1st XV v City of Armagh (H) by D. O’Brien – 29.03.2025
St Mary’s College R.F.C. V City of Armagh R.F.C.
40 12
Energia AIL Division 1 A
Templeville Road
Saturday 29th March 2025
Overall
Top of the top table, it is like waking from a sublime reverie, to find it is not a reverie but a reality. We beat a competitive Armagh team, while, without the incomparable captain and vice-captains, Ronan and Deano, also Exocet Ethan, all with hamstring strains, and having lost two key men, mighty Mick McCormack and rapid Richie Fahy during the game.
To go from 6th AIL Division 1B season, 2022-23, to top 1B, 2023-24, to top 1A 2024-25 is a singular and sensational achievement and is a superb testament to the players, their captain (the same man, Ronan Watters), coaches and management, led by Mark McHugh and Paul Pender, the Rugby Council led by the same man Alan Shirley. It must be recognised that the committees and particularly the presidents, who had the vision and the courage to plan for, support and facilitate the implementation of the means, must be applauded and admired, Gareth Roche (22-23), Bobby O’Connor (23-24) and Paudge McGill (24-25). It is not premature to note these facts for, no matter what, this is an immense achievement. It must be noted too that the success and progress is not restricted to senior rugby but pertains also to junior and underage rugby and indeed the club’s infrastructure.
We have attained a home semi-final, no matter how our game V Clontarf, or others, turn out next week. Meanwhile, St Mary’s College RFC is most deservedly number one in Energia AIL Division 1A. There are two probable opponents for the semi-finals. Both players and coaches are relaxed and happy to play either.
It was a dry, cool, breezy day, with that fresh breeze blowing down towards the Road End. There was an abundance of supporters on what was Ladies Day, with large numbers of Marys’ women in attendance, radiantly sporting haute couture. The extremely popular and important annual event was organised with loving care and detail, by Rebecca Edgeworth, Cathriona Pender and club administrator, Gillian Shakespeare. Congratulations to them on the sparkling success it was. Also, an enormous well done to all, for the enormous €4000 raised for the Irish Cancer Society. (no thanks for the hangovers!)
Meanwhile, President Paudge McGill entertained President Tim Taylor, with his officers and including popular, and old friend of St Marys, former President IRFU John Callaghan. There was a general air of sporting bonhomie.
The squad has matured, so that highest levels of performance are expected and produced regularly. There were understandably, a few over-kicks in the first half when playing with that wind but overall, it was cohesive, with once again getting the tactics and decisions right. Greg Jones wore the captain’s responsibility lightly, and ran lineouts, and mauls with aplomb, while performing to the highest level. It must be said that Aaron O’Neill covering for Deano at 10, had an impressive game, his distribution and control were good and his defence was strong. He will be very happy with his performance, as will his coaches, Mark and Eanna.
For all it has been fascinating and enlightening to see top 12, Dan Goggin, become a top 8. Once again, his contribution was outstanding. His decisions and executions were pitch perfect. His power and acceleration off scrums or rucks were defence shattering, his player linkage and ball retention on the tackle were major problems for Armagh. He made the first try brilliantly and scored one, on top of an all-round top-class game and he received the Manverton MoM Award. (See Photo of Dan receiving his award from Ian Bloomer, Fourth Official).
The Game
As mentioned the strong breeze caused some interference and wayward kicks, however the place kicking was outstanding under the circumstance, from both Conor Hayes and Mick O’Gara. It has been a feature of our campaign and has been highly profitable. Again, the lineouts were excellent in spite of the wind. The emphasis on accurate set pieces is part of the often unheralded reasons for the success. The old adage of getting the basics right, has been another feature of this team. Of course. When you then add the brilliance of the back play and the beautifully integrated performances of the pack, you then understand why we are here.
The first ten minutes, it was closely contested with Armagh holding on to the ball well and putting pressure on, but Marys were on counterattack. When Armagh had a lineout near their 22, on ten minutes, a contest by the excellent Lucas Culliton caused a misdirect and his alert partner Daniel Leane, who has also been shining, snapped up the ball and made ten metres through congestion and put it back; Richie sent it to Dan Goggin, who looped and straightened, then with power went through two, drew, and out to Myles who burned space, rounded defence, and went over at Carvill Corner and in. Conor converted. 7-0. It was 21 minutes, and a penalty was put into the Gate Corner, a lineout saw Greg take and set up a well-controlled maul, when moving towards the line Dan Goggin broke left and dived over to make it, 14-0, a superb kick by Conor from far out made, it 14-0. Armagh’s defence was excellent which kept their hosts at bay until 40 minutes, when a penalty was put into Carvill Corner. Greg took the ball in the ensuing lineout to set up another maul, as the maul approached the line Richie Fahy stepped in took the ball and slipped neatly over to score. It was then 19-0 and stayed that way to half time.
Armagh stepped up their efforts with the wind behind them, but Marys stood strong and when nine minutes had flown by, when a scrum under the posts at the Cabbage Patch End, gave Dan at 8, a chance to break from the strong scrum, he went right, drew the cover and gave to scrumhalf Richie. He looped around two defenders at top pace and scored his second try. Conor converted and it was 26-0 and the bonus try garnered.
On 58 minutes, Armagh had a lineout in the Gate Corner, and from it and a number of drives they scored and converted 26-7. It was 71 minutes when a Marys’ scrum at the halfway with several bench players now on, saw versatile Leandro Ramirez acting scrumhalf for Richie off injured, broke and fed flying Fogey, he just zoomed thorough the defence and Stephen Kilgallen on for Conor Hayes, was well up in support, Mark switched the ball inside and Stephen scored in the Well Corner. Mick O’Gara who had a top-class game in all respects, converted against wind. 33-6. Three minutes later a maul on the Armagh 22, gave Leandro a chance to move the ball to a very narrow side and super Silvo was waiting, Aaron O’Neill alertly spotted him and gave him the ball and he flew, leaving all in his wake he touched down in Cabbage Patch Corner; and quite miraculously Mick repeated his brilliant conversion, 40-7. Then when playing out of defence on 83 minutes Marys gave an intercept away and Armagh put the ball through hands out to the wing and they scored a good try in Carvill Corner. It finished 40-12.
There was great excitement as to the other match results, and the home semi-final attained. Other results did not clarify who the opponents shall be, so we await the last league matches next Saturday. One could feel the historicity of the result and the clubhouse was a sparkling array of celebrations and sociability with very many Marys’ folk of all ages and persuasions.
Being the last home game of the regular league programme, we must mention a special member of senior rugby management for many years, who retires as Fourth Official at the end of this season, Ian Bloomer. Bloomer, as he is affectionately known to all his friends at the club and all the many generations of players who have received his advice and help. He is legendary as to how he has done his job, and looked after the very many referees whom he met and who fell under his spell. He managed the Fourth Official role with detailed accuracy and calmness; and all referees liked and admired Ian. He was ever helpful, charming, knowledgeable and hospitable. He will be a big loss, however, he will remain as Referee Liaison Officer, so will not be completely lost to the management team.
Next Saturday, get your visas out we are going north-side to play Clontarf, in the last game of the league campaign proper. It is an extremely important game and big support is needed and expected. So make sure to 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 A O’Neill, 9 R Fahy, 8 D Goggin, 7 C Pierce, 6 G Jones (Capt.), 5 L Culliton, 4 D Leane, 3 M McCormack, 2 R Bergin, 1 T O’Reilly (V Capt.), 16 J Nelson-Murray, 17 C Scott, 18 P Deeny, 19 I Wickham, 20 L Ramirez, 21 S Kilgallen.
D O’Brien.