AIL 25/26 Round 17 – St Mary’s College RFC V Young Munster RFC

St Mary’s College RFC V Young Munster RFC

20 – 22
Energia AIL Division 1 A
Templeville Road

Saturday 28th March 2026

 

Overall

Being as it was Ladies Day, there was a bright, festive feeling around Templeville Road, although capricious Zephyr searingly slanted towards Carvill Corner, to remind all of the vernal sloth in our dear Isle. Indoors, the exciting and invaluable work of the ubiquitous Cathriona Pender, Bronagh Logan and Kate Hennessy was aesthetically evident, with tasteful décor and style everywhere. Lights sparkled in
competition with the guests, gorgeous goodies were in evidence, as young eyes lingered lovingly on them. The cacophonic chat grew as the ornate guests arrived, girlfriends, wives, mothers, daughters, grannies and singles all in labels. This would be the start of a beautiful, long societal sensation.

In the equivalent game last season, there was a two-point difference between the two sides, with the home side winning 26-24. This time, a deserved win for the visitors, however, the two-point deficit was sufficient to gain a losing bonus point, which ensured an important home semi-final for St Mary’s College RFC. Not only was this a signal day, with the special day for our women members and friends, but it was also the day that Ronan Watters played his 100th AIL match and received his Ceremonial Cap from the president. Ronan is one of the most influential players in our history. He has not only played every game in his brilliant derring-do style, but also has captained his club for three years in a row, bringing his club from mid-AIL 1B, 2022-23, to second AIL 1A (and home semi-final) 2024-25. He is a born leader. He had options to be a professional player, but chose his club and teammates instead. He is an outstanding player, every match. He is a formidable
leader, commendable member and person, helping his club in many ways, including coaching younger players and disadvantaged players. He is a club treasure. Ronan has kept his firm friendships with his St. Mary’s College teammates and with one in particular, who was playing his 100th AIL match last week, the great Michael McCormack. Michael and Ronan have very much in common, and due to their close
friendship and playing records, they celebrated together today. The President, Gareth Logan (also a 100+AIL cap player) presented both players with their highly coveted caps, amid joyful and highest volume celebrations. (See photo, Ronan, Gareth and Michael).

Amid all the joy, there was disappointment, after all the games won with scintillating performances this season, we have to bear some losses, and we had two in a row, last week and this, with slightly muted performances against two tough teams, now finding their form. It is hard within the inner psyche, when the goal in hand has been achieved, to fire with the same intensity. There would never be a conscious decision to ease even the slightest, but that is what frequently happens in sport and life. Throughout the game, the set pieces were strong and positive. There might have been a little better use of the wind when playing towards the Road End, and there was a surfeit of penalties conceded. However, there was clearly a collective imperative to win, nearing the end, and a period of highly determined, skilful and sustained play in the Young Munster 22, using the ball in offloads, loops, crashes, skip passes and drives, yielded an opportunity which, on this occasion, due to a capricious wind, was not taken. The disruption caused by the early injury of Aaron O’Sullivan caused some distribution and fluidity difficulties. It must be stressed, too, that there were good aspects and some notably good performances. The return from injury of one of our star performers, Mark Fogarty, was a bonus, he came back as he left off, a ball of fire, fearless and effective. He took a long looping pass from his toes and duped the defence to score a very important try. Welcome back, Fogey!

Those performances included, especially, Mick O’Gara. What a two weeks Mick has had, with top performances for his club and, along with club legend Steve Hennessy, Marcus O’Driscoll and Hugh Hogan coached club feeder St Mary’s College SCT cup winning team. This wonderful win holds auspicious promise for the club. And what a season Mick has had, his performances and place-kicking often being definitive factors. He has performed to a consistently high level all season. His ability, concentration and his kicking skill are invaluable; he is irreplaceable. Today, he tackled the granite YM runners with avidity; one tackle clip from behind almost certainly saved a try. He brought the ball up hard and fast, time after time making magic metres and distributed judiciously and well. He linked well with his skipper Conor Dean, whose use of the ball, his Deano Dinks and his play direction were of the highest order, and he and Mick showed again their divalent bond is inseparable. Mick very deservedly received the Manverton MoM Award. (See former ever-popular, senior team manager Greg Maher, presenting the Manverton MoM Award to Mick O’Gara).

The game kicked off with Mary’s playing with the wind towards the Road End, and put pressure on, and Mick O’Gara banged over a penalty for offside, after five minutes, 3-0. On 14 minutes, YM scored a fine try, picking a ball from a ruck outside the Mary’s 22 and after one pass made to the line in the Well Corner. With the conversion missed, it was 3-5. Mick made it 6-5 on 25 minutes with a penalty and just on the half Deano made a neat break and after a very well gauged grubber, Ronan Watters picked it and showed his pace and power to whizz over in the Gate Corner. Mick converted from the edge and Half Time read 13-5.

The second half was six minutes old when from a lineout in the Marys half, YM used a fine back move to score a try under the posts, the conversion saw 13-12 on the scoreboard. 50 minutes had gone and Mary’s launched a multi-phased attack, and eventually, three long passes from Rob to Deano to Leandro out to Fogey, who held the ball well and skimmed along the touchline leaving the cover and scoring in the Cabbage Patch Corner. Mick, with an impeccable kick against the strong wind, converted. 20-12. it was looking good now. However, it was 56 minutes when Munsters had a lineout near Carvill Corner, they took the ball up in two drives, then on a break, they went through a slight gap and under the posts, 20-19 and a penalty three minutes later, saw them take the lead, 20-22. The game swung back and forth and as time went, Mary’s upped the pace and intensity and had a fine spell approaching full time, when a penalty chance was blown off course by a capricious wind. It ended 20-22.

We now face Clontarf by the sea next Saturday and although the game is very unlikely to jeopardise our home semi-final, given our points differential (200 to 97) a win would see St. Mary’s end top of the league. Most of all we should be extremely proud of Conor Dean and his team as we near the end of an exceptionally successful and enjoyable league campaign, and be optimistic heading into the sharp end. Today, the terraces were a little flat and we owe Mark, Conor et al, to get to Clontarf next Saturday. Bring the family, a day by the sea, buckets and spades and bonnets for granny. Marys-Marys-Marys!!!!! Loud and clear and often. Do it for Deano!

 

Team (12 changes during the game) 15 S Kilgallen, 14 Z Hopkins, 13 A O’Sullivan, 12 M O’Gara, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean (Capt.), 9 R Gilsenan, 8 D Goggin, 7 R Watters, 6 J Gimblett, 5 D Leane, 4 G Jones, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 O Michel, 16 R Bergin, 17 T O’Reilly, 18 C Scott, 19 C Pierce, 20 M Fogarty, 21 C Kennedy.

D O’Brien