BLITZ REPORT: St Mac Dara's at the Railway Union RFC Schoolgirls & Tournament.

All of those late Thursday afternoons training with Mere, all of the muck and dirt and bruises, all of the sore legs, arms, and heads had come down to this.  It was tournament day in Railway Union!

The morning was glorious, and we were looking forward to a great afternoon and evening of 7s rugby, but it started to rain on our way to Sandymount and it kept raining!  We spent almost an hour in the clubhouse looking out at the deluge coming down and listening to people saying it would pass soon!

We had two teams entered; Junior and Senior, and we were facing opposition from St Louis, Muckross and Newpark college.  Our juniors were first up to play and took to the field against St Louis' Juniors.  Jessica Keating was nominated as our captain for the day and kicked the match off.  She was joined on the pitch by Aoife McGowan, Laura "Abercrombie" Creighton, Holly Baker, Laura Crossan, Eva Keller and Vicki Browne.  Despite an early break and a quick dash across their try-line we weren't able to convert our opportunities.  Defensively we were very strong with Abercrombie putting in some awesome tackles.  A 7s pitch is a wide pitch unfortunately and Louis were able to get past us for their first score.  We lost Holly along the way unfortunately as her ability to run and create space was sorely missed.  Despite Jess getting a try just after half-time we lost 10 points to 5.  Still, there was plenty left to play for.

Holly Baker and her bust nose!

The seniors were up next, again against St Louis.  Lisa Callan (captain) took to the field in her preferred number 2 jersey, bringing Rebekah Hayden, Kelly Walsh, Sarah Carroll, Caoimhe Guerin, Katie McGowan and Roisín Tindall with her.  Louis got off to a blistering start and were able to push around us with far too much ease.  Before we even had a chance to catch our breath it was half-time and we were down by four tries.  The second -half started off equally as fast, but we were better prepared this time.  Louis were stopped by great tackling on Lisa and Katie's parts.  Claire Harrington was subbed on and also helped us sustain the pressure.  They did get through though, but Lisa was able to break through their lines and give us some respectability.  At the end we had lost five tries to one.

We had some time off to recover and refresh after the matches and also to check out the opposition.  The seniors were first up this time, against Muckross.  We gave Eve Higgins a place on our squad, and gave Jojo Clune and Fionnuala Wilson their starts.  This game went more to plan with some fantastic interplay between our players.  Lisa got us on the scoreboard after just a minute and the cheers from our subs and the juniors could be heard all the way back in Templeogue!  We were playing into the sun and we were worried about blindly looking about for the ball after restart kicks.  Katie McGowan had a fantastic take into the sun and broke down the pitch, leaving everyone staring after her.  We also had a textbook offload from Jojo helping us keep pressure on Muckross.  At half-time we lead 10 nil. Lisa scored again from the off in the second-half, thanks to great pressure and support from Kelly Walsh.  Katie also scored after another trademark pitch-length break.  Jojo and Roisín also added to the scoreboard, while Sorcha Kampff came on and used her great fielding skills to help us keep possession.  Another great game from a great team.

The juniors had their game against Muckross next.  This was a game we struggled in, but we were so impressed by soem fantastic defensive work.  Sinead Aspell put in two amazing tackles, one on each side of  half-time that really stopped Muckross in their tracks.  These were two of the best tackles made all day, and poor Sinead was covered in muck afterwards!  Except for her grin that is.  Abercrombie also made some important tackles.  Saragh Deegan got onto the pitch in this game too, as did Chloe Hutchinson.  They development in confidence and ability we saw in all of our girls over the day was immense, and Saragh and Chloe were two great example of this.  The result was a loss, but our girls put in a fantastic display.

The seniors were back on, again facing St Louis.  Holli Breslin and Cliodhana Edwards got their first starts of the day.  This time we were first on the scoreboard with Roisín Tindall putting in an amazing turn on the wing.  Unfortunately we lost Katie shortly after this after a clash of heads.  Katie has a reputation as a ferocious tackler and we would miss her, but head injuries are too serious to take any risks over.  Sorcha Kampff and Claire Harrington proved very able subs though, but unfortunately  Louis were able to force themselves across our lines and onto the scoreboard twice.

The juniors had one last game against Newpark.  In many ways we were playing just for pride, but a good display could also result in us winning the Plate competition.  The girls put in the work that was needed and helped us secure the plate.  Well done to them and to all on the team.

The Seniors then took to the field to play the Cup Final.  We were facing St Louis for the third time in the contest.  The first one we had lost five tries to one, the second two tries to one.  This time we were confident.  Rebekah, Caoimhe, Sarah, Kelly, Lisa and Jojo went on to the pitch, while Sorcha and Roisín were two big impact subs for us.  Louis blitzed past us for the first score of the game and this allowed their confidence to lift.  They kept us out throughout the first half, even though we put huge pressure on them and it felt like we lived on their lines!  They even managed to get a second score just before the break.  In the second half we came out like demons.  Roisín gave us a fantastic score.  Louis were desperate to slow the ball down as they could sense the momentum building behind Mac Dara's.  We knew that if we drew and forced extra-time we would have the psychological advantage.  Again we applied massive pressure and a late move by Caoimhe Guerin looked like we had just made it across the line but Louis managed to force her into touch.  The whictle blew, the game was over and we had just, just, lost out on the cup.  We had the plate though as a consolation, as well as the knowledge that we had played as a great team throughout the day.

We couldn't have been prouder than our junior and senior teams than we were on that rainy, cold, windy. bright Friday in October.  They have given up so much of their time and put in huge efforts.  Well done to all.

MATCH REPORT: St Mac Dara's 31 - St David's, Greystones 19

Another Thursday afternoon on Templeville Road, and once again the sun was shining.  This match was always going to be a challenge, as quite a few of our starting players from our win over Castleknock were unavailable today.  (William probably won't even bring back something nice for everyone after his holiday!)  Still, while we never like to be over-confident, we knew that we would put up a good contest and if someone was to beat us, we would not make it easy on them!

Johnny English wasn't available to ref us today, but Dara O'Kelly was taking over duty on the whistle.  He got us going at one o'clock, with St David's kicking off.  We quickly gathered the ball and made our way into their half.  Mark Reneghan (lock) put in an enormous carry and pushed deep through their lines.  It was our plan to be in their half for most of the game!  We quickly recycled the ball through our forwards, with pick-and-go being the weapon of choice for the first few phases.  Once we kept play in tight for a while we quickly moved the ball out to the wing where Ben Daly (winger) scored our first try after just two minutes.  The angle was too tight for Jake Carroll (inside-centre), but five-nil up after two minutes was a great start.

St David's restarted and James Murphy (fullback) fielded it brilliantly, turning their kick into our advantage.  They did manage to turn the ball over though and had a strong ruck in place on the half-way line.  Our counter-rucking was fantastic though and helped us a number of times throughout the match.  After another minute or so of scrappy play we had a line-out just inside their ten-metre line.  We won the throw and Jake Miller (scrumhalf) used a box-kick to put pressure on St David's and to force them to react to our play, rather than be able to create any of their own.  Luke Hill (lock) carried the ball (and at least two of the opposition players!) right up to their lines.  St David's held the ball up and so we went out for a scrum-five.  Some quick passing and then Conor Ryan (outside-centre) broke through for our second try, which Jake successfully converted.  Eight minutes on the clock.  Twelve-nil on the scoreboard.

This time it was Jake Carroll who gathered their restart kick and put pressure back on St David's.  We were pushed into touch though and it was St David's turn to use their line-out to put us under pressure.  James Murphy showed his defensive strength again and managed to steal their ball.  Unfortunately we conceded the first of two quick penalties.  St David's had a strong play for their penalties involving crashing their forwards up through the middle.  While we could slow them down, we couldn't stop them and after fifteen minutes they were on the scoreboard.  Three minutes later St David's had scored again, and converted it.  We were level, but they were the ones celebrating!  We went back to our clinical ways, bashing up through the centre through our forwards, drawing defenders in, then sending Ben over again for his second try.  The work done by Charlie Clarke (flanker) and Billy Hamilton (tighthead prop) in rucking and carrying was phenomenal.  We kept pressuring them, through our line-outs and their scrums, and again we put in immense counter-rucking displays.  Eventually we broke across the line and Jake Carroll scored a fantastic team-try.  He converted it and we took our half-time break with a 24 to 12 lead.

We restarted and when they carried they ball into contact we counter-rucked and secured possession for ourselves.  Unfortunately we quickly conceded a scrum for knocking-on.  St David's won their scrum but then knocked-on themselves.  We won our scrum and made a great break up their wing.  Unfortunately we lost possession, but St David's were forced into touch.  They stole the ball from us at the following line-out and we could see St David's starting to grow in confidence.

Matches are made up of little moments that only last for a second, but that can have an influence throughout, and even beyond the match.  Jake Carroll stealing the ball from St David's on the four-minute mark, in a text-book rip.  Our pack winning the scrum on the opposition put in twice in the second-half.  Owen Flood (winger) putting in a tremendous tackle to stop St David's in their tracks. Owen and Mark Ryland (outhalf) tackling together to force St David's into touch.   Aaron McDonagh (loosehead prop) dashing down the wing like a back contesting for a loose ball.  They had the possession and the territory in this phase of the match but our defensive display was so strong that they couldn't make use of it.  All of these scrums were starting to take their toll, especially on Cillian Smith (hooker) who had been forced to move in from his usual position propping and so with half of the second half gone we moved to uncontested scrums.  We were happy to see time ticking by with no scores appearing for either side but it couldn't last and three minutes later, from a line-out near our lines, St David's broke through and scored.  Their successful conversion meant there was just seven points separating the side with ten minutes remaining.

The pressure seemed to get to both sides, with lots of sloppy possession until wiser heads, like Andrew Hayden (number eight - captain) settled everyone down.  We knew there were just five minutes left in the game and that St David's would have to score twice to beat us.  Rather than getting defensive though we decided to attack.  It paid off when Conor Ryan got his second of the game and put us beyond their range.  We finished 31 points to 19 and we had secured our place in the semi-finals of the Junior Development Cup.

Well done to all involved, and thanks again to St Mary's College RFC for allowing us the use of their facilities.

Project Maths.

Tries. St Mac Dara's 5 (3), St David's, Greystones 3 (2)
Possession. St Mac Dara's 42 minutes. 72%. St D 19m. 28%.
Territory. St Mac Dara's 66%. St D 34%.

Line-Outs. St Mac Dara's 8 (5) St David's, Greystones 3 (3)
Scrums. St Mac Dara's 5 (4) St D 10 (7)
Penalties conceded. St Mac Dara's 4.  StD 1.

Congratulations to Lisa Callan, Leinster Rugby Player.

Congratulations to Lisa Callan (Sixth Year) who has been selected for the Leinster Rugby Girls Under 19s squad.

Lisa with Nora Stapleton and the Women's Six Nations Trophy.

Lisa is the first rugby player from St Mac Dara's Community College to have been selected for a representative squad.  Best of luck to her as she trains with the squad this weekend.

MATCH REPORT: St Mac Dara's 36 - Castleknock CC 19

Wednesday of this week was an awful day. It started to rain during the night and then stayed raining throughout the day, as if the Irish Sea was being spilled onto Dublin.  It was looking like our fixture for Thursday against Castleknock Community College was under threat!

The sunshine on Thursday was glorious.  Some of our players even got a little sunburn.  It wasn't just the sunshine that was glorious though; the rugby was pretty spectacular too!

This was our second fixture in the Junior Development Cup, and we kicked off slightly later than usual at 1.15.  Johnny English was back refereeing us again and he has to be given a lot of credit for allowing a fast game of rugby to be played and giving both teams the opportunities they needed to play.

Castleknock kicked off but we quickly gathered the ball and put great pressure on them.  We stayed in their half recycling the ball quickly from the breakdown and pushing forward through our backs.  After just two minutes Mark Ryland (Winger) crossed the line and dotted the ball down.  Everything seemed to be going our way, as we won a scrum on our put in, and were awarded a penalty, all in Castleknock's half and before five minutes had been played.  Castleknock CC showed great composure though and contested strongly at the lineout following our penalty, stealing our ball and breaking through into our half for the first time.  We sustained the pressure, despite some great probing attacks from their number 13, and were able to get the ball quickly to Ben Daly (Winger) on our right wing to score.  The angles for conversion kicks so far were tight, and Paddy Martin (Outhalf) was finding it difficult to make his kicks, although his luck was soon to change.

Mark Reneghan (Lock) was having an awesome game and while Luke Alford (Number 8 and Captain) was off having his broken finger taped up Mark was able to break through the Castleknock lines to score.  Great credit has to be given to Dylan Hamilton for filling Luke's giant shoes while he was off, and to Paddy Martin for making this kick.  Play got a little scrappy at this stage and the next ten minutes or so saw two scrums being given, one to each side, including one that had to be reset.  The ref warned both teams that they had to take responsibility for the scrums and they would go to uncontested scrums if another collapsed.  Message received, and no more scrums collapsed!

Our backs put on a great display throughout the game, with amazing probing attacks coming from Conor Ryan (Outside Centre) putting great pressure on the Castleknock defence.  James Murphy (Fullback) also used a very clever kick near to put the ball behind Castleknock and to force them backwards.  Just before half-time Jake Miller (scrumhalf) was able to capitalise on this pressure to get us a fourth try, which Paddy Martin converted successfully.  24 to nil at half-time, thanks to great team work and a great display from all on the pitch.

That pressure that was put on Castleknock in the first half was exerted again straight after the restart.  Our forwards protected the ball, with great rucking from Luke Hill (Lock) and Charlie Clarke (Flanker).  The ball was quickly recycled out of the rucks and across to the wings, and then back through the centre with blinding speed.  After just four minutes Jem O'Ciaráin (Inside Centre) gave us another try.  Luke was very quick to warn the team not to be complacent though and to watch out for the opposition's probing attcks, again through their Outside Centre.  Aaron MacDonagh (Loosehead Prop) had a great run up the middle of the pitch, carrying three of the opposition players with him as he went.  We traded set-pieces for the next few minutes, until, with ten minutes gone in the second half, Castleknock conceded a penalty for holding on while on the ground.  William Kelly (Hooker) and Cillian Smith (Tighthead Prop) had been tackling like demons in the sequence running up to this penalty, and the decision they took to tap-and-go helped Jem get his second try of the day.  36 - nil, and the sun was still shining.

With fourteen minutes left in the game Castleknock were able to exploit our right wing and managed to cross the line for their first try.  Nathan Devitt and Craig Smith were making their debuts for the team and had shown a little hesitation which Castleknock were quick to take advantage of.  Castleknock tried to come down that wing again, but Craig put on a remarkable defensive display that slowed them down and helped us regain possession.  Castleknock kept probing our lines though and were able to break through twice more.  With nine minutes left in the game they had 19 points to our 36.  Some of our players were beginning to get worried.  Once again Castleknock tried to break through on our right wing, hoping to break through Nathan.  He put in a massive tackle on a guy almost twice his size, pushing Castleknock back in the process and saving us from a definite try.

Pressure switched back into the Castleknock side when Mark Reneghan stole the ball from them and was able to link up with Andrew Hayden (Flanker) and help Andrew score between the posts.  With Paddy's conversion the whistle was blown and after an incredible team display, St Mac Dara's Community College Junior Boys Rugby squad are through to the Development Cup Quarter Finals.

Well done lads.

Number Crunching.

Tries. St Mac Dara's 7 (4), Castleknock Community College 3 (2)
Possession. St Mac Dara's 43 minutes. 72%. Castleknock CC 17m. 28%.
Territory. St Mac Dara's 75%. Castleknock 25%.

Line-Outs. St Mac Dara's 3 (3)  Castleknock 2 (1)
Scrums. St Mac Dara's 5 (5)  Castleknock 9 (7)
Penalties conceded. St Mac Dara's 3.  Castleknock Community College 7.

News on Matches and Training for this week.

GIRLS - Today's match vs Lucan Community College has been postponed until next Wednesday, the 23rd.  Same arrangements as this week.  Bus at 1.00, please leave class at 12.20 with your teacher's permission, to get lunch in the canteen.  GUMSHIELDS.

BOYS - Tomorrow's match vs Castleknock Community College is still going ahead.  Kick off in St Mary's at 1.00, so leave class at 11.40 tomorrow to get lunch in the canteen, with your teacher's permission.

TRAINING - Training as usual tomorrow for all (unless you were involved in the Junior match) from 4.00 until 5.00 for the boys and from 4.00 until 5.30 for the girls, although if you have to leave at 5.00 you can, of course.  Mere is coming out again tomorrow and will be training with us from 4.30 until 5.30.

Any questions, see Mr Culleton in L5.

LEINSTER RUGBY School of Excellence SPECIAL OFFER for St Mac Dara's Girls.

LEINSTER RUGBY's School of Excellence is one of the most popular rugby camps in Europe and this mid-term break it's coming to Railway Union RFC.  There is a special rate available to Railway Union members and they have very kindly extended this deal to any girls from St Mac Dara's who want to avail of it.

John Cronin, Director of Rugby at Railway says "We're putting a big focus on the girls aspect of it and any girls that are being coached by us in our schools programme, can get on this Halloween camp for €60. It's normally €75.  It's the best camp Leinster

run ..

. coaching will be by Leinster, lots of gear given out, Leinster players visit it, etc."  So if anyone is interested they can email Ali 

(girlsrugby@railwayunionrfc.com) for more information or look at the information on the Rugby Noticeboard outside L5.  You can also find the relevant information by following the link below;

http://www.railwayunionrfc.com/index.php/2013-05-27-09-39-46/item/115-leinster-school-of-excellence-on-tour-for-girls-too

Friendship Honour Belief

MATCH REPORT: Salesians College Celbridge 30 - St Mac Dara's 0

You learn more about a team from a defeat than you do from a victory.  You learn about things like leadership and friendship, things like commitment, like dignity and honour.  If you watch a team that has been held scoreless applaud their opponents off the pitch, thank the referee and then rededicate themselves to each other then you can be very proud of that team.  That is a team, in the purest, simplest and most honest form.  That is a group of men, not boys.

Today our Boys Senior Rugby team played their first match in the Development Cup against Salesians College Celbridge in NUIM Barnhall.  We kicked off at just five past one and then had a period of six-and-a-half minutes sustained pressure in the Salesians half.  We applied huge pressure on them and kept recycling the ball through the forwards but Salesians were eventually able to kick the ball into space behind us to take some pressure off themselves.  This pressure was swiftly applied to us and some quick passing from the right unleashed their left winger who crossed for the first of his trys. 

In previous games our set-pieces have provided us with solid platforms to build from.  Today our scrums were an excellent attacking option and apart from one that we lost simply because of a wild ball our scrums were dominant.  Well done to new player David Holmes (Hooker) who packed down and put on a great display.  Mitchell Manning (Flanker) was also new to the game and performed really well, despite being dropped in the deep end.  Our lineouts were not as relaible and Salesians managed to steal our ball a number of times, robbing us of opportunities to convert our pressure into points.

After another six minutes the Salesians winger had struck again.  We were stuck with the ball in our forwards with the option to "pick and go" being chosen rather than choosing to push the ball out to the wings.  Ultimately this is what cost us.  Jonathan Kelly and Jake Carroll put in sterling service as the half-backs today and deserve great credit for their initative.  Owen Walsh and Adam Carruth were the eager and hungry wingers, playing in their first ever rugby matches for St Mac Dara's, while Darren Kelly and Alex Walsh were also novices not just in their centre partnership, but also in playing rugby for their school.  The most dynamic player on the field today, and the one who gave us the most territory in attack but also provided a strong defensive display was Liam Delaney (Fullback).  Liam, like all of our backs, was playing his first game for his school, but used his skills and ability from soccer and football to great effect, running good probing lines and fielding the ball to great effect.

Our forwards were the veterans and it was they who kept everybody's heads up during play.  Andrew Hayden (Number 8 and Senior Captain) deserves great credit for his leadership, as was also shown by Ross Coyle (Flanker) and all of the forwards.

Here's the team on the bus back to school, after a stirring rendition of "Call me Baby".  Nothing wrong with their team-spirit.  Well done lads.

The Numbers.

Tries. St Mac Dara's 0, Salesians Celbridge 6
Possession. St Mac Dara's 35 minutes. 50%. Salesians 35m. 50%.
Territory. St Mac Dara's 60%. Salesians 40%.

Line-Outs. St Mac Dara's 6 (1). Salesians 3 (3).
Scrums. St Mac Dara's 7 (6). Salesians 5 (3).
Penalties conceded. St Mac Dara's 4.  Salesians 5.

Mere is coming!

We 're honoured to be visited by Mere Baker (pronounced "Midi") tomorrow and for the next two Thursdays.  Mere will be coaching the Girls Squad from 4.30 until 5.30 on Thursday October 10, 17 and 24.  Of course anyone who wants to leave at 5.00 can go but being coached by someone of Mere's calibre and experience is a pretty big deal and we would urge everyone to take full advantage of this opportunity.

This is a great opportunity for the girls as Mere is a former New Zealand Senior Player and is a World Cup winner, as well as a six-time winner of the Hong Kong SEVENS Tournament, the most prestigious sevens rugby tournament in the world.  She's also the only female Level 2 qualified coach in Ireland.  So, Mere is a big deal, and her coming out to coach in St Mac Dara's is also a big deal!

She's the nicest scary person you'll ever meet!

Sky Sports LfS First ATHLETE MENTOR Visit

This afternoon the Girls Rugby Squad of St Mac Dara's Community College in Templeogue had their first Athlete Mentor visit as part of their participation in the Sky Sports Living for Sports project.  We were thrilled to meet Dermot Gascoyne who gave a talk on the importance of sports in his life and the difference sport made to him.  Dermot's talk was extremely frank and open, dealing with the difficulties he had in growing up and in the tough decisions he had to make to become a professional heavyweight boxer.  The girls were fascinated by his talk and were really motivated by his message.  There was a great question-and-answer session with Dermot too and the girls asked a lot about his motivations and his experiences as a professional sportsman.  There was a lot of fun and banter throughout the talk and a great atmosphere in the classroom.

Dermot was accompanied by Natalya Coyle, one of Ireland's Olympians from last year's games in London.  It was a great experience to meet someone who had represented Ireland at the Olympic Games and Natalya also had a lot to tell the girls about her experience and what drives her.  She was going to swim six kilometres worth of lengths after she left us!  That's dedication for you.

 

Dermot then brought us outside and had us play a couple of games to get us moving and enjoying ourselves.  He then wanted us to show him one of our drills from training.  He got stuck in too and had a great time, coaching the girls who were taking part in the drill, as well as coaching the girls who were running the drill.  A real multi-tasker.  Dermot also had the girls show him how good their boxing skills were.

Back inside then for a quick cup of tea and some treats that the girls had made especially for our guests and some more chat.

It's hard to express how fantastic an experience this was for the rugby girls of St Mac Dara's Community College.  Everyone was very moved and inspired by Dermot's talk and he had some great advice for everyone, from the newest first-year players to the grizzled veterans of sixth-year.  We've gotten plenty of inspiration from today and we're really looking forward to working further with Sky Sports and the Living for Sports project.

MATCH REPORT: Presentation Carlow 17, St Mac Dara's 28

It's a long way to Carlow, but that was the venue for our first round fixture for the Junior Squad in the Development Cup.  The bus left promptly at 10.20, straight after an impromptu team-talk from Mr Donnelly.

It took us about an hour-and-a-half to get to Carlow Rugby Club grounds but we made it just in time for a quick warm-up and then our opponents, Presentation College Carlow kicked off our match.  The first ten minutes was all about the set pieces, with four scrums and two line-outs taking place.  The same kind of set-piece dominance displayed by the St Mac Dara's pack in our last game could be seen again today.  In fact we never lost a scrum on our put-in, nor did we fail to reclaim the ball on any time it was our throw-in to the line-out.  We even poached a few of the opposition's set pieces!

Nervousness and a slightly greasy pitch underfoot accounted for all of the early handling errors and the amount of set-pieces.  Although we were steady in our scrummaging an early break from Carlow allowed them the first score of the game on the 15 minute mark.  They failed to convert but our restart was very quickly claimed by Carlow leading them to put more pressure on us.  We conceded a penalty for not releasing and managed to sustain the mounting pressure from the Carlow lads from three quick line-outs, on opposite ends of the pitch, in the space of two minutes.  This remained the pattern of play until nearly the end of the half, with Pres Carlow attempting to put pressure on us through their set-pieces and managing to steal ball from us through their rucking.  Some great pressure was put on them by Luke Hill (Lock) and the rest of the forwards.  Our defence was solid though and eventually Carlow were penalised for going off their feet in a ruck.  Jake Miller (scrumhalf) took a quick tap and unleashed our backs.  Conor Ryan (Outside Centre) eventually put us on the scoreboard two minutes before half-time with a great try, which Jake Carroll (Inside Centre) handily converted.  5-7 to us.  Half-time.

The teamtalk at half-time was fairly animated, to say the least, but the St Mac Dara's team knew they had the strength and ability to win the game.  Rucking was identified as one of our weaknesses and an area that the players resolved to improve.  The second half saw Mark Reneghan (Lock) and Luke Alford (8 & captain) conduct a masterclass in possessive rucking and offensive counter-rucking.  The Carlow No. 8 had stolen so much ball from us in the first half but in the second half he didn't get to touch one!  This new-found aggression lead to a great try from William Kelly (Hooker) only three-and-a-half minutes into the second half.  William had a great defensive game in the first half and was constantly and consistently the first player up from Mac Dara's to put pressure on Carlow and to make his tackles.  He was also a great vocal presence on the pitch and really helped to drive the team.  Another perfect conversion from Jake and the game was back on.  At almost fifteen minutes into the second half Jake Miller showed great initative and used a choke tackle to turn-over possession.  Our pressure was constant and paid off when Andrew Hayden (Flanker) scored a great try at the twenty-minute mark.  Another perfect conversion from Jake and we're 5-21 ahead!

You're always most vulnerable just after you've scored and we leaked one four minutes later.*  Despite great pressure from us we conceded another try* five minutes later and with their score we were suddenly ahead by just four points.  Three minutes later William Kelly, in a man of the match performance, scored another try giving us the perfect spread heading into the last two minutes, especially after Jake scored his fourth conversion for a perfect 100% record.  The whistle went and we had recorded our first win of the season.  The first of many.  A special mention to the first years who made their debuts today. 

The bus trip back didn't seem to take as long as the trip down!

Tries. St Mac Dara's 4 (4), Presentation College Carlow 3 (1)
Possession. St Mac Dara's 35 minutes. 55%.  Carlow 25m. 45%.
Territory. St Mac Dara's 60%. Carlow 40%.

Line-Outs. St Mac Dara's 2 (2). Carlow 7 (5).
Scrums. St Mac Dara's 8 (8). Carlow 9 (7).

James Murphy, Mark Ryland, Conor Ryan, Jake Carroll, Ben Daly, Sean Redmond, Jake Miller, Luke Alford (c), Andrew Hayden, Charlie , Luke Hill, Mark Reneghan, Billy Hamilton, William Kelly, Aaron MacDonagh.
*It's always extremely important to respect the referee's decision, even when we think he's wrong.  And blind.  And from Carlow.

St Mac Dara's Girls & Sky Sports

There are only three weeks left until the mid-term break.  It's amazing how quickly the time is passing!  We've a very busy three weeks planned for the Girls Squad and it all kicks off on Monday the 7th of October.

The Girls Squad has been accepted onto the Sky Sports Living for Sport programme.  You can read some more about the programme here.  Our first ATHLETE MENTOR  visit will take place on Monday 7 when Dermot Gascoyne will visit St Mac Dara's and speak to the girls about the Living for Sport initiative.  It's going to be a lot of fun!