1st XV v Shannon (H) by D. O’Brien – 24.02.2008
St Mary’s College RFC V Shannon RFC
15 28
AIC Quarter Final
Templeville Road
Sunday 24th February 2008.
Experience and luck are two ingredients required at any time and today we were just short of both, for the score tells a lie, the game was one or two point one, either way, not a 13 point one. For long periods we were the dominant team and looked at one stage as though we might win well but Shannon are always worthy opponents and come prepared for the fray not to run away. They have a compact team with a very well organised and capable maul, a tidy lineout and all their players are versed in the basics of the game. Likewise, we have similar attributes and our rucking is superior, today we looked more potent in the three quarters but we did give away too many penalties and made more mistakes; foolish with a kicker like Andrew Thompson on the field. Near the end, when 15 21 down we were hammering on their line for several minutes with real will and desire, but we let them out, then gave away the ball in mid field and they ran in an easy try.
Credit to Hugh Hogan who played after his club international on Friday and he was in top form and only shaded as man of the match by Conor Mc Inerney who was outstanding in the lineout, never missing a ball, and in the loose where he worked hard and long. Our other club internationals Robert Sweeney and Matt Crockett also came on the second half. Others to shine were Richie Sweeney and Matt D’Arcy who made a welcome return to top form, especially in the second half. The mid field again looked sharp and secure and Ronan Doherty as dangerous as ever. Sadly added to last week’s loss of Kevin Sheahan with ligament damage Paul Nash had to leave the field mid 2nd half, (Richie to 7 and Rob Sweeney to prop), with a similar injury (he had medial ligament damage earlier in the season too). And captain Gareth Logan pulled a hamstring in the first half and had to withdraw. Three major losses, in addition to Eoin Keane, Marc Aboud and Barry Lynn all of whom have bulging intervertebral discs and we can only hope that they will not be out too long. Steve Bradshaw may play for one of the junior teams next weekend, which is very good news.
The lunch was a small friendly affair with Frank welcoming Shannon back and their president, Tommy Rowen, quoting Virgil (Timeo danaos et dona ferentes) when thanking Frank for the hospitality and presents of the last meeting in the AIL in December. Shannon stalwarts Pat O’Connor and Gerry O’Loughlin were up in support of course. More gifts were exchanged this time (Bertie Look out), the bacon and cabbage was cooked and well received and all were in great form for the game.
The Game: We started well against the wind and hill and ran the ball effectively with quick rucking and changes of points of attack, however after eight minutes we conceded a penalty and another for off side after 17 minutes, then on 20 minutes they formed a maul from a lineout and made 25 metres before their 6 broke from the maul and ran in from ten metres for a try converted by Thompson, making it 0 – 13. St Marys raised the performance level and put some heavy pressure on. We won a penalty and put it into the corner, mauled it and when the maul went down continued to pick and drive in twos and threes and after four such surges, Robin Copeland scored close in. However, we missed the conversion and on 31 minutes we were guilty of pulling down their maul and Thompson said thank you and made the score 5 – 16 at which it remained until half time.
The second half again started well for us and after six minutes we got a penalty to make it 8 – 16 and Matt D’Arcy made a fine break from a scrum was stopped short of the line and we put strong pressure on their line and Juan Gomez dived over ; we converted and it was 15 – 16. Fortunes swayed and both sides attacked well, then on 22 minutes we again gave away a penalty for pulling down their maul, they put it into the corner and we held them up so they ran it wide to the right and then again back to the left, they were stopped again but Quinlan managed to dive over and it was 15 – 21 (Thompson missed the conversion). From then on we attacked almost continuously and a brilliant break, kick ahead and chase by Matt D’Arcy almost led to a score, we kept up the pressure on their line for several minutes, with urgency and want, but their well arranged defence held out and when they managed to get up into our half on 38 minutes, our high kick ahead from our 22 was dropped and the ball grabbed up by Cronin who ran from the half way at impressive pace to score and it was 15 28 in a flash; how things change. That was it really for although we continued to attack we were never going to get it back and it ended 15 – 28.
Cork Con is next weekend and it is essential that we have support down there to play the leaders of AIL, especially with the injuries we have, so do really try hard to make it. Rob Smyth’s operation went very well last week and he will be in splints now for 5 to 6 weeks and then rehabilitation, so I know we all send the very best wishes to Rob.
D O’Brien
Team:- 15 M Skelton (F Lynch), 14 D Fanning (C Hogan), 13 K Douglas, 12 P Brophy, 11 R Doherty, 10 M Sexton, 9 M D’Arcy, 8 H Hogan, 7 P Nash, (R Sweeney), 6 R Copeland, 5 C Mc Inerney, 4 G Logan (Capt) (F O’Sullivan), 3 J Gomez, 2 Richie Sweeney, 1 M Duggan.