1st XV v Galwegians (A) by D. O’Brien – 28.10.2007
Galwegians RFC 10 V St Mary’s College RFC
10 8
Saturday 28th October 2007
If last week we were a little fortunate to win, this week we watched our luck go down (with the sun) at Galway Bay; for this was a game we deserved to win and once again we left Galway disappointed. There was a strong wind blowing and spits of rain in the air and when we played with the wind in the first half there was a slightly uneasy feeling about the game.
We welcomed prop Chunky Carroll for his first start in a AIL game and he did well, it was also good to see Frank Lynch take the field at outhalf for he has been out for a long time with a knee problem, which has not yet been resolved, however understanding the injury problems, he played to facilitate the club, credit to Frank.
To be honest we did not play to our strengths or abilities at all in the first half and with a referee who was strict at the breakdown and rucks we ended up giving away eight penalties and missing two chances at goal ourselves. This meant that we never established the necessary positional platform, lost the wind advantage and ended up 0 – 0 at half time. They played to their forward power and mauled often, however our defence was strong and they seldom threatened our line, they did not look like scoring out wide and our backline did threaten a few times, with good runs from Ronan Doherty.
It was looking a little ominous but at the break Steven and Peter obviously whispered some gentle words for they came out for the second half like a different team. We started to play with an increasing tempo hitting quick rucks, running side channels, then out wide, off loading well and getting faster to the man with the ball. It became an exciting experience for all and the Marys supporters also responded; and as the pace lifted we could see the ascendancy starting to show. Skipper Logie and Jonny Ellis, on at half time, added their poundage and prowess, Conor Mc Inerney was coming into his own, Matt Darcy was becoming a scourge to them, with darts and flicks and Hugh Hogan was driving through. It was noted that another change at half time, saw a three hooker front row of Matt Duggan Matt Crockett, at Two, and Ritchie Sweeney now propping and didn’t they do well? Ritchie’s fair head could be seen popping up all over the place and I reckon he was man of the match. After a four phased attack, which looked as though we would make the break through, one pass hung in the air for a moment too long and their Ten said thank you very much as he sped towards our line from his own ten metre line. It hit everyone hard, but the team were not bowed they swept up the field straight away, a quick handling movement went out to the right wing and big Darragh Fanning sped along the touch line battling through tackles , alas he was dragged into touch at the line. We did not let them out, we fought and fought, we got the ball back we started a pick and surge –pick ad surge- pick and surge and as very often Steve and Smythy told them patience, they had listened for they kept it up, pick and surge and Matt Crockett got over in the corner, it was 7 – 5. If anything we increased the pressure and a few minutes from the end we got a penalty for their killing the ball, it was against the wind and thirty metres out. Frank steadied himself, kept his head down and stroked it over the bar. It was 7 – 8 and we were looking good. Alas it was not to be, they got a chance, put the ball down and an error from us kept them there, then unfortunately, having regained the ball, a kick to touch never made it in against the strong wind, they ran at us, rucked outside our 22 the ball came to their outhalf and he hit it well, it was 10 – 8. We had two more minutes of injury time and we worked our way up field, knowing we were at the end, Frank had a brave effort at his own drop goal, but against that wind it just fell short. The END.
Added to the woes of Phillip Brophy, this week Barry Lynn found himself with a severely bulging disc in his neck, he will be out for six to twelve weeks and these two must be the most unfortunate of our long list of injured players. Willie Duggan has medial knee ligament trouble as does Nasher and both will be out for a month or so. Mark Sexton should be back from his hamstring tear in a week or two as should Conor Hogan. Steve Bradshaw, who will be out all season it appears, due to his shoulder injury, and Nasher are helping with coaching the junior teams and this is great for the teams themselves and for spirit in the club. Paul Collins and Victor Ryan should also return next week, Cillian O’Byrne and Bernard Donohue remain long term injuries. On the good news side we may soon have Chops and Chips on the menu again
At least ewe got a point on the away game, we have Clontarf at home next week. It should be a good one so make sure you show up, unless you are in USA or some such place; if so we will let you know how we get on.
D O’Brien
Team 15 M Skelton, 14 D Fanning, 13 R Gannon, 12 R Smyth, 11 R Doherty, 10 F Lynch, 9 M Darcy, 8 H Hogan, 7 K Sheehan, 6 M Aboud(J Ellis), 5 C Mc Inerney, 4 E Keane (G Logan (Capt)), 3 K Carroll (M Crockett) 2 R Sweeney, 1 M Duggan (C Mc Mahon)