1st XV v Terenure (H) by D. O’Brien – 09.11.2024
St Mary’s College RFC V Terenure College RFC
32 22
Energia, AIL Division 1A
Templeville Road
Saturday 9th November 2024.
Overall
A day of blue euphoria; euphoria, but not gloating. These days don’t just happen they are plotted. The two elemental factors are Marys and Nure. Two tribes pitted, are essential and how they competed. Over many years, these two tribes have exhibited and played out excruciatingly close jousts, fortunes have swayed and swung and it will ever be so; we hope. We need each other to be the best of open friends and the best of field enemies.
This was a particular case, made unique with seven seasons since our last 1A clash and much has changed since. The two squads that played today are the epitomes of club rugby, club rugby which does not always receive the accolades it deserves. Still there is none better than the South Dublin Derby seen today. It was a titanic struggle of skill, guile, determination and nerve between two trenchant tribes. We will have round two next February. It must be stressed that this was the result of the club working to get our squad to the level needed and so much is down to Mark McHugh also his colleagues along with DoR Alan Shirley and RC for their recruitment drive. Mark has put in long hours of coaching, and working systems and strategy to ensure the squad was ready for 1A. We owe them and Paul Pender and his management team a great deal.
Many outside of rugby and particularly club rugby, found this clash a fascinating attraction and mobbed up. The pre-match lunch could have been subscribed ten times over (unlike a Trumpian Rally). President Paudge McGill entertained President Paul Haycock and his committee in an apotheotic celebration of rugby celebration. One of our great paladins and former St Marys’ player, Caelan Doris and some of his International colleagues came along with IRFU Management Board Chairman, Niall (Rynner) Rynne, to support their club. After the game the players gave him a goluptious welcome.
Terenure were not champions in 2023 and runners up 2024 for nothing. They have a big mobile pack led by Harrison Brewer, highly regarded halves and full back, and an overall balanced and talented team which gave blow for blow throughout and led at half time. A derby like this, requires firm, authoritative, yet sympathetic handling and the referee, Dan Carson, did a fine job and added to the game in a discreet manner.
This was a game of real class, tactics, pace, esurient physicality and total immersion, every second of every minute. Playing towards the Road End the first half was a tactical necessity for the home side, and from the start they put pace on the game, the palmerian backrow of Standard Bearer of brilliance, Skipper, Ronan, lead his men from the front in every way, young, effulgent Aaron (until injured late in the first half) and Exocet Ethan, all attacked the breakdown rapaciously and with much success while our half backs, of rampant Richie and coruscating Conor (Deano) were cerebral with probes and sagacious kicking to put us going forward. This was game of 21 on both sides, each player added in a significant way. Our pack was voracious in how the players consumed work, the front row was tireless, seasoned Tommer, never better, neophytic Jack, growing better and wiser each game and hooker Jack metronomic and fearless in all respects. The Second Row, Greg at four and later Six is pancratic, as a strategist and all round contributor. One can almost see his brain churn data and outcomes. The support he gets from his companion Luc Culliton is vital, for he is contumacious in his resistance and invaluable in support play; today he scored a try in super support.
Games are frequently won or lost at midfield, adamantine defence and piercing attack are key, along with space making for those outside. This was a defining area today, for that was exactly how it was, with big dashing Dan at 12 (he of enigmatic jersey), indefatigably taking on ball and deflecting flak. Then there was Myles Carey, at 13. He has been a talented player full of pace and piquancy. This season he has thrived in the milieu of intense competition. Today he was explosive, full of acceleration, hard straight running, fast feet and his hands were excellent, some of his passing was remarkable, one leading directly to a try. He never gave an inch in defence and scored two excellent tries. He had a superb game and was rewarded with the Manverton MoM Award (later presented by Irish Captain, Caelan Doris). On the flanks, Mark (Fogie), he of terpsichorean feet and Kevlar frame, who is fearless and bodacious, he kept the Nure wide defence on edge all game, as he attacked at every opportunity and was involved in try making and cover defence. Michael (Silvo) on the left wing, he has almost MC2 pace and weaves a magical maze on the way to the line, he was ever on alert and took his two tries with élan, especially the final one which was a whizzing whirl. Then of course Conor (Hazer) was at the back, he never put a foot wrong, did his Hazer Hops and kept the defence in tremble as he attacked at every chance and swept up, as required. Paul Deeny who came on early, showed why he is highly regarded. He went into the row, as Greg went to Six, and he fitted in with alacrity, adding to the lineout options and worked tirelessly in tight and defence. All others showed their worth and when changes were made no drop or hiatus occurred. A mention of Richie Bergin back from Australia, playing his first 1A game for St Marys when he came on. He is a very fine young hooker and showed up well.
The Game
A hush clutched Templeville Road as if in tense anticipation of an eruption, a tsunami. Purple people, blue people, big and small, quietly filed into the Templeville Road grounds. Before kick-off, it was clear that not since the 90s had so many supporters turned up for an AIL game. The silence, the anticipation, was almost eerie. Then the practice calls rang out from both ends of the Pokie-Primed-Pitch. And soon the murmurs and greetings grew, the noise expanded and we waited, knowing how it would foment and swell the clamour, so that the pitch would become as an enchanted cauldron bubbling with a brew of scalding spices and piercing peppers.
Then, boom, it started and Marys flew into action, keeping pace on the game, probing with kicks and drives and then after six minutes got a deserved breakthrough, with a wide movement and Ronan driving hard for the line, ball back and big Luc Culliton dived over in the Gate Corner, with two on his back. 5-0. Nure got 3 back from a penalty and on 22 minutes, they scored a good try, from a quick lineout and interplay, eventually breaking defence in the Cabbage Patch Corner. 5-8. Almost immediately, Marys hit back, Myles attacked, drew and gave a lovely pass to Ethan, who made good ground drew two, and gave to Silvo who went over, once again in the Gate Corner. 10-8. The pace of the game was relentless, with our backrow very involved. We lost a man to a yellow on 26 minutes and the man down counted for on 35 minutes, Nure wisely eschewed an easy penalty shot to take a scrum, make use of that space a scrum gives, and spun the ball wide, their 15, LaGrue went over in the Well Corner. So Nure led 10-15 at half time in a ding-dong tussle.
Half Time there was treat when the St Marys Stars played the Terenure Tigers, in an exciting 18-18 draw. This Club Rugby initiative of encouraging and supporting special needs players, is very welcome and highly commendable. Well done to all involved. The 3,500 to 4000 crowd enjoyed it, so did the players, even interacting with the crowd.
The second half started as did the game, at Mk2 pace, Marys attacking and after just a minute, they were rewarded, for on 42 minutes when after several phases with Deano orchestrating things, the ball went wide and Fogie zooming up the touchline moved in slightly and flicked a pass to Myles going inside. He beat the last defender and went in behind the posts at the Cabbage Patch End. Conor converted, 17-15. Four minutes later again Deano involved as he put up high ball, just inside the 22 Terenure Knocked it back and ever alert Myles ran on to it and left all to score under the post again. So it was 24-15.In spite of another yellow card on 54 minutes Marys extended the lead on 56 minutes with a penalty, 27-15. The Marys crowd were in full voice now with Rynner getting Marys-Marys-Marys ringing out incessantly, louder and louder. On 75 minutes when attacking, Colm Reilly who we were delighted to welcome back, and who showed his wonderful abilities while on, fed Silvo from a ruck, he zipped between two defenders, rounded another and went in at the Cabbage Patch Corner and it was 32-15. Nure never give in, and with their renowned spirit, they came back and after attacking our line with picks and drives they went over so the final score was 32-22. Marys-Marys-Marys reverberated around the grounds and Marys faces shone. The teams applauded each other, both knowing they will soon say hello again.
A night of camaraderie smiles and liquid beverages ensued the clubhouse itself was swaying and jigging to the beat. Old friends met and new friendships formed and all got home or somewhere eventually. We are Marys Boys who wear the blue and white.
After the senior game the J1s of the two clubs played an entertaining high quality game, with ten points separating the two sides but in reverse order. See below.
Next week. St Marys travel to Cork to play the formidable champions Cork Constitution. Now you have every reason to make the trip.
Come on Roar on Ronan.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 C Hayes, 14 M Fogarty, 13 M Carey, 12 D Goggin, 11 M Silvester, 10 C Dean 9 R Fahy, 8 R Watters (Capt.), 7 E Baxter, 6 A O’Brien, 5 L Culliton, 4 G Jones, 3 T O’Reilly, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 J Reidy-Walsh. 16 R Bergin, 17 A Keating, 18 P Deeny, 19 D Leane, 20 C Reilly, 21 M O’Gara.
D O’Brien