaght (RST) Rugby Football Club managed by Mary’s great Peter Coyle. This was a very different and more evenly matched contest that kept the big crowd in attendance on tenterhooks until almost the last minute.
Mary’s opened the scoring with a try from Luke Bertrand before RST responded immediately, both unconverted. Mary’s struck back with a try from Jack McGrath – but again RST were straight back with a try of their own – both converted. Ryan Fitzgerald then came to the fore scoring a try either side of half time but RST managed one in between leaving the scores at 24-19. Jack Gaunt finished an excellent team try under the posts to move to 31-19. Still RST fought back pulling the score back to 31 – 26 and with five minutes to go the game was very much in the balance. Mary’s got some breathing space when Ryan Keown scored from close to the line after a sustained bout of Mary’s pressure and Mary’s finished in style with a final try scored by Leo Mottley. Michael Lennon and Alfie Hook kicked Mary’s conversions. The Final score was 41-26 but this does not reflect what was a titanic battle between two well matched teams.
Well done to all involved!
