St. Mary's College RFC v Clontarf FC

Homecoming

On the sweetest of October days, the team and supporters returned to Templeville Road with that optimism the new campaign brings, and with added zip of the first home AIL game, as champions. The meetings of the two clubs are always warm, friendly occasions; and so it was today. Our President Stephen Shirley warmly welcomed Clontarf FC President, Brendan Smith, who has been a prominent champion of Club Rugby for many years. He and Stephen were already firm friends, so the pre-match lunch was a most convivial event, enjoyed by all. There was a goodly attendance in the campus for the highly anticipated match and soon the terraces were filling up, and the nervous shuffles were in evidence.

Clontarf are renowned battlers, and so it was clear there would be a monumental struggle for the spoils. Having beaten them the last three times, including in the AIL Final, the home side was entitled to feel a little confident; as it turned out it was the closest of finishes, and that was why Marys shaded it. Looking at the other results in 1A, both teams can be happy with the outcome. Indeed, as mentioned by Tarf, at half time they would have grabbed two points, as the home side was humming, running smoothly and effectively when in possession. There is little doubt, but that Marys have the finest backline in AIL, led by Skipper, Conor Dean, recognised as the best outhalf in the league.

In the second half, Tarf shrewdly played the power and possession game, using their mammoth pack to squeeze. In particular the set pieces, and their famed maul are their metier; closing a 19 points’ lead to only five at the end.

This St Marys team are not champions for nothing, and kudos must be awarded to the home pack, which battled heroically and devised ways of containing and repelling that threat. Special credit is due, when near the end, and Tarf were in full roar and only five behind, ominously they had a scrum in the blue 22. The Marys scrum dug in, deep, straight and low. The immense pressure came. The Tarf scrum, a solid wedge of puissance, locked in. The home pack set hard, eight hearts at their all, an excruciating minute of will and grit, it budged not a millimetre, Tommer and Jack must take a bow; it may well have saved the day. We have prevailed four times in a row now, Tarf have not beaten us since April 2025 out at Castle Avenue.

Although it may not have been perfect, this was a copacetic performance. Marys gave away too many penalties, especially, being inclined to go offside too often, with exuberance and enthusiastic endeavour.

As mentioned, the backline was rhapsodic and in the first half, when Marys had plentiful possession, they used it to excellent effect and scored three tries, from, Richie Bergin, Conor Pierce and Dan Goggin, and three penalties from the metronomic Mick O’Gara. We were 33-14 at half time. The second half we scored one penalty from the essential Mick, while Tarf scored three tries.

The lineouts were even, both sides having high success rates. Braemar Murray has settled into the Mary pack very well, combining smoothly with talented Daniel Leane, and he gave an impressive performance in the lineouts and also added much to the game with carries and strong defence. The way that the pack adapted to the high pressure of the Tarf power pack was commendable, although they struggled to contain the visitors’ maul which is a highly effective ensemble.

Manverton Man of the Match

Hooker, Richie Bergin has been playing very well and today again he was the epitome of industry. His throwing in was accurate and timely and his scrummaging and defence were excellent. As in the mode of the modern hooker, he is ever in support. He has real pace and is fearless. He took a fine vector and had to show his pace and endeavour to get over the line, which he did for the St Marys first score. For his all-round contribution, he was awarded the Manverton MoM Award.

Scoring

The game started with the home side on the attack and after three minutes an offside by Tarf allowed Mick O’Gara put three points on the board and he repeated the feat on six minutes. After a lineout and maul on ten minutes Tarf broke in under posts and scored. 6-7. On 13 minutes Tarf made it 6-14. Less than a minute later, the ever-alert Leandro made good ground, the ball came back and rampaging Ronan cut through just inside the Tarf 22. Richie got ball flying in on a superb vector and went through the defence to score close in at the Road End, it was 13-14. At 19 minutes, Mick made it 16-14 with a nice penalty and then on 34 minutes after muti phases and most of the home side involved, Aaron made another strong probe, and found Conor Pierce, on his shoulder, Aaron slipped him the ball and Conor fairly flew through the cover to score under the posts and it was 23-14. Conor has taken to openside eagerly and impressively. On 34 minutes Mick converted yet another penalty and it was 26-14. Playing extra time 42 minutes gone, with an impressive multi phased attack, and most of the side handling positively, it ended with the majestic, deadly Deano smuggling the ball to the ever-influential Dan Goggin rocketing on a terrific vector and going over at the Road end to end the half 33-14. It was looking very promising.

The second half saw us make changes as it went. It was good to see Max Egan and Paul Neary, stars from last season’s school’s team get time and no doubt learning from our top players. Paul Neary, who was an outstanding schools’ outhalf is fortunate to have Deano as a mentor. Tarf come into the game more, as they used the slope and wind well. On 48 minutes, the visitors used their powerful maul to cross at Carvill Corner for a try and it was 33-19. It was 53 minutes when Mick astutely, as a buffer, added another penalty, and it was 36-19. On 58 minutes Tarf got another mauled try and made it 36-26. At 73 minutes they mauled yet another try, and it was 36-31. There was shuffling and shivering on the blue terraces as Tarf seemed relentless. They pressed more and more they had some leverage on the scrums too and coming near the end they got a scrum on Marys 22 looking for a penalty to pump into the corner. That was when our spirited and resolute eight became a groyne against the Tarf tide, and we held firm to end, 36-31. Phew. You could hear the sigh on Fortfield Road.

The anthem was roared out in a cacophony of joy.

As ever in club rugby, there was sporting post-match sociability, with players and supporters on the terraces and in the clubhouse, mingling and chatting on a lovely evening. We shall meet again and it could be prophetic.

Next Up — Cork Constitution

Next week we visit the great bastion of club rugby in Cork, Cork Constitution. Head Coach Mark McHugh and his lieutenants will be working hard to add to the very satisfactory start to the defence of the title. He knows that Con will be a big challenge and a possible banana skin, so he will cover all posts. Last time we visited, the score was 19-57, which was the highest score we have ever registered against them. They have lost their first two games and are nursing their emotional wounds and plotting our downfall. They will be very tough opponents. Well, that is where you come in. If you have trouble with transport, cadge a lift or you can borrow a truck, granny’s wheelchair or even confiscate an E-scooter from an under 18. However, you must get there, and ready to Marys-Marys-Marys in baritone or alto or even falsetto; but let us hear you. You are needed. Do it for Deano!!

St. Mary’s Team

Replacements

D. O’Brien