1st XV v Corinthians (H) by D. O’Brien – 13.10.2007
AIB All Ireland Cup
Templeville Road
Saturday 13th October 2007-10-13
St Mary’s College RFC V Corinthians RFC
35 3
A lovely day, the pitch in good condition and after the lay off, we needed the game. This showed in the first half particularly, with a slightly lethargic showing. However, our line-outs throughout were secure and Conor Mc Inerney and Hugh Hogan were impressive on their own ball and threatening on the opposition’s, the scrum was not as strong as it might have been and support for the ball carrier and at the breakdown was not always on hand, areas which will undoubtedly improve as the season progresses. We had to be pleased with the handling and defence and there was willingness to look for adventure. The first half was marked by two tries conjured by Ronan Doherty with mystifying magnificence. The first came after 15 minutes after a ruck near half way, Mattie Duggan, who was strong and tireless all the game and indeed shaded Keaner, as man of the match, took on three defenders and drove them back, laid back the ball which came to Ronan on the touch line. He had less than a metre, yet beat his man on the outside, a centre on the inside and dissected the defence at searing pace, to score. Mark Sexton converted. Sadly we lost the ever willing and very capable Paul (“Gnasher”) Nash, after ten minutes with a knee injury. He was replaced by Eoin Keane in the back row firstly, later in the row and he played with intelligence and fire. Almost on half time we got a penalty in our half, it was driven to touch by Mark Sexton, the lineout was won and the ball went across the line, Rob Gannon who played with vision throughout, straightened and gave the ball to Ronan, who with six inches to spare this time, still managed to beat his man; he stalled, checked and ran inside and outside the cover to tap down again.
Half time 12-0
Early in the second half we raised the tempo of the game and Corinthians, looked a little slow in comparison, Ronan continued to slice them open and Rob Smyth was like a young rutting Rhino in defence. After five minutes, Mark hit a fine penalty, from his wrong side on the touchline and 35 metres out, to make it 15 – 0. Victor Ryan, who had taken a knock early in the first half had to withdraw, Ritchie (Chips) Sweeney came on and into the back row. A few minutes later P Cody got Corinthians’ only score with a penalty and two minutes afterwards Mark restored the differential with one of his own. Soon afterwards Mark Sexton had to go off with a hamstring strain and was replaced by young Chris Greene who went to 9 and the wonderfully versatile captain, Phillip Brophy, went to 10. At the half hour we were awarded a penalty near the line and took the lineout, after the take, we mauled with control and Matt Duggan scored to make the score 23 – 3. Quick ball from a ruck came to Keith Douglas, just on for Rob Smyth, he showed super strength, acceleration and vision to beat his man and the cover and score a nice try, which Mike Skelton converted. On 38 minutes a fumbled lineout by Corinthians led to the promising U20, Johnny Molloy, (on for Chunky Carroll) and Hugh Hogan hacking on, then quick thinking by Chris Greene kept the ball in play Darragh Fanning took it on making good ground, it then came to Rob Gannon to get a deserved try. Mike did not convert so it ended 35 – 3.
This was a useful workout and gave progress to the quarterfinals of the AIB Cup. The injury plague continues, although next week we hope to have Darcy, Donohue, Sheehan, Crockett, Gibney, Lynn, Lynch and Skipper Logan back. Let us hope that Gnasher, Mark Sexton and Victor Ryan will not be too long out and that, Steve Bradshaw (Shoulder), Cillian O’Byrne (Hip), and Conor Hogan (Shoulder) will also be back soon.
D O’Brien.
Team. 15 M Skelton, 14 D Fanning, 13 R Gannon, 12 R Smyth (K Douglas 70), 11 R Doherty, 10 M Sexton (C Greene 55), 9 P Brophy (Capt) 8 H Hogan, 7 P Nash (E Keane 10), 6 W Duggan, 5 C Mc Inerney, 4 V Ryan (R Sweeney 50), 3 K Carroll (J Molloy 70), 2 M Duggan, C Mc Mahon.