Cork Constitution FC v St. Mary's College RFC

A Day at Temple Hill

There was a reassuringly sizable attendance of good humoured Marys’ supporters milling around the Cork Con clubhouse before and after the match. Many players’ parents were there, led by the Deans, Watters, McCormacks, O’Reillys, Leanes, Shields, Gilsenans, Careys, Scotts etc. Former officers including Aoife O’Donnell, Gavin McConnell, former President Paudge McGill and Elizabeth, and Gareth Logan (having driven down from Portrush) attended. Also, many former players were there, like Mickey (the Fish) Corcoran, Kevin Conboy, Greg (Hoover) Meagher, Victor O’Connor, Keith McCarthy, TBM and his group and many more. All mingled happily with the hospitable Con folk, including well known greats like Donal Lenihan and John O’Mahony (father of Peter).

The weather matched the mood: bright, sunny and warm.

Lunch

An affable gentleman, President Brian Fitzgerald, former Senior Naval Officer, along with his committee, greeted President Stephen Shirley, accompanied by his officers. President Stephen cut it beautifully fine, arriving at 12.55pm for 1.00pm, as his driver had taken the scenic route. With a substantial lunch, it was jovial in atmosphere, as Brian explained his idiosyncrasy of adhering to Naval-style dinner protocols, including the quaintly amusing requirement of ensuring that the ship’s decanter of vintage port remained in contact with the table when passing from imbiber to imbiber, even while pouring. Both presidents are highly competent communicators and they gave interesting inter-club laudatory orations and received reciprocal ovations.

Overall

To be leading coming to the final whistle, give away a penalty, and see it sail over the bar and between the posts and so lose at Temple Hill, was tough to take. However, it has to be admitted that the result was not unfair. In the past there were times we would have been happy to receive a losing bonus point on away visits. This was only the third game and there are 15 games to go, so the league is only at a nascent stage. A loss now and then can sometimes be cathartic. It needs the slightest of nudges to get back to astral heights. Mensa Mark and his colleagues will no doubt sort it.

This was an exciting, and a bit of a see-saw game, with patches of fine Marys play and then intense Cork Con play. The potential of the visitors’ backline was evident, but continuity was sometimes lacking. The Marys one on one defence was adamantine; however, maul defence, normally a strong aspect of their game, had some difficulty and that was sometimes costly. It has to be said that, lately, some mauls are set after lineouts in a way that makes it very difficult to defend legally. Aerial expertise, in follow up and in defence, usually dependable for the visitors, was also a little haphazard. Probably the most telling problem for Conor’s men was the number of penalties conceded, often in the most unpropitious circumstances. Having said that, there was nothing that cannot be fixed and there were many good aspects which augur well. We welcomed Michael Icely for his first appearance and early on he showed good skills and grit. However, he got a heavy knock and therefore was withdrawn. We will see much more of Michael. Myles, Aaron and Ruairi looked threatening, but as mentioned the continuity was sometimes lacking and so moves broke down. The slightest adjustment could see a return to the superlative.

Both lineouts were highly efficient, with Braemar and Leaner excellent. Con edged the scrums. Wonderkid Ronan was shining today, with the ball and in defence. Skipper Conor Dean, supported by his half back partner Rob Gilsenan, did everything in his power to pull his team ahead and hold them there; however, it was not to be.

Manverton Man of the Match

Dan Goggin always relishes his return visits to Munster. He was a gladiator today, sweeping up balls behind the defence, running out with rocket force, breaking from scrums with great effect, covering breaks and indefatigably and assuredly tackling. Dan was awarded the Manverton MoM, presented by VP Gerry Hassett.

Scoring

The game started at pace with both teams running ball well. Marys looked sharp as they pressed. When the game was nine minutes old the ball came from left to right in the Con 22, and we saw Con knock on a clever Deano dink, with Andrew and Myles fast up to pressure. The ensuing scrum under the posts saw Rob whirl out the ball to Deano; he held, then switched to Ruairi on a looped vector at streak pace, and he dabbed down. It was converted by 12, Mick O’Gara, who put in his usual high determination game and faultless kicking display. 0–7.

Marys were settling well and keeping pressure on. When attacking, just inside the Con half, a loose pass went to ground, and suitably named Con winger Hand was there (on hand) to pick and accelerate through, with efforts to catch him over 50m futile. 7–7.

Con built their confidence from that, and both teams raised the pace further, with Marys still looking to have the edge. However, when a half hour had passed the home side won a penalty and mauled a try in the corner. They converted and it was 14–7.

At 35 minutes, Marys won a lineout near halfway and set up an impressive maul which travelled 20 metres before it broke up, and Dan Goggin ploughed through a half dozen defenders and then laid it back. It came back to Aaron, and he rocketed through the defence and zoomed towards the line; he timed his pass perfectly to Myles on a brilliant vector, and he zipped in for a try and MOG converted. 14–14. Con scored a penalty on 39 minutes and it was 17–14.

Just on half time Con kicked out of defence. Dan Goggin caught and ran back hard making good ground; Ronan took it on, scythed through several defenders and laid back the ball when tackled, and it went across the line, with Aaron, Myles and Leandro to the fore, Leandro going over for a brilliant try which showed the wonderful quality of this team. Exhilarating! Half time, after MOG’s conversion: 17–21.

The second half unfolded as the first half finished, exciting and close, and it was not until 70 minutes had gone that Con again used their strong maul to go ahead with a try, for which the attempted conversion hit the post. 22–21. Coming near to the end, and still anyone’s game, it appeared we had grabbed it with a fine penalty from MOG. 22–24. But in injury time Con launched a well-controlled attack; unfortunately, after fine defence for multiple phases, a high tackle was spotted by the referee and Con converted the penalty to win 25–24.

Next Up — Terenure College

There is no need for negativity; every team that ever prospered has had some losses. This is only the third game and the first loss. This is a multi-talented squad, with a wide array of talent and players. The coaches are rightly adventurous and willing to vary tactics and personnel. This is necessary to ensure we go through a long crusade, allowing for injuries and other situations, and so keeping the squad fresh and eager. There is good reason to look at our next AIL encounter v Terenure with optimism. There are two weeks in which to prepare.

There will be little need to encourage attendance at Templeville Road on 24th October. However, you had better remember to build your mental drive and let it consume the ground with Marys–Marys–Marys!

St. Mary’s Team

Replacements

D. O’Brien