1st XV v Clontarf (H) by D. O’Brien – 27.09.2025
St Mary’s College RFC V Clontarf FC
32 21
Energia AIL Division 1A
Templeville Road
27th September 2025
Preamble
Our oasis in the drear desert of outer suburbia, Templeville Road, was suitably attired to pay homage to its venerable status. It was perhaps possible to spy HG Wells’s vehicle at the far corner of the carpark, newly arrived with those intrepid boys of 1900, in their long shorts and academic caps, there to inspect the guard of honour arranged by President Gareth (Logie) Logan and his committee, and pass judgement fair, on their legacy of largesse. It was apt therefore, that our elder sibling Clontarf FC, was calling to pay respects and transact some important business. President Gareth welcomed President Austin Foxe of Clontarf FC with true warmth. Gareth has deep pride and respect for the historicity of his club and has, with his family, ensured a year ahead of due apotheosis.
The atmosphere was redolent of historical concatenations making up the success that is now. The inner beauty shone out under the guidance of Gillian and the grounds were pitch perfect. The gates were generously manned and will be at each home game, rain or shine, by Gary Croke, Deirdre and John Stapleton and their welcoming and cheery team of volunteers. We must always thank them for their generous work.
We have over the course of 125 years lost many of our pioneers and great leaders, and mourned the loss with pain. However, the untimely loss of an indomitable warrior and great Rock of our team of the 90s and the halcyon days of AIL, Stephen (Jemmo, or Jamo if you prefer) Jameson, last week, has shaken the membership. The officers of the club invited his family to attend the pre-match lunch and join the respectful line-up of players and officials on the pitch in a Minute’s silence. The poignancy was sharp, as his widow, Emer, daughter Lauren and son (a St Marys former player) Dylan, bravely lined up alongside them. Dylan later presented the Manverton MoM Award.
Overall
The result was a statement of camaraderie, confidence and overall integration of intent; the players, coaches, management, club and supporters, all in unison. This was a well-deserved victory by the home side against the current AIL champions who were packed with power and avoirdupois. It was in fact, Pace V Power and on this occasion pace won. Both sides were short on some players; indeed, five key players were unavailable to the home side, but Conor’s team made light of it. Not that they will not be welcomed back! The victory was built on unrelenting and adamantine defence. For periods there were streams and surges of Tarf players, rattling the defence and driving in torrents, time after time, with vectors of vehemence. The lines bulged back, but still the groyne held. Coming towards the end of the first half one such searing blitzkrieg came, but the defence was stubbornly recondite, and held. It had major effect on both sides. A day it was, of 21 white starred, blue kamikaze comrades. There was one man, however, who from the match-kicking-off to the boots kicking-off at the end, was remarkable. Dan Goggin, seemed multi-locational as he was where the action was almost always, and his work rate was esurient, his defence unbreakable. He was seen soaring up to take balls in the air, and win them on the ground; His tackling was crushing, and his rucking too was most productive. His vectors with the ball were highly effective, Dan is a big strong man who is extremely pancratic. He has real presence and awareness. That athleticism is invaluable to the team; he showed teamwork, supporting and leading. He has become a most important and valued team man and leader, as well as an outstanding individual player. He received the Manverton MoM Award (see Photo of Dan receiving the award from Dylan).
The victory was effected by the exhilarating display of the attack, both forwards and backs. The confident and lightening sorties were at times blurring in pace and skill, with super vison and bewildering vectors.
The lineouts were most creditable as they are with Greg Jones at the tiller, and the scrums which were few in number, were for the most part, stable, with Tommer directing the actions. In both cases against superior bulk and altitude; it made little difference. Tommer not only contributed with his usual unselfish and productive game but also scored an important try. The defence of Clontarf’s renowned near line, mauls was bewilderingly good. Time after time, for that was a favoured instrument of attack from the visitors, the maul was repelled or stalled legally. Tarf had a formidable side and brought a high degree of sporting endeavour to the game. No doubt there will be many good days for them, and when we meet at the end of the season they will pose an even greater threat, and will be in strong contention for the league.
We welcomed Oisin Michel to his first AIL match for St Marys and he showed why he is highly rated, as his scrummaging was strong against a notable Tarf scrum and he showed himself be more than capable in all aspects of the weird machinations of prop world. He had a very good game in all respects. He has integrated with alacrity. And Jack Nelson-Murray, although he was unfortunate to be penalised a couple of times had a highly productive lineout and loose game and as he ever he is a rock in the scrum. Daniel Leane, former underage and Irish University representative player is a highly talented young man who has the attributes of extreme athleticism, sprint pace and fearless competitiveness. He showed them all today and his partnership with Greg Jones is burgeoning. The two were super in both lineout, scrum and and defence. Another big welcome to a highly impressive antipodean Six, Josh Gimblett. He was superb in the lineout, time after time he soared to take and when the home side were under pressure on their line, it was reassuring to see big Josh emerge from the tangle with the ball and drive up the pitch; were he to have been born in the 19th century he would have been a Dick Turpin. He looks to be a perfect fit. Finn Burke was on the other side, at 7, and his recent fine showing continued with a particularly fine defensive game, chopping down runners with venom. He was another one who was revelling in his role. He is a super Marys man as he coaches too.
Behind the pack, those magnificent men in their flying machines, were in their element today. To think this was the first AIL game and the backline was a pure joy to watch with two of the finest tries scored that one would see in rugby world.
The synergism between 9 and 10 was magnificent to watch, they complement each other perfectly. It is here at halfback that game is managed and often decided. Today it was symphonic. Colm Reilly who had a top class game has a lightening brain and reactions to match. That pace he is able to put on the ball and his instantaneous decision making, is exactly what is required and that is how Skipper Deano wants it and Coach Mark asks, in order to allow MC2 rugby. Without a doubt, Conor Dean is the finest outhalf in the AIL and he showed it again today. He has added captaincy to his role and he is clearly made for it. He brings a calm authority to the role, makes good decisions, inspires confidence and camaraderie, and clearly was the perfect choice to carry on the trajectory of the wonderful and messianic Ronan. It is interesting to note that during the centenary year, Conor’s dad, Paul (great International B&I Lion outhalf) was the President and now during the 1.25 centenary year, he is captain. He was brilliant today, in all respects.
The result of the 9/10 axis is exactly what Mick O’Gara and Myles Carey thrive on and seldom if ever have they played better, Mick at 12 uses both guile and power in equal measure to keep his team going forward and his kicking from the tee is invaluable. Today, he kicked two penalties, one a vital one to cushion when required, and converted three of the four tries. Myles has always had true class and pace with a strong team affiliation, and was always a very fine centre, now he is even better for he is bigger, stronger and still has his pace, with improved defence and distribution. Today was one of his finest games, and he took a divine Deano Dink near the Tarf 10 metre line, at full stretch, to go through two defenders and leave all trailing, and under the posts. A wondrous try.
The two wingers took over as they left off last year. They are both just irrepressible, as they twist and turn and squirm through, and leave defenders blowing air tackles as they glide away. They kept the defence on edge and today was when their defence was vital. Both covered the pitch defending and helping where required rucking and competing for ball at tackles. Both Mark Fogarty and Leandro Ramirez were super. Ruairi Shields who plays outhalf, centre and fullback, has chosen fullback, since his return from a year with his university, and it showed today that he made the right choice for he had a very fine game. He showed he is settling back well with his hot pace and brilliant running skills. He scored a stunning try, running from near the halfway, beating several defenders with pace, and then sold an outrageous dummy, swayed almost imperceptibly past a defender and went in under the posts. That was worth seeing.
The bench all played an important part, when the team was tiring a little. All are promising and some are new to the club. Hooker, Cillian Jacobs (no he didn’t take the biscuit), is a most welcome addition, and has real potential, as we saw today. It was very good to see young Ciaran Scott back, he showed last year, when just out of school, his major potential as a prop and that potential is developing all the time. David Leane, like his brother (and he is very like his brother), was an underage star and has come to Marys after a year with Blackrock College RFC. He has already shown his immense ability and brilliant potential. He fitted in with élan, at the level. The club welcomes with special happiness and some nostalgia, Rob Gilsenan, as he is grandson of the iconic former club captain, president, trustee and life honorary member, Matt (deceased); and son of former president and chairman, John. Rob also was with his university and is a highly regarded young scrumhalf. This was his first AIL for St Marys. He showed why he is so well regarded, when he came on. Liam Corcoran has already proven his immense value as a second row, but has been most unfortunate with injuries. The big man looked in top form when he came on and will no doubt make a major contribution as the season progresses. The last welcome is to another with particular ability and potential, Aaron O’Sullivan. He is a big athletic man, a sprinter and former Irish 7s player. He is making the transition from 7s to the 15 man game and is showing that potential. Nice to see him get a run. Finally the referee is to be complimented for adjudicating in an unobtrusive manner and allowing the game evolve and flow with minimum but necessary intervention.
Referees are as important as the clubs themselves, for without referees we actually have no game. They are human and so deserve patient respect. The IRFU is demanding that they are afforded hospitality and utmost respect. Our club has a good record in that regard, but we must guard that record zealously. Please do not shout at or hassle referees no matter what you may feel. We are very proud of Dudley Phillips who is IRFU head of referees, a great credit to him. We have had many notable referees over the many years. Anyone who maybe does not feel quite up to all aspects of playing, or those retiring from playing but want to remain actively involved, should think about becoming a referee. It offers great sociability of travel even up to foreign travel. It offers an interesting form of fitness training, and a real insight and contribution to our game
Post-Match
There was great joy after the game but with sporting dignity and respect for their opponents and their proud club. The crowds poured into the clubhouse and the teams into the dressing rooms. Later all mingled and shared the common bonds that make club rugby the wonderful family it is. Next Saturday 4th. October, we go to Tom Clifford Park to take on the formidable Cookies of Young Munster. You will enjoy it, and there is a bus, so make it a holiday, take the tour bus and have a great day, with a sing-song on the way back. We look forward to successful and enjoyable season celebrating the 125 years of St Mary’s College RFC.
Big Support and attendances needed so:-
Do it for Deano
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 R Shields, 14 M Fogarty, 13 M Carey, 12 M O’Gara, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean (Capt.), 9 C Reilly, 8 D Goggin, 7 F Burke, 6 J Gimblett, 5 G Jones, 4 D Leane, 3 T O’Reilly, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 O Michel, 16 C Jacobs, 17 C Scott, 18 L Corcoran, 19 David Leane, 20 R Gilsenan, 21 A O’Sullivan.
The changing Season.
Blue, with mud and sweat, the jerseys stained and gory
Tell happiness or sad, the game and all its story
Clanking studs upon the floor, hissing of the shower
Steam and mist, humid smiles, the weakness or the power.
And after yet the patted backs, else the eyes averted,
Added cheers and anthems sung, greatest they’re asserted.
Each week anew the nervous strain, hope to gain in league,
Later on the points to tot, not feeling the fatigue
Gliding by, the season whirs, squad in joyous fusion
Each week passes further on, reaching glad conclusion.
At last the human thought exists, triumph to proceed
If not, next season will arrive, then we shall succeed.
D O’Brien.
