1st XV v Ballymena (A) by D. O’Brien – 15.12.2007
Ballymena FC V St Mary’s College RFC
22 34
Eaton Park, 15th December 2007
This inspiring victory for St Marys will show that the wins of the past two Saturdays were not merely ephemeral fancies but sustainable substance to carry us forward with growing confidence and enjoyment into the new year. It certainly lays the foundations for a happy Christmas.
But before I tell you a little about the game let me relate a little about the pre match lunch, if you will, for I believe it should be mentioned. Being Christmas time there was a festive atmosphere about and the fine old grounds looked really well with the Braid river, which rises in the Antrim hills, before meandering through the countryside to end up in Lough Neagh, wrapping itself rustically and attractively around Eaton Park; and the pitches in perfect condition. The hall was cosy, the welcome warm and the fare excellent, but what was so special? Among the guests were Dr Sid Millar, straight from his acceptance of the Legion d’Honneur award, Willie John Mc Bride and Lord Archbishop Rev Robin Eames, who was to give the après dejeuner speech. The president, big Ian, no not that big Ian, but the equally feared Ian, in his playing days at centre for Ballymena, Ulster and Ireland, Ian Mc Ilwrath, welcomed everyone and mentioned the fine tradition and friendship between the two clubs. Our president Frank Kennedy, elated afterwards, was at his very best with a lovely little amusing, yet sensitive reply, which was very well received. Then, Ian introduced Lord Eames who spoke from the heart to a rapt audience, for about 10 minutes in his rich tones. His words, often splashed with funny anecdotes, spoke of his playing days with Collegians, however his most impressive dissertation was about rugby and the most important part it played during the 40 years or so of strife and fighting, how it thrived on the diversity and brought people together with hope and good humour; it spanned the religious and political divides and made friendships and unbreakable bonds for the good of all. It is not in my writ to deal in detail with his wonderful words or his praise of Willie John for the great work he is doing, using common sense, in the review of those troubled times but it has to be recorded that his words left, on all present, a deep and indelible impression for their sincerity and truth, from a man of peace who has done more than most, to build bridges and hopes on this island. It was true privilege to have been there.
The Game
At once it was clearly to be seen that these two sides, on a perfect rugby day, were well matched and both were willing to play a deep game plan, with running backs and organised forwards and it also proved to be a sporting game with few if any deliberate fouls. It was great to see St Marys leaving off where they ended last week with secure defence and adding a wonderful width on back play and a coordination of purpose between the pack and backs, and a growing confidence; and synchrony between the halves, (both were top class today) which proved definitive for us in the game. It is often difficult to keep up concentration and intensity from one game to the next, especially after notably valiant performances, which makes it the more commendable. Frank Lynch is realising his potential in all respects and his kicking and decision making were top class today. He had to be my man of the match (contributing 19 points), although there was not one man who played below his ability or badly. No matter what combinations we employ they seem to gel and that must be the result of the admirable knowledge and talented work of the coaches. In fact there were many changes to the forward combinations, due to injuries, during the game and each one hummed. All of these forwards strove with unrelenting effort and none more so than the turbo-charged Hugh Hogan (at 7 and later 8) who was once again superb. Our quick ruck game was to the fore with mistakes well down and it was this area that gave the vital balance tip. Our defence also remains resolute, with forwards and backs covering each other.
After seven minutes of even open play we were caught offside and their fine number nine, Woods, converted. After 13 minutes our scrum, which was the one area which was not always in command, went backwards, but Kevin Sheahan picked beautifully and made good ground, then a series of runs and rucks gave the ball to Frank Lynch, who fifteen metres out, showed, dummied, squeezed through two defenders and skipped in under the posts and then tapped over. 3 – 7. Then we got a penalty from Frank after 20 minutes. On 25 minutes we were penalised from a lineout in our 22, then again at the ruck and finally from a scrum near our line and to our surprise the referee awarded Ballymena a penalty try so it was 10 – 10. The game continued in a most attractive manner with our quick rucking and wide spreading game coming into its own. We were running good angles and lines and backing up quickly to release ball. Rob Gannon who was playing very well had to withdraw with a neck injury (not too serious) and was replaced by Michael Skelton who also did really well. Then we got a penalty on 34 minutes which we put into the corner and we got our, by now formidable and tight ruck going, and Juan Gomez was the one to touch down and it was 10 – 17 and so it finished at half time.
Second half
This half was only three minutes old when Frank took a ball out near the ten metre line, he turned swung his left foot and hit the ball, beautifully from the drop, between the posts, it was 10 – 20, then on ten minutes, on our own 22 on the touchline, the ball was loose for a tick, Matt D’Arcy swooped picked the ball and started off for the line wending his way through the expected obstacles and kept his power pace all the 75metres or so to the line, with Darragh Fanning, who also had a fine game, up in support; a great personal try. It was 10 – 27. Meanwhile changes were taking place, as the influential captain Gareth Logan had to go off, as had Kevin Sheahan and later Ronan Doherty replaced Paddy Lane, also Matt Crockett and finally Matt Duggan took their places.
After 15 minutes we put pressure on the Ballymena line with a series of rucks and runs, all well coordinated in twos and threes, when the ball came out to Matt Crockett in the clear and he went over and it was, almost incredibly, 10 – 34. As can be understood it was impossible to keep up the intensity and that Ballymena being such a good and proud team were going to make special efforts and they did, running wide phase after phase, and adding two tries, one converted, to leave the final score 22 – 34. Yes a bonus point again and a very nice little jump, to sit proudly at eight place in the league going into the Christmas break; a nice present. Many teams will have no game until the 12th January, while we have the LSC Final on 29th December and the AIL Cup V Clonakilty on 5th January, so it should keep up the momentum for us and we should be in good heart for the trip to Garryowen on 12th January 2008.
After a pleasant and gracious intermingling with our Ballymena hosts all set off for Dublin and on the way back the skipper insisted on a stop to meet, say thanks to and have a drink with the supporters who had come up by coach. I have seldom seen Steve happier and with good reason.
Before I get out of your way until after Christmas, I would like to ask you all to remember the 29th December at the RDS when we face Clontarf. This is a special final, as it is exactly 50 years since we first won the LSC with Joe Fanagan’s side. Anyway, you will be fed up being around the house and will need to walk off the turkey etc. So, make the effort and come and support like you did against Shannon last week, this team deserves your support. Now don’t think about it, just make the effort and do it.
I hope you will please accept my genuine wishes for a restful contented pause in the mayhem of life over Christmas and thanks, on behalf of all those involved in rugby at St Marys, for the support all through the year; without it, we would not exist.
Team 15 R Gannon (M Skelton), 14 P lane (R Doherty), 13 K Douglas, 12 M Sexton, 11 D Fanning, 10 F Lynch, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan (M Crockett), 7 H Hogan, 6 C Mc Inerney,5 G Logan (Capt) (F O’Sullivan), 4 V Ryan, 3 Robert Sweeney, Richie Sweeney, 1 Juan Gomez (M Duggan).
D O’Brien