1st XV v Young Munster (A) by D. O’Brien 04.11.2017

Young Munster RFC V St Mary’s College RFC

51 7

AIL Division 1A

Tom Clifford Park

Saturday 4th November 2017.

Overall

There was a piercing, cold wind driving across Tom Clifford Park at the start of the game. It got colder and more piercing, in line with the score, as the game went on.

To make excuses would be patronising and insulting to everyone, players and supporters. In fact reasons are difficult to find. YM has a big aggressive team that is balanced, but not so big nor balanced as to be 44 points superior to St Marys; yet that is how it was.

The Marys’ tackling was weak on many occasions, especially in open space, there were frequent errors and the usual game pace was missing, indeed the normal intensity was missing. It was almost as though we were stuck in one gear. Both sides had difficulty with the lineouts. We suffered inordinately in the scrum, having numerous penalties awarded against us, including one penalty try. YM dominated the loose and their maul was threatening.

There is probably no sports club that has never had a day like we had today. Nobody wants to be beaten by 44 points. We must now learn what we can from it, stick together and ensure that it does not happen again. Recriminations solve nothing. Players and supporters, we must remember, it is our hobby not our life, and must all get behind the coaches and the captain and help them move forward. For them and our president David Fanagan, it was a most upsetting day.

Outcome

Playing against the wind in the first half, we found it tough going and in fact YM scored from the kick off, as they ran right through the centre of our defence. Promisingly, we went on attack and almost immediately scored at the far end, following pressure and recycle, Jack Dilger got over and Conor Dean converted. After that, YM were to score two penalties, a try and a penalty try in the first half. So that it was 27 -7 at half time.

The second half started with good promise for Marys. After three minutes a deft kick by Deano, was caught over the YM line, but it slipped out of control and the chance was gone. That may have been the defining moment. Soon afterwards, YM scored again; and they ended up with seven tries.

It has to be said that in the face of such adversity, many teams would have capitulated totally, but Rudds, never stopped working and exhorting his men to greater effort and they tried to respond, to the end. In fact the last YM try resulted from a risky effort to run from our own line.

The loss of quality warrior, David O’Connor, before kick-off was felt. Although there were few performances of note from the visitors, Caelan Doris’s contribution was noteworthy, as he showed his flair and his dedicated courage, never buckling and always making intelligent and positive decisions. He receives the SoftCo MoM award

There is no use failing to acknowledge that we now must beat twice, the two clubs below us, and one we face as soon as Friday. Dublin University visit us at Templeville Road on Friday evening under lights. It has top importance for both clubs and it should be a most exciting encounter. We can help sway the balance in our favour by being there. This really is, YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU.

Hopefully, we will be able to report good news next weekend.

D O’Brien

Team (Rolling Replacements X12)
15 D Fanagan, T Maupin, 13 D Moroney, 12 M O’Driscoll, 11 C Kennedy, 10 C Dean, 9 P O’Driscoll, 8 J Dilger, 7 N McCarthy, 6 M Fallon, 5 C O’Flaherty, 4 C Ruddock (Capt), 3 J Aungier, 2 R Halpin, 1 B Cullinane, S O’Brien, T O’Reilly, C Doris, R O’Loughlin, M Carey.