1st XV v Terenure (H) by D. O’Brien – 22.03.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Terenure College RFC
20 31
Templeville Road
Saturday 22nd March 2008
Half a league, half a league, half a league onward, all in the valley of Death rode the six hundred.
It is by now well more than half the league, the entire lunch attendance did not take the field and it wasn’t quite the valley of death, but for the forty or so players who ventured there, it was a torrid place of battle. It was also well worth watching, particularly if you were a Terenure man, for there was some fine rugby, great excitement and lots of thrills an spills, sadly most of the latter came from the home side.
The build up.
With a 3.30 PM kick off there was plenty of time to savour the build up and enjoy the impressive surroundings and mighty marquee, there was also time to say hello and renew old acquaintances from both clubs as the many supporters streamed in, in twos and threes. Then it was down to the event in the tent, a well presented lunch for 600 seated guests. Fr Aidan Lehane said a most apposite and amusing Grace, and Rynner got us kicked off, drawing our attention to the snow shower, more appropriate to the previous season. The well cooked and presented bacon and cabbage, as the main course, was entirely in keeping with the weather and warmed us, as the cosy buzz of conversation indicated the happy anticipation. The array of tables, including several for our great women supporters (mainly wives, mothers and girlfriends of our players past and present), spread out and covered the entire floor.
Our president Frank Kennedy having welcomed all, particularly Terenure president Dave Mc Gowan and his committee, gave a perfectly balanced description of the relationship between the clubs and told of the many interactions and friendships over the years, he also again stressed the gratitude of the club to our main sponsors Investec Irish Bank and their importance to us, he also thanked our other sponsors especially Umbro and Tulfaris House. He said how delighted he was to have Dr Mick Smith’s family present to see the clubs play for the Mick Smith trophy; he also said how pleased he was to have Matt D’Arcy’s grandmother there. He was particularly sad not to have his close friend from Terenure, Liam O’Dea (recently deceased), there.
Dave Mc Gowan replied with a witty and sociable speech, which was very well received.
The Game
As would be expected, the game started at great pace as both teams tried to assert themselves, but it was only seven minutes old when Terenure had a scrum out 35 metres from the Mary’s line and Terenure scrum half Mark Mahony accelerated off the base and left our cover cold to score out wide, it was 0 – 5. Nure were looking sharp and hungry while we were looking almost like Les Dawson of old, playing his piano, just a tiny bit out of tune with dropped notes (passes etc) and we were not quite right at the line outs and scrums. And so it was that when we looked as though a good break was on, an intercept by Mahony gave him the chance to use his pace we had seen earlier and at previous matches, to score on 13 minutes. We were reeling we did get a penalty back through Mark Sexton on 16 minutes, which was negated by a Mc Allister penalty on 22 minutes and extended on 28 minutes, so it was 3 – 16. Then, after 36 minute, when we had established a pattern and a foothold near their line and had a penalty, we tapped and a loose pass near the corner was picked up by Terenure and they went the length of the pitch with terrific pace and support play, the ball going through ten or so pairs of hands, to end up almost inevitably in those of Mark Mahoney who scored on the far side and it was 3 – 23. We made it 6 – 23 just on half time. We were shell shocked as we retired for half time.
Second Half
Although it was looking bleak for the home side, a response came in the second half. The coaches brought on Eoin Keane, Darragh Fanning and Frank Lynch, and later Kevin (Chunky) Carroll and all did very well, with Eoin Keane outstanding. He took on ball with control, looking for support and with good ball retention; he also put in some fine tackles. The entire team looked to up the pace and skill levels and we kept them in their half and defending for long periods, after 24 minutes Matt D’Arcy made a fine break from a scrum on their 22 and cut through the defence to score under the posts and Frank Lynch converted as he likewise converted a penalty soon afterwards. We kept up the pressure, the set pieces and control were much more solid, with structure coming into our game and the number of errors and missed tackles which all had been far too high in the first half, fell. All this pressure and work paid off when Matt made another fine break, found support from Robert Sweeney and then Darragh Fanning who scored and made it 20 – 23 and the Nure were looking shaky. We then attacked with Logie urging his men on, was the impossible going to happen were we going to do it; time was short but long enough if we held our nerve and our grit. We put phases together and they were defending for their lives then they got into our half a ball came back to outhalf Mc Allister, who coolly knocked over a 40 metre drop goal; a really fine effort it must be said. A sucker punch, the supporters could almost feel it, ouch. Could we still do it? We would now need a converted try, we attacked again and again, then out wide had made ground and near their 22 a pass went to ground a Terenure foot hacked it on, young Cathal Morley, their little winger, showed his pace and fairly flew up the touchline, kicked on again and secured over the line to score the winning try. Though it must be said this game was lost in the first half. 20 – 31.
Overall
We cannot be too happy with our performance today in a game that never needs motivational factors to inspire. We were phlegmatic and unsure in the first half and our set pieces unsafe, indeed overall, only in the mid field did we look to have the edge where Phillip Brophy and Pale Nonu (our dual status player) had fine games, often breaking the line and ever secure in defence. Gareth Logan, the captain, must also be mentioned for his hard work and his total dedication to the cause, not only in this game but throughout the season. He has suffered quite severely with back and neck pain and has never bowed to it and has fought with spirit sometimes to exhaustion. He has those scarce factors needed so much in senior rugby, hardness of mind and body and untameable will.
We have two more games in the league and the important LSC final on 12th April against Clontarf. In the league it may be important, if new league structures are put in place in the next few seasons, that we end up as high as possible. So we have two big games, next Saturday at home against Dolphin, who are in line for top four honours, having won this weekend; and finally away against Blackrock, so please support a team which has done much to enliven your winter and has given you lots of enjoyment. Back to 2.30 PM kick off next week.
The Afters
As you might imagine there was justifiable jubilation on one side and deep disappointment on the other, but as is the wont, a few glasses later, the heads lifted a bit and the banter began, as did the music and the young and not so young mixed and met and happily hovered. Terenure retain the Mick Smith trophy (how Mick loved days like these) and a bit of a grin. Our president Frank, carried out all his post match functions with great grace and hospitality, however, having worked so hard with all the organisers, especially David Mowlds, all the previous two weeks that he had to have a nap around 10.00PM with exhaustion; and that is not like Frank when there is sociability about. One thing all agreed was, that this is a most important fixture for both sides for many reasons and all at St Marys are glad we will be able to go back down to Lakelands Park next season to collect and take Mick back to Templeville Road to sit beside Seamus (what a night that pair would have).
D O’Brien
Team 15 C Hogan, 14 K Douglas, 13 P Brophy, 12 P Nonu, 11 R Doherty, 10 M Sexton, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan, 7 B O’Flanagan, 6 H Hogan, 5 S| Bradshaw, 4 G Logan (Capt), 3 Rob Sweeney, 2 Richie Sweeney, 1 M Duggan.