St Mary’s College RFC vs Old Belvedere RFC @ Templeville Road

Saturday 17th April 2010

And so to the business end of the domestic rugby calendar, where teams faced their sternest test of the year in the AICL play-offs.

The stage was set for a mouth-watering encounter between king-pins of division 1B Old Belvedere and their near neighbours and runners-up of division 1A St Mary’s College on a picture perfect day for rugby as spring finally appeared to arrive in Dublin.

Shortly before kick-off temperatures registered thirteen degrees and the balmy conditions had the potential to present their own unique set of challenges for both squads, especially where fatigue and hydration were concerned.

Both contenders demonstrated impressive form all season to date and more than merited their place in the semis. In Mary’s fourteen league fixtures they managed to win 9, draw 0 and lose 5 and were runners-up in 1A to an AIB Cup winning Cork Con side. However, the fact that they registered the highest number of try scoring bonus points in the division reflected their attacking potency and willingness to execute an expansive game plan, a trait undoubtedly recognised by the Belvo management team as a critical factor in determining the final outcome. In addition, Mary’s previous three fixtures in 1A consisted of three impressive victories away to Clontarf and Blackrock and at home against Cork Con.

Belvo on the other hand, as champions of division 1B, secured promotion to the top flight with 11 wins, 1 draw and 2 loses from fourteen fixtures. Similarly to Mary’s, their attacking flair was confirmed by eight try-scoring bonus points, by far the highest in the division. In the only previous encounter between both sides earlier this season, Mary’s triumphed in the Leinster Senior League Cup Final on a score line of 9-3, in a game that Belvo threatened to steal until the final whistle. Overall with home advantage and the Leinster Senior League final victory and the loss of Belvedere’s Fergus McFadden AND Eoin O’Malley to provincial duties meant Mary’s were slight favourites, albeit not as much as their odds of 3/10 inferred.

The game started at a frenetic pace, as Gavin Dunne quickly switched the Mary’s pack from one touchline to another at kick-off, which, when gathered by Dave Mongan was well worked into a Mary’s scrum on the Belvo twenty-two, as they quickly got their pack to pressurise the Belvo winger. However this work was quickly undone as an indecisive Mary’s pass was intercepted on 2 mins in midfield by Belvedere open side Jason Risdon who but was stopped inches from the line by an excellent scramble tackle by Mary’s fly-half Sean McCarthy. In turn Belvo managed to mimic Mary’s and returned the advantage by illegally obstructing the Mary’s defence, conceding a penalty and allowing Gavin Dunne to clear.

The first score was registered on 4 mins when Mary’s failed to deal with a box kick from Belvedere scrum half Chris Keane and knocked-on, and immediately conceded a penalty by preventing Belvo from gaining the subsequent advantage. Belvo out-half and captain Andy Dunne converted from the 10 metre line to the right of the posts leaving the score 0-3.

Belvo had made an excellent start and simultaneously made a clear statement of intent that they were at Templeville Road for victory and nothing else. Mary’s however did not take long to issue a response of their own, within the first ten minutes they twice audaciously ran the ball from their own 22 metre line from quick line-out ball. On the 9 min mark Mary’s centres Stephen Grissing and Mark Sexton combined in midfield to make a delicate half-break. The Belvo cover immediately infringed at the breakdown and referee Peter Fitzgibbon correctly awarded a penalty. Mary’s full-back Gavin Dunne impressively converted a difficult penalty ten metres from the Cypress Grove touchline just inside the Belvedere 10 metre line, tying the scores at 3-3.

This seemed to galvanise Mary’s, who gathered the subsequent kick-off and immediately applied further pressure and again ran from their 22 metre line and then kicked to the Belvedere 22. Mary’s winger Darragh Fanning used his considerable pace to excellent effect and managed to block Belvo full-back Eddie Devitt’s clearance kick. Fortunately Belvo managed to escape unpunished as the ball rolled over the touchline.

The Angelsea Road men quickly regrouped and regained the initiative. From the 10^th to 15^th minutes they combined impressive pick and drives and generally assertive forward play, where Jonathan Slattery, Jason Risdon and Richie Leyden were prominent, with outstanding tactical kicking from their captain Andy Dune and an overall excellent defensive pattern. Belvo seemed to recognise a slight weakness in the Mary’s fringe defence and also ensured their own was water-tight. The eventual outcome of this pressure was the concession by Mary’s lock Robin Copeland, of a penalty for illegal hands at the ruck. Unfortunately Belvedere out-half Andy Dunne narrowly missed the penalty opportunity as his kick went narrowly to the right of the posts.

For the next ten minutes, the game ebbed and flowed as both sides probed for opportunities with excellent defensive lines holding firm for both sides. Belvo created an excellent break in midfield from an delicate offload by Jonathan Slattery to Richie Leyden but again the Mary’s scramble defence reacted with sufficient speed.

On 26 mins the Mary’s centres again threatened and created a 20 metre line break from quick, clean line-out ball. The Belvo rear-guard immediately infringed at the tackle with illegal hands in the ruck, giving Gavin Dunne a penalty opportunity on the Belvo 22 which he promptly converted to leave the scores 6-3.

Again Belvo rallied and responded by exerting pressure on the Mary’s defence. After being awarded a penalty on 35 mins for obstruction by Mary’s, Andy Dunne kicked for field position and a line-out on the Mary’s 22. The Mary’s pack managed to prevent Belvo from generating quick ball and any forward impetus, but Belvedere number 8 Leo Auva’a picked and drove at the Mary’s defensive line, the momentum generated was followed up by a Jason Risdon carry, Chris Keane then quickly released the ball to Richie Leyden at pace, who in-turn successfully broke the Mary’s cover and provided a deft offload to the omni-present Risdon, providing a supporting option after his initial carry. Unluckily for Belvedere, the Mary’s cover again proved its worth and managed to halt his progress just short of their try line. Nevertheless the opportunity remained and a quick feed to Andy Dunne by Chris Keane saw the Belvo captain attack the Mary’s backline again to be held up just short. Belvo recycled and kicked cross-field, where full-back Eddie Devitt managed to tap the ball down to an onrushing Jason Risden only for the ball to agonisingly bounce off his knee and into the grateful hands of Mary’s winger Darragh Fanning who touched down for a five metre scrum.

This attack, ultimately proved very costly for Belvedere, as their captain Andy Dunne suffered an ankle injury sufficient to force him to retire on 37 mins, and their management team to move Conal Keane to out-half and bringing Kevin Barden into the centres. Having weathered the storm, Mary’s again forced Belvo to infringe on 38 mins when number 8 Hugh Hogan picked from the base of a scrum and offloaded to his centres who then acquired the penalty for a Belvedere infringement at the breakdown. Gavin Dunne again obliged with the three points leaving the scores 9-3 in favour of Mary’s. Shortly afterwards Belvo had the opportunity to reduce the gap before the break, after Mary’s prevented them gaining advantage after a knock-on in midfield and conceded a penalty. Conal Keane’s kick at goal proved unsuccessful and bought the half to a close.

A score line of 9-3 was misleading given the tempo, amount of opportunities and end-to-end nature of the tie. Furthermore it did not reflect the fact that at a minimum Belvedere has at least achieved parity with Mary’s and created more clear cut first half opportunities. Their pack impressed, especially their marauding back-row of Risdon, Auva’a and Slattery who attacked, pressurised and harassed Mary’s at every opportunity. Combined with this, the Belvo backline applied concentrated pressure at key points to maximise the impact of Andy Dunne and Conal Keane’s tactical kicking. It was solely through the concession of three unnecessary penalties that Belvedere ended the half six points behind.

Mary’s strength on the other hand seemed to be the attacking threat of their backline, especially their centres and the kicking prowess of their full-back.

The forecast for the second half was overwhelmingly upbeat, with everything to play for and excellent support for both sides; it had the potential to be a classic.

The second half exceeded all expectations. Belvo immediately eradicated any doubts that their collective resolve was affected by the departure of their captain by immediately forcing a penalty from the kick-off. Newly-appointed out-half Conal Keane successfully converted reducing the gap to three points and leaving the scores at 9-6.

It only took until the 43^rd minute for Belvo to level. Gathering a clearance kick and bringing the ball into contact, Risdon, Leyden and Slattery picked-and-drove for a gain of 5 metres. Prop Stuart Maguire continued the momentum and quick ball was delivered by scrum-half Chris Keane to the onrushing John Kennedy who drew the Mary’s defence into an offside position and secured a penalty. Conal Keane, again proving an able replacement for Andy Dunne at out-half, converted his second attempt from three from a position a few meters from the pavilion touchline on the Mary’s 22 to level the scores 9-9.

Belvedere completed their 13 point turnaround 5 mins later on 48 mins when, showing admirable poise and patience, they managed to score under the Mary’s posts. From a scrum on the Mary’s 10 metre line, Leo Auva’a, who had began the second half with some impressive carries, picked from the back of the scrum and was assisted by Stuart Maguire. Mary’s halted the attack after a brief gain. Belvo took advantage of the quick ball and Chris Keane quickly fed Conal Keane who immediately attacked the outside shoulder of Mary’s out-half Sean McCarthy. The breakdown of this move led to a momentary lapse of attention in the Mary’s defence allowing Leo Auva’a to break through a poor attempted tackle, draw the onrushing cover and dispatch the ball to Richie Leyden who touched down under the posts. With Keane adding the extras, the scoreboard painted a very different picture of 9-16, advantage Belvedere it seemed and game on.

Mary’s however, never lost their composure and responded in kind on 57mins. From a scrum, Mary’s out-half Sean McCarthy fed Stephen Grissing who was tackled after a short gain. Scrum-half Conor McPhillips continued the move down the blind side but again the move was stopped by the Belvo defence. Mary’s then moved the ball to the open side stretching the Belvo defence sufficiently to allow them to again recycle quickly. Sean McCarthy skipped to Mark Sexton, whose pace carried him through the tackle and over the Belvedere line for a try. Gavin Dunne attempted to acquire the extras with a conversion from the left and after a hesitant reaction by poorly placed touch judges, referee Peter Fitzgibbon appeared to indicate to the touch judges to award a successful conversion.

The nature of the conversion caused controversy amongst the supporters and the media analysts at RTE as the ball appeared to go right and wide and would prove contentious in the finish. At 57 mins the score was tied at 16-16 and the final quarter was poised on a knife edge.

Mary’s followed up quickly on 62 mins, when, after sustained pressure on the Belvo 22, Gavin Dunne again used his boot to expertly strike a successful drop goal with the luxury of already being awarded a penalty. The score was now at 19-16 and the advantage once more with Mary’s.

The Belvo management team responded quickly with a double substitution on 68 mins with Tom Sexton replacing Mark Cooney at Hooker and Alan Trenier replacing Paul Spivey at lock. Sexton was to have an immediate impact, his first task was to find his jumpers in line-out on the Mary’s 22 from a previous penalty. Successfully finding his jumper at the back of the line-out, he then followed up on the second phase with a carry and during the subsequent breakdown Mary’s infringed. Referee Peter Fitzgibbon indicated penalty advantage to Belvo at which point a temporary slumber seemed to affect the entire Mary’s defence. Chris Keane then followed the age-old philosophy of playing to the whistle and picked the ball up from the base of the ruck and ran unhindered under the posts. Again Conal Keane converted leaving the score 19-23 with ten minutes to play.

Despite their gallant efforts, there was one final cruel twist in the script for Werahiko’s charges. Having conceded the try to Chris Keane, Mary’s re-organised and move the game to the Belvedere half. Again through their formidable back division they managed to engineer a break on the right flank through Mark Sexton and Ronan Doherty combining to feed Barry O’Flanagan. Belvo replacement Alan Trenier initially covered well, but in his haste to tackle was too high, conceded a penalty and was immediately dispatched to the sin-bin by the referee.

Calm, assured and knowing a try was required, Mary’s kicked for field position on the Belvo 5 metre line, they then secured the line-out and moved the play from one side to another in multiple phases seeking the decisive break. Belvedere defended valiantly but eventually the toll of their previous efforts and Mary’s numerical advantage proved too much, allowing Mary’s to find an overlap and put centre Stephen Grissing in the corner and deliver a hammer blow to Belvedere’s ambition with four minutes remaining. At this point Mary’s used their extensive experience of top flight rugby and refused to allow Belvedere to get within striking distance. They regained possession on 82 mins and Conor McPhillips dispatched the ball into touch to the delight of the Mary’s faithful.

It was a heart-breaking end to an excellent season for the Belvedere men. They did not deserve to lose this fixture and expended every possible joule of energy in pursuit of victory. However Mary’s didn’t deserve to lose either and ultimately their experience of consistently competing at the top end of division 1A (and the former division 1) and playing big game encounters probably saw them through on this occasion. The awarding of a dubious conversion may have somewhat left a slightly bitter taste but ultimately is an issue for the officials who managed the game and is outside of the players control.

Both sides showed exceptional sportsmanship at the conclusion and were quick to commend each others efforts. The significance of this game to both participants should not be underestimated and was potently illustrated by the exasperation on the faces of the Belvedere players, management and supporters but also by the jubilation of the Mary’s men as they sang to their supporters in the pavilion.

However despondent they are at the final outcome, this Belvo squad and the club as a whole has much to take pride in. They have come a great distance in five seasons, from barely retaining their division 2 status at the end of the 05/06 season to division 1A rugby in 2010/2011. The foundations laid by Mike O’Donovan, Warren O’Kelly and Richie Murphy have been well augmented by Phil Werahiko and Matt Kennedy and the club continues to achieve success at all levels. Most importantly though, the First XV has proved that they have the ability to compete with and defeat the strongest rugby teams in the country, should they replicate the form of this season.

To conclude, in an era where professional and specifically provincial rugby seems to benefit at the expense of the AIL; this game was both an excellent advertisement and endorsement for the league. A pulsating encounter that featured emerging talent, seasoned veterans and international age-grade representatives achieved its maximum potential through the live broadcast by RTE and could certainly serve as an excellent reference in the future promotion of the AIL.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE: Gavin Dunne; Ronan Doherty, Stephen Grissing, Mark Sexton, Darragh Fanning; Shaun McCarthy, Conor McPhillips; Jack McGrath, Richard Sweeney, Robert Sweeney, Gareth Logan, Robin Copeland, Damian Hall, Paul Nash, Hugh Hogan (capt).

Replacements used: Conor Donohoe for Sexton (37 mins-half-time, blood sub), Stephen Bradshaw for Logan (50), Barry O’Flanagan for Damien Hall, Gavin Hickie for Richard Sweeney (both 79).

OLD BELVEDERE: Eddie Devitt; Derek Keane, Conal Keane, John Kennedy, David Mongan; Andy Dunne (capt), Chris Keane; Vinnie Soden, Mark Cooney, Stewart Maguire, Richie Leyden, Paul Spivey, Jonathan Slattery, Jason Risdon, Leo Auva’a.

Replacements used: Kevin Barden for Dunne (37 mins), Kieran Hurrell for Devitt (40), Alan Trenier for Spivey, Tom Sexton for Cooney (both 68).

Referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRFU)

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