1st XV v Lansdowne (H) by D. O’Brien – 11.01.25
St Mary’s College RFC V Lansdowne FC
5 26
Energia AIL Division 1 A
Templeville Road,
Saturday 11th January 2025
Overall
A special gift of human nature is club sport, a part of tribal sociability, and we are fortunate to be recipients. A feature of that is winning, and the unequalled joy it brings. It is probable that to enjoy that exquisite sense to its fullness, it requires a share of losing. Sadly, today we experienced the latter, and it would be clearly wrong not to acknowledge that our visitors deserved their turn for joy.
When we had our victory in Lansdowne Road three weeks ago, we deserved that victory, and that exemplifies the close match up between the two teams. The difference today was sharpness and speed of action. There was no sign of Granny’s fried Christmas pudding or Elderberry wine; just mili-seconds. There is a possibility that Marys might have won if we had not missed an opportunity to score early on. This might have led to a different pathway. However, giving away circa 20 penalties made the path a jagged, stony one. During the first half, two of those penalties resulted in yellow cards, meaning Marys played fifty percent of the half with 14 men. Penalties have been an impediment for the team and it is one that you can be assured that will be dealt with by Mark et al. The good news is that St Marys remain at number one, two points ahead of Clontarf (they Tarf, have a game in hand; the game between Armagh and Tarf, today, was called off due to severe weather effects) No doubt, everyone at St Marys is very proud of their team. Who would have thought St Marys would be top of the table, mid-January, and having a dedicated squad sparkling with talent in all positions.
Aaron (Ironman) Hudson, Peter (Pokie) O’Kelly and Paul Pender must take great praise for having the grounds and pitch in top class condition following a severe week-long freeze up.
President Paudge McGill and his committee happily entertained the Lansdowne President, Conor Shaw and his entourage at lunch and post-match and although disappointed Paudge was as always, gracious. The two sets of supporters mingled and enjoyed an evening of chat and banter as is the wont between these two old clubs.
The slight team malaise translated into performances, with few outstanding ones. The Skipper Ronan, as ever, did everything in his power to bring sustained intensity and pressure into the game, and Mark Fogarty caught the eye once again with brilliant piercing, sallies and determined cover.
A reason to rejoice was evident in the game, and that was the return from a serious arm injury, of Mighty Mick McCormack. The outstanding tighthead came on at the half hour mark and gave a superb cameo with hard carries and scrummaging. The scrum strength which was already a very positive aspect of the Marys’ game, was even further enhanced by Michael’s return. Two props like Mighty Mick and Terminator Tommer in one scrum; well what would you expect!
Unfortunately, one of our young stars, who has been selected for Irish U20’s 6 Nations panel, Aaron O’Brien, who has been outstanding all season, was injured today. Everyone wishes him well and hopes that he will be fine for the start of the campaign.
Number Seven, Exocet Ethan Baxter, with unrelenting effort in all phases, tackled with virulence every Lansdowne carrier that moved in his direction, and was found effodient at every breakdown. He was tireless for 80 minutes and he received the Manverton MoM Award. Later, long-term sponsor, the Manverton Man himself, Jim Coffey, was on hand to present the award (See Photo).
The team and coaches are sharply aware of the situation. The necessary adjustments will be made as they face a difficult trip over to Young Munster, then have a home game to Cork Con and then go down to Terenure, all are bent on revenge, as they await in baited lairs.
The game was generously sponsored and streamed live, by another dedicated sponsor G-Mack, aka, Gerry McCormack. Therefore, you will have all seen it and will require little description of the action.
Scoring
Playing down towards the Road End Marys got off to a strong start. Lansdowne, showed a powerful pack and playing a fast rucking game came into the game then, and after seven minutes, they converted a penalty; three minutes later they chose a scrum instead of a penalty and a break therefrom led to a sharp try, 0-10. Soon afterwards they added a further three points and on 32 minutes Lansdowne added another penalty, 0-16. This was the halftime score.
The second half was hard fought and tight. There were no scores until 70 minutes, when after a spell of pressure by the home side, a short tapped penalty saw Ethan make good ground before the ball went out and Conor Hayes got in at the Cabbage Patch Corner, 5-16. The last period, Lansdowne pressed hard and following a penalty lineout and maul, they scored a converted try, 5-23. Another penalty was scored by the visitors to end the game and leave the final score 5-26.
Remember we are going to Limerick next week and Ronan’s lads need every possible support, so unless you are away negotiating to purchase Greenland, get yourself down to Tom Clifford Park and Roar on Ronan.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 C Hayes, 14 M Fogarty, 13 M Carey, 12 D Goggin, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean 9 C Reilly, 8 R Watters (Capt.), 7 E Baxter, 6 A O’Brien, 5 L Culliton, 4 G Jones, 3 C Scott, 2 R Bergin, 1 T O’Reilly. 16 J Nelson-Murray, 17 J Reidy-Walsh, 18 M McCormack, 19 P Deeny, 20 R Fahy, 21 Z Hopkins.
D O’Brien