J4 XV — Season 2017/18

J4 XV v Barnhall (H) 11.11.2017

Barnhall RFC J4 (16) St Marys J4 (16)

November 11, 2017

Parsonstown

St Marys travelled to Barnhall for an early kick-off looking to build some momentum for an up-coming busy pre-Christmas fixture list. We came away with a hard fought draw, 2 points, which might have been 4 or could also easily have been 0. Some say a draw match is like kissing your sister, god knows what comparison Cal would use!

Barnhall started strong and established a solid foothold in the Mary’s half, following some strong drives from their pack and big no.8, they spread it wide and scored in the corner, missing the conversion. Thankfully Mary’s young pack responded well and following a good quick tap from Cal Grey and a strong carry from Rob Trew, Andy Flats powered over from the 22 for a try under the posts. Barnhall responded quickly with a penalty and Mary’s risked getting on the wrong side of the ref.

Following another super break from Flats, Mary’s had a sustained period of pressure in the Barnhall 22, following some cynical fouls from an experienced Barnhall pack we failed to captialise. Barnhall relieved the pressure and their flying 10 broke from half way and side stepped his way skillfully to another 5 pointer in the corner. The half ended 13 – 10 to Barnhall after James Burke knocked over a superb penalty from distance.

The second half saw Mary’s with sustained pressure and some strong play but some unfortunate mistakes and a faltering lineout restricted our scoring opportunities. We were rewarded with two further top class long range penalties from Burkie to put us ahead. Our bench was starting to have a positive impact and close to full time our bullocking Cork fullback Sean O’Riordan made some excellent ground and put Niall O’Donovan down the wing who was just put into touch.

Despite a yellow card for a luckless Barnhall substitute, who spent about 15 second on the pitch, Barnhall got back down the field and earned a leveling penalty.

We can take a lot of positives from our trip to Kildare, with a huge performance from our young backrow (celebrating tonight at a teenage disco), a developing relationship from our half backs, good discipline and a great impact from the bench. We will need another big team performance next week as we go away to Coolmine.

Team: 1. Browner, 2. Kane, 3. McGill, 4. Fagan, 5. Balfour, 6. Kelly, 7. Trew, 8. O’Flaherty, 9. Gray, 10. Burke, 11. Basso, 12. Pyne, 13. O’Donovan, 14. Walsh (C), 15. O’Riordan

J4 XV v Old Belvedere (H) 09.12.2017

Frost gripped Templeville Road on Saturday the 9th of December, and with it came the steely grit & determination made famous in these parts.

The clash was to be one for the historians, Mary’s J4 v Belvo J3 (or J1, I can never tell.) These two teams have a long-standing grudge, having played each other 4 times last year, two of which were for silverware.

Both sides wore wounds going into the tie; Mary’s were without the talismanic Cal Gray at scrumhalf, the sole helmsman of the mighty ship, and Belvo were without their bicep-laiden open side who has previously moved Gar Lloyd from playing to coaching.

Upon arrival to the ground, the mood was tense, with both teams chomping at the bit to begin their warm ups on a frosty pitch. Richard Pyne took this opportunity to finish a pack of Benson & annihilate a breakfast roll. The whole squad were also buoyed by the arrival of Andrew Fitzpatrick, literally with a bag of cans.

The good guys kicked off, out-half Jimmy Bourke putting the ball deep into Belvedere territory to make them exit, a tactic rigorously practiced during the week. Neither team wanting to make an early mistake, Belvo found their touch. Mick Flats approved.

10 minutes in, a loose ball was gathered in by Belvo, followed by two tame pick & go’s. As expected, the away team weren’t in it for a forwards orientated game, and Flats Jr, combined with the Neolithic Richie Fagan, kept driving them back towards their own line. However, with the players in place, they keenly went to their strengths, whipping the ball through the backs, with clever screen runs sticking down the Mary’s centres. Pace on the wings & good support got them in in the corner, conversion like an arrow, 0-7.

As reminded from the sidelines, it’s only polite to let the away team score first, and Mary’s didn’t take long to respond. Physicality imposed by Flats, the ever-present David Balf, and a rejuvenated Padraig Fox in the second row, galloping like a gazelle in heat, gave the good guys excellent field position following the restart. A crash ball on Bfoot (or Beef as he shall be known for the purposes of this report) led to a ruck in the middle of the pitch, which was strongly cleared out by James Walsh & Richard ‘the silver’ Pyne, the latter of which noted a blatant gap in the fringe defense, picked the ball from his feet & ran. Still with plenty of work to do, both the Belvo 9 & fullback were there to cover. A jink to the left, a snap to the right (off his good, non-replacement hip) sent them spinning & our veteran centre was in under the sticks. Conversion good, 7-7, confirmed after Dillon Zaidel was told how to use a flag.

Water was brought on, as well as two Marlborough Gold for Richie.

Restart deep into the Belvo half once more, and constant pressure applied via the muscular presence of the Mary’s pack. The away side had nowhere to go other than snapping it back to their out-half, who momentarily stuttered, but then put the ball onto a wand of a left foot & sent a delicate cross field dink into the hands of their winger. Feet ablaze, he promptly raced down the whitewash then picked a pass to his fullback. Belvo in again, conversion followed, 7-14.

The eternally vocal Jimmy Walsh gathered the troops under the posts, told them what they were doing wrong, and they went again.

Another deep restart & several phases of play later, a fumble from Belvo resulted in a Mary’s line out on the half way. Through no fault of our own, honestly, the timing malfunctioned & the away side gathered in the ball. In unison, the oval was thrown to the backs as quickly as possible, noting an overlap. More screen passes, more dummy runners & their winger on the left sauntered in for another try. Conversion non-existent, 7-19 with the half winding down.

Adding a metaphorical insult to a literal injury, our enforcer Flats Jr was taken away with an apparent ankle injury. Later doctors confirmed he would have been fine if he weren’t a vegan. At first this seemed a massive loss, with the teenage blindside having already racked up 30 tackles, but his replacement, the evergreen Mark Byrne, was a man possessed & keen to make an impression.

The rest of the half was a sheer case of revenge for a Mary’s side who felt aggrieved to be 12 points down, having dominated territory for such long spells. Another break from a line out however saw the visiting tighthead being held up on the line by the exquisite import, Facundo Miguel Antonio Rodriguez Sales Tequila. Belvo scrum, 5 metres out. The black & white wearing 8 took it upon himself to pick from the base & attack the blindside, but Mr Byrne, eyeing his opportunity, flew into his waist and drove him back an exaggerated 10 metres. Belvo to their credit acknowledged this wasn’t the way to goal, so the ball was flung languishingly back to their out-half, who threw a narrow screen pass behind the approaching 13, to his 12, who then sat down our brave fullback Niall O’Donovan, and put his own wing in in the corner.

Conversion drifts wide, 7-24, half time.

A crucial regathering in a central huddle, with the semi-retired Ryan Barnes reminding the men in blue of their obligation to the Star & their predetermined gameplan of territory & execution of basics. Dave Perkins was quick to point out they should take advantage of Belvedere being down to 14 men for the first moments of the second half, with their winger having attempted to decapitate our furious leader Jim Walsh.

A new sparkle in the eyes of the good guys as they took their place on the green, roared on by literally 8 home fans.

Restart gathered by Richie Fagan (who went off some time around early November & bought a pair of hands with which to catch the ball, Masterson take note), a strong bounding carry by the behemoth Balf, and some clever clear outs by Beef, saw Belvo go in off their feet just inside their own half, too eager to slow home ball. Jimmy B stepped up to slot the penalty from what seemed like 50 metres, 10-24 early on.

Once again, the restart was secured, this time by the galloping Balf, who really was taking it upon himself to put Mary’s on the front foot, and some good exploitation of gaps by the aforementioned Jimmy Bourke, meant Mary’s once again ploughed into the Belvedere half. Some phases later, the resident jackal Beef got in over an unsupported runner & held on like a needy limpet. Roughly 14 Belvo gentlemen tried to remove him, but he simply wasn’t having any of it. The resulting penalty was pushed into the corner by Bourkina Faso, as his African family know him.

A smart call from the pack leader (they all look the same to me, forwards) sent Foxy into the skies to gather the ball & set the maul. A smart transfer, a tight knit set, a drive in unison, and guidance left & right by Cal Gray’s understudy, Dave Daly, saw them gather pace and push the visitors all the way over the try line, with someone (no idea who, again) touching down for the first try of the second half. Conversion limped to the right, but Mary’s were very much on the front foot, 15-24.

A bold but fruitless restart from the Belvo 10, seemingly thinking he was taking a 22, eventually led to a penalty against the travelling opposition for cynical hands in the ruck, Mary’s were now only 6 points down at 18-24, and seemed the only team capable of scoring.

Another massive carry from Balf from the base of scrum, promptly ending the contribution to the game of their blindside, gave Mary’s an excellent platform from which to attack the heart of the visitors. Reserved use of the backs, mainly asking Richard Pyne to carry into tiring centres, and tip-on passes from the likes of Chris Kane at the forward drives, put the home side camped on the Belvedere try line. Newly introduced Dave McGill, like a soaring inner city Cu Chulainn, gripped the ball to his chest, told the visiting pack that he “can’t be stopped, won’t be stopped” and with the help of a teammate latched to his burly back, crashed over just to the right of the posts, the 8 home supporters, Andy Fitz 4 cans deep included, erupted. Conversion effortlessly molested home from Jimmy B, 25-24, the good guys in front. Belvedere began to show the signs of a team in crisis, verbally assaulting each other under the posts, encouraged to do so by master tactician Cal Gray on the sideline, God bless him.

The second half was winding down, and despite being 15 years younger than some of their opposite numbers, Belvedere began to tire. Knowing they had to find their first score of the second half, they began to throw ill-advised passes, forcing the play.

Rumours are rife that first-centre Richard ‘the assassin’ Pyne smiled politely before waltzing out of line & onto a limp chucked pass from the visiting out half, pinning his silver hair back & sprinting into the corner for his second score of the game. When you’ve been playing the game since 1983 you learn to read passes like that. Conversion falls short, but who cares, 30-24 to the good guys.

With only diesel fumes of a game left, Mary’s cleverly gathered the drop off & used their dominant pack to wind down the match clock, newly appointed scrum half Carlo Basso steering the pack left & right. Last play called, the ball found its way off the pitch, and the men in blue erupted. Not has a comeback like this been seen since Liverpool in Istanbul, or Ryan Barnes in October. Chalk this one down boys, grit, determination, appreciation of the basics.

This anonymous reporter’s award for Man of the Match goes to Dave Balfour for imposing such a fiery desire for yards on the visiting team, but a close second has to be Richard ‘the Place Beyond the’ Pyner for leaving Belvedere scramble defense in his handsome wake on two occasions.

The J4s now take a break for Christmas, having earned their mulled wine with a fine win over their cross-N11 rivals.

J4 XV v Old Belvedere (A) 19.04.2018

J4 XV 17 – 15 Old Belvedere

Metro League Division 6 Final

Last Thursday the J4’s faced Old Belvedere in Anglesea Road in the final of Metro League Division 6. A repeat of last season’s final that was won by St Mary’s.

Despite some good displays by St Mary’s in defense Old Belvedere got in for the first try if the game midway through the half. The conversion was missed. Belvo won two penalties over the next 10 minutes which they elected to kick. Both kicks were missed. However they went over for their 2nd try near the end of the half. The conversion was missed. 10-0 was the score line that remained at half time.

St Mary’s started better in the half and went over for an early try from forward Mel Farrell. James Bourke was successful with the kick. Moments later Belvo went over for their 3rd try. Kick was yet again missed. This left the score 15-7.

The rest of the half proved to be very entertaining with great defensive displays by both teams. St Mary’s captain Padraig Nestor led from the front and began the fight back. A break from 50 yards say him make the line. The long range conversion was missed. Score was now 15-12. It was very much game on!

The last 10 minutes were dominated by the St Mary’s pack with a strong display. Long spells being spent in the Belvo 22. However despite this Belvo turned the ball over on a couple of occasions and made their way into the St Mary’s 22. Some big tackles kept the, out. With 5 minutes to go, continued St Mary’s pressure won penalty which they kicked to the corner. After a clean catch at the lineout a further penalty was won. Again this was kicked to the corner. Another clean lineout with attack after from the pack down the flank. With the clock going into injury time St Mary’s didn’t panic and force it. The play was just within 5 meters of the Belvo line. Then they got their big moment!! Young prop Callan Carey went over for the try with a huge roar from the St Mary’s bench and supports. Relief!! Conversion was missed but they now had the lead 17-15.

Still try for the restart. Thankfully from a St Mary’s point of view the ball didn’t got the 10 and had a scrum on halfway. A penalty was won from the scrum. To great relief the ball was kicked out and the referee blew his whistle. Result 17-15.

It was another great moment for this special J4/J5 squad to share together with the J5 having recently won Division 11.

As a squad they have come a long way over the last two seasons. Back to back league finals for both teams. The J4 winning two in a row. The J5’s going one better than they managed last season.

St. Mary's: 1 James Roche, 2 Christopher Kane, 3 Callan Carey, 4 Richard Fagan, 5 Padraig Fox, 6 Robert Trew, 7 Padraig Nestor, 8 David Balfour, 9 John Cosgrove, 10 James Bourke, 11 Carlo Basso, 12 Mark Gamble, 13 Naos Connaughton, 14 James Walsh, 15 Cal Gray.

Replacements: 16 David McGill, 17 Andrew O'Flaherty, 18 James Hynes, 19 Gary Masterson, 20 Eric Dunne.

From the Leinster team sheet form.

St. Mary's: 1 David Browne, 2 Christopher Kane, 3 David McGill, 4 Richard Fagan, 5 Padraig Fox, 6 Robert Trew, 7 Andrew O'Flaherty, 8 Padraig Nestor, 9 Cal Gray, 10 James Bourke, 11 John Whelan, 12 Mark Gamble, 13 Richard Pyne, 14 Andres Gandulfo, 15 Paul Whyte.

Replacements: 16 Gary Masterson, 17 Jonathan Kelly, 18 James Hynes, 19 Eric Dunne, 20 Andrew Fitzpatrick.

From the Leinster team sheet form.

St. Mary's: 1 David Browne, 2 Christopher Kane, 3 David McGill, 4 Richard Fagan, 5 Daniel Hegarty, 6 Andrew O'Flaherty, 7 Jonathan Kelly, 8 Padraig Nestor, 9 David Daly, 10 James Bourke, 11 Daniel Hurley, 12 Mark Gamble, 13 Richard Pyne, 14 Sean O'Riordan, 15 James Walsh.

Replacements: 16 Donagh Ryan, 17 Mark Byrne, 18 James Hynes, 19 James McHugh, 20 Cagular Tuc.

From the Leinster team sheet form.

St. Mary's: 1 David Browne, 2 Christopher Kane, 3 David McGill, 4 Richard Fagan, 5 David Balfour, 6 Robert Trew, 7 Jonathan Kelly, 8 Andrew O'Flaherty, 9 Cal Gray, 10 James Bourke, 11 Mark Gamble, 12 Richard Pyne, 13 James Walsh, 14 Carlo Basso, 15 Sean O'Riordan.

Replacements: 16 Andres Gandulfo, 17 Callan Carey, 18 Niall O'Donovan, 19 Daniel Hurley, 20 John Whelan.

Scorers. Try: 'Andy Flats' (as named in the report). Conversion: 1 (kicker not named). Penalties: James Bourke (3).

From the Leinster team sheet form; scorers from match report.

St. Mary's: 1 Callan Carey, 2 James Roche, 3 David Browne, 4 Mark Byrne, 5 Richard Fagan, 6 Andrew O'Flaherty, 7 Robert Trew, 8 David Balfour, 9 Andrew Fitzpatrick, 10 Cal Gray, 11 Carlo Basso, 12 James Walsh, 13 Richard Pyne, 14 Andres Gandulfo, 15 Niall O'Donovan.

Replacements: 16 James Hynes, 17 Padraig Fox, 18 Dillon Zaidel, 19 Paul Whyte.

From the Leinster team sheet form.

St. Mary's: 1 Gary Masterson, 2 David McGill, 3 Callan Carey, 4 Padraig Fox, 5 James Hynes, 6 Jonathan Kelly, 7 James Casey, 8 David Balfour, 9 David Daly, 10 Cagular Tuc, 11 Eric Dunne, 12 Facundo Salas, 13 Colin O'Neill, 14 Carlo Basso, 15 Niall O'Donovan.

Replacements: 16 David Browne, 17 James Bourke, 18 Andrew O'Flaherty, 19 James Walsh, 20 Richard Fagan.

From the Leinster team sheet form.

St. Mary's: 1 Padraig Nestor, 2 David McGill, 3 Callan Carey, 4 Mark Byrne, 5 Padraig Fox, 6 James Hynes, 7 Andrew O'Flaherty, 8 David Balfour, 9 David Daly, 10 Eric Dunne, 11 Richard Pyne, 12 John Whelan, 13 Carlo Basso, 14 Facundo Salas, 15 Niall O'Donovan.

Replacements: 16 David Browne, 17 Christopher Kane, 18 Richard Fagan, 19 James Walsh, 20 James Bourke.

Scorers. Tries: Richard Pyne (2), David McGill, 1 maul try (scorer not named). Conversions: James Bourke 1, 1 (kicker not named). Penalties: James Bourke 1, 1 (kicker not named).

From the Leinster team sheet form; scorers from match report.

Source: Notes From J4-J5 meeting 13.07.2017.

Present: Maurice Davin (Director of Junior Rugby), Stephen Boden (Manager), Karl Kelly (Manager), Colm Kavanagh (Coach), Colin Burkley (Coach), Ryan Barnes (Coach), Padraig Nestor (J4 Captain), Padraig Fox (J5 Captain), David Browne (Senior Player) and Robert Dunleavy (Player).

Apologies: Owen Clery (Coach).

- New J3 team

The proposed new J3 team was discussed. Reaction not positive for a number of reasons. Effect this will have on J4/J5 playing numbers. Will the J3’s be able to field every week? Worry that there is a danger of them conceding games which will have a detrimental effect on League for both J4’s and J5’s. Padraig Nestor has sent me a follow-on email in relation to this issue.

- League

J4’s will play in Metro League Division 5. Looking forward to the challenge. Games will be Friday night and the odd Sunday. No issue with having to field on a Sunday. J5’s will play in Metro League Division 11. Games will be Saturday.

- Player Numbers

It is felt that overall possibly 8 players will be lost (e.g. Retirements & players moving up a level). A plan is in place to contact all last season’s squad. As well as that former youth players who are not playing U20’s and former players are also being targeted. This is being split among the group to contact everyone. It is hoped that by the start of the season at least 8 new players will be recruited in order to offset against those lost from last season.

- Selection

There is no issue in players moving up to other teams from J4’s. They welcome this. They have a concern over movement of players down to J4 from other teams. They are also happy to support other teams in times of shortages in order that no Junior team has to concede matches and loses points.

- Coaches

4 coaches at the moment. Owen Clery, Colm Kavanagh, Colin Burkley and Ryan Barnes. A coaches meeting is required in order to agree training and match plans for the season. Owen Clery to take more of a lead on a Wednesday and with the J4’s for their matches. It was suggested about approaching 2 other people to see if they would be interested in joining the coaching team in order to spread the work load. They are Gareth Moritz and Aoife Thompson. This will be followed up on.

- Training

Staying at Monday and Wednesday training. They feel that keeping the J4’s and J5’s combined will help the success of both teams for the season. This was the case last season with both team making their respective league finals. Conditioning training has begun. There have been good numbers down. This will continue for the next 3 to 4 weeks. Target start back of full training for all Monday 14th August 2017.

- Bagman

One former J5 player will be contacted to see if he would be available to help out. It will be assessed closer to the season if more help need.

- Tours

A preseason tour is being arranged for Galway for the 2nd September 2017. Details are being finalised. There will also be an end of season tour. This is to be looked into.

- Sponsorship

An offer has been made to sponsor match balls. The requirement would be to put the logo on the rugby. Cost and approval needed. There has also been an offer to sponsor a set of jerseys.