J1 XV — Season 2014/15

To be down 10 – 34 and get back to within 10 points shows the type of determined spirit that St Marys needs to continue to prosper and grow and the lads that represented the club today can be proud of themselves for they never despaired nor stopped fighting. This was particularly commendable, as Jamie, Gareth and John had to scour the club to fill places due to defections from the selected team. So, well done to all concerned. Unfortunately, they did not quite get there, but it was a pretty good try.

Lansdowne were a big well-organised team and they scored some fine tries and kept pressure on most of the match with strong rucking and good set pieces.

With three props making up our front row, they did well to hold parity at scrum time and all three added to the game. Neil Murphy showed some extra skills with ball in hand.Both second rows contributed in all respects to the end and Peter Starrett carried very well all through. The backrow worked hard and willingly and young Conor Oliver shows true 7 potential.

Behind the scrum, both halves, although often under pressure,controlled the game well and Chris Lilly at 9 was outstanding, he was heroic in defence and fearless and clever in attack. He made a superb contribution and for me he was the Marys Man of the Match. The remainder of the backs shirked nothing and, Gavin Dunne at 15, patrolled like a good sweeper, and calmly guided the young players in front of him and his place kicking was much needed and effective.

Darragh Keller, out for a long time now, came on near the end and with his ability, power and determination showed how much he might add to a side when he gets full fit.

Obviously, a loss is to be regretted but the performance was admirable.

Helter Skelter, started this most entertaining game; well that is often how university games start and finish. Trinity contributed generously to the entertainment and they ran good straight lines and attacked from all areas of the pitch. This was a good humoured yet hard fought match.

It looked early on as though Trinity would be victors without too much difficulty, but as the Marys team settled they came into the game. In the second half, due to some replacements, including Neil Murphy and Mark Aboud, the scrum, which had been in severe difficulty, became dominant and even served up a push over try for Mark Donnellan.

There were several changes to the selected St Marys’ team and credit must be given to Mark Aboud and Niall Brew who had played a full game for the J2s on Saturday as they made exceptional contributions tonight, with Brewer playing the full 80 minutes. Indeed, Mark Aboud has great ability and if he could get back to full fitness of a few years ago, he couldmake a contribution to the senior squad. Another player with ability who contributed significantly to this important win was Sean (Bisto) Preston, he was like a happy hippo as he crunched through the opposition on many occasions.. Behind the scrum, Sean Kearns kicked very well and scored a good try and Andrew Bourke handled well and helped keep shape tothe backline.

For the first twenty minutes, Trinity held possession and continually attacked our line. After ten minutes, the constant attack led to a converted try from Trinity. It must be admitted thatat that stage poor tackling was evident.

However, after impressive coach Jamie Cornett got an opportunity to speak with the team, a clear response ensued and Marys increased concentration and intensity and soon were level after a fine try from Sean Kearns.

It was remarkable, that a game that appeared early on to be out of reach for St Marys, was turned around completely and near the end it was the home team that was in control and might have ended up with a bonus point win. However, they will have been very happy to earn the four points, which were vital to their continued well-being. St Marys scored three converted tries and two penalties Dublin University scored four tries, two converted and so gained two points

Credit also must be accorded to Gareth Roche and John Bainbridge who did the hard job of filling a depleted team and organising them.

It was again a cold day with a sneaky harsh wind sweeping Templeville Road, and the J1s had to play this game with 14 men as a front row member had cried off with only 30 minutes to kick off, and due to LB laws when a team cannot field a front row player, that team must play with seven forwards and scrums must be uncontested. This was a severe imposition on the team and they could have capitulated; but no the opposite ensued as the fourteen showed wonderful resolve and pride and fought with great tenacity, teamwork and bravery all game. In fact, they led for a long period against a well-prepared fast UCD side and although Marys lost the losing bonus point on full time; they got a four-try bonus point, which was a fitting reward. This all after having to field several players that had played on the Friday or Saturday on lower teams and all made telling contributions. None more so than Davy Lyons our physiotherapist and quality player over near two decades. He had played on Friday and notonly did he play well, he scored a fine try beating several men in the process. This all exemplifies the difficulty that exists for those like Pat Crawford, running junior rugby. Those in charge of the J1s have a truly difficult job and we must thank Jamie Cornett, Gareth Roche and John Bainbridge. We owe them a lot. Also, there was senior coach Phillip Brophy, having spent every day last week involved in rugby.

Marys played against the wind in the first half and gave UCD a tough time with good rucking and fast support play. It was inevitable that eventually the weight of numbers would tell and so UCD pulled ahead in the second half but a great fight back got Marys within losing bonus point distance only to have it snatched away in the final minutes.

There were good performances from all, with epic warrior Mark Donnellan, again leading from the front and well supported by Peter Starrett in the pack. Behind the scrum, Ciaran Murphy who had a played the day before did very well; Conor Gilsenan showed his class, as did the already mentioned Davy (Dougal) Lyons.

All round a great morale boost for the J1s and the club. However, you should not have to do it that way.

A setting fit for a Joycean stroll, the sun gleaming and the pitchsurrounded by academic architecture was where this intriguing and sparkling gameof rugby took place. This was animportant relegation decider and both teams were determined to win, but not atthe expense of exciting adventurous rugby. So, a wonderful afternoon of entertainment ensued. It was nice to see the old tradition of theacademic ramblers pausing for a time to enjoy the game and surroundings, andthen passing on to resume philosophical contemplations.

Great credit must be given to Jamie Cornett, Gareth Roche and JohnBainbridge, for assembling such a solid team when needed. Also great credit goes to Rob (Chops)Sweeney, Phillip (Marvelman) Brophy and Davy (Dougal) Lyons, who answered thecall and played. All three madesignificant contributions with Dougal darting through defences, Choppo rompingthrough cover and Marvlman’s vice like tackles blocking all throughways. Marysdeserved the win, although it was very even and sporting.

Yes, this was a really close competitive game with the resultunclear to the end. Marys had the slightbreeze in the first half and two really fine penalties from far out throughouthalf, Hugh Mc Donnell, gave Marys a half time 0 - 6 lead.

As would be expected Trinity ran from everywhere and from all anglesand the pace of the game increased in the second half. Good defence and some mislaid balls kept themat bay, while St Marys returned fire. Early in the second half, Marys mounted a series of pick and drives andthe super double-strength Bisto (Sean Preston), got a deserved try, Hughconverted and so Marys had a lead of 0- 13. This remained the case and with 12 minutes to go an unfortunateintercept in the Trinity 22 and 75-metre sprint to the line gave Trinity aconverted try. This was a real spur tothe students who increased the game intensity and after number of scrums on theMarys’ line, with barely minutes remaining, the Trinity scrumhalf skated in fora try; it was not converted and so it was 12 – 13. In injury time Marys had another series ofdrives on the TCD line and eventually the hard working Ciaran Murphy gotover. Great relief and credit to PeterStarrett, the captain, who guided the team through the game and has been astalwart throughout the campaign. Welldone to all involved.