St Mary's College 26 Lansdowne 12, Templeville Rd. 24/01/2009

Fully Contested ("How's that for ya". Chris Reid)

They say that we learn more from defeat than from victory.... now normally thats bollox, but standing in the dressing room after this titanic struggle, as players licked their wounds and repaired their bruised bodies, i will chalk this down as a lesson learned.
There was a palpable sense of capability beforehand, after their hardfought half of rugby the week beforehand, perhaps finally the team were listening to the 44th president of the USA. Yes, we can. Self belief is everything in this funny old game, and the belief was there that top of the group St Mary's College would be coming unstuck today.
On a pitch not fit for splatoon the mighty Killer Bees warmed up with intent. Alas, a 11th hour shift in the backline took the focus off the job to a certain extent.... who was to blame for this is better left unsaid. but it was Oisin. Mary's fluid backline had the better of the early exchanges and ran in an early try through the middle. Lansdowne seemed nervy and mistakes were being made. Another try from Mary's and some people in the crowd feared this would be one way traffic, but a great run by Justin Comer put Tommy Malone in the corner for an excellently worked opening try. Game on!
St Mary's seemed to be finding the pace a bit tough as Lansdowne turned the screw coming up to the break and another well worked try finished off by Nick Jones put the game in balance 14-12. We were right back and St Mary's were praying for the half time like a punch drunk heavyweight who just got a low blow. Lansdowne on the other hand needed the half time like an 80 year old nun needs a 22" pearl black eroticon 6000 ladies pleasure tool.
Gabriels oranges did indeed arrive and moods were high. We knew what we had to do, but did we know how to do it?
The second half will be remembered for many things.... Possibly one of the most intensely aggressive performances this team has ever created? Well lads, 80 minutes of that would finish off any team. Simple as that. It is to St Mary's credit that they managed to win the second half 10 nil and I must say, I have no idea how.....
Perhaps under-utilisation of our strike runners Herman, Comer and Malone. I believe that if these three players are given more clean ball they will cause mayhem. Full credit to each member of the pack who literally kicked Mary's up and down the paddock. A special mention to Big Kev who went in fully contested prop and caused Mary's a lot of problems in the front row. Conor O'Sullivan "Le petit generale" led by example and deservedly walked away with the MOTM hat. Another mention to the prodigal son Michael O'Sullivan who almost single handedly affected 80% of the referees decisions ! Next week we'll bring a loudhailer....
But alas a loss is a loss, I'm glad to see people were upset about it, it breaks my heart to see guys lose and trudge off into the sunset like it doesnt matter. So what lesson did we learn?
That we should fear no team, and that anyone who doesn't fear us is a fool.

Man of the Match: Conor O'Sullivan

written by Philip McGoldrick

Team

1: Chris Reid 2: Gabriel Portier 3: Peter Geoghegan 4: Andy Fleming 5: Paul Harvey 6: Robert Moore 7: Adam Kavanagh 8: Nick Jones 9: Conor O'Sullivan 10: Eoin Gantly 11: Will Sparks 12: Oisin O'Cuinneagain 13: Justin Comer 14: Tommy Malone 15: Keith Herman (c) Subs: Kevin Mc Dermot, Tomas Keys, Gearoid Carvill, Millan Alonso, Simon Watsham and Patrick Mallone.

match photos taken by Ed Bruce