J2 XV · Season archive
J2 XV — Season 2022/23
Fifth in Division 3 after a run of narrow defeats; out of the cup by two points.
Niall Donovan took over the captaincy from Fionan Magee. The season opened with a 16–13 win over Navan, but the next five league games were lost, four of them by nine points or fewer. Wins over Clontarf and Naas in January steadied things and the J2s finished fifth of seven. The season ended with a 24–26 defeat at Wanderers in the first round of the O'Connell Cup.
No team photo from 2022/23 has been added yet. If you have one, please send it to archives@smcrfc.com.
St. Mary's score shown first. H = home, A = away, N = neutral venue.
| Date | Competition | Opponent | H/A | Score | Res | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/09/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Navan | H | 16–13 | W | Templeville Road |
| 01/10/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Naas | A | 17–20 | L | Forenaughts |
| 15/10/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Terenure | H | 15–24 | L | Templeville Road |
| 22/10/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Skerries | H | 12–21 | L | Templeville Road |
| 04/11/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Malahide | A | 11–19 | L | Estuary Road |
| 03/12/2022 | Metro Division 3 | Navan | A | 12–28 | L | Balreask Old |
| 14/01/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Clontarf | A | 25–17 | W | Castle Avenue |
| 20/01/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Naas | H | 22–7 | W | Templeville Road |
| 28/01/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Terenure | A | 16–34 | L | Lakelands |
| 03/02/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Skerries | A | 3–17 | L | Holmpatrick |
| 24/02/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Malahide | H | w/o | W | Templeville Road. Conceded by Malahide |
| 11/03/2023 | Metro Division 3 | Clontarf | H | — | Templeville Road. Game off | |
| 24/03/2023 | O'Connell Cup, first round | Wanderers | A | 24–26 | L | Lansdowne Road |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | BP | Ded | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terenure | 12 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 309 | 112 | +197 | 8 | 52 | |
| 2 | Navan | 12 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 296 | 188 | +108 | 9 | 41 | |
| 3 | Naas | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 242 | 303 | −61 | 5 | 29 | |
| 4 | Skerries | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 303 | 234 | +69 | 7 | −4 | 27 |
| 5 | St. Mary's | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 149 | 200 | −51 | 2 | 18 | |
| 6 | Clontarf | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 175 | 318 | −143 | 4 | 16 | |
| 7 | Malahide | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 204 | 323 | −119 | 7 | −4 | 15 |
Results and table are as recorded in the Leinster Rugby results archive. BP = bonus points; Ded = points deducted. Captain and Club President are from the club's season records.
43 players were named in the 11 match-day squads recorded for the season. Starts and replacement appearances are from the club's team-selection records; a named replacement is counted whether or not he came on.
Squad Appearances and scorers
| Player | Starts | Bench | Tries | Cons | Pens | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niall Donovan | 11 | 6 | 1 | 32 | ||
| Fionan Magee | 10 | 3 | 15 | |||
| Robert Trew | 10 | |||||
| Ruadhan Magee | 10 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Cian Dalton | 9 | |||||
| James Bourke | 9 | 8 | 10 | 46 | ||
| Morgan Mooney | 9 | |||||
| Shane Fanning | 8 | 1 | ||||
| David McGill | 7 | 2 | ||||
| Matthew Fagan | 7 | 2 | 2 | 10 | ||
| David Sloan | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Cal Gray | 5 | 4 | ||||
| Robert Beverland | 8 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Mark Donnellan | 7 | 2 | 10 | |||
| Michael Connell | 5 | 2 | ||||
| Christopher Kane | 2 | 5 | 2 | 10 | ||
| Oisin Quinn | 7 | |||||
| Andrew McCarthy | 6 | 1 | 5 | |||
| Finn Connolly | 6 | 1 | 1 | 5 | ||
| Jack Grant | 3 | 3 | ||||
| Kevin Jude Shihabira | 2 | 4 | 3 | 15 | ||
| Adam Martin | 3 | 2 | ||||
| Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||
| David Rohan | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Dillon Zaidel | 2 | 1 | ||||
| Ciaran Lennon | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Grellan Lambert | 1 | 2 | ||||
| Lee Byrne | 3 | |||||
| Naoise CotterGreen | 2 | |||||
| Adam Sloan | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Gareth Logan | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Andre Christie | 2 | |||||
| Jonathan Lynch | 2 | |||||
| Aaron Doherty | 1 | |||||
| Alan McPhillips | 1 | |||||
| Christian MacLinden | 1 | |||||
| Conor McElearney | 1 | |||||
| Giorgio Piazza | 1 | |||||
| Jack McKenna | 1 | |||||
| Liam Kennelly | 1 | |||||
| Lorcan Byrne | 1 | |||||
| Donal McAuliffe | 1 | |||||
| Leon Potts | 1 |
1 report from the season. Click to open.
2022/23 J2 season review End of season
After a mixed but encouraging 2021/22 season, the new season ahead was shaping up to be a fruitful season. New skipper Niall Donovan took over the captain's armband from club stalwart Fionan Magee and with that set out his stall to lead this settled but experienced squad into the new season with hope and ambition. After a good pre-season, the team started the season with a bang with a win over the league favourites Navan (2nds) on the main pitch in Templeville with the brilliant Bev leading the charge with a MOM performance underpinned with some bone crunching tackles and barging carries. The win exceeded expectations after 2 defeats the previous season to the league runners up. Next up was Naas away in what turned out to be a frustrating day in which we failed to get out of 2nd gear. Naas dominated early on in the game until we finally started to click and brought ourselves level with 10 mins to go. A penalty to Naas in the last minute just inside the halfway line was sensationally slotted over the bar by their 2nd row! Heartache for the lads to lose this game 20-17 in this manner but in truth, the game was lost earlier than that moment.
Unfortunately, the next 3 league games against local rivals Terenure, Skerries and Malahide didn't quite go to plan as we lost all 3 by a margin of either 8-9 points. We could easily have won all 3 games such was the tightness of all 3 fixtures and indeed, the least the team deserved was a few losing bonus points. Despite the defeats, some strong performances from young guns Michael Connell, Jack Grant, Cormac Dempsey gave us a silver lining and positive outlook for the later part of the season. Our last fixture before Christmas ended up in a 12-point defeat to Navan away from as they avenged the earlier season defeat in from of their home fans.
We knew we deserved more from the first half of the season and with 3 consecutive fixtures against fellow 3rds sides, we knew we could kick off 2023 well and that we did! A comfortable bonus point win over Tarf in which evergreen Donners lead the charge with 2 tries and with notable mentions to the backline crew of Niall, twinkle toes Cal, hand off man Kevin and Ruadhan whom also excelled in this excellent win. There was also a front row masterclass performance from Fionan, McGill, Matty and then Chris who dominated at scrum time. This was followed by another compose performance to beat Naas and avenge the heartache defeat at the start of the season. Call out to Mr. Club man McGill who led front the front with carry after carry and Rob Trew who seemed to be in 3 places at once on numerous occasions across the game. Next up was league leaders and rivals, Terenure. It proved to be a bruising game and the impact of 3 games in 3 weeks took its toll as shipped many injuries in the game. Hats off to Terenure who played a very physical game and lived up to their league leading standing with a bonus point game. Call out to young Adam Sloan who despite his young age, showed glimpses of a young Donners and no doubt has a big future within the club.
Next up Skerries and the injury count stood at 8 from the Terenure game which show cased the brutal element Rugby can be at times. Despite being able to call on another evergreen man in Al McPhillips and support from the J3's (thanks Flats & Co for the support throughout the season) and indeed young 20's men Leon Potts and Eoghan Pender (very familiar surnames), we ended up losing the game despite dominating for long periods. Malahide conceded the next game and the last game against Tarf fell foul of the weather and wasn't refixed as it wouldn't have any impact on the business ends of the league.
End finish in the league was 5th, it could so easily have been a playoff position had some of the early close encounters been victories but none the less the positive 2nd half win encouraging wins show cased what this team was capable of when injury free and focused.
We closed out the season with 1st round cup defeat to Wanderers 2nds. In ways the defeat epitomised the season as despite dominating large parts of the game with some excellent back play lead by Bourky including exceptional line breaks from Ruadhan, a few moments of lapse concentration kept wanderers in the game. Ultimately a late agonising try and conversion sent wanderers through and ended the season.
Our unanimous player of the season was Dave McGill whom a times was our recruitment manager in the dark winter months when the injuries piled up on top of consistently being a top performer on and off the pitch. He will only get better as he matures as a player! Notable mention to Ruadhan Magee too who also excelled on the pitch with dazzling feet which left many a defender dizzy and in their wake.
Another quite mixed season for the team but despite it falling short on what we deserved and worked hard for throughout the season. Stalwarts like Fanj, Morgan, Matty and Chris Kane will come again as these lads deserve a medal for their efforts over the years, keep at it lads as a few kinder bounces of the ball and you'll be drinking some fat frogs out of a few pots. Finally, a special mention to skipper Niall, who didn’t quite get the season he deserved but he can stand proud that he forged a tighter nit team and consistently lead from the front on the pitch and off the pitch (in Ryans on a Saturday night!).
Season review by “GMac”, from the club archive.
The match-day squad for 11 matches, from the club's team-selection records. Click a match to open it.
25 Sep 2022 St. Mary's 16 Navan 13 Won Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Cal Gray, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Dillon Zaidel, 11 David Sloan, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Morgan Mooney, 6 Robert Trew, 5 Robert Beverland, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Conor McElearney, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David McGill. Replacements: Andre Christie, Ciaran Lennon, Michael Connell, Oisin Quinn, Adam Martin.
Scorers. Tries: Niall Donovan (2). Penalties: James Bourke (2).
Templeville Road.
1 Oct 2022 Naas 20 St. Mary's 17 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Adam Martin, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Dillon Zaidel, 11 David Sloan, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Morgan Mooney, 6 Michael Connell, 5 Robert Beverland, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David McGill. Replacements: Christopher Kane, Ciaran Lennon, Lee Byrne, Oisin Quinn, Jonathan Lynch.
Scorers. Tries: Christopher Kane, Fionan Magee. Conversions: James Bourke (2). Penalties: James Bourke (2). The scorers recorded add up to 20 points, not 17.
Forenaughts.
15 Oct 2022 St. Mary's 15 Terenure 24 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Naoise CotterGreen, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi, 11 David Sloan, 10 Finn Connolly, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Morgan Mooney, 6 Robert Trew, 5 Robert Beverland, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David McGill. Replacements: Christopher Kane, Grellan Lambert, Cal Gray, Adam Martin, Lee Byrne.
Scorers. Tries: Matthew Fagan, Robert Beverland. Conversions: Finn Connolly. Penalties: Finn Connolly.
Templeville Road.
22 Oct 2022 St. Mary's 12 Skerries 21 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Adam Martin, 13 Finn Connolly, 12 Naoise CotterGreen, 11 David Sloan, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Robert Beverland, 7 Liam Kennelly, 6 Robert Trew, 5 Gareth Logan, 4 Grellan Lambert, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 David McGill, 1 Lorcan Byrne. Replacements: Matthew Fagan, Jack Grant, Kevin Jude Shihabira, Oisin Quinn, Cal Gray.
Scorers. Tries: Matthew Fagan, Penalty Try. Conversions: Penalty Try.
Templeville Road.
4 Nov 2022 Malahide 19 St. Mary's 11 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Kevin Jude Shihabira, 13 Adam Martin, 12 Ruadhan Magee, 11 David Sloan, 10 Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Michael Connell, 6 Jack Grant, 5 Robert Beverland, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Robert Trew, 1 David McGill. Replacements: Andre Christie, Grellan Lambert, Oisin Quinn, Dillon Zaidel.
Scorers. Tries: Kevin Jude Shihabira. Penalties: Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi (2).
Estuary Road.
3 Dec 2022 Navan 28 St. Mary's 12 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Finn Connolly, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Michael Connell, 6 Robert Trew, 5 Morgan Mooney, 4 Ciaran Lennon, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David Rohan. Replacements: David McGill, Shane Fanning, David Sloan, Donal McAuliffe, Cal Gray.
Scorers. Tries: Niall Donovan (2). Conversions: James Bourke.
Balreask Old.
14 Jan 2023 Clontarf 17 St. Mary's 25 Won Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Cal Gray, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 Cormac Dempsey-Lerchundi, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Morgan Mooney, 6 Robert Trew, 5 Robert Beverland, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David McGill. Replacements: David Rohan, Kevin Jude Shihabira, Jack Grant, Oisin Quinn, Christopher Kane.
Scorers. Tries: Kevin Jude Shihabira, Mark Donnellan (2), Ruadhan Magee. Conversions: James Bourke. Penalties: James Bourke.
Castle Ave.
20 Jan 2023 St. Mary's 22 Naas 7 Won Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Cal Gray, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 Finn Connolly, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Mark Donnellan, 7 Robert Trew, 6 Jack Grant, 5 Shane Fanning, 4 Morgan Mooney, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David McGill. Replacements: David Rohan, Christopher Kane, Gareth Logan, David Sloan, Kevin Jude Shihabira.
Scorers. Tries: Fionan Magee, Kevin Jude Shihabira, Niall Donovan. Conversions: James Bourke, Niall Donovan. Penalties: James Bourke.
Templeville Road.
28 Jan 2023 Terenure 34 St. Mary's 16 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Kevin Jude Shihabira, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 David Sloan, 10 James Bourke, 9 Cian Dalton, 8 Adam Sloan, 7 Robert Trew, 6 Jack Grant, 5 Morgan Mooney, 4 Robert Beverland, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Matthew Fagan, 1 David Rohan. Replacements: David McGill, Christopher Kane, Michael Connell, Cal Gray, Oisin Quinn.
Scorers. Tries: Christopher Kane. Conversions: James Bourke. Penalties: James Bourke (3).
Lakelands Park.
3 Feb 2023 Skerries 17 St. Mary's 3 Lost Metro Division 3
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Finn Connolly, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 Cal Gray, 10 James Bourke, 9 Alan McPhillips, 8 Christian MacLinden, 7 Robert Trew, 6 Michael Connell, 5 Morgan Mooney, 4 Shane Fanning, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Christopher Kane, 1 Aaron Doherty. Replacements: Jonathan Lynch, Leon Potts, Oisin Quinn, Lee Byrne.
Scorers. Penalties: James Bourke.
Holmpatrick.
24 Mar 2023 Wanderers 26 St. Mary's 24 Lost O'Connell Cup
St. Mary's: 15 Niall Donovan, 14 Cal Gray, 13 Ruadhan Magee, 12 Andrew McCarthy, 11 Finn Connolly, 10 James Bourke, 9 Giorgio Piazza, 8 Morgan Mooney, 7 Robert Trew, 6 Michael Connell, 5 Shane Fanning, 4 Robert Beverland, 3 Fionan Magee, 2 Christopher Kane, 1 Jack McKenna. Replacements: Matthew Fagan, Jack Grant, Adam Sloan, David Sloan, Kevin Jude Shihabira.
Scorers. Tries: Andrew McCarthy, David Sloan, Fionan Magee, Niall Donovan. Conversions: James Bourke (2).
Lansdowne Road.