1st XV v Greystones (H) by D. O’Brien – 19.01.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Greystones RFC
13 9
Templeville Road
Saturday 19th January 2008-01-20
The pre-match lunch was a most convivial affair and in his post prandial address our president, Frank Kennedy told us that it was 13 years since Greystones last played at Templeville Road in the AIL and he pointed out the links and friendship that exist between our two clubs, reminding us of the players who had played for both clubs like Ken Ging, Ken Parkinson, JB Sweeney and more recently our last year’s captain Barry Lynn (present with his dad and mum, Michael and Kay)
Having rained heavily for almost three days it was a great credit to the hard work of Frank Doyle and his son in law Ken, that the pitch was playable at all and even with all their work it was desperately wet.
After last week’s result we were looking for a good performance and outcome today and having a strong team on the pitch we were optimistic. As you will see from the result we did get a win which was in fact a very important one for it gives us the opportunity to aim higher and sharpen our ambition. However, it must be admitted that it was not quite the performance expected and again the lineouts were not as accurate as they could have been, the scrums were variable and there were still errors throughout the game, yet overall we scored the only try of the game, defended fiercely and effectively when required and made brave efforts to play attractively under testing conditions. In fact both sides tried their hardest to play open rugby. Our maul was good and our confidence to wait for the right strike was commendable. So overall we must be pleased to move up a couple of places. It should also be realised that Greystones had a very good team with them, a strong pack and a pair of halves that were impressive.
We started with great panache and after three minutes Frank Lynch, who did well today, slotted a penalty and only three minutes later, after a stirring string of carries by the pack, Frank got the ball outside Greystones’ 22 and he slid the deftest of grubbers through the defence towards the wing and Rob Gannon, another that did very well today, who was at full speed swooped low and took it in his stride, he is blessed with fine hands, and sped over the line. Frank made a good conversion. It was 10 – 0 and we were humming, we were playing against the hill, and all were confident. You could note that Rynner was back on the terrace from his recent travels in Australia as he urged the team on, as only he can. After eight minutes they got a penalty and after that they came more and more into the game and were matching us in the loose and their lineout was impressive, they had a very big man at two, on our throw, which made it difficult. On 16 minutes they got another penalty through their 10, Power, and from then to the end of the half it was a tough hard graft, though entertaining. On the 41st minute they got another penalty and it was 10 – 9 at half time. All to play for.
The second half again started brightly for us but frequently when we got down to the strike area, their outhalf, Power who was fine kicker of the ball from hand, would send us back thirty or forty metres and we would have to start over again; and then mid half they started to put strong pressure on us. They had a twelve minute period when they peppered our line with drives and mauls and it was heroic defence, none more so than from Kevin Sheahan (Shiner) who drove them back with Herculean efforts and when our scrum was put under pressure he managed to make the distance and retain possession and on 74 minutes he made a marvellous block down and chase to the line which was desperately close to yielding a score. He has grown into his role at Eight and become a vital part of this team and well deserved his man of the match award. Conor Mc Inerney strove manfully at Six standing shoulder to shoulder with Kevin and celebrated his 21st birthday today with the win; and Skipper Logie urged his men ever onward. At this stage too, the supporters played a strong part, with the Templeville roar at its best. At 65 minutes Paul Nash came back from injury into the team, at Six, with Conor going to Four. The Dash of Nash has not gone away you know and he made a vitalising contribution, with tackles drives and steals. Good to see him back. Matt Duggan also came in at that stage and added his determination and ability to the game. For the last ten minutes we put pressure on Greystones continually and a super block and break by Matt d’Arcy, another to play really well all game, almost led to a try and added to that pressure. We were awarded three penalties under their posts in the last five minutes but we shunned the kick to take the scrum and keep them penned in. it worked well and then on 84 minutes we released the ball back to Frank who coolly dropped a goal and it was all over at 13 – 9. Whew.
There was an air of relief and quiet pleasure with the win and “The Three Amigos” Franko, Quinner and Rynner” were reassuringly smiling. It is good to see all the hard work of last week, in paddy field conditions, of Steve, Smythy and Pottsy backed up by Brian Grimson, Terry Tierney and Peter Horgan getting some just rewards in results. Well done to all.
Let me tell you that we face another big game against the determined challenge of Old Belvedere, barely beaten today by Clontarf, now with their backs to the wall on the day of their annual dinner next week. So come along and help like you did today when help was really needed. And the good news, Phillip Brophy is in full training now, Steve Bradshaw is running freely and making progress by the day, both will be playing a in a couple of weeks. Barry Lynn said he is making good progress also from his disc problem, although Marc Aboud is slower, with the same trouble. Keep in mind Rob Smyth who has an operation next month. Juan Gomez is on holidays but will be back.
Great credit and congratulations are due to the president and his team, especially Peter Smyth, Will Heffernan and Rory O’Connor for the furbishing of the gym, which will be available for use from this week. It will be a wonderful addition, giving significant advantage to player development and a superb facility for all who wish to use it, even the more mature members who might enjoy the machines and a light work out.
D O’Brien
Team:- 15 M Skelton, 14 R Gannon, 13 K Douglas, 12 M Sexton, 11 D Fanning, 10 F Lynch, 9 M d’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan, 7 H Hogan, 6 C Mc Inerney, 5 G Logan (Capt), 4 E Keane (P Nash), 3 Rob Sweeney, 2 M Crockett, 1 Richie Sweeney (M Duggan).