1st XV v Cork Constitution (H) by D. O’Brien – 25.01.25
St Mary’s College RFC V Cork Constitution RFC
29 30
Energia AIL Division 1A
Templeville Road
Saturday 25th January 2025
Overall
Mid-week, awaiting Storm Éowyn with its ominous signs for Saturday’s match, it struck one as to how heavily nature’s vagaries weigh upon life and plans. Then looking at training and the extended squad, their zeitgeist was uplifting to see. There was almost a perceptible aura of concentrated, interactive energy emanating from the group. This is team sport at its finest and one of life’s better faces. It is emphatically encouraging to see performances and skills at squad and individual levels growing all the time. The drivers of this of course are Mark McHugh, Ronan Watters and their combined forces of players, coaches and managements
Although the game was lost by a point, the home side could well have prevailed but for a slight slip up, there again, earlier on it seemed as though there was a possibility of gleaning no points. This is the nature of sport. There were two league points gained, with a long way yet to go, so let us rejoice in sportsmanship and possibilities. It was a game against worthy and powerful champions and a fine game it was, with some excellent rugby and swaying fortunes. For the blue side, seeing Silvo back and hitting the heights was reassuring.
President Paudge McGill and his Cork Constitution counterpart Charlie Murphy have developed a warm friendship and enjoyed their lunch together and post-match socialisation.
Once again the pattern for Marys was as in recent games, steadily building momentum to a heady and exquisite crescendo. The performance, however, contained some errors and penalties. That said there were some prolonged periods of truly adamantine defence. St Marys’ fitness has been an admirable feature and was apparent today, especially in the second half when the blue pace left many on the Con white side gasping. The unfortunate injury in the first half of Greg Jones, set piece and game strategist, and key performer was a distinct disadvantage to St Marys and required rearrangement of resources. Throughout, Marys’ scrum was highly competitive. One note on experienced, Andrew (Panda) Keating, his cameos are highly appreciated by his coach and teammates, and make an important contribution, often when most needed. Conor Pierce who came on in the first half, will be pleased with an intelligent and assiduous contribution.
There were many eye catching performances. Seeing Mark Fogarty produce four sizzling scores was exhilarating. Mark has been one of the outstanding players this campaign. He has an extraordinary range of rugby attributes, with flying feet, a titanium frame, accurate anticipation, impenetrable defence and supreme spirit. He is a perfect teammate and a most likeable Marys man. There could be only one recipient of the Manverton MoM Award. (See photo of Mark receiving his award from highly efficient and esteemed member of the management team, Conor O’Neill)
The Game
The game started with both sides running hard with probes, but both defences were strong. A penalty from in front of the posts opened scoring for Con on 9 minutes, 0-3. Marys then had a spell of possession and on 19 minutes, there was superb concatenation, where, Deano dummied, slipped his marker, gave the ball to Myles who bewildered a half dozen defenders with a sizzling slalom, and then a cute kick ahead just over the line, Richie Fahy showing great pace almost got the touch, however, Con kicked out of defence. The ball was hoovered by Hazer who did the Hazer Hop and set off, he linked with Fogey, who coming across from his wing, took a hard line and sliced through, then jinked a defender, changed vector, and scorched through a gap to score at the Road End. Hazer converted and it was 7-3. He added a penalty on 25 minutes, 10-3. Con made it 10-6 with a penalty on 30 minutes, and when it was 36 minutes a series of drives near the line by Con and then wide, led to full back, Coomber, scoring in the Well Corner. 10-11.That was the score at half time.
The second half started as it finished with a well-balanced and high quality encounter. Ten minutes were gone when a penalty for Con led to a lineout and maul then drives and a try in Carvill Corner. 10-16. Con extended their lead on 56 minutes with good converted try from loose play, 10-23. Things looked a little bleak for the home side, but subtle signs of pace pressure were showing on the Cork side. Marys built the pace further and were making inroads, then 71 minutes came a penalty in front of the post eschewed by the Blue Stars for a scrum and following several drives a change saw the ball whizz out to Mark he threw himself between two defenders and scored in the Well Corner. Hazer got a magnificent conversion, 17-23. It was looking propitious. The outlook changed with the post try restart. Unfortunately the ball fell forward from the take and a fast following Con backrower Kelleher, snatched it and slipped it on to his scrumhalf who got over and made it 17-30. Even with what looked forlorn, Skipper Ronan rallied his forces and went again with unquenchable fire. There was an immediate response and after an astonishing passage of play with all the team involved they got up and a deft long pass from non-13, Dan to Fogey who on a vicious vector again went over in the Well Corner. No luck on the very difficult conversion, it was 76 minutes, 22-30. And yes, Mirabile dictu, they went at it again, with Conor Pierce and Myles in the van (or maybe more a Ferrari), leading a charge up-field and who was there to take the pass and leave Con grasping, Fogey at the cabbage Patch end. The conversion was made and it was 29-30. The end. Every Marys supporter stood in silent sadness, but deep pride for a team of true warriors; each one of the 21, were essential to the performance. Two wonderful teams and a fitting joust played in sporting fashion throughout. Thank you both.
There is a break now and then a short trip to Lakelands to face our great rivals Terenure RFC. Forget the streaming for this one, you are needed in person to 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 G Jones, 5 L Culliton, 4 D Leane, 3 M McCormack, 2 R Bergin, 1 T O’Reilly. 16 J Nelson-Murray, 17 A Keating, 18 P Deeny, 19 C Pierce, 20 A McEvoy, 21 Z Hopkins.
D O’Brien