1st XV v UCD (H) by D. O’Brien – 15.02.2025
St Marys College RFC V UCD RFC
36 14
Energia AIL Division 1A
Templeville Road
Saturday 15h February 2025
Overall
After a tough away trip last week, passing through the gates to Templeville Road, with the ready smiles of Gary Croke and his gate team, who give a very valuable service to their club, an almost perceptible warmth greeted one; home!
All knew the match with UCD would be much more than academic and were right. The result was copacetic, however, it had to be earned on the pitch and it has put us back to second, level with first placed Cork Con on points. As expected, UCD used the pitch well and played a rapid running game and were never out of contention although the home team had a fair margin in the end; and that was due to an effulgent performance by the entire 21. Captain Ronan Watters, who was as usual leading from the front in all respects, unfortunately had to withdraw with a hamstring strain on 30 minutes, and he will face an anxious recovery period, with the club international match and the trip to Garryowen coming up. All wish him well.
This was a game that brightened and lifted a cold and dull winter’s day, with the home side showing a maturity and adventure that was almost apotheotic. It was good to note that the discipline was good, the set pieces reliable, with the scrum dominant, decisions were expeditious and attitudes were alacritous.
The last time UCD played here in AIL was March 2017 when they won 18-32. Tommer was that day MoM. He was propping against Andrew Porter and Tommer scored a try. He, Jack and Mighty Mick were dominant today; all starred in the tight and open play. There were two Gilsenans on that day, one UCD and one Marys, today there was one on for UCD. Former captain and current backs and S&C Coach, Marcus O’Driscoll was another to star that day.
Today, both the pack and backs were coruscating. Out back, right across the line it was éclat all the way. Once again this season, Mark Fogarty was almost untouchable as he skipped around tacklers and zipped along the line; he scored a top try. Since coming back from injury Myles Carey has been sizzling, and his partnership with Dazzling Dan has been symphonic. Today, Myles had a stupendous game.
Playing inside the great conductor, Dynamic Deano, must be exciting and comforting, and the man doing that is Richie Fahy. Redoubtable Richie is a clever scrumhalf and has given high quality service. Since the new scrum laws have been introduced, even more so, he has thrived. Today he seemed to have the ability of simultaneous Omni-loci. He was at every breakdown and every ruck at every second, for 80 minutes. His passing was brisk and accurate, his kicking precise and his defensive cover effective and vigorous. He was in support of most attacks and he scored a sweet try in co-op with Exocet Ethan. He was awarded the Manverton MoM Award and received his award from club living legend that is Brian (Spike) Fanning (See Photo).
Everyone of the pack, including the four replacement forwards, was way above requirements. Richie Bergin came on to replace the skipper in the back row and was excellent. At one stage we had three natural hookers in the eight. It was good to see young Ian Wickham back in and he will be happy with his cameo. How lucky we are to have Greg Jones, besides his invaluable playing role, he is a genius of rugby strategy which gives a marvellous advantage, especially at lineouts and mauls.
The Game
Before the game, the two teams lined up and the terraces fell silent for a minute, as the club he loved so much and to which he had given of himself generously, paid sad reflective tribute to Alberto Andreucetti, former senior player and long-time member, who had died very recently and who will be fondly remembered.
As expected, UCD started at Ferrari pace. And this matched the St Marys pace. When the game was six minutes gone, St Marys had defensive line-out on their ten metre line. A tap back bounced kindly for the alert UCD hooker, who scampered over in the Well Corner. 0-7. Marys went on the attack and eight minutes later a home lineout at the Gate Corner, led to maul, it went lateral, then, Daniel Leane who had another very fine game today, broke diagonally, through two tacklers and over and it was 5-7. A few minutes later on 19 minutes, Hazer ran ball back and when stopped in mid field, the rucked ball was swung out, and adroitly flicked on by Deano to Myles who thundered trough, then drew a tackler and transferred to Flying Fogey, he scorched past the defence and ran in the 30 metres and scored in Carvill Corner. Conor Hayes converted 12-7. It was 30 minutes, Richie made a fine weaving break to five metres, the ball was recycled and went right, then back left and when then ball came to Greg, he veered line-ward and over. 19-7. That was how it stood at half time.
The second half was a creative landscape, almost afflatus, from both sides as they ran esurient concatenations to the delight of the crowd who gave eleemosynary support. There was a slight pause after three minutes for Hazer to convert a penalty, 22-7. And three minutes later when Marys were running wide again, UCD got an intercept and ran in a neat converted try, 22-14.
This prompted further accelerations. The home side mounted a series of rapid probes that saw the play in the UCD half. The ball was swept back by Richie, and Deano used his prestidigitation to supply Ethan who almost lost the ball but neatly retrieved it and whizzed on. He passed to fast following Richie on a sharp vector, he zipped in under the posts and when Hazer added his touch it was 29-14 and 66 minutes were on the clock. The supporters were enjoying it. Back and forth it went, with UCD as with a club of such character and steel, coming close and never wilting. However, on 70 minutes, with all the replacements showing there would be nothing lost with them on and the pace still at Mk1, Marys were in attack and Deano was demonstrating his wonderful range of skills. There were a number of near misses when after a series of rucks the ball came out to Leandro on the left wing and he skipped over in the Cabbage Patch Corner. And with marvellous conversion it was 36-14 and it was over. Well-deserved applause ensued for both teams for an uplifting and exciting game played in a commendable style and manner.
The clubhouse
The walls were bulging, the President Paudge McGill was beaming and enjoying the company of his UCD counterpart, Barry Sheehan, after the game and the atmosphere was warm and happy. Those who could wriggle best got around the best, and so many old Marys and old UCD members were happily jammed in. Of course many were both. That is the thing about the eclectic nature of university rugby. Long may it thrive!
We are building an exiles club to rival London Irish. Great supporter Tony Ryan, often over. Today, Rynner was there with his two great pals Joe and Tony from England who also come across to support St Marys, (They also support Guinness!). We might call it Manchester Marys. Great Marys’ woman Aoife O’Donnell was also there with Deirdre Stapleton and hubby, John who was having some refreshment after his long stint on the gate, with Gary and the Gate Gang. Mossy was seen chatting to dad in law, Steve. The Last of the Summer Wine were in the Sean Lynch bar as were Brian and Aaron Hudson, long term sponsors and current House and Grounds man (Aaron). Many of the players’ parents were there, I saw the Captain’s parents Brian and Laura (always friendly and positive). The O’Reilly family were mingling happily, Milo Carey was in great form as usual, with his friend John O’Mahony from Cork, and the Hayes family from Limerick were there relaxing. JVP, Stephen Shirley was there, genial but working, as a usual and Spike and Frank were both helping with Smithwicks sales. Terry K was helping with conversations and fun, as were G-Mack and JB. Barney was in his legal guise looking for impeachments and mischief.
It was a pleasure to see Head Coach Mark McHugh, ever positive and firmly composed as he planned ahead and reflected on performances. He has brought around him a top class coaching team, Jamie Cornett, Marcus O’Driscoll, Robert Sweeney and Eanna Clynes. They were there happy today, but know there is a tough road ahead. The DoR Alan Shirley was glowing and he had his two sons with him, Max and Leo, who are outstanding ball boys at every home game. The management who have worked so hard were also happy with progress. We are inclined to forget the work, Paul Pender, Conor O’Neill, Paul Conlon, Harry Ebbs, Ian Bloomer, Darren Walker and Garry Manning all do, come win or lose, day after day (and all others involved at all levels).
Soon the players joined the melee and enjoyed a soaring night of camaraderie and joy.
Imagine, there are now only four games to go in the league proper. Every game is a real challenge and to be sure of top four we must win all. We have a little break before we head off down to old rivals Garryowen. I believe there will be a supporters’ bus going, so you have no excuse. Make the effort and get down there 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 P Deeny, 4 D Leane, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 T O’Reilly, 16 R Bergin, 17 A Keating, 18 I Wickham, 19 H Noonan, 20 R Ramirez, 21 M O’Gara.
D O’Brien