1st XV v Old Belvedere (H) by D. O’Brien – 26.01.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Old Belvedere RFC
23 22
Templeville Road
26th January 2008
The IRFU advice on First Aid requires the availability of defibrillators in all clubs, now I know why; games like this. To say it was close is a little simplistic, it was leg tremblingly close, but we got there and we can feel very happy with our position and future. Old Belvedere have a really good side and needless to say felt very down having lost but can feel confident and will cause many other teams trouble. When the ground dries out later in the season, you could see them doing well.
Pre Match: The lunch was a sell out with almost 200 seated and the club was alive with anticipation and excitement. The lunch itself was excellent and those of you who have never been should treat yourselves, it is an integral and most enjoyable part of AIB AIL. The two presidents, Frank Kennedy and Damien Torsney were in top form (it is rumoured that they the next guest speakers at the L and H) and with Rynner at his best, the repartee was sparkling. Big Ronnie Foley former first class prop and 2nd row, was present, home from London to celebrate his 60th birthday. He got a great welcome. Also celebrating together were our own Jim Murray (troubadour and entertainer) and Tony Mc Sharry from Belvo who had been presidents of their respective clubs 20 years ago. Other to get a deserved great welcomes were legendary past captains Sean Lynch 68-69) and Noel Mc Carthy (86-88). Arriving in time for the game, it was super to see Trevor.
It was good to see on the touchline the ball boys (tall boys), two St Mary’s junior players U 15s Gareth Hennessy (6’-1”), Steve’s son who has helped for several years now and Gerry Sexton (6’-3”) (Jonno and Mark’s brother) both enjoying the involvement. Jonno himself was also there to cheer on his erstwhile team mates well done Jonno.
The Game:
This was a high intensity game played with good skill and sportsmanship and fortunes swayed all game. The very strong wind blowing towards the road end did play a part and having had it for the first half and not having got as much as we might from it; it was a little worrying facing it in the second half however Murphy, their 10, made only marginally more use of it. It was a day of all doing their bit with only marginal differences in performances, a few maybe just behind and others a little ahead. In the backs Keith Douglas was daring in attack and deadly in defence as the game wore on. In the forwards slightly ahead with consistent accurate throwing, strong scrummaging and fine loose play Matt Crockett edged man of the match.
We barely had time to settle, or even spot the talent around, before St Marys had formed a great maul and the pack marched boldly across the line for a try after just two minutes, by Mattie Duggan, who worked manfully and well during the game, the wind took the conversion by Frank Lynch, wide of the posts. OB came straight back and attacked our line and after eight minutes and several phases they moved it wide found a hole as full back Jones came in and crashed over for a fine try. Murphy converted. On 12 minutes their number eight Rockett was as good as his name, as he got the ball at the end of the lineout in mid field sold an elaborate dummy, carved a slice through, then linked with number six, Leyden, who went over and Murphy again converted. The pace of the game lifted and both sides went head to head, working rucks and drives and fortunes swayed and swung in entertaining fashion. We got a penalty on 16 minutes, which Frank converted well to keep us in touch and raise the confidence, we then raised the pace a little more and after pressing on the line with a series of picks and drives with several players coming close, the ball was switched, it went right, a skip pass found the adhesive hands of Rob Gannon who dived low and skimmed in for a try out wide, which was not converted. It was 13 – 14. Both teams continued to play entertaining fast rugby, but try as they might it remained 13 – 14 at half time.
Facing a heavy wind and the Templeville hill in the second half looked to be a daunting task, as Belvo’s lineout was working well and their backs showing potential potency. However it was not until 17 minutes when a raking kick put them down in the strike zone and then a series of picks, pops and surges which were resisted with adamantine determination for the four minutes non stop, that we were under real pressure and on 21 minutes they were adjudged to have got the ball down with number six Leyden again. Murphy missed the conversion; it was 13 – 19. Around this time we brought on Richie Sweeney for Paul Nash at six where he had been strong and resolute on a great first senior start since injury. Richie showed his versatility by himself doing really well there, Colm Mc Mahon came on for Matt Duggan and also fitted in snugly and Ronan Doherty, returning from injury, replaced Darragh Fanning and gave Belvo some headaches with his pace and power.
You will all know by now that Steve, Smythy and Pottsy have instilled grit and belief in this team, so they got working, Logie who had a fine game driving them on. Then on 25 minutes Matt D’Arcy made a sharp cutting break from mid field he beat several defender and off loaded to Mark Sexton who straightened and went for the line, making 25 metres or more, only to be stopped feet from it, he got the ball back it went out and a scoring pass just wide of the posts was knocked down by a Belvo hand and the referee said penalty try with a yellow card to follow. Frank finished the job and it was 20 – 19. We were not finished yet and we continued to try for everything, were awarded a penalty in a tricky position against the strong wind. Frank stood up and split the posts. Now it was 23 – 19. Could we hold out? Belvo unleashed an onslaught and we stood our ground scrapping, flinging bodies in the line of fire and just defying all pressure.” Lo” a penalty was awarded on 40 minutes on our 22, close to the posts. Belvo would kick to corner take the ball, patiently maul and grind us into the ground; but no, they indicated the kick at goal and they got it. So now would they come back down, drop a goal and shatter us. Yes they came back down, they pushed they drove they went right they went straight they went close they went left and we tackled we stayed muddy, but we stayed calm and we tackled and tackled. The air throbbed with tension with fear, with sweat, the clock ticked so very slowly on and 44 minutes came and still the black and white hoard besieged us. It was painful, then all hearts stopped; the ball was run wide from left to right and we ran out of those exhausted defensive bodies, there was an overlap, one more pass needed to any of two, Dougie who was heroic all afternoon dived at the passer who let it out, it spun almost in slow motion it seemed. The winger dived at it, got a hand to it and it slewed off and into touch. It was over; all noise ceased for a moment then, erupted again with joy for les Blues. We had won.
The Afters: The dressing room was a very happy and relieved place, even Grimmer was high, Jimmy Smyth looked as though he had just taken over Northern Rock; and the anthem rang out.
Upstairs a wonderful noisy crowd packed into both bars and chat and banter held sway, then after the president presented the Investec Man of the Match award, he introduced Trevor who was rapturously received and who entertained all with some anecdotes and his trade mark “Dublin in the rare old times” the fires were lit and the night took off, ending late, with Spike treating the team and supporters to chips and happy music on his piano.
The Future: Next week we have another go at playing the AIB All Ireland Cup game against Clonakilty RFC at Templeville Road, it is on Sunday at 2.30 so make sure you do not miss it and it will be a good chance to see some players returning before the big one in AIL against Lansdowne the following week. And great to relate Phillip Brophy took part, unscathed, in the marvellous big win by our J 2s over Lansdowne today.
D O’Brien.
Team:- 15 M Skelton, 14 R Gannon, 13 K Douglas, 12 M Sexton, 11 D Fanning, (R Doherty) 10 F Lynch, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan, 7 H Hogan, 6 P Nash (Richie Sweeney), 5 C Mc Inerney, 4 G Logan (Capt), 3 Rob Sweeney, 2 M Crockett, 1 M Duggan (C Mc Mahon).