1st XV v Garryowen (H) by D. O’Brien – 19.10.2024
St Mary’s College RFC V Garryowen FC
25 22
Energia AIL Division 1 A
Templeville Road
Saturday 19th October 2024
Shay stays on the Shelf.
The younger generations of Marys members realise the significance of Seamus Deering and the Shay Deering trophy, and his importance to the club, and the spirit that his memory evokes. Seamus or Shay, was one of a number of great Marys’ men who spent some time with Garryowen too. Jimmy Kelly who captained Ireland V All Blacks in 1963, followed by Seamus Deering, Tony Ward, and several others, to more recently, Nicky Barry, then Steve Bradshaw and Rory Brosnan.
This interaction has sharpened the rivalry between the clubs, and so there was an almost febrile excitement awaiting the match, today. The fact that both teams have emerged from 1B this season and shown themselves to be comfortable in 1A, added to the intensity of feeling. The day played its part by smiling benignly in high teen degrees and light breezes, ahead of Storm Ashley predicted for tomorrow, as did the pitch which has been coming into almost perfect condition. At the well-attended pre-match lunch, President Paudge McGill entertained Garryowen President, Dr Jim Fehily and his committee. Dr Jim was relaxed and amiable, having attended last year too; he is in his second season as president.
There was only one sad note to the proceedings, and that was the announcement by President Paudge that the club’s most valued Bar Manager, Tony McGuinness, has decided to retire. Tony has shown outstanding dedication to his position, and the club generally. He has ever been helpful, reliable and discreet. He has a notable memory for faces and people and has been a fine ambassador for our club. He has shown an outstanding ability to deal calmly and efficiently with pressure of numbers and situations. He will be greatly missed and wished well by all.
Overall
To get the win here was significant for the league situation, and for retaining the coveted Shay Deering Trophy, thus ensuring that the bust of Shay would stay at home for another year, as the trophy is decided on the first match of the season, when both teams are in the same division. The presentation of the trophy, and fine dissertation on Shay, later, by President Paudge to the team and club, was joyously greeted and applauded.
The game was one of fluctuating fortunes and some fine interchanges of play. Once again, showing the high standard and fitness in AIL rugby They went full tilt for 80 minutes with no let up, yet there was at no stage, rancour or altercation. Both teams have, since the start of AIL, in 1991, shown a very similar style of game and attitude towards playing open attacking rugby. There have been some epic battles and jangling jousts over the years. Today, there was little to separate the teams in an entertaining game, with a heroic last kick penalty splitting the teams. Both sides scored three tries, with Marys converting two penalties and Garryowen one. Garryowen have a well-balanced team, and a good kicking game. They have some Munster players within, and three sons of the great Keith Wood in the squad; one Gordon, who scored today is also grandson of Gordon Wood, former international prop.
Although, clearly missing Super Skipper Ronan, the home side’s performance was committed and adventurous, but was not devoid of errors, and while they appeared to be unfortunate with some referee calls and yellow cards, there were too many penalties conceded.
A feature of the Marys’ game was the organisation, especially in the lineout, mauls and the cohesive, unflustered goal line attacks and defence. One man had much to do with that, and with much more. That was number four and player coach, Greg Jones. His strategic and organisational skills shone out, with highly effective lineouts (working with Jack Nelson) and set pieces; while his own lineout and general play, throughout, were impressive and consistently effective. He received the Manverton MoM Award. Long-term member, former player and ever dedicated supporter, Louis McMullan, presented the Award to Greg.
In the pack, Aaron O’Brien and Ronan Foley, were also particularly impressive, keeping the game going forward, effecting tackles and turnovers and covering impressively.
Behind the pack, cerebral Conor (Deano) Dean turned the game to the home advantage with his probes, long passes and enchanting chips, leading to tries. Coming back into the team Myles Carey, at outside centre, will be pleased with his return. He never stopped, tackling hard, showing acceleration, sleight and power in the probe, using this and high willpower, he scored an important second half try.
The replacements all played their parts too, with Jack Reidy Walsh, Daniel Leane showing up well and Mick O’Gara winning the game with his penalty at the end.
It was however, overall, a team performance of some maturity and determination and although it was a closely fought contest, the result was deserved and most welcome. We have a long season ahead but Head Coach Mark McHugh, will be rather happy with progress and will be looking forward to welcoming back, next week away to UCD, his captain, Ronan Watters. We also look forward to the imminent return of injured Mark Fogarty, Michael McCormack, Jamie Harding and others.
The Scoring
The game started brightly and was only five minutes old, when after a solid build-up of passes, picks and drives. The ball came out to Richie, he fed Deano, who spotted Michael (Silvo) Silvester out on the right wing. He spun a perfect long pass and Silvo, went inside his marker and scored in Carvill Corner, 5-0.
After 12 minutes Garryowen converted a penalty 5-3, and on 30 minutes of to and fro, Conor Hayes added a penalty for the home side 8-3. That was how it ended at half time, having received two yellow cards and narrowly missed an opportunity just at half time.
The second half continued in the same open but physical manner and after just four minutes, Garryowen used a penalty to tap, ten metres from our line; and on second charge, they went over, and the score was 8-10. It was 49 minutes, when after some hard probes and close attack, the ball came out to Myles. He sidestepped two and whizzed over close in, at the Cabbage Patch end. 15-10.
The game went into zip stage with both teams playing exciting rugby and the good crowd on the terraces joining the vibrations and lifting the vocal volume. Things were thumping. Then, Marys had to play ten minutes with 14, having received another yellow.
On 57 minutes after close in penalties, Garryowen took a scrum, sent it wide and then changed direction, getting the ball to the wing they scored, close in and it went 15-17. Soon after, Garryowen got a yellow.
Marys had a spell of hard interwoven attacks and were on the visitor’s 22, on 62 minutes, when Garryowen got the ball, and worked an inter-passing, high paced move all the way and scored a fine try at the far end, 15-22. Not so good for us.
It was 70 minutes when Marys had a wonderful piece de jou, with most of the team involved, inter-passing all the way from the 22 towards the Cabbage Patch end. When in the 22 and playing advantage, Deano got the ball, dummied, did a Deano dab, the ball went through under the posts, he raced onto it and scored, it was 22-22. Wow!
Both sides hammered away at each other and it was nip and tuck, when almost at the cease, Marys made one more herculean effort. Up the field the home side went with the terrace again thumping in their ears. They got into the visitor’s half, and low and behold, a penalty. The terrace went dead, the breeze froze and hearts stopped. We looked around, Mick O’Gara was on the field. Gently: – I will have a go! Down went the ball, out came the tee. Up stepped Mick, measured, stepped, swung, the ball soared, it swayed slightly, and cacophony ruled. Mirabile dictu, it was over, it was won, it was 25-22, and Mick was the hero. Thank you Mick.
Next week, we visit the Bowl in Belfield. UCD await, they having just beaten Armagh with their last kick. UCD, as is their wont, improve weekly towards Christmas, so we must beware, and we must beat the students, whether it be decisively or by degrees. We welcome back Ronan. Our first Dublin visit, down the road, you could even walk. However you get there, get there. We remain fourth and settling nicely. This is the time we must consolidate. Support is vital.
Come on Roar on Ronan.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 C Hayes, 14 M Silvester, 13 M Carey, 12 D Goggin, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean(Capt.), 9 R Fahy, 8 R Foley, 7 E Baxter, 6 A O’Brien, 5 L Culliton, 4 G Jones, 3 A Keating, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 T O’Reilly. 16 H Noonan, 17 J Reidy-Walsh, 18 P Deeny, 19 D Leane, 20 A McEvoy, 21 M O’Gara.
D O’Brien