Clontarf FC J1s V St Mary’s College RFC J1s

25 24

Metropolitan Cup 2nd Round.

Castle Avenue

Sunday 27th March 2022.

Overall

One word Heartbreak sums up the outcome for our brave, spirited and skilful J1 Team, who were literally beaten by the last kick of the game in the last minute of an enigmatic nine minutes of time added. A sombre cloud descended on all in blue, on this otherwise magnificent March day. Here was a team assembled hurriedly over the previous couple of days with welcome additions from the U20s to rally to the cause of commendable coach, Paul Brennan and motivational captain Podge Dundon. Oh and how they rallied, with a bravura performance, which for long periods dwarfed the Clontarf heavies and had them well deservingly ahead, to that last kick. A prior intercept try had put Tarf into the position to be able to win. And all credit must be afforded them, for they stuck in when all looked lost for them. They were sporting and competitive as always Tarf teams are.

The stunned faces of the players, coach and managers and few supporters told the story. It must be noted that the President Patrick Crawford and Joan and Honorary Secretary Aoife O’Donnell were there in support and Senior Manager Paudge McGill, was there to help. Ray Sloan too helped by doing the line.

In spite of losing in such agonising fashion there is so much to celebrate in this team, often forgotten and ignored by all; a team held together only by the most admirable group, led by coach Paul, with managers Paul Conlan and Conor O’Neill. They have had to battle the odds all season to stitch together teams and were brilliant in ensuring top J1 status for next season and to put together performances like today’s. We owe a very great deal to Paul Brennan, who due to his profession, has been under immense work and time pressure, yet was ever present. He has done his badges and is a most proficient coach, has charisma, and commands respect and loyalty. A real true Mary’s man.

And today how his team responded. The more mature and experienced were superb and those U20s who came in bordered on brilliant. It is difficult when without one exception every player played above and beyond the call. In the slightly more mature ranks, Podge himself had worked all night and though exhausted, played his part, including scoring a Podge Try. And he armed the scrum. It was super to see names of former St Marys’ players, like Mc Carthy, Potts and Hassett playing prominent roles. Indeed, they each had big games with George Hassett, at hooker, showing hands and pace his father only dreamt of. Gavin Potts too has much to give and deserves more attention. Good to see the parents there in support.

Well if all were brilliant young U20 centre Max Svejdar at 12, was nigh on sensational at that level. He has a big future if he works on it and is a future senior player, his partner Rob Nolan, was also impressive with real pace and determination. With a backrow of Conor Corcoran, Joe Nolan and Conor Pierce and the great Warrior to come in, what more need be said and then Adam McEvoy behind the pack, super.

Eoin Byrne at 4 showed fine from and was excellent in the lineout. It is important to mention his partner Loris Nikolov. Loris has had expectation cast on him since he arrived in the club, he has been most unfortunate with injury, but never gave in and indeed he had an early knock today, but would not leave the fray, and went on to play a central role in the performance. He was herculean, imperious in the lineout, granite in defence and piercing in attack. He came of age today. He showed a new grit and fire that was magnificent; If he can hold that resolve and appetite, he has an outstanding future and will enjoy his rugby totally. Put together, everyone who graced the pitch today can have a glow of pride inside and a special memory for life.

The Game

The usually cold wind of Clontarf fame was subdued today, and the spring sun warmed the grounds and the hearts. Marys playing up with that benign wind, scored after only five minutes when determined following up of a kick, gave Rob Nolan a chance to grab the ball between defenders and he offloaded from the tackle to promising prop, Kealon Quinn who did ever so well to hold it and use strength to get over. 0-5.

We were getting control when a breakaway converted try gave Tarf the lead, 7-5 on 16 minutes.

At this stage nerves and circumstances saw both teams with lots of errors, but as the game progressed so too did the quality improve.

Soon afterwards Podge took a quick penalty near the line and took all before him as he terebrated the defence. The conversion tipped the upright to slip wide. Tarf then scored a try and had a successful penalty and so went from 7-10 to 12-10 and then 15 -10. In the second half Max, after many neat breaks had a superb break from halfway, and as he went to touch down he was high tackled so a penalty try was awarded to give us the lead 15-17. Max added to his tally with another try to make it 15-24. Unfortunately a loose pass denied us another excellent chance. Marys were now well in the ascendant. Adam had a good effort at a drop goal just wide, before a careless pass gave Clontarf an intercept, Rob chased brilliantly and got the runner just before the line, however, he got it away however and they scored to bring it to 22-24. We kept possession and it looked as though we would hold out, when unfortunately, in the ninth minute of time added, we played a ball on the ground and from in front of the posts, Bang; the end, Dismal Darkness. But a magnificent effort. Well done to Tarf and they will appreciate winning.

Team

15 G Monaghan, 14 L Moore, 13 R Nolan, 12 M Svejdar, 11 K Ryan, 10 A O’Neill, 9 A McEvoy, 8 C Corcoran, 7 J Nolan, 6 C Pierce, 5 L Nikolov, 4 E Byrne, 3 P Dundon (Capt.), 2 G Hassett, 1 K Quinn, 16 E Power, 17 J Reidy-Walsh 18 G Potts, 19 N McCarthy, 20 L Bryan.

D O’Brien.