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01/10/2011
1:00pm
League
St. Marys J4 B XV
13 - 3
Parkmore
Home
Parkmore Game:
St.Mary's J5-A team began their life in the lofty heights, of the J4 league, witha well fought win, ove rParkmore.
For the first 20 minutes our inexperience, at this level, shone through as we made some gameplay errors in our own 22.
We spent that opening period camped between our own tryline and our 22. Our defensive line was flawless however, with Parkmore coming away with no score,for this dominance.
The team realigned and began to play some smart rugby, hitting territory kicks followed by great support running. This pressure, on Parkmore, did not relent,with the forwards turning over 3 scrums and mauling 15 metres at a go. The backline started finding gaps, to push through. In the end all this pressure told with two penalties and a converted try to our name.
Final Score:
St.Mary's College R.F.C -13
Parkmore -3
22/10/2011
12:30pm
League
St. Marys J4 B XV
44 - 5
Normans RFC
Home
On Saturday the J4 “B” took on the Kilkenny Normans from Thomastown at home. A win would ensure we would continue our winning streak and keep us on top of the table.
Around fifteen minutes in we went in for our first try of the game. We ran in another five more in before half time.
We took our foot off the petal a bit in the second half as we knew we had the game won. We finished off with another two tries. Both of which were converted. Final score 44-5 to us.
Going into the Bank Holiday break we remain top of the table. Unbeaten after four games. Next up is a tough away trip to Malahide on the 5th November.
10/12/2011
2:00pm
League
Parkmore
29 - 21
St. Marys J4 B XV
Away
St Marys J4C team suffered a costly defeat at the hands of Parkmore in Lakelands, following a kick off with depleted numbers Parkmore took an early lead of 12 points in the opening 5 minutes. Mary's fought back in the first half with a penalty kick, but going into the first half break they were down on points. A gruelling second half saw the team come back with three tries to within 1 point if Parkmore but a late converted try by Parkmore closed the game out with a 29 to 21 defeat.
Lorcan Byrne
07/01/2012
2:30pm
League
Unidare
7 - 13
St. Marys J4 B XV
Home
A hugely significant win over Unidare by our J4 B team on Saturday which puts the winning of this league back in to our own hands. After a poor enough display and defeat against Parkmore last time out, it was important that the team got back to winning ways in this encounter against potential league title contenders, Unidare. Playing with the elements in the first half, it was important to get a lead to take in to the second half. An excellent start with some good running rugby set up a ruck in front of the Unidare posts. Penalty to St Mary’s, easily slotted by Daly. 3-0. Somewhat against the run of play, Unidare worked their way back into our half and scored a breakaway try through some tackling efforts best forgotten. Converted try: 3 7. Firmly resolved to get back on terms with Unidare, we worked our way back down the pitch to set up a breakdown deep in to the Unidare half. Showing great awareness of the space around him, scrum half, Finn Considine, took on the Unidare defence and ran at them from 20 meters out to eventually go in under the posts. Nice individual effort. Daly converted. 10-7 at half time. This match was all about the second half. The team showed great resolve (under the strong and effective captaincy of Eamonn Walsh) to grind out a winning second half marked by admirable spirit and determination. As Unidare tired, they got sloppy and eventually, narky. (Referee left his yellow cards in the dressing room apparently!) Their discipline let them down and they coughed up a borderline kickable penalty…. which Daly slotted with ease from 30 meters out, into a wind. 13-7. An important win. With thanks to all players and subs who helped us back to winning ways and also, back into league contention.
14/01/2012
11:00am
League
Tallaght
0 - 16
St. Marys J4 B XV
Away
On an early Saturday morning in a frost bitten Tymon Park, St Marys the Leinster J4C league leaders took to the pitch against Tallaght RFC.
The early morning was clearly affecting all 31 people on the pitch with a high penalty count from both teams and a referee with an itchy arm which refused to stay by his side, with the smallest infringements being heavily punished. The first half of the match was a tightly fought forward game with both teams being drawn into a tightly fought competition, the first half of the match ended nil all for both teams. After an inspirational half time speech from the newly sedate coach Ian McCarthy, and rousing words from captain Eamonn Walsh St Marys retook the pitch and imposed their signature and well worked moves to strike the first blow of the match with a try from Andy Dodge'em Doran, St Marys continued their game and out played and frustrated the Tallaght opposition leading to a penalty which was converted by the boot of Dave Daly, for a small period of the second half Tallaght again kept the level of the game in tight play, but St Marys persistence and panache for open play and the skill of moving the ball from the hard working bruised forwards to the coiffed backs with new signing Sean " Situation" Gilheany going in for the second try of the match. In the dieing minutes of the match Tallaght gave away yet another penalty which was again put over the big white H by Dashing Dave Daly.The game ended St Marys 16 Tallaght 0, Tallaght as always gave played a hard fought match, the hard hitting only being surpassed by their always welcoming and amiable players and management whom the J4 B have come to admire and respect over the years. The St Marys team now sit at the top of the league once again and with 4 more games to go have the chance of securing a second Leinster championship in 2 years.
Lorcan
28/01/2012
2:30pm
League
Normans RFC
3 - 25
St. Marys J4 B XV
Away
St. Marys J4 B V Kilkenny Normans
St. Marys travelled to the far end of Leinster to take on newcomers Kilkenny Normans. A spirited side who are newly formed, Marys were given access to the village hall (Kiltopher) to change. The away side were determined to come away with a victory.
The Normans have developed a good fan out defence which was easy on their narrow pitch. The St. Marys forwards were dominant throughout the first half winning turnover lineout ball and winning the collisions up front. Lead by Eamo and helped by Walkin, Jimbo and Beef they took the game to the Normans and Marys dominated possession and territory. A few uncharacteristic handling errors meant the score board didn’t reflect this dominance. Out half Daly got a penalty but two more went astray. In their first time over the half way line the Normans were awarded a penalty and converted. This was the catalyst to the Marys team to up the intensity and they took the game to the Normans. Full back Ryan Barnes crossing for a good try. 8-3 Half time.
In the second half, Marys played with the hill. Tries from Gav (setup by yours truly) and Eamo sealed the game for Marys. Coach Aido came on to kick a conversion in place of the injured Daly. Final score 25 – 3. Credit must go to the Normans who supplied dinners to the Marys team after the game.
Keith
04/02/2012
2:30pm
League
St. Marys J4 B XV
8 - 13
Malahide
Home
J4 B XV 8-13 Malahide
The J4 B XV took to the field on Saturday knowing this was a big must win game to stay in the hunt for the title. Also mindful of the fact that we lost in a high scoring tight game in the away game.
This led to a nervous start by the St Mary’s team. The weather and the heavy pitch didn’t help the handling conditions on foot. Malahide started the better of the sides. They struck first with a penalty on 8 mins. 0-3. They followed that up with a try on 15 mins and then again on 25 mins. 0-13. This was going to be an uphill challenged. Led by skipper Pudding, the J4 B’s started to try themselves back into the game. Good pressure in the Malahide 22 led to a penalty on 35 mins struck by Ryan Barnes. 3-13. That is the way is stayed until halftime.
In the second half we started the strongest, determined to get right back into the game. We were rewarded 2 mins in with a try by Ryan Barnes. 8-13. The rest of the half was a very close affair with both sides going close, with both sides keeping each other out. In the end is stayed 8-13.
It was a very determined fight in this closely fought J4 Section C League game. A losing bonus point leaves us still in with a shout of the League. However it has now gone out of our own hands. It will be very important to try and win our final two league games, both at home, in order to put pressure on other teams who are in a commanding position.
03/03/2012
3:00pm
League
St. Marys J4 B XV
19 - 35
Railway Union
Home
J4 B 19-35 Railway
Saturday League game with Railway was a big game for both sides. The winner would secure 2nd place in the table and put pressure on Parkmore for the title if they slipped up away to Unidare. That game did go to script for Parkmore.
The St Mary’s side started very strong. Out half Daly kick a high ball by half way. Winger Doran chased it up and got the better of the bounce. Unfortunately the pass to centre Clery was knocked forward and the opportunity for a great try was missed. Railway built their way into our 22 and slotted a drop goal. 0-3 5 mins. Railway furthered their lead with a try on 13 mins. 0-8. A very decisive decision which had a strong implication on how the game was being refereed happened shortly after. Inside our own half just beside the touchline out half Daly, who did not have the ball, got very dangerously taken out by the Railway winger head first. Daly was out cold for a few mins. Thankfully Daly was ok. All of this happened right in front of the referee who did nothing. Just awarded Railway a lineout. We were caught unawares from the lineout, following the Daly incident which quiet clearly warranted a straight red card. Railway got a try. 0-13. We reacted positively to this by getting a try to Balfour on 25 mins. 5-13. Before half time however Railway got a converted try and a penalty to lead 23-5 at break.
It was frustrating to watch that first half. Not only was nothing done for the dangerous incident, there was an awful lot of poor decisions and different things missed by the referee. Needless this was all noted by his assessor on the sideline.
The score remained the same throughout most of the second half. With 10 mins to go Railway got another converted try followed up 5 mins to go with another score which had a blatant forward pass in the move, missed by the referee. 5-35. The St Mary’s side dug deep for the remaining 5 mins of the game. Winger Gavin went over for two tries near the end with both being converted by Daly. Final score finished 19-35.
It’s a shame that what promised to be a very good battle was spoiled by an inexperienced referee.
A credit to the lads for a great league campaign which sees us finish in 3rd place.
We move on to the 1st Round of the cup this week. We have a tough away trip away to Coolmine on Saturday.
10/03/2012
1:00pm
Winter's Cup
Coolmine
8 - 10
St. Marys J4 B XV
Away
J4 B XV 10-8 Coolmine
On Saturday the J4 B took on Coolmine in the first round of theJ4 Cup. We knew this was going to be a tough away trip as Coolmine were in J4 League Section A. That’s the way it turned out. We were up for the challenge.
The first half was very tight. Coolmine got on the scoreboard 9minutes in with a penalty. 0-3. 10 minutes later they got a lucky break and went over for a try in the corner. 0-8. On 29 minutes we got our opportunity to get on the scoreboard with a well struck penalty from out half Dave Daly. 3-8. That is the way is stayed until half time.
It was all positive at half time. We knew we were capable of getting something from the game. We just had to be patient and take our chances.
The second half was again a tight one. Very little in it between the two sides. Both sides had opportunities for scores but where held up. As the half wore on there was still no scores from either team. As the game approached the last minute, step up winger Shane Levins. Levins chased up on a penalty. He was very persistent. He won the ball and in a very dramatic finish he went over for a try under the posts. 8-8. Daly struck the conversion to make it 10-8 and win the game.
Great effort from the lads for the full 80 minutes. We have to wait until Wednesday to see who we face in the next round. The win has ensured that we play at home on Ladies Day.
The team would like to send out our best wishes to our prop James Nolan. James dislocated his ac joint in the game.
24/03/2012
3:00pm
Winter's Cup
St. Marys J4 B XV
11 - 37
NUIM Barnhall
Home
J4 B XV 11-37 Barnhall
The J4 B took to the field for an evening kick off on Ladies Day on Saturday, following the 1st XV’s home win.
Barnhall started the stronger. They were successful with an early penalty which they followed up a converted try a few minutes later. 0-10. They continued their momentum with another try moments later. 0-15. Midway through the half a well struck penalty by outhalf Daly got us on the scoreboard. 3-15. Before the end of the half they went over for two more tries, while Daly was successful with a second penalty. Half time score was 6-32.
We rallied ourselves at the break. We knew we could get ourselves back into this game and it wasn’t over.
Barnhall scored straight after the restart. 6-37. We battled hard for the rest of the half. Getting stronger as the half wore on. For all our good work we just couldn’t get the scoring opportunities. Late on scrum half Neville went over for a try. 11-37. That is the way it finished.
It was great credit to the lads for the effort shown in a difficult game we knew would be tough. Overall it was a very good season for us having moved up from the J5 League. Although we came up short in the end it was a very good first season for the team at J4 Level.
While that is it for the season at J4 B level, that is not it yet for our Panel. Attention switches to our 2nd team this week. We travel to Kilkenny to take on the Normans in the first round of the O’Connor Cup.
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1/10/2011
3:00pm
League
Clondalkin
20 - 17
St. Marys J5 XV
Home
Clondalkin Game:
St.Mary's J5-B startedthe defense, of their league title, with a narrow loss to Clondalkin. The matchwas relocated to St. Mary's, due to bad weather.
We started at a non stop pace and were on top for the opening periods, of the game.
We scored some great triesand were soon 14-0 up but injuries to critical positions broke up our flow.Clondalkin were able to exploit this and soon were able to tie the game, we wentback in the lead with a well taken penalty but Clondalkin hit back with twopenalties to take the lead, which they would not give up. We hitat them withgusto but were unable to break them down.
This was a greatperformance from a team that had a mix of experience and new players,withcomplete commitment. The problems in this game will be corrected throughtraining, so a big turnout is required at training
Finalscore:
Clondalkin- 20
St Mary's - 17
08/10/2011
12:00pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
15 - 21
Stillorgan
Home
J5 XV 15-21 Stillorgan
On Saturday the J5’s played their second game of the league campaign at home. They were trying to got over a very narrow defeat the previous week.
It was a tough game from the start against a strong Stillorgan side. However we struck the early advantage through the boot of Caolan Reid to go three up from a penalty. In a tight game Stillorgan went over for a try soon after.
The 2nd half was just as tight. Stillorgan scored early. The J5’s continued to battle back throughout the half and went over twice. The last one ensuring a losing bonus point.
The game ended 21-15 to Stillorgan.
Scorers:
Tries - Anthony O'Hanlon and Stephen Joyce
Conv - Adrian Malone
Pen - Caolan Reid
15/10/2011
3:00pm
League
Emerald Warriors
10 - 7
St. Marys J5 XV
Away
St. Marys took on the Emerald Warriors on Saturday in the J5 League in Suttonians. Due to the AIL game between Boyne and Suttonians both teams were forced to change in the car park. The Warriors have a much changed team this year having drafted in a few ex-AIL players. Ex-St. Marys player Ray Conboy has also moved to the Warriors as out-half.
The game started at a ferocious pace. The Warriors back-row took a hold of the game and dominated the breakdown with a little help from the man in the middle!! The warriors opened the scoring with an early try due to some lax defending by St. Marys to made the score 5-0. The wind played a significant part in the game with Marys playing into it in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Warriors got another try to leave the score 10-0. This seemed to shake the J5s who went on to score a great try by No.8 Trav which was converted by Barnes. 10-7. A number of penalties were run from in front of the posts as the J5s chased the win. This was to be the turning point as the failed to score again. Final score 10-7.
22/10/2011
3:00pm
League
Terenure
37 - 5
St. Marys J5 XV
Away
On Saturday the J5’s were down in Lakelands for the Local Derby game against a strong Terenure side.
We knew this would be a tough game for us. Straight away we got stuck into it. There was plenty of big hits put in early on. Some great work saw us go over for an early try. We held the lead up to just before half time. In the last play of the half Terenure went in for try to take the lead 8-5.
Unfortunately Terenure came out the stronger in the second and got another score. We battled hard for the rest of the half. We were unlucky to concede another 2 tries. Game finished 35-5 to Terenure.
Next up is a home game against Clontarf on the 5th November at home. The team is progressing well. It is a feeder team this season to our J4 “B” team. A win in our next game will ensure we can move ourselves into mid table.
10/12/2011
2:00pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
8 - 12
Clondalkin
Home
Frustration, frustration, frustration. The J5s kicked off against Clondalkin in a game they knew they could win and should have won. With 5 players who are in their first year of rugby, Marys looked the more confident team and took the game to Clondalkin in the first half. Out half Andrew Fitz converting a three pointer. Marys continued to apply pressure and had 90% possession and 75% territory in the first half but failed to score. Missed kicks and bad handling undoing some great set piece work. Clondalkin got a break away try and went into half time 5-3 up.
A number of injuries reduced the Marys team but Clondalkin again score against the run of play to make the score 12-3. This inspired Marys to play and scrum half Keith Mc Carthy setup Andrew Fitz to score. 12-8 with 8 minutes to go. Marys were camped on the line but couldn’t score. A very spirited and courageous performance but lacking in execution.
14/01/2012
2:30pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
20 - 7
Emerald Warriors
Home
A very important (and first!) league win of the season for the J5 Team on Saturday at home v the Emerald Warriors on Saturday. Well done all! The final score was 20-7 and reflected a tough 80 minute battle against an organised Emerald Warriors side. St Mary’s started well with a dominant period of ‘possession rugby’ with the backs and forwards linking well to mount a number of attacks within the first 20 minutes. Our well balanced back row linked extremely well with Jody Brooks on hand to take the final pass from a long, powerful Dave Balfour break from the base of the scrum…and Jody then barrelled his way over between (and nearly through!) the posts for the opening score. Adrian Malone easily converted. Deservedly, 7-0 to the boys in blue! More pressure from St Mary’s during this excellent spell coughed up another penalty about 25 meters out … which was again dispatched by Adrian Malone. 10-0. The Emerald Warriors are a well drilled side and were full of running all day. They eventually found a way through our defences on 5th or 6 phase ball to score a good team try. Converted to make it 10-7 at half time. Although full of running, the Emerald Warriors had plan A and only plan A as a game plan. A tense 20 minutes at the beginning of the second half realised scoring chances for both sides but none were converted. An important penalty in front of their posts allowed Adrian Malone slot his 3rd from 3 attempts to put St Mary’s 13 -7 up. (Right decision to take the points here) Another period of tense rugby followed as both sides attempted to run the ball along their respective backlines for the most important, next score. Daithi Crowley tried a hugely ambitious long range penalty from inside our half during this nail biting period … and only just missed as it hit the post to go wide. Worth trying. A bizarre incident followed next whereby 29 players heard an imaginary whistle blow and they all stopped playing…all apart from James Hynes that is…..who had the good sense to keep playing until the referee blows his whistle (twice?!) and ran half the length of the pitch to go under the posts untouched by human hand for the winning try! Good awareness. Converted to make the final score 20-7. A win in the league! A first win of the season! A great feeling for all involved. A great and committed team effort. Onwards and upwards now lads!
Bobby
18/01/2012
8:00pm
League
DLSP
22 - 12
St. Marys J5 XV
Away
J5 XV 12-22 DLSP
On Wednesday night the J5 panel 2nd team took to the pitch for a tough away league game against DLSP. Fresh from their recent win last Saturday they were led into battle by captain Mossy.
DLSP started the stronger of the two sides. They caught the Mary’s side cold and after a few minutes they went over for a try. 0-5. After this lapse, the J5’s played themselves back into the game. Unfortunately a few minutes later centre Daithi Crowley was knocked out from a tackle. Thankfully he came around after a few minutes and was taken off the pitch. For the remainder of the half there was some good defensive displays and great attacking rugby from the J5s. A great move across the backline in the Salmo 22 saw Club PRO Keith McCarthy go over for a try. 5-5. That’s the way it stayed until half time. Unfortunately just before half time in a bizarre accident, second row Marco took a knock to the side of head and had to come off.
Ian McCarthy and Bobby O’ Connor dished out the half time tongue lashing.
In the second half DLSP again started stronger. They went over for two tries in the opening 10 mins. 5-19. Mary’s continued to battle to try and get back into the game with some more great defending and attacking displays. They were unable to take their scoring chances. With 20 mins left DLSP hit a penalty to leave the score 22-5 in their favour. The last 15 mins was all about St Mary’s. Attack after attack. Great play finally paid off with Brooks going over in the corner. A superb kick by Daly from the sideline brought the score to 12-22. Marys built from the restart with some more attacking momentum. In the end we just ran out of time. Final score 22-12 to DLSP.
We have two big games coming up on the 28th for the J5 panel. Our first team have a must win away game down in Kilkenny against the Normans. While our second team face a very tough home derby game against the neighbours, who are running miles away with the league with a very strong side.
28/01/2012
2:30pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
7 - 37
Terenure
Home
J5 XV 7-37 Terenure
This wasn’t a game of rugby, it was a rugby event! The score line may read like a handy enough win for Terenure but that is too simple a synopsis of this important game of rugby. Faced with a decision to call off the game during the week (due to the availability of only 11 of the J5 squad for this league encounter v the Old Enemy as our first team travelled to Kilkenny) a brave decision was made to keep the fixture, not concede the points to Terenure and beg, steal and borrow players in order to play the match. Two days later, we still had 11 players. A rally call on Wednesday to the (marvellous!) Vets triggered a response that, as members of this Club, we should all be proud of. 6 Vets (all of which in rugby retirement or at least, should be!!!) offered their services and took the pitch to help out their Club last Saturday. Jamie Power, Aidan Manahan, Chris Richardson, Steve Martin, Bobby O’Connor and Sam Brennan (Yes, you heard right, Sam Brennan!) all took the pitch to, more than, make up the numbers. We were up to nearly a full squad before kick off with a few recent injured players coming back a week earlier to help the cause. By the end of the first half we had conceded 4 tries against a very well drilled and organised Terenure Team. This Terenure side would have held their own at J3 level, easily. (In fact someone suggested on the day that it was their J3 team) Things looked ominous at half time as we turned to play up the hill and against the elements. A decision was made to add ‘a bit of experience’ at half time….to the pack especially. Skipper Mossy rallied the troops which included coach Iano making his seasonal reappearance. Our second half performance could not have been predicted by anyone who watched the first half! As Sammy and Bobby entered the field and joined the scrum, the average age of the pack nearly doubled! The backrow linked up well with some great breaks off the back of the scrum. Started by Hegarty, then Lloyd, carried on by Ian Mc and Bobby all leading by example. A tight, committed, dogged half of clever, possession rugby by St Marys College RFC ensued. There must have been 300 ‘pick and drives’ in the second half alone! Terenure could hardly get their hands on the ball …. There was a 15 minute spell at the beginning of the second half when Terenure didn’t touch the ball once……as it was firmly stuck up the jumpers of a pack of St Marys College FRC forwards in possession of the most perfect mix of youth, experience, skill and spirit. (Note I didn’t mention fitness levels here!) This dogged 30 minute period was justly rewarded when Seanie Gilheaney picked and drove (again) from 5 yards out, on our 42nd phase ball, to go over the line for our first try of the afternoon! (Referee gave a penalty try in fact as he was unsighted and the tackle made on Seanie as he went over the line was criminal) Never was a try more deserved by a team! It was just rewards for a team thrown together minutes before kick off and was greeted with a great sense of achievement and pride by all wearing a blue jersey on the road pitch! During the post match analysis we discovered that amongst many individual achievements on the day, no record was more impressive than that of Sam Brennan, who (as a result of playing in a league match last Saturday in the year 2012) has now represented St Marys College RFC in competitive rugby in each of the last 5 decades! Well done Sammy! That’s some achievement.
We lost the match but we all felt like winners after the game! The power of sport, the pride in our Club, the St Marys spirit, the joy of team games! Last Saturday had it all!
Many thanks to another one of our guests, Mr Rose of Tralee, Fionan (Elf) Henry.
Bobby
04/02/2012
3:00pm
League
Clontarf
27 - 3
St. Marys J5 XV
Away
J5 XV 3-27 Clontarf
On Saturday the J5’s (2nd’s) put in a strong performance against a good Clontarf side. The St Mary’s side took the early lead with a well taken penalty from Sean Gilheaney early on. That is the way it stayed for most of the half. Late in the half Clontarf went in for a try to make 3-5. A missed penalty shot on goal by us meant that the score remained 3-5 at half time.
The rain got heavy in the 2nd half and made conditions under foot difficult. Clontarf got the early luck and went in for a try mid way through the half. 3-10 Despite a great effort St Mary’s fell away late on. Clontarf went in for a couple of late scores. Final score 3-27.
The defeat rounded off a bad day for the J5 set up. A good effort for the 2nd team which is a development team and complements the efforts of the J4 B very well.
15/02/2012
8:00pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
10 - 15
Bective Rangers
Home
The one that got away! A valiant defeat which could very easily have been a win….in fact, it should have been a win. The level of disappointment after the game is a measure of how far we are moving along as a team. We started well with some good pressure being applied on the Bective defensive line. This eventually resulted in a penalty which Fitzy slotted with ease from 28 meters. 3-0. Somewhat against the run of play, Bective mounted a rare attack into our half after 20 minutes which coughed up a kickable penalty from 30 meters. With the wind at his back, they converted. 3-3. Then completely against the run of play, a good Bective attack with forwards and backs involved carved us open and they touched down out wide. Not converted so 3-8. The Bective team was patchy and had some accomplished players and some who were not. All of their accomplished players got involved in their next play however and they scored again …admittedly through some weak attempts at tackling. Just before half time, we suffered a yellow card. So we were 3-15 at half time knowing that we were the better team. A great resolve to put things right at half time and we were off. Captained by stand in Captain Gareth Lloyd, the St Marys team woke up and played 40 minutes of pressurised and intense rugby. A missed long range penalty was followed up by more pressure on the Bective side who, at times, looked all bent out of shape by this pressure. Our new Brazilian forward, Rodrigo, was passed a ball out wide after a good move through our hands and barrelled over for a well deserved try in the corner. Daly slotted the conversion to make it 10-15 with 15 minutes to go. The next 15 minutes was all St Marys. Credit Bective’s defence, it has to be said, but no matter how we tried we couldn’t get over. We nearly scored 3 times with some outstanding team and individual attempts. We will learn from this match and especially remember the lessons for our upcoming Cup campaign.
Kind regards,
Bobby O’Connor
24/02/2012
8:00pm
League
St. Marys J5 XV
16 - 10
DLSP
Away
J5 XV 16-10 DLSP
On Friday the J5’s (2nd Team) rounded off their League campaign with a home game against DLSP. We started off the better of the sides. Andy Fitzpatrick struck a penalty early on. 3-0. The St Mary’s side were the stronger side for most of the first half. So great movement across the back line saw us go in for the first try of the game midway through the half. 8-0. This was followed up a minutes later with another try again after some good movement of the ball across the back line. 13-0. DLSP started to put the pressure on for the later stages of the half but were unable to convert pressure into scores. 13-0 at half time.
DLSP got the better of the early exchanges by getting a try 10 minutes into the second half. 13-5. The St Mary’s side started to build some more momentum up. Midway through the half after sustained pressure in the DLSP twenty, out half Andy Fitzpatrick slotted a well hit drop goal. 16-5. For the final quarter DLSP pilled the pressure on again. They went over for their second try. 16-10. For the remaining period of the game St Mary’s showed some great defensive displays keeping DLSP out when the pressure was on. The final score was 16-10 to the J5’s.
A great performance on the night by the lads. It was a great way for the team to round off the league campaign. We have a few weeks now to prepare for our first round cup game. It is an away trip to Kilkenny to face the Normans.
The focus switches back to the first team (J4 B’s) this week who round off their great league campaign with a tough home game against rivals Railway.
31/03/2012
3:00pm
O'Connor Cup
Normans RFC
0 - 41
St. Marys J5 XV
Away
And so the J5 Cup Campaign starts! This match was all about Club Rugby in Leinster. Big Club v small Club, City Club v Country Club etc. We played the Normans RFC away, in Knocktopher, Co Kilkenny. The Normans are a brand new Rugby Club, only incorporated last year and are located deep in the heart of Kilkenny Hurling Country. (Ballyhale Shamrocks are in the same parish!) We expected a tough game and we got one. The score doesn’t really reflect the game but does reflect on a patient, skilful and accurate approach by the St Marys J5 Team. On a small pitch, it became apparent early that the Normans were a strong scrummaging and mauling unit that had to be treated respectfully … or else we could have easily ended up in the wrong sort of game. The team was strengthened by the marvellous U21’s who were a great addition to the team. Balf rounded off an excellent individual performance at No. 8 with a four try haul. Padraig Fox, in his first year playing rugby, had his best match (so far!) in a blue jersey…good timing Foxy! Our U21s Olan Cleary, Conor Smith, Gavin Sheridan, Daniel Lyons and Adam Nolan all made a positive and energetic contribution to the game…our thanks to them also … I’m pretty sure the U21’s enjoyed the game …. and the unique J5 crack on the bus on the way home too! We scored 3 more tries to finish with a total of 7 well worked tries. There is a nice balance to this team now and we have (well) earned a semi final, away and against Bective RFC on the w/e 14th April. Marco and Tahar’s contribution to the day should not be under estimated either. In typical country rugby Club fashion, the Normans invited us to a local pub for sandwiches and a glass of sherry (!) after the match. A good bunch of guys there.
Thanks to all who travelled. All focus is now firmly on the semi final.
Bobby
14/04/2012
3:00pm
O'Connor Cup
St. Marys J5 XV
10 - 8
Bective Rangers
Away
O’Connor Cup Semi Final Saturday 14th April in Glenamuck v Bective Rangers RFC
Whereas the eyes of the Club were (quite rightly) fixed on our marvellous firsts in Castle Avenue, a small matter of the O’Connor Cup semi final was occupying the minds of a bunch of J5 rugby players with enough spirit and determination to fill the whole Club! On a wind swept pitch, Bective won the toss, played with the elements and applied pressure through a strong scrum and well drilled pack. Somehow this opening onslaught of nearly 20 minutes was rebuffed time after time, by equally committed waves of St Marys College RFC scramble defence. Rodrigo alone put in 25 tackles in this half when everyone’s tackle count was very high indeed also. After 35 minutes playing with the strong wind, Bective secured a penalty to go 3 0 ahead. On the stroke of half time, Bective ran the ball wide and left…for the first time…and went over in the corner for a try. (This same left hand corner of the pitch was to produce quite a bit of drama late in the second half too!) And we so turned at half time 8 0 down but knowing that, with enough possession, we could still turn this into a win. With limited success at our own lineout and a first 20 minutes of pressure yet again from Bective, we ended up playing defensive rugby … again. We could not get our hands on the ball for long enough periods to clear our lines and set up the attacking platform we needed. Time was ticking by and 30 minutes into the second half, still at 8 0 down, we finally won a penalty on the 10 meter line…one of only two penalties we won all game! Olan Cleary slotted with ease and our team was galvanised … yet again. (How often does a team’s first score deliver that winning confidence!?) From then on, it was all St Marys … the great and welcome addition of the U21 players helped in no small way to use our greater fitness levels for this most crucial part of the game. We finally got clean ball, the lineout started working and with 5 minutes to go, we ran the ball simply and effectively though the hands left and aiming for the same corner that Bective scored in, in the first half. 4 clean passes to our stand in wing, Jack Ebbs, who brilliantly checked his overrun and received the ball behind him, turned without breaking stride, beat the last tackle and scored a great team try in this (particularly busy) corner of the pitch! 8 8 with 4 minutes and a conversion from the sideline to go. (A fully charged defibrillator was handed out to the St Marys College RFC coach on the sideline at this stage!) Olan Cleary (using up 59 of the 60 seconds allowed to take a kick!) struck a conversion between the sticks from an impossible angle! St Marys ahead 10 8 with 3 minutes to go…who would have believed it! This team did! Bective are a good, clever and more mature team and cleverly worked their way back up the pitch and with one minute to go, won a penalty 30 meters out and in front of our posts …probably to win the match. The wind died as the penalty was given, making the kick easier. (The sound of the second charge of the defibrillator on the sideline broke the deafening silence!) As the Bective kicker started his run, the wind returned and thankfully guided the ball 6” wide to the left! What drama! What a game! And nothing more than this team deserved after such a spirited, never lie down, play till the last minute performance! Junior Rugby has never been so dramatic, engaging, heart breaking …. and beautiful to watch! The O’Connor Cup final awaits this spirited team…and that’s the least they deserve.
Bobby
24/04/2012
7:30pm - Donnybrook (FINAL)
O'Connor Cup
St. Marys J5 XV
21 - 13
Clontarf
Away
Everyone involved, playing and supporting the (wonderful) J5 Team on Tuesday night witnessed quite an incredible night of Junior Cup Rugby …. an amazing advertisement for Junior Rugby which will stay in the memory for a long, long time to come. A truly gripping match which had everything …. Skill, drama, heart break and eventually, after extra time and a highly contested 100 minutes of rugby, elation! As Rynner said just before full time on Tuesday night, “Carlsberg don’t do J5 O’Connor Cup finals, but if they did…!”
We started nervously against a good Clontarf side (with an especially strong and wise, old pack). We took a long time to settle into the match and during that first 30 minutes, we still had the resolve to defend manfully and only allow Clontarf one penalty. 0 3. Our repeated attempts to get the ball wide eventually paid off … with the simplest of back moves. 9 to 10 to 12 to 15 to 11…as simple as it gets and as beautiful a passing move as you will see … which saw Caolan Smith break the line at great pace and deliver a perfect pass to Jack Ebbs who sprinted along the sideline for 40 meters and score in the corner! 5 3 to St Marys at half time and Jack Ebbs on the score sheet again! The try was somewhat against the run of play but St Marys were worthy leaders at half time due to the skill shown in the execution of that try alone. Following up on Hugh Hogan’s inspirational words in the dressing room before kick off, we started the second half in a more relaxed and focused fashion. All pressure by St Marys yet Clontarf broke away and won another kickable penalty. 5 6. 10 minutes later, the inspirational Sam Brennan had to go off injured. (A word on Sam Brennan if I may…who won his first J5 O’Connor Cup medal in 1976…in black and white!...and a full 36 years ago and well before most of his team mates on Tuesday night were even born! That’s the benchmark lads!)) Soon after, our scrum half, Ryan Barnes had to go off injured also. As we tried to re shuffle the team with replacements, Clontarf caught us napping and scored an opportunist try under the posts. They converted to leave it 5 13. Although St Marys looked the more accomplished side, the clever Clontarf forward unit played the game to their strength up front and ate up the clock with rolling mauls from every lineout. With 5 minutes to go, St Marys were on the attack again. This time through our pick and drive. On 5th phase ball, one half of our famous ‘boys from Brazil’ duo Rodrigo, took a lovely pop pass and then, with only 6 Clontarf guys on his back, barrelled over for a try with 3 minutes to go. Our missed conversion left it 10 13 with only 2 minutes to go. (‘Clear’ came the shout from our medic, Vincent Murray, as the team defibrillator was applied (for the first time in this match) to Bobby, Ado and Ian on the sideline!”) The Tarf pack was tiring and the incredible spirit and belief, which has marked this team all year, now appeared to be bursting through the veins of each of the men in Blue. Our pick and drive, one of the best defensive tackles you will ever see by our centre Sean Gilheaney and a hugely important block down by Captain Gareth Lloyd, all ensured that Tarf were pressurised for every second of those 2 minutes. Under this pressure, Tarf then went offside at a ruck, 30 meters out. Penalty to St Marys and all of the time in the second half gone. Sean Gilheaney, socks around his ankles, steps up to take it…..hard to tell if Seanie was striking a penalty or a 45! ….who cares…..between the posts! 13 13 and the referee blows for full time. What drama! 10 minutes per half extra time to come.
If the ideal Junior rugby team has a mix of youth, experience, skill, heart, determination and spirit, then we saw an ideal Junior Rugby team play the 20 minutes of extra time on Tuesday night. With superior fitness levels and the well conditioned U21’s running around the park like, eh, young fellas (!), St Marys owned extra time. Seanie slotted another in the first half of extra time to make it 16 13 and then, half way through the second half of extra time, a great counter attack from a poor clearing kick by Tarf went through 4 simple passes (again) and sent the impressive Cormac Tracey sprinting through a bewildered defensive line for a touchdown to the left of the posts. Seanie converted again to leave it 21 13. We had 2 or 3 more chances to score as Tarf tired and leg cramp was evident everywhere. 100 minutes after kick off and about 8 dog years later, the referee finally blew the final whistle! The St Marys College RFC J5 O’Connor Cup Team are …. Champions!
I can’t let this match report finish without mentioning some of the hidden and incredible stories of the night which, for me, epitomise this team, our own fine Club and ‘real’ Junior rugby. Our brave and tough Captain, Gareth Lloyd, never played rugby before this year. Padraig Fox, second row, never played rugby before this year either. Steve Walkin, prop, only his 5th year of playing rugby. The injured scrum half, Ryan Barnes, begged to be allowed re take the field even though he played the rest of the game with torn ligaments in his ankle. Sam Brennan was there when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball for the very first time…and he togged out again last Tuesday night…what a career…not enough words to describe Sam I’m afraid. The (quiet and retiring) Daniel Lyons at hooker and Jack Ebbs (Tommy Bowe?!) were both asked to play out of position. Not a bother to either of them. Mossy Davin…the heart and soul of this team…played the full 100 minutes of rugby as loose head prop….only his second match ever playing as prop in contested scrums.
Champions all!
15 Caolan Smith
14 Conor O'Beirne
13 Sean Gilheaney
12 Olan Cleary
11 Jack Ebbs
10 Conor Smith
9 Ryan Barnes
8 David Owen Mahon
7 Gareth Lloyd (C)
6 Daniel Hegarty
5 David O'Connell
4 Rodrigo Pucci
3 Maurice Davin
2 Daniel Lyons
1 Sammy Brennan
Subs:
16 Chris Boylan
17 Stephen Walkin
18 Cormac Treacey
19 Padraig Fox
20 David Balfour
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