Response Delivered in Style at Old Belvedere

After a hugely disappointing outing against Blackrock last weekend, there was no hiding from it this week. That result stung, and rightly so. Players and coaches sat down for some honest, difficult conversations about standards, effort and what it means to wear the jersey. Nobody shied away from it, and everyone in the group left that room knowing exactly what was needed: a performance. Today, they delivered one.

It was no easy assignment either. A trip to Old Belvedere, a side carrying high expectations into this season, was always going to be a real test of character. Going away from home to a team with ambitions of their own, off the back of a poor week, is the kind of fixture that tells you a lot about a group. The lads answered every question asked of them, playing with the intensity, discipline and hunger that had been missing a week ago, and ran out convincing 43–10 winners.

From the outset there was a sharpness about the side that had been absent against Blackrock. The work rate at the breakdown was relentless, the carries were hard and direct, and the handling in the wider channels was crisp. The forwards laid a strong platform and the backs made the most of the ball they were given, with the whole team playing with a confidence and purpose that grew as the game went on.

Six tries told the story of an attacking display full of intent. Max Egan got things up and running with the opener, setting the tone for what was to follow. Diarmuid O’Shea, Max Colbert, Sean Thornton and Rory Noonan all followed him over the line as the pressure on the home side mounted, before Egan fittingly rounded off the afternoon with his second of the day. It was a fine return for Max, but every one of those scores was built on the work of the players around him.

Out-half Harry Cooke was in excellent form off the tee, missing just one conversion all day and adding a penalty for good measure. Reliable goal-kicking turns pressure into points, and Harry’s accuracy made sure the effort out on the pitch was rewarded on the scoreboard.

Just as pleasing was the work without the ball. Holding a quality Belvedere side to just 10 points speaks volumes about the defensive effort and the collective buy-in from the whole squad. Line speed was good, tackles were made and players scrambled for one another when needed. That kind of defensive commitment doesn’t come from talent alone. It comes from attitude, and it was exactly what the coaches had asked for during the week.

Man of the Match went to Cillian Walsh, sponsored by Reg Foley, after a superb all-round display. Cillian was at the heart of everything good about the performance and thoroughly deserved the recognition. Many thanks to Reg for his continued support of the team.

This is exactly the response the group needed, and credit goes to players and coaches alike for the way they reacted to a tough week. One good performance doesn’t make a season, though, and the challenge now is to build on it and make this the standard, not the exception. Well done to all involved, and thanks as always to the supporters who made the trip.

Next up: On Friday 30th October, we welcome our nearest neighbours Terenure. Local bragging rights are on the line and there’ll be no shortage of motivation, so come down, bring a crowd, and get behind the lads!