1st XV v UCD (H) by D. O’Brien – 03.03.2007

St Mary’s College RFC V UCD RFC
27                                               20

Before this game the atmosphere was tingling, you could feel the importance in the air. The lunch was sparkling, like President John Pyne’s, wit in giving his “work experience report”. We had several well known characters added to the menu, including former Irish captain and Marys/UCD man Jimmy Kelly and our own raconteur Ulick O’Connor, who gave a short dissertation on” the Importance of being Marys”. Many Marys’ own legends were there, like the terrible twins Potsy and Jemmo, Popey, Noel Mc Carthy, JB, Matt Gilsenan, Bill Fagan, Mc Cloud, Dr Jim, the entire Kennedy and Doddy clans and many more. There was also an air of excitement about, with the addition of Killer’s (John Kilbride) Ladies Day (or is it Lady Killers’ day) to look forward to, after the game.

It has to be pointed out, that overall this was superior performance to that in the Belfast game. Gone was the hesitancy and dullness and back came the pace, off-loading, fast rucking and pick and go game, also evident was a width and aggression in both attack and defence. Another bonus for us was that we welcomed back Barry Lynn, Club Captain, onto the bench after almost a season out with Achilles tendon trouble. The lineout was strong, with Logie, Steve and Hogie unshakeable and the scrum, which had creaked, superior. Support play and good running lines also became more evident as the game progressed. This was a good performance today, one with which Steven and Peter will be contented and just repayment for two weeks on non-stop work and preparation. Progress is being made steadily. Don’t let anyone be fooled, this was a tough encounter and without all those elements we could easily have lost, for UCD were fighting for their 1st division existence and, like all good university sides, they can play a lot. They will not be unhappy to have got a deserved bonus point.

 

We played from the Road end in the first half and it has to be said UCD started the brighter, with crisp passes and fast breakdown claims and this better start was rewarded with a penalty for bringing down the maul after 12 minutes. 0 – 3 They continued to attack with pace but Hugh Hogan (Hogie) who had another class game and is one of the finest ball carriers, both from the base and loose play, broke well from the back of a scrum on our 22, he made it to the halfway line, support was slow, so when the ball came back a mix up gave it to UCD winger, Artimiev, who took off and beat the cover to score in the corner on 15 minutes, it was converted,0 – 10, and many a groan was uttered and a shiver took hold in the home support, however not in the team and they said, enough is enough Almost immediately they raised the pace of the game, got hold of the ball and started putting on some real pressure, you could feel the tempo growing and after a well controlled maul, which was stopped , our pick and drives started and after two surges we were over. Logie the man with the ball. So, with no conversion, it was 5 – 10, at 23 minutes, but the sedatives were being stowed. We got a repeat performance, after their 5, Mandeno, was sin binned, on 29 minutes, with Mattie Duggan the man of the moment on this occasion and being close in Jonno had no trouble making it 12 – 10. There was some fine rugby played by both sides then and we grew more and more into the ascendancy so after two penalties near to the line we selected the corner. The first time we were denied but on their being penalised again we took the lineout and drove, we were held up but alert Ronan Doherty, the most improved player of the season, saw a chance slipped around the blind side and took a pass from Matt Darcey he beat his marker on the outside and scored a fine try at the corner, on 40 minutes. It ended the half 17 –10. It was looking good

 

Being a little superstitious I always feel happier when we play towards the road in the second half so I was happy as the second half began. However having ended the half very much on top, it was a little worrying to see UCD take the initiative early in the second half and 11 minutes into it, young Ian Keatley, who looks a promising player, took a good drop goal, 20 – 13. From then onwards fortunes swayed and our game climbed again. On 15 minutes, Bernard Donoghue replaced Willie Duggan, Paul Nash slipping into the six slot with Bernard taking on the seven duties. Happily to relate, we had a spell of really top class play and nearly scored on a few occasions out wide after some lovely mid fieldwork. Then Logie soared for a lineout ball on the halfway, we mauled for thirty metres then as it broke down Jonno went to the right and had a cut, he slalomed through three defenders, then was tapped, he stumbled, regained his poise and grounded under the posts, 27 – 13: – Happy times, we had a the bonus point. There still remained the small point of winning the game and UCD were not going to go away you know. So ding-dong it was until the 24th minute when, after the touch judge reported a late tackle on a UCD player, the penalty brought them near our line and after we took down the maul they were awarded a penalty try, 27 – 20. The worry and rosary beads were back out. We were also concerned to see Richie (Chips) Sweeney, who is part of the grand slam chasing U19 Irish team and who was having a fine game, taken off with a bang to the head. Young Colm Mc Mahon came on at One, with Mattie Duggan, moving to Two and the front row, all of whom did very well today, continued to thrive Unfortunately we missed two penalties to give us a cushion, but, although nerves were frayed on the sidelines, the players got on with their business and Marys spent a long period camped on UCD’s line. John Mc Weeney got over but the referee could not see the ball being grounded, Hogie from another fine break, got over the line but unfortunately knocked on. So, although we continued to press, it was little uneasy to the end, which was at 27 – 20 and we jumped three places from fourth last before the game. The backline looked potent today, the forwards bustling and business like and there were several fine performances. It would be wrong not to mention Nasher, who must be one of the finest number sixes in AIL rugby and who was marvellous today, both in defence where he riveted men to the ground and drove forward relentlessly with the ball and acting skipper big Logie who gave a giant performance and by dint of his urging of his team mates shades it with me for man of the match. But don’t be mistaken this was a team effort; well done to all. You could hear the team’s lusty rendition of “We are Mary’s Boys” at the KCR and afterwards upstairs, the atmosphere was effervescent, with the main bar crammed with youthful beauty and energy and the millennium bar bulging with mature reflection. Days like these give a taste of what rugby means in general and St Mary’s in particular. Long may it continue!

Team 15, J Norton, 14, J Mc Weeney, 13, S Grissing, 12, P Brophy, 11, R Doherty, 10, J Sexton, 9, M Darcey, 8, H Hogan, 7, P Nash, 6, W Duggan,(B Donoghue), 5, S Bradshaw, 4, G Logan (Capt), 3 Rob Sweeney, 2, Richie Sweeney, (C McMahon), 1, M Duggan. Not used, B Lynn, N Foxe, D Fanning.

PS. Sadly due to the weather you will not be able to support the U20s or J1s in the Metro cup Sunday 4th, due to the poor weather and flooded pitches

D O’Brien