1st XV v Clontarf by D. O’Brien – LSC Final 12.04.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Clontarf FC
6 9
The Leddin LSC Final
Donnybrook
12th April 2008.
Before:-
To see Joe Fanagan, in the company of Bill Fagan and Vinno Mc Govern, smiling and eagerly awaiting the game beforehand at Donnybrook, brought back memories of much that was good in club rugby many years ago, the Leinster Senior Cup, and you could almost hear the crunch of the heavy working machines down the road at Lansdowne, and echoes in the mind, of thousands of boisterous voices cheering “Marys or Belvo or Rock or Parmo” with the air redolent of wintergreen and the Kavanagh brothers’ bruising tackles or Paddy Mc Cann looking for the nudge or Sean Cooke’s grunt as he handed off the tacklers to score, or Joe himself throwing outrageous dummies to all and sundry along the Lansdowne touchline. The LSC had a cachet that was countrywide and even though it and rugby has much changed in the fifty years since Joe lifted our first cup, the Leddin LSC (generously sponsored by Joe Leddin) still has much to offer and is coveted by St Marys; sadly today our desires were not to be fulfilled, when we were beaten 6–9 in a tough close game.
First Half:-
A really fast start saw us attack hard and after just three minutes Darragh Fanning was stopped on the Clontarf 22 after a fine multi-move and the Tarf defence were penalised. Frank Lynch made no mistake and we were 3 – 0 up. For the next 20 minutes or so we had a lot of possession and territory but could not score. Their defence was strong and well organised all the game and although we were getting into good positions we could not get over the line. Our scrum looked to be under some pressure early on, but stabilised well and our lineouts, where Conor Mc Inerney was athletic and highly effective, and our possession play were good. The pick and drive system was working well as we attacked in twos and threes. The game stagnated a little as the half wore on and cold sleety rain persistently peppered the pitch. Gareth Logan was striving manfully and urging on his men and all in the pack were responding and working hard and well, with steam rising in the cold air. In injury time a penalty conceded for being within 10 metres of the lineout gave them a chance to draw level and they did, through Darragh O’Shea. It was 3 – 3 at half time.
Second Half: – Sadly captain Gareth Logan and number eight Kevin Sheahan, both of whom had been playing particularly well, had to withdraw at half time due to injury and these and other changes saw Steve Bradshaw, Juan Gomez and Matt Crockett come on, Richie Sweeney, who was outstanding all game, went to the back row (M Crockett to hooker) and later in the second half Robin Copeland and Palle Nonu replaced Paul Nash and Ronan Doherty.
The game continued to be close and hard fought, mainly through the forwards, as both sets of backs cancelled each other out with very strong defences, however, Phillip Brophy who marshalled the defence well, did make several threatening incisions, likewise we looked the better at half back where this time the admirable Matt D’Arcy shaded Paul O’Donoghue at nine and Frank Lynch was strong and astute at ten. However the overall differences were not enough to give us the vital break through, and as the half wore on, it was apparent that the game would be won on penalties. Clontarf drew ahead on 13 minutes with an O’Shea penalty from the scrum and this brought a strong rally from Marys and attack after attack kept us in their half and threatening their line, then Frank Lynch manoeuvred into position and dropped a neat goal (it always seems to me that a drop takes more precision and skill than a penalty and should have a point bonus on it) so we had drawn level with quarter of the game to go and all to play for. The last quarter continued to be a hard fought struggle with fortunes swinging each way, back and forth, but with nothing more added to the scoreboard until injury time, when a Marys’ clearance was fast followed but a blockage of pursuing Keith Douglas was missed by the referee so O’Donohue gathered and set off to make good ground into our half, kicked up to the 22, a ruck which followed the take was hard fought, but we were penalised for coming in on the side and their 13, O’Shea, who had kicked well all game, steadied himself and stroked it over from far out and although we tried with every sinew to get back in the remaining couple of minutes we could not get the equaliser for extra time, it ended 6 – 9.
The game could have gone either way, although St Marys did have more possession and position, but could not make it count. It is sad that on that fiftieth anniversary we could not bring back the cup, with great celebrations planned at Templeville Road and indeed the players and the coaching and management team deserved it. All were truly distraught. It will be difficult for them to drag themselves up for the final game of the AIL against Blackrock (away) next Saturday, but do it they must. It is important that we finish as high as possible. It is a credit to the team, to wonderful captain Logie, to coaches Steve, Peter and Ciaran and the management of Brian, Peter and Terry to get a highest finish since returning from our brief excursion to the 2nd division and demonstrates the progress being made. It is also important that as many of us as can get there and support them, remember in a few weeks time we will be missing the excitement and company and longing for next season; so do it.
D O’Brien.
Team:- 15, P Brophy, 14, D Fanning, 13 K Douglas, 12 M Sexton, 11 R Doherty (P Nonu), 10 F Lynch, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan (M Crockett), 7 H Hogan, 6 P Nash (R Copeland), 5 C Mc Inerney, 4 G Logan (Capt) (S Bradshaw), 3 Rob Sweeney, 2 Richie Sweeney, 1 M Duggan (J Gomez).