I didn’t go to Dolphin at the weekend so my weekly musings are relying on the match interpretation from some who did attend. I was lying on the couch trying not to get savaged by my dogs and watching Fiji being disinterested in Thomond. Some of the opinions on the game in Cork have been quite revealing. It’s pretty clear that the first half performance was sensational or as someone put it “the best display of 15 man rugby this season and for many seasons”.
That is really encouraging because we have all been waiting for the backline to fire. Now that they are it is important that the momentum is maintained. According to reports Matt Darcy and Evan Ryan ran the show with Evan having a superb game in his home town. Presumably all the relations were there . . . !?
I believe the pack owned the ball and comfortably took Dolphin through the phases with ease and Mick McGrath had a stormer.
Unfortunately things got a little wobbly in the second half and having dominated everywhere but on the scoreboard we conspired to allow Dolphin back into it and, indeed, nearly allowed them to steal it at the death.
We really need to avoid these nail biting Hollywood finishes; if just to allow some of our senior members to plan their day calmly and efficiently. I believe in the confusion of whistle blowing at the finish of the game a group of our doughty supporters presumed that the game was over, narrow loss recorded, and headed gloomily for the exit and the train home, or to go to mass or something. A little like the three wise men following the star to outside the stable in Bethlehem to be told that there was nothing in there except a cursing, screaming woman and a few animals. So they decided that there was no point hanging around, remounted their camels and headed off to the pub . . .
So anyway our five wise men were finally tracked down at Kent station and the news was passed that Darragh Fitz rose from the dead and smote Dolphin with the final swing of his weapon . . . Hosanna!
Well done gentlemen . . . If ever there was a case for maintaining free travel for seniors . . . This is definitely it.
On Friday week we recommence our annual love fest with our friends from Old Belvedere. It is the last game of the AIL before Christmas and as such has taken on a level of importance and planning somewhat akin to D Day. Reports are that the lunch will commence at 3.30 ish. Four hours later the game will kick off at 7.30 . . . Oh dear . . . 5 minutes of eating and 3 hours and fifty five minutes of drinking followed by a ‘Tarf v Old Belvedere match.
I know five wise men who, if they remember to attend the full day, are unlikely to make it to the side of the pitch for the kickoff!!
Peter Walsh