1st XV v Terenure (A) by D. O’Brien – 08.02.2025
Terenure College RFC V St Mary’s College RFC
27 24
AIL Division 1 A
Lakelands Park
Saturday 8th February 2025.
Overall
A dull game between Nure and Marys is a paradox. The intensity of feelings and kinetic energy on the field, the bench and the terraces, would drive a small city. Before the game, the side-liners shuffled along under the storied trees, down along the lakeside, seeing the bright water mirror the hopes and minds of the boding bodies, striped purple and black and blue and white. Heads down with wan smiles and feigned joy, greeting counterparts, they came. Before the game there was still time for each side to lay out the lists of missing players and unfortunate circumstances, just in case!
So many times this has been repeated well over sixty years now and always has it tormented and teased, elated and ecstasised. Well, weather could not enter the equation, although the pitch was heavy from the rain earlier. Cool and calm, was it, unlike local humanity. Soon the giant marquee disgorged the DCXL revellers to swell the company; and it was time.
As the score indicates it was a very close game and St Marys left with a losing bonus point. The penalty count and close calls did not go the way of the visitors, but overall in a fiercely contested local derby, the home side shaded it. Marys can be happy that over the two AIL games six points were gleaned as opposed to four for Nure; 56 to 49 points scored.
As has been the way ever, neither side asked nor gave a millimetre. There was an edge to the game which made it all the more interesting and the large crowd rose to the moment. The baying and cheering and slagging and clapping ebbed and flowed, as the lights went on to lift the greyness. This was no arena for shirkers or shrinkers, every man on the field lent his very existence to the joust. There was not a violet to be seen.
The St Marys team is exemplified by the excellence of its captain Ronan Watters, and so he led his men defiantly and audaciously throughout the game; thus the team reacted. There were all absolute performances, from brilliant 15 Conor Hayes, to 1 temeritous Tommer O’Reilly (the 80 minute man) and 16 Richie Bergin to 21 marvellous Mick O’Gara back from injury. Generally the defence was notable… The set pieces were strong from both sides; Greg Jones runs a tight ship for the visitors. Although Ethan Baxter is not a behemoth, Exocet Ethan today, was nuclear, he exploded into tackles, having one brilliant covering, try saving tackle. He cleared out rucks, he swept legs from under runners, he was there to support and he was indefatigable. He received the Manverton MoM from our Head Coach, Mark McHugh (See Photo).
The Game
The first half was high paced, to and fro, and generally tit for tat. After only two minutes, Hazer converted a penalty. 0-3 and four minutes later, Nure replied 3-3. On ten minutes, Hazer converted a difficult one after highly active and effective Skipper Ronan, was fouled. 3-6.Then, once again Nure got even, 6-6, with a penalty on 13 minutes, and once again Hazer did the business on 16 minutes, 6-9. It was thunderous.
The first try came on 25 minutes when a penalty to the corner led to a strong maul by Nure, and it was 13-9. After a fine Nure break was stopped near the line, a number of picks and drives followed and a converted try brought it to 20-9 and it was not easy. However, with Deano skilfully directing things forward, we were getting close; and then a fine fast multi phased move led to a break down near the Nure line on 32 minutes. Fast following Colm Reilly picked and slicked through the cover, to score far out. 20-14. We were back in the hunt, although we had to withstand some heavy artillery, when just on half time two attempted lineout-mauled penalties repeated, and hard-working Greg figured and foiled the second lineout to go in 20-14.
Second half was high powered action all the way, but it was not until 60 minutes that Hazer added a penalty and it was 20-17. After this, Marys put on a lot of pressure with several mauls and drives near the line, they just failed to get over. Then it was Nure’s turn and they had a fair spell near the line and on 75 minutes they scored a converted try, 27-17. Marys mounted a frantic assault, with every player involved and coming near, on a number of occasions. Then, in the dying minutes when Marys were battering the line, the ball came out, Richie fed Deano and he sent a magnificent long pass out to Hazer who hurtled over in the corner with two defender clinging on futilely. He converted his try from the corner and it ended 27-24.
Now we are in fourth position behind Tarf, Nure and Con. However we have what appears to be a slightly more negotiable trail home than those ahead, so there is much to play for. There is also a fair space behind.
We have the fast improving UCD at home at Templeville Road next Saturday. Make sure to get there and Roar on Ronan.
The intense rivalry between the two Dublin 6 teams lives on, and long may it so do. There is a great history to be savoured on both sides. For instance, the previous AIL visit October 2016, the score in the same stadium, was a neat little win, 13-17, with Deano making a commendable starting debut, Tommer having an outstanding game again, and Caelan Doris, Terry Kennedy and Jordan Larmour adding their class to proceedings. Today it was very good to see two super players from that day, up in support of their club, former star Captain and hooker, Richie Halpin and the great Warrior himself, Nick McCarthy. Both looked ready for action, although the next generation McCarthy in the buggy, is only starting to train. From what I hear the lungs are getting into shape already!
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 C Reilly, 8 R Watters (Capt.), 7 E Baxter, 6 G Jones, 5 L Culliton, 4 D Leane, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 T O’Reilly. 16 R Bergin, 17 A Keating, 18 P Deeny, 19 H Noonan, 20 R Fahy, 21 M O’Gara.
D O’Brien