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This game had a strange ethereal quality to it. Almost as if no one knew what to expect, but were hoping for the best anyway. Mary’s took advantage of having secured a home semi-final, by resting a few key players to clear up some niggles.
We have to acknowledge their success in achieving a home semi on their first year back in division 1A. They are very good value for this achievement and have racked up huge bonus points on their journey and plenty of admirers of their style of play.
Clontarf had a niggle of their own …. A mental one.
They needed to perform on Saturday to secure a home semi, so it was no rest for the wicked, shoulders to the wheel, etc, etc. The maths geeks on the sideline confirmed we needed two points from the game to ensure a home semi. Thankfully, the performance was sufficiently precise, plus a little extra, to attain the objective.
Against a weakened side there are few reasons to punch the air in triumph, but Clontarf will be happy to have reminded Marys that their rested players will be needed in any future encounter. It’s never a good thing to concede nearly 50 points and excuses, no matter how logical, can often seem hollow in face of that kind of scoreline.
Clontarf opened proceedings from a lineout after Marys conceded a penalty at the first tackle of the game. The ball was transferred right to left and Hugh Cooney found a gap and Tadgh Bird up in support. The ball was carried on by Sam Owens and Con Kelly before Cooney took it to the line with a double surge through a loose tackle. From there the forwards humped around for a few, before Owens found Fahy and he blasted two defenders back for the opening try.
Mary’s got a cracker back after a dummy 12 10 loop found Myles Carey on a straight burst and his fast return inside pass put O’Gara in under the posts.
At the end of the first quarter Tarf added a try after a home lineout on the Marys line was repeatedly fouled. The maul was stopped but fast hands put Tadgh Bird in on the left.
Mary’s kicked off and Seni Reilly took it beautifully over his head, GAA style, and quick as a flash we were back in Marys 22, where, after a bit of faffing with the scrum, we earned a penalty try for 19 7.
Right on half time, Marys got another try after their no 6 Leane was put through and he had the strength to bustle to the line. Half time score was 19 14.
The second half saw Tarf apply multiple maul pressure and added the bonus point try early on. That pretty much sealed the home semi-final. The rest of the half was played out with a raft of substitutions leading to general looseness that impacted the visitors more than Tarf.
Mary’s added another try from their own maul and Tarf tacked on another three; from Aaron Coleman, who had to dip for a pass that fired him through a hole in the defence; from Ben Griffin who finally rumbled over to a huge cheer after playing a superb 80, and from Seni Reilly who zoomed in on the right, after a lovely sweeping move from the backline.
Final score was 47 19. No hysteria, much relief, and a big crowd hung around to enjoy the spring sunshine.
Got a question from Dr Barry after the game around some of the statistics since the 10 team league format was introduced in season 2011/12.
Since then, there have been 12 complete seasons as 19/20 and 20/21 were either postponed or cancelled before end due to Covid.
In those 12 full seasons, Clontarf finished top 5 times, second 3 times, third 3 times, and fifth 1 time.
Not bad if you’re a history buff!
