J2 XV — Season 2010/11

The J2s played very well, beating Old Wesley in the league on Tuesday night. First-half tries by Charlo Connolly, Killian Lannon, Graeme McInerney and Ronan Goode (two in two games for the prop) secured the bonus point by half time. Three further tries by James Dunne, Eoin Keane and David Wilson in the second half rounded things off. The last try was a brilliant score that started in our own 22 and went through ten pairs of hands before being finished off by the supporting Wilson.

St. Mary's: 15 James Dunne; 14 Alex Mullin, 13 Jack Buggy, 12 Charlo Connolly, 11 Baz Cahill; 10 Joey Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 Ronan Goode, 2 P. Barrett, 3 M. Houlihan (Capt), 4 P. Foran, 5 G. McInerney, 6 B. Brophy, 7 Killian Lannon, 8 G. Foran. Subs (all used): Goodall, Young, Evans, Wilson, Keane.

The J2s topped Pool 1 of the League and now progress to the Super 6 after five games unbeaten. This was the best performance of the season so far, against the toughest opponents we have played to date. We are now playing with great cohesion and purpose but can still improve in the harder games to come. Joey Connolly rounded off the best passage of play we have produced all year to score in the first 15 minutes. The ball went through fifteen phases of ruthless rucking and pick-and-goes, with several players running excellent lines, before Joey dummied and slid over.

Further excellent teamwork generated penalties which Cathal Connolly expertly kicked from all angles to reward the forwards for their great work. The game was in the balance until the last 10 minutes, when Paul Foran ploughed through the Belvo defensive line and ran 40 metres before being hauled down under the posts. As he hit the ground he off-loaded the ball in a superb piece of skill to the supporting Joey to seal the win.

The major downside to the win was the fractured jaw that our great captain Mikey Houlihan suffered, which will keep him out until the New Year.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 J. Buggy, 13 A. Shirley, 12 Charlo Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 R. Goode, 2 P. Barrett, 3 M. Houlihan (Capt), 4 G. McInerney, 5 P. Foran, 6 B. Brophy, 7 K. Lannon, 8 G. Foran. Subs (all played): M. McKay, G. Prunty, R. Ryan, J. Ardagh.

Ballycorus Road

A frozen pitch in Mary's forced us to play this game in Ballycorus, which was strangely fine underfoot. This was a highly physical and at times brutal match, with both teams throwing themselves into contact at every opportunity. We had most of the ball and had the edge up front but could not get through an excellent Lansdowne defence despite being over their line on several occasions. We relied on the metronomic boot of Charlo Connolly to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Charlo kicked two drop goals and three excellent penalties. They scored a try in the last minute but missed the conversion to win.

We are raging that we put ourselves in a position where we could have lost this game. Our forwards were excellent, with Graham Foran outstanding in a great pack performance. We dominated possession but at times were a little one-dimensional, with the ball not getting to our wingers very often. Third or fourth phase we need to get the ball wider. Next up Stillorgan, who are difficult opponents.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 Jack Buggy, 13 A. Shirley, 12 J. Verdon, 11 B. Cahill; 10 C. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 N. Murphy, 2 P. Barrett, 3 M. Houlihan (Capt), 4 G. McInerney, 5 Paul Foran, 6 B. Brophy, 7 Louis Burke, 8 G. Foran. Subs (all used): Mark Aboud, Ian Kelly, K. Lannon, J. Ardagh, Jerome Kennedy.

CUS, Bird Avenue

We have not made things easy for ourselves this season. It was the same story against a very large and tough Stillorgan team in CUS, Bird Avenue. At half time we were down 14–6, with basic errors leading to two tries for the opposition. In the second half we played some great rugby, with big ball carries by the forwards and fast rucking generating great ball for the backs, which they finished off superbly on two occasions. With two minutes to play we were 8 points clear and they took a penalty to earn a bonus point. These kinds of tight physical games will stand to us.

J2 legend Graham Foran is leaving us for a while due to work commitments.

Scorers: Tries: Dunne, Buggy. Penalties: Charlo Connolly (5).

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 James Dunne, 13 J. Buggy, 12 Charlo Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 Joey Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. McKay, 2 P. Barrett, 3 M. Houlihan (Capt), 4 G. McInerney, 5 Paul Foran, 6 R. Ryan, 7 Louis Burke, 8 G. Foran. Subs: Lannon, Goode, Keane, Evans, Finlay.

Lakelands

The J2s had a good win over old rivals Terenure in Lakelands on Saturday. Terenure have a new young team who run the ball at every opportunity. In the first 60 minutes we physically dominated the game and built up a 29–nil lead, securing the bonus point in the process. We scored a great try early on, with the ball coming off the top of a lineout in our own half and spun across the whole backline before the backs and forwards combined to send hooker Tommy Meredith over in the corner. Three more tries followed, but then we took the foot off the pedal and their fast and skilful team ran us ragged to score three tries. To put a positive spin on it, it was good for our fitness...

Potential season decider next Saturday against Clontarf.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 J. Dunne, 13 Jack Buggy, 12 C. Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 A. Shirley, 9 E. McCormack; 1 R. Goode, 2 T. Meredith, 3 M. Houlihan (Capt), 4 G. McInerney, 5 E. Keane, 6 P. Foran, 7 K. Lannon, 8 B. Brophy. Subs (all used): Finlay, Evans, McKay, Short, Ryan.

Castle Avenue

We were beaten for the first time this season by Clontarf in Castle Avenue. It moves them one point ahead of us and we have three games left, including a return game against 'Tarf at home. This was a game we could have won and in many ways it was a great performance given the circumstances. An injury to our hooker Tommy Meredith derailed our game plan, as our front-row cover was not a recognised hooker. Therefore our lineout suffered, especially our tail-of-the-line option, which has been key to our attack strategy.

Our pack stood up magnificently to the big and experienced Clontarf forwards. We had a clear edge in the backline which manifested itself in two classic first-half tries. Brilliant running, passing and off-loading by Joey Connolly, Barry Cahill, Alan Shirley and Charlo Connolly twice carved open Clontarf to put us 12–nil up. From there our problems started and Clontarf used their pack to dominate possession and territory when the wind was against us in the second half. We defended heroically and limited them to one try. In the last moments of the game we lifted the siege and had an opportunity to win, but it was not to be.

We look forward to our last three games, one in particular.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 J. Verdon, 13 A. Shirley, 12 C. Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 T. Meredith, 3 R. Goode, 4 G. McInerney, 5 Paul Foran, 6 B. Brophy, 7 Louis Burke, 8 M. Aboud. Subs (all used): K. Lannon, R. Ryan, G. Prunty, A. Mullin, George McKay.

If we lost the game the league was gone. We didn't, and now we have our destiny in our own hands. This was our best win in a long time, against current champions Clontarf. Every single player put his heart and soul into this game, which was littered with big hits and big ball carries. Under-20 hooker David Callanan made his junior rugby debut against very tough and experienced opponents, yet he stood up brilliantly in the loose and our lineout was excellent.

Manager Derek Gately's video analysis of our last game v 'Tarf paid off, as G Mac and Co. stole several of their lineouts. It was a lineout that led to our winning score, the forwards mauling over from 15 metres. I doubt Clontarf have gone backwards like that before and our whole pack deserve great credit. Charlo kept the scoreboard ticking over with his top-class kicking, and Jimmy Dunne showed great composure to nail a pressure kick when Charlo was off the pitch.

We now need to bring the same commitment to our remaining two games against Belvo and Lansdowne.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Neil Cowhey; 14 J. Dunne, 13 A. Shirley, 12 C. Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 David Callanan, 3 R. Goode, 4 G. McInerney, 5 E. Keane, 6 P. Foran, 7 Louis Burke, 8 M. Aboud. Subs (all used): K. Gallivan, Jay Verdon, George McKay, Peter Barrett, B. Brophy.

The J2s beat Old Belvedere by a score in a nervous and ropey performance. Knowledge that we required the win at all costs to bring the league to the final day affected us, although we did enough to win. A man-of-the-match performance from Paul Foran was necessary, as he scored two excellent tries. We hit our best form only once in the game. This led to a series of fast rucks generating quick ball for Joey to do one of his specials: a dummy and break from first receiver to score under the sticks untouched.

Poor old Charlo burst his face open stuffing their No. 8 and had to get eight stitches. Thanks to Ian Kelly for playing for us the day after his J3 disappointment.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 Jerome Kennedy; 14 J. Dunne, 13 C. Connolly, 12 Jay Verdon, 11 G. Crawford; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 P. Barrett, 3 George McKay, 4 G. McInerney, 5 P. Foran, 6 B. Brophy, 7 Louis Burke, 8 K. Gallivan. Subs: Ian Kelly, A. Shirley, R. Goode, Mick Evans, K. Lannon.

CHAMPIONS!

A great end to a great league campaign. It was brilliant to have such huge numbers supporting us and it made the difference in the end. Captain Mikey Houlihan led his team to their fourth trophy in three years, a fitting end to a hard-won league. All the lads have put in so much hard work that it is great to get the reward. We were also delighted to win it for our President Ronnie McBrien, Dave Donohoe and his Rugby Council, who have given us such strong support all year.

Awesome forward play led to our first score, with Peter Barrett crashing over early. Penalties were keeping this skilful and dogged Lansdowne team in it, but we scored a super try with Joey Connolly finding Eoin Keane on the wing with a long looping pass, and Big Keaner did the rest, running in like a winger. The decisive score came from a class bit of play from Kevin Gallivan. Mucker tapped a free kick outside their 22 and gave it to Kev, who made an incredible run to score in the corner. Gallivan is quality and he has won many a game for us on his own. The fact that he came off the bench shows how lucky we are to have such great players. Charlo Connolly's kicking did the rest and we endured a nervous end before closing out the win.

The coaching and management team of Derek Gately, Colm Barry, Alan Shirley and Mick O'Connor deserve great credit for all the hard work during the year. We now play Lansdowne again in the cup next Saturday. Can't wait! Thanks to Tony for looking after us after the game. A couple of quiet pints were had.....

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 J. Kennedy; 14 J. Buggy, 13 J. Verdon, 12 C. Connolly, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 P. Barrett, 3 R. Goode, 4 G. McInerney, 5 E. Keane, 6 P. Foran, 7 B. Brophy, 8 Louis Burke. Subs: K. Gallivan, J. Dunne, D. Drumm, G. Foran, K. Lannon.

The J2s repeated their league win last week over the same opposition with a commanding performance in the cup. A heavy injury list from the attritional win last time meant we had to rely on the Under 21s, the J3s and a cameo from J2 legend Alan Conboy.

Under 21 coach Hugh Hogan was extremely helpful all week (as he has been all year) and we were bolstered by Chris Lillie, Darragh Kelleher, Mark Fallon, Sean Preston and David Callanan. All were excellent and contributed superbly to our win. Particular thanks to David Callanan, who literally got out of his sick bed at 1pm on Saturday to fill the crucial hooker role, and he performed very well. Thanks also to Brendan Short and Michael Craig of the J3s and Graham Crawford of the J1s, who also turned out.

At half time we were 8–nil down but had played into a very strong wind. We didn't panic and patiently took them through the phases in the second half, leading to scores by Barry Cahill and Mark Fallon. Alan Shirley kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 A. Conboy; 14 G. Crawford, 13 J. Buggy, 12 A. Shirley, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 C. Lillie; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 D. Callanan, 3 R. Goode, 4 G. McInerney, 5 E. Keane, 6 P. Foran, 7 R. Ryan, 8 G. Foran. Subs: S. Preston, B. Short, M. Fallon, D. Kelleher, M. Craig.

Castle Avenue

The J2s were knocked out of the Cup with the last kick of the game in Castle Avenue on Saturday. It was a game we had chances to win and is one that we will look back on with regret, having crossed their line on two occasions with the referee failing to see the grounding. Early on we led 11–nil after a sweeping move from our own half saw Barry Cahill run in to score a great team try. Clontarf came back into the game very well and it was 17 all with time up on the clock and extra time looming. A last-gasp penalty gave Clontarf victory, which was hard to begrudge them after they competed so fiercely all year in our successful league campaign. It was amazing to see so many supporters, including President Ronnie McBrien, out in Clontarf.

Another great year under captain Mikey Houlihan comes to a close. Under his inspirational leadership we have won two trophies in successive seasons, with the team in total winning two leagues and two cups in three seasons. Without a doubt this team has more victorious campaigns ahead and already plans are afoot for next season. Great credit is due to managers Derek Gately and Mick O'Connor, coaches Colm Barry and Alan Shirley, skipper Mikey and most of all to the players, who have all worked so hard all year. We will be filling up the league trophy one more time at the Captain's dinner on May 7th!

Junior rugby in St. Mary's is so successful and vibrant because of the co-operation and support that all teams give each other. Rugby Council deserve great credit for creating this environment. Thanks to Pat Crawford and Steve Hennessy of the J1s, Ruaidhri Moran of the J3s, and Hugh Hogan and all his great players from the Under 20s for all the help this year.

Stephen Shirley

St. Mary's: 15 N. Cowhey; 14 J. Buggy, 13 A. Shirley, 12 J. Verdon, 11 B. Cahill; 10 J. Connolly, 9 E. McCormack; 1 M. Houlihan (C), 2 P. Barrett, 3 R. Goode, 4 G. Prunty, 5 P. Foran, 6 R. Ryan, 7 L. Burke, 8 M. Aboud. Subs: I. Kelly, B. O'Flanagan, B. Brophy, M. McKay, G. Crawford.