Bective 10 Clontarf 17.
Donnybrook, Feb 14.
In a very hard fought match Clontarf won the deciding game of the under 18 league. At the end of the league campaign this final match was a “winner takes all” situation with both teams undefeated.
Clontarf started strongly with some very powerful forward driving play lead by captain Gordon Brennan. After ten minutes man of the match scrum half Alan Gibbon took full advantage to dive over for the opening try which he duly converted. ‘Tarf continued to dominate the opening period. Credit to the Tarf scrum, and in particular the front row of Sean Flynn, Stephen Lawless and Barry Whelan, which won six strikes against the head in the opening period.
The pressure told off resulting with a blindside move that saw winger Stephen Lamb go over in the corner. Several players were involved in the lead up to this try including both wing forwards Rob Kearney and Joe Murphy.
Bective came out strongly in the second half and opened the scoring with a breakaway try. They now had the momentum but a planned move between Brennan and Gibbon put centre Sean Bulman through on the halfway. He executed a lovely chip and chase to gather and score the try.
Bective upped the ante and came right back. Some very strong defence by winger Colm Coffey and centre Luke Murphy kept them out for a long period. Good lineout work by second rows Kevin Prout and Aaron O’Toole kept us in the game. However the pressure told and Bective scored their second try, but missed the conversion. This set up nail biting last eight minutes.
Bective piled on the pressure but the Tarf defence stood firm. Jeff Whyte at fullback did a lot good covering and last line of defence tackling. Replacement flanker Cian Keogh pulled off some crucial ball wins. Outhalf Craig Wilson put in some strong clearances and crucial tackles- he showed very good control under pressure. The forward effort, especially the maul work of Aaron O’Toole, was top class. The back row did not miss a tackle. The spirit of the team told allowing the Tarf team to celebrate at the final whistle.
Well done to coach Paddy Lee- he set the standard for the lads. The support of the U17 coaches Karl Cagney and Damien Wilson was also key. A special mention also to Derek Brennan and Kevin Bulman- parents of Gordon and Sean- who have been running extra fitness sessions for the squad.
Team; Jeff Whyte, Colm Coffey, Luke Murphy, Sean Bulman, Stephen Lamb, Craig Wilson, Alan Gibbon, Sean Flynn, Barry Whelan, Stephen Lawless, Aaron O’Toole,Kevin Prout, Joe Murphy(C Keogh HT), Rob Kearney, Gordon Brennan.
Replacements. Cian Keogh.Jimmy Oliver, Ben Kidd, Vincent gavin, Brendan Ryan.
Other panel members who played in league. Niall Twaddle, Daragh Collings, John Gibbon, Conor Kelly, Jamie Buckett, Karl MacKenna, Colin Ryan, Daniel Fanning, Nick Bett.