1st XV v Clonakilty (H) by D. O’Brien – 03.02.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Clonakilty RFC
37 3
Templeville Road
Sunday 3rd February 2008.
The AIB All Ireland cup is an important competition for the 48 Irish senior clubs and is a prestigious trophy to win, so 2nd division Clonakilty’s first visit to Templeville Road had much significance. Clonakilty had a weakened team, due to injuries and unavailability of players, but made the long trip with some hope and a lot of spirit and a little history, having put our near neighbours Terenure RFC out of the same competition last season, and so demanded respect. They later proved to deserve this respect.
There was an enjoyable lunch in the Centenary bar beforehand and President Kennedy had invited those who serve the club well at the AIL and other games. He thanked Robin Bailey, Deirdre Grimson and Dennis Kelleher, who arrange the away trips for supporters and thanked Dave Mowlds and Jack Ebbs who organise the lunches, Keith Mc Carthy our Press Officer who keeps all so well informed, Louis Mc Mullan for the gate control and Noel Keegan for parking the cars. He also welcomed the Clonakilty president Pat Doherty and even chanced a risqué joke
The Game:- I cannot be over enthusiastic about the game itself as it was not an outstanding one, but it had to be played after a deluge and the pitch had water lying and was extremely heavy. It was played in a very sporting manner and Clonakilty stayed in it for three quarters of the game and battled well with a tough pack and competent halves, however in the last quarter the heavier better equipped pack of St Marys quite overwhelmed them. The game also marked the happy return to senior rugby of motivational and excellent Phillip Brophy and the last game for some time for Rob Gannon who goes to USA this week for nine months as part of his studies. We wish him well and shall miss him as he has been a fine contributor to the team this season; and once again today he was one of the better players in all respects. It also marked senior debuts of talented Conor Hogan on the wing, Barry O’Flanagan and Robin Copeland, both very promising back row forwards, who all did well. Honourable mention must be made of John Kilbride who has not played since last season and has retired due to injury and business; he agreed to play, as regular scrum half Matt D’Arcy, was unable to play due to injury (from which he is making good progress I am glad to report) and he did really well; thank you Killer. Men like Killer are a credit to themselves and the club. Our Club rugby international squad members Hugh Hogan, Matt Crockett and Rob Sweeney were only on the bench for us as they had trained this morning and likewise was Darragh Fanning who had played (along with Hugh Hogan) in the Colleges’ international on Friday. Congrats to all.
Both teams tried to play rugby but many passes went astray and fielding was hazardous. The St Marys lineout was working very well today with Conor Mc Inerney holding sway and taking several opposition balls as well. He was helped by the accurate trowing of Richie Sweeney who was back to his best in this respect and his overall play, which was top class. The scrum and back row were where the biggest differences could be seen, with Mc Inerney, Nash and Sheahan in control on the ground and in defence and all were prominent with ball in hand. Sheahan being adjudged once again to take man of the match honours.
After four minutes Frank Lynch got the scoring going with a penalty and after some lively exchanges including two very good runs by young Conor Hogan (once just short) a ruck formed and Fergus O’Sullivan broke and made good ground the ball came back to Frank who saw space behind the defence, he threaded through ,a trim skimmer, which ran inch perfect and Ronan Doherty accelerated past all to pounce and score and nice try. There were no more scores that half so it ended 8 – 0.
Second Half:- Again four minutes into the half Frank slotted a penalty and on nine minutes they converted a penalty for their only score of the game. Most of the rest of the game was played deep in Clonakilty’s half. Around this time Phillip Brophy, Darragh Fanning and Rob Sweeney made their entrances and soon afterwards, Robin Copeland and Barry O’Flanagan. Then on 26 minutes a scrum on their line gave us the chance to drive them back over the line and Kevin Sheahan controlled it and tapped it down. It was 16 – 3. We exerted strong force from then on and after a series of high pressure scrums, the ball came out to Frank who shimmied, dummied and went in under the posts and he converted it was 23 – 3. We had a controlled maul from outside their 22, when we marched over the line and Skipper Logie, again to the fore all game, took the score, Frank added the points and it was 30 – 3 and almost at the end, a ball came to Robin Copeland, standing out from a ruck, and he scorched over for a last try, which again was converted by Frank so it ended 37 – 3.
Well done to Clonakilty for keeping the game in contention for a long period after a 300 K drive and other adversities. Well done to St Marys for trying to play rugby in difficult conditions and for giving chances to some very promising young players. Next we face Shannon on 23rd February in this cup competition and as you will be aware we have one up on them this season already so we will be very keen to replicate that performance. (see report of 8th December 2007) so be there and of course before that, we have Lansdowne on 16th February, at home, in a most important AIL game. So you have lots to which to look forward.
D O’Brien.
Team:- 15 M Skelton, 14 C Hogan, 13 R Gannon, 12 M Sexton, 11 R Doherty, 10 F Lynch, 9 J Kilbride, 8 K Sheahan, 7 P Nash, 6 C Mc Inerney, 5 G Logan (Capt) 4 F O’Sullivan, 3 C Mc Mahon, 2 R Sweeney, 1 M Duggan.