1st XV v Cork Constitution (A) by D. O’Brien – 01.03.2008
Cork Constitution FC V St Mary’s College RFC
19 – 8
Temple Hill
Saturday 1st March 2008
Pre-Match: If it is a long way to Tipperary, it is even further to Cork, but that did not deter the core of Mary’s away supporters, including Kevin Conboy, Dennis Kelleher, the Fannings (Dec, Eileen and family), the Colemans (Dec and Catherine) just returned from Vietnam, Dr Tim O’Flanagan, Jimmy Smyth, Barry (Happy) O’Sullivan, Paul Davy, Alan Wesby, etc. all led by Robin Bailey and Deirdre Grimson, with her son Roy and daughter Aimee, who made the coach journey to join up with the big Banana himself, Joe Fanagan, Mattie (metal jacket) Jones, Brian (Spike) Fanning, John (Spock) Carvill, Brian (the Bar) Corrigan and Jim (Troubadour)Murray all of whom had made the trek the day before. The presidential party was flying….. , having made the way by plane and Rynner had come from Kilkenny.
On a bright, mild, breezy day it was a pity to note so few Con supporters (not to be confused with conmen) there, to cheer on their team which heads the AIB AIL division 1table.
The game: The difference between the teams was not great, they were in execution perhaps a little stronger, faster and slicker, but this was a good attractive contest and all involved can be optimistic, for many on the team are young and working their way up, and there are many more with promise in the club; so we can all be hopeful. We were without Paul Nash and Kevin Sheahan of course, both with Knee ligament trouble, Eoin Keane with disc damage and Juan Gomez, not available. However, Barry O’Flanagan got his first AIL start and it was an impressive one at that, he enjoyed the hard ground and was, like all good 7s, within a few metres of play most times and was first to many breakdowns, turning over and wining ball and setting up moves and linking, his tackle rate was likewise impressive and by general consensus was the Mary’s man of the match.
We played with the strong breeze in the first half and unfortunately seldom got to use the wind to put us into the absolute attack area, they held on to the ball very well and had a maul that we found hard to deal with, while on the other hand our maul, which has been impressive, could make little headway against Con. We did get a penalty which was well taken by Frank Lynch, after 12 minutes and we held that three point advantage until the 43 minute when their maul made great ground and a release out wide saw their full back, Hurley, come in at pace and score out wide and a fine conversion then made it 7 – 3 at halftime. In the first half there had been quite a lot of good running rugby played by both sides and it was clear to see why Con is leading the first division, they run good lines, straighten well and give excellent support to the carrier. They are the best team we have played this season so far.
Second half we faced a strong breeze, but our performance rose considerably and we looked more comfortable, the coaches’ halftime talks having been corrective. Richie Sweeny worked extremely hard all game and even when he had to go to six he continued to be most effective, as was Conor Mc Inerney both out of touch and in the loose, (including when he went from 6 to 5) and captain, Gareth Logan (Logie), put himself on the line, time after time, sometimes when we were under extreme pressure on our line, hurling opponents into touch repelling the onslaught. He has been bravely battling against several injuries for some time now and eventually his big frame gave out and he had to be replaced by Robin Copeland half way through the half. It would be unfair not to mention that everyone in the pack was working hard and indeed they had to for Con used the wind well on several occasions and pinned us into the 22, where we had to fight for our game survival. We made several changes during the half, Darragh Fanning replaced Ronan Doherty at half time, also to come on during the second half were Matt Crockett for Fergus O’Sullivan, Chunky Carroll for Mattie Duggan, Conor Hogan for Frank Lynch, with a shift in the backline. Likewise the backs were competing well with the midfield again strong in defence and making ground in attack. Keith Douglas, in his unusual role of winger, did a fine job and near the end Michael Skelton put them under pressure with some very good strike running from defence.
After a good kick into the corner by Con they won the ball, forced us on the defence and then ran wide again, and on decoy, Horgan looped and scored, on 25 minutes, and it was 14 – 3 and a similar situation led to another try by Hurley (unconverted) on 31 minutes and it was 19 3. We continued to fight and unleashed a concerted effort for the last ten minutes, with backs and forwards involved, and were rewarded on 44 minutes, when a smart break by the admirable Matt Darcy, who had a fine second half, saw Robin Copeland sweep in for a try from twenty metres. Robin is starting to fit in well, he has immense potential, he is a big athletic young man with good pace, strength and skill, if he works on his game and his application he could go to the top.
Although there was disappointment in the dressing room, there was a general feeling of optimism and the players were all concerned to find out how their colleagues from the J2s were doing in their vital league game against Terenure. They were very sad to hear of the loss, especially as they realise the great work and effort put in by the J2 team and the Shirleys, Colm O’Sullivan and skipper Rob Ryan.
21st March is the date for the next AIL game, a really special one against Terenure, so put it in your diary. The marquee will be up, over 600 at lunch and a real “tussle at Templeville” to follow. Let us hope a number of our injured players will be back and we will have a game and an occasion worthy of the local derby that it is.
D O’Brien
Team: 15 M Skelton, 14 K Douglas, 13 P Brophy, 12 M Sexton, 11 R Doherty, 10 F Lynch, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 H Hogan, 7 B O’Flanagan, 6 C Mc Inerney, 5 F O’Sullivan, 4 G Logan (Capt) 3 Rob Sweeney, 2 Richie Sweeney, 1 M Duggan.