January 9th saw the old rivalry renew once more with the Marys’ J5 travelling to Terenure College. The first of three fixtures between the two sides in the coming month looked like it could go the way of a walkover for Terenure as they were first to score, putting away a try and conversion in the opening five minutes. Terenure would continue to dominate possession as they stretched their lead to 17-0 with just 20 minutes on the clock.
Terenure looked to put the match out a reach but Marys finally got into gear and held possession for much of the remaining half and adding a penalty from the boot of Colin O’Neill.
17-3 at the half.
Marys began the second half in much the same manner they finished the first, camped out on Terenure’s try line. After some defiant defence from Terenure, Marys’ Trevor Dunne scored a try in the corner, with the conversion from Colin O’Neill. With time now running short, Mary’s needed another converted try to tie up the game.
The combination of powerful play from the forwards and great running from the backs had Terenure on the back foot once more. Again besieging the Terenure try line, Marys looked to fly-half Colin O’Neill to deliver as he ran in the equalising try and kicked the subsequent conversion.
A tense final few minutes followed as Terenure went in search of a winner but it wasn’t to be. 17 unanswered points from Marys earned them a valuable draw as they continue in their search of J5 glory.
Final score: Terenure 17-St. Marys 17