2 games, 2 points. Not exactly the start we had in mind in the AIB league but no
one is reaching for the panic buttons just yet though. Already the new league
format has proven that there is very little room for error. Mistakes are costly
now more than ever and when a team like St Marys are
afforded kickable opportunities they tend to take them. As it was last week,
try scoring chances were few and far between and I suppose that we didn't
concede a try is one of the positives that can be gleaned from our two outings.
It could have been worse from our perspective had St Marys
opted to kick and goal with a last minute penalty instead of popping the ball
to touch. Another 3 points would have denied us a losing bonus point and we all
know how precious they are. There's no doubting that St Marys
deserved their victory, especially on the evidence of their second half
performance, but after Tadgh Bennett superbly set up
Mossy for his 7th minute try it looked as if we could move on and build on it.
Despite not adding to this tally in the first half we still went into the break
7-3 up and the optimism continued, however an early second half penalty gave St
Marys the momentum and they began to dominate. The
lead was taken in the 67th minute and then extended in the closing stages. The
2nd battle was lost, but the war is long. The margin for error has been
drastically reduced, but these guys have pulled it out of the fire before. U/21
player Sean Duggan was called up for his debut and certainly didn't let the
side down while another league debutant Leonard O'Sullivan came into the fray
and again didn't look out of place. High flying Dolphin are next up in the
league, but on Saturday attention turns to the AIB cup when Buccaneers travel
to Limerick. St Munchins College is the unusual venue
due to our ongoing pitch maintenance in Coonagh. Kickoff
is at 2.30 kickoffs.
The seconds fared better when they overcame a dogged Young Munster side in Derryknockane by 13-9. It was a tough game but the lads dug
deep. David O'Donovan was our main point's scorer with 2 penalties and a
conversion, but it was the overall team performance that gave the most heart.
Evidence of a strong panel could be seem at Tuesdays training session when the
seniors and seconds had a right cut off each other in a training match, and
more than a few players staked a claim for promotion. Those that don't make the
senior side will line out against Bruff in Coonagh on Sunday at 2.30.
The thirds continued their Gleeson league preparation with a friendly against
The U/21's kicked off the AIL south western conference with a superb 23-6 win
away to Buccaneers. This was a major turnaround from a thumping we received
from them last season and the work being put into the squad by the management
was plain to see last Sunday. The return of captain Paddy Butler and others
from Provincial duty saw the team that lined out play together for the first
time and that probably accounted for the slow start, but once the lads became
attuned to each other they began to play with purpose. Prop Brian Walsh opened
our account with a try after Buccs scored a penalty
and from that point we more or less dominated proceedings. Ben Sergeant began a
marvellous kicking display with the touch line conversion and then adding two
further penalties before the home side brought the score back to 13-6 at the
break. The intensity was increased in the second half and Ben increased the
lead with another penalty. Paddy Butler displayed all his speed and strength to
barge past 3 defenders to squeeze into the corner and again another wondrous
touchline conversion rounded off the scoring at 23-6. This was a great start
for the lads and no doubt the more game time they get as a unit the better
they'll get. Next up is Bruff in the first ever competitive floodlit game in
Coonagh on Friday evening at 7.30. The game takes place on the well conditioned
training pitch.
The ladies and girls sides were on form at the weekend with a 100 % record from
all games played. The senior side travelled to Clanwilliam
and recorded a huge win scoring 9 tries and 5 conversions which was a
thoroughly deserving reward for their hard work on the training field whilst
the U/19's and U/15's got the better of St Marys. On
Sunday the U/17's play host to Abbeyfeale on Coonagh.
The Boys U/19's were made to fight hard for their 25-15 win
over St Mary's and it was their good start that set them up. Mark Leonard
slotted over two penalties and Paul Curtis scored an excellent try after Saints
tapped over a penalty of their own. Paul Curtis was very much on form and
scored another before the break to give us a 20-3 lead. An easing of the pace
saw Saints come back into the game, but as the need necessitated the lads
scored the best try of the game through Raymond Barron. This Sunday they play Kilrush in LIT at 12.
The U/14's had their first outing of the season against Young Munster and
despite a slow start ran out victors by 29-3. First half tries by Mike McGann and Shane Fenton gave a comfortable 14-3 lead at the
break and the lads continued the good work with Mike crossing again along with Padraig de Brun. Young Munster
pressed in the latter stages but stout defending prevented them crossing the
try line.
The U/13's maintained their unbeaten start top the season when they accounted
for a very strong UL/Bohs side in a league game.
Already victors over
The U/10's were out in force when they played in two blitzes. The Blues hosted
Bruff, Abbeyfeale and Kilrush
the Blacks went to Annacotty. With Over 50 Shannon
Players involved it was a great achievement to ensure everyone got to play.
This Sunday the U/9's are in action when the Blues host a blitz in LIT and the
Blacks head to Presentation.
The Club Lotto now stands at ?11,200 which would be a
tidy sum to win so get your tickets to be in with a chance.