15.03.2014 1st XV v Clontarf (H)

St Mary’s College RFC V Clontarf FC

6 25

AIL Division 1A

Templeville Road

15^th March 2014.

Overall

There was plenty of Paddy whackery going the rounds, here and in Paris, this weekend. Certainly, our lads and Clontarf were whacking into each other with gusto at Templeville Road. It would be difficult to argue that we deserved to win and the score would bear that out. However, Marys led from the third minute of the game to ten minutes of the second half. There was a stiff breeze from the cabbage patch end to the road end; and yet again it was largely ignored. In the first half Marys had the breeze to their backs, yet tended to run from deep, with picnic space behind the Tarf cover. It may well have been more profitable to kick and force the game in the Tarf 22. The set pieces were fairly even, in fact the Marys’ lineouts were excellent, probably the superior. Dylan Fawcitt had an excellent return from the throw-ins, in addition to his remarkable chase game and his usual all round determined performance. In the pack, there were other strong performances, including from Darragh Frawley and Ciaran Ruddock. However, for me, the most significant contribution came from Barry O’Flanagan, who was reliable and athletic in the lineout, his tackle rate was high and when carrying he showed intelligent ball use with sympathetic passing. He was my Marys’ Man of The Match.

Behind the scrum, the halves were energetic, and outside of them there was effort and hunger with potential threat.

The quality and strength of the Tarf team was more evident than in the away fixture, earlier in the season. Clontarf presents a strong well-drilled pack, a competent threequarter line and two celeritous wingers. Both scored fine tries. Tarf dominated possession and played to their strengths which are powerful forward carries, continual recycling and attrition. There is no need for concern as Smythy’s team is progressing well and will ascend the league table. There are several young players being developed and the future is positive. There is a fine J1 squad, in support and augmenting the senior team. They won the J1 Metro Plate this weekend and play in the final of the J1 Metro League next Sunday at Castle Avenue; not really surprisingly, against Clontarf. Please remember to come along and support them. They need that support.

Scoring sequence: - 3 and 17 minutes penalties Marys. 29, 64 and 75 minutes tries Clontarf, two conversions and 50 and 71 minutes penalties Clontarf.

Final Score 6 – 25.

D O’Brien.

The Team (Rolling substitutions)

15 G Dunne 14 D Hudson, 13 M O’Driscoll, 12 Rob Hudson, 11 C Hogan, 10 C Marsh, M D’Arcy, 8 K Sheahan (Capt), 7 B O’Flanagan, 6 M Fallon., 5 C Ruddock, D Frawley, 3 B Mc Govern, 2 D Fawsitt, 1, A Lyons, C Mc Mahon S Flanagan, I O’Neill, T O’Reilly, R Glynn.