J1 XV — Season 2017/18

On the high quality G4 pitch and perfect weather conditions; an invitation to perform and enjoy bright rugby was accepted by both sides and although there were many mistakes, as would be expected at this time of year, it was a most entertaining visit to Castle Avenue. Fortunes swayed all game, with Tarf leading by five points coming to full time and it was only in the last seconds that Marys got back, after a brave and determined 25 metres run by Nick McCarthy, who was inspirational all game and was clearly the MoM. Bedsides Nick, Stephen O’Brien was first class with accurate throwing and strong loose play, Cathal O’Flaherty also showed his class as he powered through their defence on a number of occasions and scored a fine intercept try from forty metres. Full Back Jamie Kennedy, will be happy as he kicked very well off tee.

With five tries and a draw, Marys departed the north-side with three points and so the team and Gareth Roche and Paul Conlan should be quite happy. There will be some concern about defensive structures and tackling in particular.

We had two converted tries and a penalty in the first half and three tries, two converted, in the second. Darragh Mc Donnell ran forty metres for the first and Cian Delaney showed composure to pick up a tricky ball and score after a kick ahead for the second. The third try came from a maul, then Cathal had his try and Nick finished the scoring.

Tarf had two converted tries in the first half and four unconverted tries in the second.

It was somewhat coincidental that the J2s also drew with Lansdowne at Templeville Road on Saturday in another very entertaining game with fortunes swinging each way all game.

So junior rugby is up and running so, let us all support it.

If this was a hangover, from last night’s AIL match between the same two clubs, it did not feel like one, as the game was again full of fizz and fun and was most entertaining, with the added advantage for St Marys, a win. There were of course many handling errors on both sides and Trinity’s passing out wide was erratic which was costly to them. The Mary’s scrum was dominant with skipper Cathal Ryan, who starred at hooker last week this week at loose head prop and again having a fine game and leading his men well. The Marys’ pack generally was strong and mobile and showed good cohesion. Apart from Cathal, his fellow frontrowers, Lucas Moran (a dedicated Marys’ man) and Brendan Cullinane (who scored the first try), were to the fore, and Liam Curran and Richard Dowling-Cullenalso made notable contributions. In the backline Conor Gilsenan and Mathew Timmons were effective and active and Mathew Opperman who scored a superb try, again showed the value of searing pace in both attack and defensive covering. It was good to see big Paddy Lavelle and Hugh Kelleher getting a run out.

Coaches, Rodney and Tom and management Gareth, Paul and Mick will be particularly pleased with the win and notable improvement all round, especially with a much weakened ensemble due to injuries and withdrawals. The group are starting to gel and have that feeling of team about them. Well done to all.

After just three minutes, a maul at the cabbage patch end saw Brendan Cullinane get over and Jamie converted, 7 – 0. On 11 minutes TCD made it 7 – 3 with a penalty and on 28 minutes after a good wide attack and try they went ahead, 7 – 8. Marys increased the pressure and soon afterwards, 31 minutes, Matt Opperman had a counterattack up along the clubhouse side touch line, he was challenged and kicked ahead, zoomed past all regathered and scored in the Well Corner, Jamie converted and it was 14 – 8. Continuous penalties from scrums on the TCD line, in injury time saw a penalty try awarded, so half time it was 21 – 8.

The second half was equally rapid and on 46 minutes, Trinity got back to 21 – 15 with a fine try, but Marys were not finished and kept in attack mode. After a good passage of play and pressure on the TCD line, Mathew Timmons jinked and forced his way over in Carvill Corner through two haulers. Jamie converted from way out. 28 – 15.

That was it.

After last week’s disappointing visit to Belvedere, Marys faced this game with a little trepidation. However, it was no way like last week. This was a good open, entertaining game with two lively teams competing. It was only with the last play of the game that Tarf sealed their win. It was probably the right result, as Tarf scored three goals against four penalties for Marys, but it was really close. The set pieces on both sides were good and both teams showed adventure and appetite. The Marys defence was greatly improved on last week.

In the pack Ian Cullinane especially, Cathal Ryan and Stephen O’Brien stood out. Behind the scrum, the halves of Conor Gilsenan and Mathew Timmons were prominent. It was a pity that with Mathew Oppermann, a top class sprinter on the wing, that he got little chance to show his pace or prowess. It was particularly heartening to see Seanie Kearns, now recovered from injury, getting some game time in the second half, and indeed kicking a fine penalty. Welcome back Seanie. Also welcome back young Davy Lyons, who did very well at 12. Davy is only playing at St Marys for a mere 20+ years. Super; well done Dougal.

A special mention must be made of two lads who are top-class clubmen, Padraig Dundon at prop and another Lyons, Dan Lyons who played at Eight, both had played full J2 games yesterday and turned out to play a full match again today and what is more gave great accounts of themselves. That is what club rugby is about.

Jamie Kennedy, who had a good game, scored two penalties early in the first half, and it was only on 40 minutes that Tarf got over for a converted try so that the score at half time was 6 – 7. However, the second half had only commenced when it went to 6 – 14. On 65 minutes, another Marys’ penalty closed the gap, and on 34 minutes it became 12 – 14; but then a converted try was scored by Clontarf as the clock went into the red zone and so it ended 12 – 21.

Rodney, Tom, Gareth, Paul and Mick (the Medium) will be greatly heartened by the improvement and if they can get an established side together they could look forward to a god cup run and a strong league finish.