1st XV v Garryowen (A) by D. O’Brien – 01.03.2025
Garryowen FC V St Mary’s College RFC
22 64
Dooradoyle
Energia AIL Division 1A
Saturday 1st March 2025.
Overall
Leaving Shay minding the house at Templeville Road, the peripatetic, intrepid hordes of Marys’ players, minders and supporters of all ages, descended on Dooradoyle to do sporting battle with an old rival. Six crammed buses disgorged their eager passengers to join the car loads. Minis of both clubs acquitted themselves admirably and made new sporting friends with honours even. Supporters swarmed around the spacious grounds. The Maxis were next up.
From a long established and renowned club, it would always be that Garryowen would strive relentlessly and valiantly to the end; and that was how it was. They had some strong players and had a spell of pressure early in the second half but were never able to assert dominance on a St. Mary’s team full of artistry and cohesion. This was a memorable display from the royal blue and white starred team. It was remarkable to see a team of 21 players, where each one was hero. Even though their Cuhulainnean Captain, Ronan (out injured) was not playing, his presence there and exhortations were felt. His dad Brian, there with mum Laura, was so excited, he tumbled down a hill when seeking the better view of a move. This was a vibrant, kalonic kaleidoscope of club rugby. The watching crowd was charmed and enthralled.
The referee, Robbie Jenkinson deserves credit for he blended into the tapestry of the game and allowed it to exhibit its full beauty. The visitors’ discipline was good with few advertent penalties. Handling was admirable. The game was marked by breath-taking 15 man rugby. The three front rowers, the two second rowers and the commando unit backrow, all excelled. The lineouts, run by the excellent Greg Jones, were impeccable and the scrums and mauls impressive. The backline, orchestrated by the brilliant Conor (Deano) Dean, was stingingly balletic, showing effective adventure and flair. He was complemented by the dynamic work of Richie Fahy. It is seldom that such a seismic team performance presents, so that any one of or eight or nine players would be well worthy recipients of awards. Glancing at the team-sheet you will notice a player’s name seemingly out of place. For normally Dan Goggin carries 13 on his jersey, and plays 12. Today he carried 8 and played 8. Admiration must be expressed for Head Coach Mark McHugh and his colleagues as they had an intuition and an observation that Dan could be a capable 8. Mark had the courage to act on this intuition and how well his faith in Dan paid off. As to the manor born, Dan rose to the occasion. From the start he was a natural. He carried like a Clydesdale, (he may have found his ears abraded a little in the scrum!) he rucked hard, he blended into the backline with venomous bursts, and covered intuitively in defence, taking sky-balls effortlessly. It was joy to behold. For his marvellous nonstop performance, his willingness to make the change, and his contribution to an historic win; to the acclamation of his teammates, Dan was awarded the Manverton MoM Award.
The Game
The Match started like an EV, smooth and fast, and after four minutes Marys had a penalty which Conor Hayes converted with aplomb. 0-3, the start of a profitable day for Hazer. At nine minutes and on the attack, Marys had a lineout near the 22, when ball came to Myles Carey, who was spectacularly good again today, he stepped, then broke two tackles and arced over, Hazer made it 0-10. It was 10 minutes when Garryowen got a penalty back, 3-10. And a minute later Greg controlled a loose ball midfield, it came to Dan Goggin he sent it out, left to right an Exocet Ethan flailed the defence then gave it to Richie Fahy. He switched right to left and went in under the posts. 3-17. When it was 19 minutes Marys mounted an attack from well inside their half with a penetrative run by Daniel Leane; another who impressed. Now inside the opposition’s 22, the ball came from a ruck to Dan Goggin, he sent a long cut out pass to phenomenal Fogey, and he beat the cover to scorch zig-zag over. Hazer had a super conversion and it was 3-24. Just on half time and Marys continuing to press and show dominance, Deano made a short break outside the opposition 22 and switched the ball to Fogey on a superb vector; he slalomed through the defence at Mk1 and under the posts. He has been stratospheric all season (I have not seen a better AIL winger). The half ended, 3-31.
The second half started as the first finished and within six minutes we had a lineout on the Garryowen five metre line and a maul followed. It mooched forward slowly, then stalled and went again. When almost at the line the incomparable Tommer broke and like a rapacious raptor he swooped and dived over the line, for his try. Mick O’Gara, back to his best, converted a most difficult conversion and it was 3-38. On 48 minutes, Garryowen got a try back following an intercept and line ruck. 10-38. They increased the score to 17-38 on 52 minutes, following a kick ahead. At 55 minutes following a lineout, the ball went left to right in mid field, Deano stalled, made a half break, then on to Leandro, who danced through three, and on to Michael Silvester. He mesmerised the opposition as he dazzled through at zip pace and over in the corner. It was then 17-43. The replacements were on and settling in nicely, the pace was like a gunslinger’s party. On 74 minutes, a missed Garryowen lineout near the Marys’ 22, was scooped up by Jamie Harding (a welcome return from long-term injury) he sent it on and when it came to Myles he hit the turbo and sliced thought the centre, he gave it to Fogey and he flicked past two markers and gave the ball back to Myles, he was half tackled, got up beat three more, and over and round the back behind the posts; a breathless brilliant try, one for Try of the season reckoning. 17-50. Then, 77 minutes we had a scrum on half way, Richie went to the blind, Deano fed Mick O’Gara who beat a man and fed Dan Goggin who transferred to Zach Hopkins. Hugging the touchline he rocketed along, beating all the cover and scored another sizzler. Mick O’Gara, again from out far converted, 17-57. Two minutes later, Paul Deeny made a strong break and gave to Richie Fahy, who showed super pace to beat all, and run in a fine try under the posts, 17-64. The Hosts got a mauled try before the end, and it finished 22-64. What a game!
Aftermath
Beautiful chaos all around the ground with supporters swarming around, faces alight. Players and their families were in little knots exchanging happy chatter. President Paudge and his officers were all there, steamed up with happiness and mingling with their Garryowen counterparts. As usual, erudite Aoife was there. Tony Flynn, singer and entrepreneur, who comes across from UK, had made it all the way to Limerick. Barry O’Sullivan, with his pals, Garrulous Paul Davy and Prof Dave Ryan, came down for the chat. John Stapleton was there to help, and Mick led his Last of the Summer Wine gang down. The DoR Alan was there with his two boys Max and Leo, along with JVP, Stephen and his lads. It was uplifting to see all the Marys’ mums and dads there. Spike, favourite of the players, and raconteur Liam Birkett, were glowing. G-Mack, with Simon and Terry, were making a night of it to stay over in Limerick. Frank Kennedy was in ecstasy. In the background, never pushy, Mark, Jamie and Eanna, pleased with their day’s endeavours were aware of tough tasks ahead. Managers Paul P and Paul C and Harry were also reflective and deeply satisfied. Quinner and his pal Bill Mills (home for a visit) were not drinking lemonade, but were happy anyway. Great supporter and former president, John Pyne and his famous flag, were both waving to all. A really special well done to Connor Kinnear, who organised and brought 150 mini players down; some task. Also well done to ever helpful Robbie O’Neill, who came down to help with organisation and logistics.
It looks to be unlikely that we will be playing Garryowen for Shay next year, but we will mind him well and there is little doubt but that they shall be back to fulfil that famous fixture. And we will joust again.
We have to face our special friends Ballynahinch at home on 22nd March and we need everyone there in full throat. After that we have another home game against Armagh, before a little trip to Clontarf. This is when you are most needed to help secure a propitious play-off spot.
Make the effort and get there and Roar on Ronan.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 C Hayes, 14 M Fogarty, 13 M Carey, 12 M O’Gara, 11 M Silvester, 10 C Dean (Capt), 9 R Fahy, 8 D Goggin, 7 E Baxter, 6 G Jones, 5 L Culliton, 4 D Leane, 3 M McCormack, 2 R Bergin, 1 T O’Reilly, 16 J Harding, 17 A Keating, 18 P Deeny, 19 C Pierce, 20 L Ramirez, 21 Z Hopkins.
D O’Brien