J1 XV — Season 2011/12

The J1 game, also against Clontarf, ended with a win for Tarf 36 – 29. The game was won with a late try in injury time when a run penalty by St Marys, taken in an effort to snatch victory for Marys, when the two sides were 29 – 29 in injury time, was turned over and Clontarf ran from far out and scored under the posts.

The game was full of adventure, excitement and entertainment and was a joy to watch. In losing, Marys scored four tries and there were some impressive performances, especially at halfback, where skipper Christopher Lillie was outstanding in all respects

It was coincidental that it was 17th October when our J1s played the equivalent game against Bective last season (15 – 5). Seven of the last year’s squad were involved tonight. Unfortunately from early on it was apparent that Marys were not going to find it too difficult, although as expected from a club of the pedigree and history of Bective Rangers they were never going to stop fighting with their all and even when they lost a prop to injury and hadno subs to fill the gap they still, with 14 men, never gave in. Non-contested scrums did nothing to help on anight for reinforced brass monkeys. The problems many clubs are having fielding at junior level and even at J1s where players are part of the senior squad, are a major concern to all who care about rugby. We are fortunately extremely strong at J1 and indeed at all junior levels, but we must not be complacent or relax our efforts to improve all aspects of club rugby.

It is also important to give credit to the squad that was involved last night and early on when it was close, some exceptional plays and talents were apparent. Marcus O’Driscoll showed pace and determination, good hands and a fine break and a good line of defence; at 12 he looked comfortably at home. It was very good to see Barry O’Flanagan back and looking hungry; he scored the first, a very fine try and he was part of a back row with Gareth Austen and Mark Donnellan that was on the night marvellous to watch, Mark finishing his night on a 70 metre sprint with the ball to beat all for a try. Colin Sheridan at 10, kicked very well andothers that particularly caught the eye were Ronan Doherty, Ray Crotty, Ian (Nelly) O’Neill, Steve Toal-Lennon, Craig Morrin and David Kilbride.

For the first try on 4 minutes, Mark Donnellan took the ball up and then Marcus O’Driscoll made a lightening break took in some cover and timed his pass to the fast following up Barry O’Flanagan who beat the remaining cover over 20 metres to score far out, they got a penalty after 10 minutes and then Ronan, over on thefar wing, left all in his wake with pace and purpose over 50 metres and it was 10 – 3, then it was 12 – 6. Colin had his first of many conversions. Nelly bamboozled the defence for a try on 21 minutes and on 32 minutes they dropped aball in midfield and Craig cleverly kicked on controlled the ball and scored. It was 26 – 6 at half time.

The second half waited seven minutes before Ray Crotty and Marcus O’Driscoll combined and it 33 – 6 then Ray, Nelly and Mark Donnellan mixed it to make it 38 – 6; and on 20 minutes the same three colleagues conferred to make it 43 – 6. Ronan then ran most of the pitch length, with tacklers clasping air until he fell just short of the line, a defender hacked back the ball at force, but Marcus following up, determinedly held it and zoomed over to make it 50 – 6, then young and highly talented Steve Toal-Lennon slalomed through a tired Bective to make the score 57 – 6 and thefinale was left to super Skipper Mark to take the ball from Marcus who etched and opening in our 22 and Mark did his Usain trick.

Over the past few seasons, Clontarf J1s have posed a challenge for ours and there have been some rousing jousts. Today, with a gale force wind and drilling rain, it made it a wet and slippery one but none the less well contested for all that. Afterwards, Coach Jonathan Garth was truly pleased with the result and ventured that it might prove to be a significant win; before the end of the season.

It has to be said that both sides tried their best to play running rugby and it was always intense and close. Great credit goes to our backline, which well led by Christopher Lilly and Gavin Dunne, ever worked at being adventurous. Once again, the backrow was most industrious, with skipper Mark Donnellan to the fore. The rest of the pack was not far behind. However, the rucking and close carrying were frequently too upright, but no doubt, that will be corrected and many of the handling errors were down to the most difficult weather conditions. This is a team on the way up and, with continued application, can look forward to another successful season and individual promotions.

As mentioned above, the game was extremely close, tough and indeed sporting. After 12 minutes, Tarf took the lead with a penalty and extended the lead with another on 28 minutes, before Gavin scored with one on 36 minutes and the half ended 3 – 6. Marys were facing the greater part of the slanted gale in the second half. Robert Sweeney and Colm Mc Mahon came on at the start of the second half, both recovering from injury. After only five minutes, a strong run by Conor Hogan ended close to the Tarf line and an ensuing maul was well controlled by Robert Sweeney and he then broke from the back of it to dive over and so it was 8 – 6. Then on 15 minutes a back row concerto, involving a neat break by Barry O’Fanagan, a link with Mark Donnellan and a stirring run of 30 metres by Gareth Austen ended just short and after a quick ruck, Craig Morrin picked and evaded the cover, to score in the corner and so it 13 – 6. Tarf upped their pace and got a deserved try on 32 minutes, to close to 13 – 11 and though they pushed hard, we controlled the fire and Gavin extinguished it, with a well struck penalty with less than 5 minutes to go. So 16 – 11 it ended and a well deserved but hard earned victory went to Marys and Jonathan, Paudge and Mick were happy to have withstood the elements.

What I wrote re. the equivalent game V Belvo in last season’s J1 Metro league just last February could easily be rewritten; the same exciting good quality game was on display on a crisp night and the result was equally close and well contested. The two Marys’ tries alone were worth coming to see. The team was without its influential leader and captain, Mark Donnellan, out [injured] and had a number of changes from its usual makeup, due to Saturday’s LSLC semi-final. However, the team that played and its opponents gave us some elevating rugby, great entertainment and lots of excitement and it had to bear the loss of two players to the sin bin, yet prevailed. These J1 games show that there is an abundance of talent coming through in many positions and if these players are patient, listen to their coaches and are willing to work hard on their game, they can reach their full potential. There were some notable performances tonight. In the pack Barry O’Flanagan, after a top class display on Saturday again excelled as a true Seven should, he was unfortunate not to have scored a try and his lineout contribution added to his all round performance was a most useful adjunct. Equally impressive in the backrow, was experienced Louis Bourke, who seemed to do everything right and was, in defence in particular, adamantine. Behind the scrum, a tidy cohort, in which all worked hard, was well led by busy Joe Burns at Nine, and had, at 13, a potentially true star, Steve Toal-Lennon. He has a superabundance of talent, with balance and pace and an ability to beat a man on the outside in a half a yard that is O’Driscoll like. He had some superb runs and one try, which was exemplary of its kind; it left his own teammates and opposition almost mesmerised. Old Belvedere are always sporting and competitive and were again tonight, they had a strong scrum which, for part of the match, put pressure on our own and they played good attacking rugby ensuring a fine game of rugby football.

Jonathan Garth and Co were joyous after the game but cautious, as Lansdowne have to be faced next Monday at Ballycorus Road; a difficult place to visit.

The game started, as is often the way with J1 games, at high pace and although there were some errors on both side it settled into a humming harmony. We came close twice after excellent breaks by Steve at 13, and then after an offside, Colin Sheridan who had a tidy game at Ten, converted and it was 3 – 0 on ten minutes. Three minutes later Belvo levelled with there own penalty and then on 24 minutes Steve struck, he faded, then half stepped and turned on the turbo just outside his man fixed the defence and passed outside to Ray Crotty who delivered it back to perfection, Steve velvetly veered inside the cover and zoomed in for a top class try. On 32 minutes Belvo had a strong scrum, their 8 took on the ball and grounded and again it was even 8 - 8 and it was half time.

The second half commenced; when we kicked off, Barry O’Flanagan cleverly held and turned the catcher, won the turnover and from it, Rapido-Ronan Doherty got the ball 30 metres out and facing a swarm of players, somehow, he sashayed through at Mach 1 and scored a lovely try under the posts. Colin converted and it was 15 – 8. Belvo got a penalty on 21 minutes and that is how it ended 15 - 11. Belvo put on a lot of pressure in the last 10 minutes and the Marys’ defence was committed and unyielding a team effort. Well done to everyone on the field and thanks for the great entertainment.

Last November, the J1s played Lansdowne in this league at home and had the return match of season 2010-11, on a Monday in January and that visit to Lansdowne Road (AVIVA) under lights ended with a score line of 17 – 22, so a two-point difference; another resemblance was the physicality and intensity of the game. This was real whammer of a game, where fortunes swayed and swung where nobody stood back nor waited; it was instant action and with a high degree of skill. The pace of the game never dipped throughout and it was a real credit to both teams who served us up an exemplary dish of hot rugby, with all the trimmings.

This game exemplified for us, as being rugby men, being sportsmen and being Marys men and the result gave the dedicated Peter Smyth, whose birthday it was, a worthy present, he showed his value as he worked to reverse fortunes at half time and put even more steel into the team, inspiring them to keep working relentlessly for final victory in injury time. Paudge Mc Gill, former senior player and the J1 manager, has to take enormous credit, for he spent the entire day trying to assemble a team, which with injuries and absent players was a most difficult task; one he did commendably well.

Every player who took the field tonight can feel proud to have been involved in the game, no one more so the man of the match Barry O’Flanagan, who was involved in so many aspects of the game and showed again the extreme value of having a first class open side wing forward. He linked intelligently and well with the backline, started innumerable movements, took ball on from loose and set plays and played an important role in the lineout; on top of which his tackle count was great. He is a very valuable player. Joe Burns, on any other day he would have been man of the match, for he also had a major part to play in the victory, giving a fine service, making astute decisions, mustering the forwards and most of all trampling every fibre of artificial surface as he covered attacks, tackling bravely, he scored fine try. He linked well with Colin Sheridan, he too played a vital part in the game for of course kicked the winning penalty and he will be happy overall.

Darragh Fanning, Winger, sadly soon to return to Australia to continue his career, what a player he is. Was winger mentioned, tonight? Darragh played in the backrow and the figure 8, not only fitted his back well, he fitted the role well, with an all round performance that exemplified his courage, skill and dedication to St Marys. He ripped balls from opponents in mauls, he ran unflinchingly at defenders, he encouraged his colleagues and he tackled incessantly.

It would be unfair not to mention briefly, the team, for every one gave a special performance. The front row, young and eager, strong and committed, Neil Murphy is a quiet strong man who works diligently and unremittingly throughout the game, he did this again tonight and Sean Preston (Bisto), his partner is another talented man who is exceptionally strong and tonight he was looking for extra work in the loose, he ha several fine runs, one, as he careered down the field like a stampeding Aberdeen Angus bull, through a crowd of tacklers and Rory Brosnan, who has been a prop and looks the part as a hooker, he is strong, swift and loves loose ball, his throwing is getting onto target now and he is a perfect arch-stone for the front row. Young Gerry Galvin, who came on in the second half, did very well, kept a stable scrum and looked for work in spite of having already played a Colleges’ game earlier in the day, like the old days! David Kilbride, slightly injured, also came on for a short while near the end and showed as he always does that he is real Marys' man.

In the second row, It was great to welcome back from injury Steve Bradshaw and he was indeed welcome as he took on lots of work, led his troops with verve and his lineout work was top class. His partner big Robbie Field, likewise worked hard and did not stop for the whole game he made some important carries and his support play was good. Only one in the backrow was not already mentioned and indeed he is very much worthy of signal mention, Graeme Mc Inerney, who is captain of J2s, has not for the first time filled in for J1s and indeed this was his second in a row and he is really a warrior, he has lovely balance in the lineout and with those already mentioned gave Marys the edge in that area and his support play was vital on occasions; he defends with calm assurance.

Craig Morrin has been playing consistently well and tonight he stepped up his performance further and he constantly tested the Lansdowne defence and made some fine breaks, without ever having his line broken, a fine game. Ian (Nelly) O’Neill a former schoolboy star at 14 tonight for the first time played at 13 and he showed his appetite as he probed and burst lines and looked for ball, he is fine young footballer. Both Mark Sexton and Conor Hogan (both coming back from slight injuries), to facilitate the management, came on for a short while when needed near the end and of course it was clear that, had they been on all game they could have made major contributions. Outside on the left wing was Ronan Doherty who at present is playing better than ever and tonight he continued, with his hands good, taking every ball kicked at him and he is like a nebulous neutrino in the Cern reactor in attack, he was a constant threat to the Lansdowne line and on the far side Simon O’Donnell (son of the great Rodney) who like Gerry Galvin had played earlier in the day showed he has inherited the hands, for he never dropped one of the many balls kicked towards his right wing area and he was keen to run back. While behind was Ray Crotty, who since mini rugby days, has shown marvellous ability and has immense potential, tonight he showed a strong appetite to run back, he created several opportunities and his routine duties he carried out with ease.

Well done to all.

After eight minutes, Colin Sheridan converted a penalty and on nine Lansdowne replied. It was 30 minutes when offside gave a penalty to the home side and it was 6 – 3. Then just on half time a series of difficult scrums gave Lansdowne a penalty try converted to leave the score 13 – 3 at half time.

In the second half after ten minutes it was our turn to put on pressure in the scrum, and one such scrum, Barry took on ball, laid it back in the ruck, for Joe Burns to spot a chink swerve inside and go hard for the line to score a lovely try close in, Colin converted and it was 13 – 10. Lansdowne had a spell of pressure and scored an unconverted try to make it 18 – 10.This signalled an upsurge in intensity and we scored penalty on 24 minutes it was 18 - 13 and a try on 34 got us to 18 – 18 on 34 minutes and pressure was building; a well struck penalty from Colin made it 18 – 21 on 44 minutes and so it ended. Happy Birthday Smythy!

Played six won six, not bad, so squad and Jonathan Garth, Paudge Mc Gill and Mick (the Medium) O’Connor and senior coaches can all take a bow. John Gilsenan our president has been at all of the six games and was elated tonight, after this and a weekend of wins.

Special mention must be made of Rob Ryan, Colm Barry and Louis Bourke, who agreed, at very short notice (5.00PM), to play and undoubtedly each of them had fine games; Rob, normally a backrow man, must be complimented as he stood in at second row and did so very well. Paudge Mc Gill was especially grateful to them and to Mark Mc Kay and Dave Callanan, who also came in.

Tonight’s game was played at fast pace (the cold might have helped to keep them moving). With the cold, there were a few dropped balls in midfield, but overall there was high level of skill shown against a spirited and determined UCD team, which kept trying to the end. There were a number of players who stood out in the pack where Darragh Keller for me was man of the match. He worked in a serious manner the entire game, both in attack and defence, and scored a try. He was well backed up by David Kilbride and Robbie Field. Tonight the backs looked to have a distinct edge over UCD, all showing hunger and ability, with the back three particularly prominent. The coaches made very good use of the rotational system; and deserve their five points from a five try win.

With the break for Christmas, St Marys sit on top of the table and will be hungry to resume in the New Year. A strong spirit is evident in this group of players and they are enjoying their involvement in the senior squad and their own games on Monday nights under lights. Immense credit goes to Jonathan, Paudge and Mick who have engendered that spirit, friendship and happiness within the group.

Playing up towards the Cabbage Patch the home team went into attack straight away although after eight minutes UCD went ahead from a penalty. Marys continued the attack and on 19 minutes, the lively Joe Burns set up a good attack, the ball was quickly recycled and after a three phased movement, Louis Bourke ran a strong line and shuck off three tacklers to score a good try, which Colin Sheridan, who played extremely soundly tonight, converted. 7– 3. UCD converted another penalty on 22 minutes. Then, on 26 minutes Ray Crotty picked up a Chris Lilly fielded ball in his own half and he bamboozled most ofthe UCD team as he slalomed through them only being stopped inside the 22, the ball was quickly recycled and it came to Robbie Field who galloped diagonally for the line grinding tacklers to cross in the corner. Against the wind and from the touchline, Colin made a lovely conversion and the have time score was 14 – 6.

After six minutes of the second half, Marys were awarded penalty on 22 and alert Darragh Keller saw his chance and tapped quickly, made several yards, gave it to Chris Lilly who timed his ball in return for Darragh, to score a smart try, converted by Colin. 21 – 6.

When it was 18 minutes gone, Chris Lilly picked up the ball from loose play and weaved his way through a throng of players over 20 metres to score a skilful try. 28 – 6. A similar situation saw Marcus O’Driscoll get in for the final score of the night; so it ended 35 – 6.

Although the score sounds skewed this was, until well into the second half, tight and well contested and the loss of two strong players through injury did not help Bective’s cause. That said the visiting team was superior and always had the ability to win the game.

There were some substantial performances throughout the Marys’ team and on occasions the team sparkled, however, unusually, the general performance often lacked cohesion.

This group of players is highly talented and a glance at the backline would make many senior teams envious. The team comprises a group of very happy, affable young men and this may be why they enjoy playing so much, and of course are so successful. Needless to say, the coaching and management of Jonathan, Paudge and Mick facilitate and engender the quality of performance. The integration of the players into the senior squad is of course a vital factor in the success.

The team welcomed back captain, Mark Donnellan, from injury, and he might not have been away at all, he played so very well and led from the front throughout the game, giving a bravura performance. There were some other good performances in the pack particularly from Robbie Fields and Darragh Keller, both of whom carried with purpose and had high work rates. Young Brendan Short, subbed up from the J2s, will not be unhappy with his contribution.

Behind the scrum, every player looked dangerous and all contributed to the overall result, however, one player stood out. Joe Burns at Nine, he was sparkling today and he showed again, how deadly his break from the scrum is and how well he performs in tight spaces. His overall game in attack and defence was first class, his cover play was commendable and his passing fast and accurate. He was my man of the match. It was also good to see James Norton, Senior Backs Coach, togging out for a worthwhile cameo performance and showing that he has not lost his abilities.

The team is of course top of the league.

After eight minutes of even encounter, Colin Sheridan, converted a penalty and just a minute later a scrum in the middle of the field saw Joe Burns make a delightful break from the base, he found Brendan Short up in support, like a good Seven, and having made ground gave the ball to Ray Crotty who showed neat feet, perception and pace and he scored close in. Colin converted and it was 0 – 10. Ten minutes later, Bective scored a good try and on 22 and 25 minutes, Colin scored penalties as did Bective on 35 and 39 minutes to leave the score 13 – 16 at half time.

The second half was 12 minutes old when Steve Toal-Lennon took a pass in his own half from Craig Morrin, who was causing Bective problems throughout, and he seared through the Bective defence with neutrino pace, balance and swerve. He scored a breath-taking try and showed again, the immense potential the he has. If he nurtures that talent, he might well go as high as he wishes. It was 13 – 21after the conversion. Then on 20 minutes following a penalty played to the corner the ball was taken on in the maul and Robbie Fields broke to score, then on 30 minutes the final try was added by the pack, following a good run by Ian O’Neill to make the score 13 – 35 and a four try bonus point gained.

It is always a very friendly place to visit, but is also a very difficult one at which to get a result and so it was today, when Jonathan’s and Paudge’s team continued on its winning way and withstood the severe challenge of a fast and skilful Tarf J1 side. It was an entertaining game with lots of movement and hard intent and the result about reflected the tenor of the game. There was a cold, strong wind blowing off the sea and up the pitch; however, maybe due to some inexperience we made little use of it when playing with it in the second half.

Now with eight games played and four to go, Marys lead the league with 36 points, followed by Old Belvedere with 28 points (and a game in hand) and Clontarf are four points further behind with eight games played; so we are in a good position. Today, Paudge expressed his gratitude to Paul Foran, who played, and played particularly well, and Paul Moran who covered the bench, as they had played for the J2s just the day before. Well done to both and also welcome back to the highly popular Kevin (Chunky) Carroll, after 12 weeks out with injury.

There were several good performances; in the pack, Sean (Bisto) Preston and Robbie Field stood out, as did the back row, with Darragh Keller in particular having a fine game, giving a high work rate and a notable defensive performance. He was my man of the match. Behind the pack, in a star backline, the halves were most effective and Conor Hogan showed skill and pace whenever he got the ball, Conor Donohue is coming back to his best again and Ray Crotty was most comfortable at full back.

After five minutes, Clontarf got the first score with a penalty and on seven minutes a penalty to Marys led to a lineout close to the line, the ball was mauled and the forwards got the try, with Colin Sheridan converting; 3 – 7. On 25 minutes, a lineout near halfway, was well taken and Colin Sheridan gave a deft ball to Conor Hogan, running a tight skilful vector inside, he seared over 30 metres avoiding tacklers and gave the ball to Marcus O’Driscoll, following up well, to score fine try; so it was 3 – 12. Ten minutes later Tarf got a good converted try, but on 40 minutes Steve Toal-Lennon hacked on a dropped ball in midfield he beat the defence to the ball and control kicked it again, he got to and picked it and as he was tackled near the line he gave it to another speed man, Conor Hogan, in attendance who scored a really first-rate try Colin converted, just afterwards Tarf got a penalty so it was 13 – 19 at half time.

In the second half, although there were a number of close things, only two scores were registered with Marys adding a penalty on 28 minutes and just at the end Clontarf got one to retrieve a losing bonus point. It was 16 - 22 at the end.

Since completing the report below, Clontarf J1s defeated Old Belvedere J1s, thus confirming that St Marys have won the J1 league; the first adult trophy for the club this season. It is a great accomplishment for our president John Gilsenan and all involved, long may he celebrate and well. He was involved in the management of the J1 team on a number of occasions, including last season, and has a particular affinity for this team and so will take real pride in their achievement.

This was difficult league season, with many players having emigrated due to the recession, extra demands were also on players in their careers and much work had to be done to achieve this super success. Foremost, go congratulations to the team and all who played during the campaign; a highly talented group generously supplemented when called on by players from J2s, J3s, J4s and U21s. The captain Mark Donnellan must take a lot of credit for leading his team once more to a league win, especially since he had a long period out due to a heavy injury; Mark is a talented player and valiant leader often underestimated, and most of all he is a creditable young man. We will all hope he can gain the much-desired double.

Of course, the senior coaching group, under Peter Smyth, work daily with these players and deserve singular congratulations. Particular congratulations should be sent to Jonathan Garth who is the team coach and he has developed a team that plays adventurous and skilful rugby. Paudge Mc Gill, the manager, has to be thanked and congratulated in many ways for he had to spend long days looking for players to fill gaps, also priming the team, sorting out problems and keeping the spirit alive and soaring. He did all of this in his understated quietly efficient manner. He was well supported of course by someone who deserves exceptional mention Mick (the Medium) O’Connor, our equivalent to the Irish team’s Ralla. Mick has been bagman and assistant manager for many teams since the mid 90s and he is greatly cherished by the players, well done Mick. Paudge’s son Alex very kindly acted in an important support role, helping with logistics, running the line, managing the gear and such, throughout the campaign.

Needless to say none of this could happen without the Rugby Council, who oversee and direct all the rugby throughout the club so congratulations to Kevin Conboy, Director, Michael Fanagan, Reggie Foley and John Muldoon; and John Carvill who does the laborious work of player registration in addition to many other things.

I know that Niall Rynne, who is chairman of the Leinster competitions committee, is arranging a suitable presentation ceremony over the next week and we will all celebrate then.

Looking at the score line it will be appear as though this was a facile victory and a one sided game, however, until almost the end of the first half the score was 3 – 0 from a third minute Gavin Dunne penalty and it was only when three tries were amassed in quick order that a significant difference in the sides appeared. Lansdowne had only 16 players (One replacement only) available and can be proud of the way they played throughout the game; and even when almost overwhelmed they continued to strive and to play some good rugby on occasions. For the first part of a game where Marys fielded a strong team with a backline any senior AIL team would strive for, there was a distinct lack of coordinated play and inter player communication was not apparent. This all changed after the first try and overall in the game there were some strong performances. It was good to welcome back Gavin Dunne, David Kilbride and Paul Gillespie and to note the continued post injury rehabilitation of Ronan Doherty, Mark Donnellan, Kevin Carroll and Sean Preston. All behind the scrum did their part to make this an entertaining and successful outing and likewise in the pack there were no duffers, with the five front rowers all dominant, the second row effective and active and the backrow in top from, particularly Barry O’Flanagan who won several important turnovers, covered ground intelligently and effectively in attack and defence and showed his true open side abilities; he was my man of the match. Due to a slip up a few weeks ago, the side has to wait for the outcome of tomorrow’s (Monday) game between Clontarf and Old Belvedere to see if they win the league or have to go to battle with it still at stake next Sunday V UCD.

As mentioned, Gavin Dunne, who was influential throughout, scored a penalty after three minutes.

It was 38 minutes when Marcus O’Driscoll, enjoying his 12 spot, challenged his man who dropped the ball and reacting instantly, Marcus scooped up the ball and fed rising star Steve Toal-Lennon and he streaked for home to score under the posts when Gavin converted, 10 - 0. It was only two minutes later Gavin put in a finely weighted cross chip, which hopped up for Ray Crotty who cut inside a challenger and used his pace to go 35 metres to the line and Gavin made the score 17 – 0. Still playing the first half on 46 minutes, Darragh Keller and Marcus made a fine interchanging break up the left wing and when the move was stopped Joe Burns was, as ever, on hand to dummy and nip over and the half ended a surprising 22 – 0.

The second half was only a minute old when the effervescent Joe broke from his own 22 and when closed in chipped delicately over the defence and Ronan ran on to the ball and fairly zoomed down the touch line to score a fine try for Gavin to convert and it was 29 – 0.

Seven minutes and Ray made a good break from mid field and linked with another rising star, Christopher Lilly, who was getting more and more involved, he jinked two and went for the line; Gavin converted and it was 36 – 0. Lansdowne continuing to play some entertaining quick exchange rugby scored a good try out far and made the score 36 – 5, on nine minutes.

After a spell of high paced rugby from both sides, and on 20 minutes, Ronan took a ball on his wing and ran infield beating several men then transferred to Stevie and he did his little step around a challenger went white heat neutrino pace and left the opposition grasping, he made it 41 – 5.

On 22 minutes, Gavin received a ball from a ruck near the Lansdowne line in the gate corner and sent a precise cross kick to Carvill corner where Ray was waiting , he soared up took the ball and went over and it was 46 – 5.

Then it was 25 minutes, when Chris showing balance and pace seared through a gang of players to be stopped just short of the line; a quick ruck and Neil Murphy, like a good prop, saw his chance and charged through the opposition over from the ruck to make it 51 – 5.

The last play of the game saw Lansdowne score a good converted try.

The end 51 – 12.

A sad end to the season for the Marys’ J1s, although it must be remembered that the team has already won the J1 Metro League in some style. Sad it is because this was a skilful and tenacious effort by the players, who, along with the excellent Clontarf team, presented the sizeable and animated group of supporters with a seesaw of exciting emotional hills and hollows. The senior team, coaches and management were well represented and the president, John Gilsenan, had a fair entourage of alickadoos in tow, all matched by their Tarf counterparts.

Captain, Mark Donnellan, can be truly proud of his team’s effort and especially of his own, for he had played the greater part of the senior match on Saturday in the second row and tonight he performed with distinction and so nearly led his men to victory. It is remarkable to note that Marys were 24 – 7 behind early in the second half and 31 - 12 soon after, then managed with some touches of brilliance and some hard labour to bring the score to 31 – 29, with a conversion to come in injury time; well obviously it was not to be and we returned light to Templeville Road.

Once again, special mention has to be made of manager, Paudge Mc Gill, for he has been, all season, a marvellous manager and a patient man for he had to fill team holes and find replacements when common men slept and dreamt and others played and laughed. He has been well supported of course by legendary, Mick (the Medium) O’Connor and importantly, we have been highly fortunate to have sage and reflective Jonathan Garth coaching the team.

The review of the squad done after the league win stands, so it just remains to stress again the outstanding talent that suffuses this group of young players, including the remarkable Stevie Wonder Toal Lennon who scored two outrageous tries tonight and for those alone had to be man of the match.

These lads will unselfishly continue to train in support of their colleagues who will play in the remaining AIL games and this is really vital for the effort to win the AIL.

Clontarf set off at top speed in the first twenty minutes and were running the ball from all over the field and after ten minutes were up 7 – 0 with a good goal. Marys came more into the game then and after a strong run from the doughty Robbie Field, a maul formed and as it meandered towards the line, Robbie again broke from it and scored and Ray Crotty converted from far out. 7 – 7. Tarf then on 28 minutes, had a mauled try and on 39 minutes got an individual try from their outhalf leaving the score at 21 – 7 at half time. He repeated his feat when the second half was only four minutes old making it 24 – 7. Two minutes later Stevie Wonder took a ball in midfield and did his shuffle and slide, and off he set on fifty-metre high velocity slalom to the line, 24 - 12. Unfortunately, Tarf scored again on 12 minutes and it was 31 – 12 and looking bleak. Stevie got back in the groove some 14 minutes later and dummied and swayed his way from 30 metres, we were having little luck with the conversions so it was 31 – 17. The rallying cries rang out, the president was frantic with excitement as he led the supporting cheers and Rynner could be heard at the Point, as he urged the team forward. Pressure increased, with the outstanding Joe Burns urging and probing and Ray was finding good length as we got a couple of penalties and then after a siege on the Tarf line fast developing prop Neil Murphy dived over and it was 31 – 24. We could but hope and that we did, for the team really sweated as they strove with every sinew and then with another great effort and near the line, the ball came out and the excellent Christopher Lilly gave an inside ball to 12, Conor Donohue, who had a fine game, as he ran an exquisite vector and sliced through a slim centimetre gap and over the line, he wisely went to go in under the posts but lost his footing so tapped down halfway across. We could still hope that we would have extra time; sadly the kick was just outside the upright and Marys’ hearts sank and sank and sank and sank; down.