J4 – Metro Division 7 League – St. Mary’s College RFC 40 – 10 CYM
Metro Division 7 League 2026
St Mary’s College RFC 40 – 10 CYM
On Saturday afternoon the St. Mary’s Barmen returned to action for the first time in 2026, and since their last game in the middle of December on a typical Friday night in December. Looking to go with back-to-back wins, they were determined to beat a CYM side who are right up at the top of the table, along with the Barmen and were hungry for revenge after falling to defeat earlier in the season. The scene was set as the J4 side; despite missing some key figures, including VC Andrew Gibbons and Conner Gunn in the front row and Dave McGill’s younger brother and Matty S Coughlan in the backs, Captain Dara would lead the young side out to the front pitch for battle.
An early penalty against Mary’s saw CYM take the lead, but this did not sit well with our own Kieran Egan as he carried over the line, running over anyone in his way to get the first try of the game. To everyone’s surprise, Dara slotted the conversion to extend the lead. The J4 Barmen would struggle to get out of second gear, with the remaining of the half turning into a kick tennis match, followed by some sloppy defending which saw the visitors get their first try of the game under the sticks. Half-time saw the scoreline read 10-7 to the travelling side.
Stand in VC for the day, Conor Quinn mentioned at half-time everyone was only at 80% and this needed to change, which is did. We lost Leo Faulkner at half time who had to go for a pedicure, but the subs were roaring to go on the bench and made a huge difference in the second half. Me thinks the jellies and biscuits gave the Barmen the boost for the second half they needed.
It didn’t take long into the second half for the forwards to kick into gear. Some great work from Cal Carey gave the backs the space they needed to slot the better Grace brother under the sticks. Again, to everyone’s surprise, Dara extended the lead. Two quick tries would follow for the Barmen; some great work between Dara at 10, who put together a great move involving Kyle Batman Corrigan saw baby George fall over the whitewash. This try was followed by some champagne rugby as Thady’s replacement for the season scored a not-so-acrobatic try in the corner. To nobody’s surprise Dara missed the conversion. Tries would follow for the Captain and Vice of the day, as Dara held the ball tight right to the defence line until the space appeared for him to elegantly dive over the line, winding himself in the process and Quinny catching an intercept to touch down under the posts. Dara somehow scored both conversions to make the final score 40-10 the J4 Barmen.
Two wins in a row and looking for a third, the Barmen travel to Donnybrook Stadium looking to continue their winning ways against Wesley on the 17th at 14:30pm.
Until then, always, cheers to that.
Tries: Kieran Egan, Jamie Grace, George O’Shea, Barra O’Loughlin, Dara Lynch, Conor Quinn
Conversions: Dara 6/7
