Garryowen FC Notes
w.e. 04th February 2007 2007.
Our Seniors slipped to 6th in the AIL table following a
23-13 defeat to Terenure in a rather fractious affair at Lakelands Park
last Saturday. This was our fourth loss on the bounce and after looking comfortable
before Christmas, we have found that playing catch up rugby can prove extremely
costly in our quest for the play-off stages. Again we were slowly away from the
blocks and despite the benefit of a strongish breeze; we still found ourselves
15-6 behind at the break. A poor clearance out of defence and some slack
defending saw us lose a 6-3 lead. This was compounded when the referee raced
under the posts following a determined effort by the ‘Nure pack near our line. We
had quite a few chances to put scores on the board but indiscipline and some
flat attacking meant we had to again rely on Eoghan Hickey for our first half
haul. Things deteriorated early in the second half when from a threatening
position deep inside the home 22, the ball was turned over and we conceded a
try at the other end. The conversion hit the post but we were staring at a
right old drubbing at 20-6. Some infantile and derisory chanting from a section
of the ‘Nure ‘‘supporters’’ (a sad malaise in this deemed noble sport) raised
the dander of our players and from there to the end of the game we gave it
serious holly. Even when a further drop goal put 17 points between the teams,
the boys refused to buckle. We worked our way up field and pounded away at
their line. Twice we appeared certain to score near the posts but somehow they
held the line. Our supporters had strong claims for a penalty- try denied when
a blatant and similar transgression at a ruck was not consistently
punished. A mere yellow card and an
overthrow at the resultant lineout seemed to put the tin hat on it. However
when Conan Doyle danced his way over in the 66m, hopes of a turnaround were
revived. A further score at that stage would have set up a grandstand finish
but we needed to get greater depth in our play to pierce a fiercely committed
defence. The players were naturally disappointed after the game but there is no
white flag in the Dooradoyle arsenal. With five series of games to go, there is
still a lot of rugby to be played. Our team is well capable of bouncing back
and it would be premature to write the light blues off just yet. The games have
come hot and heavy in January but we must rise to the challenge again this
Saturday in the AIB cup quarter final in Dooradoyle at 2.30. We have some none
too-fond memories of our recent meetings with the
Templeville Road side. A semi-final
defeat last year and a narrow AIL defeat in December have ruffled our feathers
somewhat. It will come as no surprise if we finally get out of the blocks early
this time round. I would imagine there will be plenty of ‘’encouragement’’
prior to kick off on Saturday. Please note post match food is being kindly
sponsored by Willie Sexton whose nephew Jonathan will line out at 10 for the
Saints. Earlier in the day our U20’s chances of reaching the AIL play offs more
or less evaporated as a 10-10 draw away to Bruff means the points don’t stack
up sufficiently. We appeared to be in cruise control following tries from JP
Hartigan and Willie Staunton. The latter’s missed conversion from a very favourable
position was to prove vital as the county side stormed back and in the end were
full value for their draw. This Saturday the boys play leaders Shannon in Coonagh. Our 3rdXV had a convincing 27-6 win over Old Crescent
in a
friendly at Dooaradoyle. It was a comprehensive win by the team who showed good
discipline and spirit after a shaky start. We went 6-0 down early in the game
but controlled matters thereafter. Mark Hanrahan 2, Finnian Chesser and Ger Sommers
were the try scorers. Fergus Sheahan added 2 conversions and a penalty to
complete the scoring. It is always a daunting task to have to travel to Thurles
for the opening round of the Munster Junior Cup. To do so and win so
emphatically is a credit to David Hayes charges. A first class performance from
our pack established an early platform and with Willie Staunton in excellent
kicking form, the writing was on the wall for the
county Tipperary
side at an early stage. The score was 22-3 at half time with Niall O’Driscoll
adding the finishes touches to a classic back movement. Willie Staunton compiled
a personal tally of 17 points from the conversion, a neat drop goal and four
rocket-like penalties. Neville Melbourne was outstanding at No 8 but he only
shaded special mention in a very efficient pack. Dave Heaton gave the midfield
some badly needed oomph and the first time tackling of our backs ensured any
thoughts of a second half revival by the home team were quickly extinguished.
In Under Age, the under 14’s maintained their 100% record with a hard earned
but somewhat under par performance against St Senans in Shannon last Sunday. The
coaches continue to rotate their squad and given imminent Junior Cup
commitments, this is proving useful. A superb hat trick of tries from full back
Andrew Fullen, the last converted by Rory Collins, was the highlight of the
game. Garryowen went 5–0 up mid-way through the first half only to be pegged
back before half time with the concession of a try to a gallant home team.
Changes at the interval helped to gain the upper hand in the forwards. A
converted penalty saw us take an 8-5 lead before our full back completed his
try scoring feats to achieve a 20 -5 winning margin. Best on the day for the
light blues were John Fyfe, Dom Furnell, Sean Noonan, Peter Hodnett and Andrew
Fullen. The boys play their penultimate game in Section B this coming Sunday at
home to Scariff. A win will guarantee a spot in the semi final. Meanwhile our
U16's maintained their good league form when they beat Old Crescent 46-5 at Dooradoyle. Eight tries
was a pretty impressive haul with Alan Barry 3, Alan Kennedy 2, David Rowley,
Richard Costello and Evan Brophy all crossing the line. The aforementioned also
kicked 3 conversions.
Michael Ryan RIP
It is indeed difficult to report on the various matches this
week following the sad news of the passing of Michael Ryan. It is almost
inconceivable to imagine Dooradoyle without that great man with the white shock
of hair popping up somewhere around the ground. Visitors from other clubs have
remarked on how well the grounds and facilities have been improved in the last
few years. When you notice a man in his advancing years hauling steel piping,
timber, stone and what have you around the place, you know you have seen
someone rare and special. With his cohorts aka Paddy Hogan, Jim Varley, Mark
Lynch and JJ in tow, the place has been a hive of activity. They have transformed
the appearance and contours of our splendid grounds. Mick has left a
magnificent legacy in his commemorative flower garden (Garrai Eoin…John’s
Garden) at the entrance to the club. Only recently I had the pleasure of
accompanying him to Dublin
for an AIL game. When I enquired about his well being, he shrugged his illness
off in his own little inimitable way. What a great trooper. He only wanted to
talk about the club but did allow some reference to his beloved All Blacks. He
remarked that the garden would be lovely when the shrubs matured and the warm spring
sunshine would bring them on a ton. It is so tragic that he won’t be here to
see the fruits of his labour. To his wife Myrna and all the Ryan family, who
have been synonomous with Garryowen FC for so many years, our deepest
sympathies. A true light-blue, Mick will be sadly missed but never forgotten in
Dooradoyle. Mick will repose at his residence in Ballysheedy on Saturday
between 4.00 and 8.00 with the funeral mass in Donoghmore Church
on Sunday at 11.30. Burial in the nearby Crecora Churchyard will take place
immediately afterwards. With so many friends, I am sure he will be given an
appropriate send off.