Well, top eight has been achieved. The first instalment of our multi pronged
league goal has been achieved and while it was not the most emphatic of
performances against Old Belvedere it was nonetheless, a reasonably contented
dressing room after the game. The only negative was the realisation that our
concession of a late try relegated us to outside the top four albeit by a
slender point's difference. Never has the league been as tight. The top two are
on 45 points and the next three teams on 43 points and sixth on 42. This looks
as if it will go right down to the wire with just two games remaining. The most
pleasing aspect at this stage is the knowledge that our destiny remains
entirely in our own hands. Anyway that's for next week. Last Saturday's victory
was not as emphatic as we would have liked, but the fact we found ourselves 12
points behind was hardly a reflection of what was going on. Ok, Old Belvedere
definitely deserved their first try in the 39th minute, but their second was
about as soft as you'd get at this level. It was fractious first half
performance, where the error count was low enough but direction and impetus was
somewhat dissolved in relation to our ability. Old Belvedere did come close
early on to crossing the line , but that was snuffed out and it was only in
final 8 minutes of the half did they repeat their efforts to any degree of
success. Two yellow cards, one harsh, one probably justified knocked the teams
balance to a degree, but hardly an excuse for our 12 point deficit. The wind
was another factor in the game and it was decidedly advantageous to our
visitors. A pounding of our line resulted in their first try, but the second
was just poor defending and lack of concentration. In the absences of the sin
binned Tadgh Bennett, Dave O'Donovan knocked over a crucial penalty just before
the break and when he repeated his feat on the other side of half time the
imputes definitely swung in our favour. We weren't long eating further into the
lead. Eoghan Grace's positional switch to first centre paid dividends, not only
with his try, but his general play. Tadhg added a penalty to stretch the lead
and it was reasonably comfortable for a point. An opportunist try of our own
from Padraic O'Brien when he benefited from a quick lineout throw more or less
secured victory, but it was Belvo who had the last say with a contentious try
at the end where two apparent knock ons were over looked. We built him up last
week and he certainly didn't let us down. Frankie Mc Namara's self imposed
exile was triumphantly cut short with a thoroughly justified AIB Man of the
Match award and all he has to do now is repeat that performance four more times
including playoffs. Paul Loughnane's first start in an Aib game was another
huge positive and this young man will defiantly continue to make an impact.
There's another break this weekend before the final two games but please bear
in mind that we are hoping to host a supporter's lunch prior to our final game
against Dolphin in
On Sunday the seconds completed their match programmes when they
comprehensively beat Highfield in Coonagh. Having arrived around 20 minutes
late and then being informed we were already 28 points up was enough to tell
the strength of the opposition. This has been a somewhat fractured season for
the seconds with many factors not in their favour, but that's' not to take from
the fantastic efforts made from everyone involved. The seconds play a vital
role as an entity in themselves and as a major backup to the seniors. A big
thank you on behalf of the club to Coaches James Hickey and Frankie Mc Namara
and manager Danny Bedford.
On Tuesday evening the thirds advanced to the final of the Webb cup with a
brilliant win over Young Munster in Derryknockane. The early kickoff of time
and other factors saw us short quite a number of our regulars but it didn't
stop those that took the field to rack up an eight point win. By contrast Young
Munster fielded a strong side at it took a might effort to break through their
defence. Our multi skilled Player/Manager/Coach Tony Flynn was forced to stand
in at the unusual position (for him) of outhalf and despite is inexperience he
ensured the backline were supplied with plenty of ball. Conor Burke crossed for
the try while Fergus Curtin wrapped up the result with a penalty. Before they
compete in the final the face UCC this Sunday in Curaheen in the
Big games are coming thick and fast this weekend with the Ladies side competing
in their first All Ireland final for some time. Facing Malahide in the plate
final they definitely have a tough challenge but given the growth in their own
self confidence throughout the course of the season I've no doubt they'll come
home with the silverware. We wish them the very best.
Next Tuesday the U/20's play Garryowen in a double up match .The
The U/18's put in a brave and battling performance against Ennis in what was
tantamount to a league decider, but were unfortunately beaten by a narrow 10 -8
scoreline. Shorn of a plethora of players due to a disappointing interpretation
of already sketchy rules pertaining to schools players, the lads that togged
out did the club proud and should hold their heads high. This squad has the
makings of a superb team and the quality coaching invested them over a long
number of years will benefit the club enormously in the coming years. One of
the squad members, Ben Sergeant has been selected on the Irish Schools squad
that competes in the six nations on
The U/16's fared a bit better in what was more or less a league final. The U/16
league was sectioned into two groups this year, city and county and with
Newcastlewest winners of the county section, our 10-3 win can see the lads
claim the league winners title. Kieran Greenwood went over for the first try
and Mark Leonard added another in a committed team performance. It was a great
way to set themselves on their Tour to
Fixtures this weekend sees the minis host Blackrock on Saturday and the U/15's
hosting our friends from Ealing. On Sunday morning the 14's play Young Munster
in a league semi final at