Honours even after titanic struggle
So it was in Kilballyowen Park on Saturday afternoon last after Munster Junior League champions Bruff, the home team, had fought Ulster kingpins Ards to a dead heat in the opening bout of the Round-Robin AIL qualifier series.
It was the purest of ding-dong battles, absolute tit-for-tat from start to nerve-shredding finish. Opening score for Bruff, penalty from out-half Michael Lynch, out-half penalty reply by Stewart Paul for Ards; penalty for offside by Lynch, penalty reply for offside by Paul, six-all at the break.
Change of ends, Ards now with the hill and the slight breeze, Bruff take the lead again, drop-goal Lynch eight minutes in; five minutes later, Paul cancels it out (mind you, with a penalty, the only technical difference in the scoring all afternoon).
Three minutes later, mighty kick across the wind by Lynch, Bruff in front again, 12-9. Three minutes further on, conceded again, albeit a controversial tackle-situation penalty call by referee Terence Dixon that could easily have gone the other way.
So, half-way into the second period, 12-12, the game delicately poised, two well-organised defences, a try for either side looked likely to be decisive. In the 64th minute it came, break off the base of Bruff scrum by replacement number 8 Michael Carroll, super dummy that took the first-up would-be tackler out of his boots, on his shoulder (and fittingly, because he was by far the most incisive runner on view all game) powerful full-back Adrian O'Brien, dotted down almost under the posts. Lynch converted, advantage Bruff, 19-12, now all they had to do was keep the head down, and defend like blazes to the end. Instead, almost in the next Ards attack, they defended like blouses, and Stewart Paul was allowed stroll between the posts. So, 3-3, 6-6, 9-9, 12-12, 19-19.
It was almost fated that this one would be shared, and so it turned out. Bruff, who in fairness did look slightly the better side, with Ards constantly playing catch-up, had a couple of opportunities in injury time, but the service to Michael Lynch from substitute scrum-half Ivan O'Gorman left a lot to be desired, and both drop-goal attempts fell well short.
To former Young Munster, Munster and Ireland prop Paco Fitzgerald then, Bruff coach, and that question point gained or points lost? "Points lost really, but we'll take the result. Looking at the game overall, I thought it was even-stephen, well-balanced, so probably a fair result. We didn't press them enough on their line to win the game; tried to save it in the last ten minutes, put them under pressure, tried the drop goal a couple of times, but it didn't come off.
"We scored a very good try, then immediately left in a soft one at the other end, that summed it up for us".
Frustrating on the line, seeing such carelessness, but Fitzgerald was giving credit where it was due.
"We showed our inexperience I suppose, but we're up to a new level now, these guys have far more experience than us and it showed out there, they used it to good advantage."
None more experienced, or none shrewder in that Ards pack, than giant second-row Davy Tweed. 43 now, but even in what was really a hot afternoon, the former Ulster and Ireland international played the full 90 minutes.
Ten of those minutes were for 'injuries', which came at regular and relieving intervals for that experienced Ards pack. Old dog, hard road, and Tweed too was for giving due credit to the opposition.
"It was a tough one, a lot of sweat, and whenever you get to my age, it doesn't get any easier! Two balanced teams, but talking to the boys back up north, they know it's never easy to come to Limerick and win, they know the rugby pedigree of the people here.
"We knew it was going to be hard, but overall we're disappointed with our own performance. I would say definitely points lost, but fair dues to Bruff, and the best of luck to them now. We're still in a battle, still a couple of matches to be played yet."
Having beaten Monivea, Leinster champions Kilkenny are now in the driving seat, but it is still all to play for here.
BRUFF: A. O'Brien (1T); G. Leonard, B. Carroll, S. Conway, J. Ryan; M. Lynch (3P 1DG 1C), B. Cahill (inj. 45, I. O'Gorman); R. Flanagan (M. Whelan 71), C. O'Regan, G. Ryan; S. Danagher (N. Lynch 65), B. McMahon; A. Goodman, R. Moore, M. O'Rourke (M. Carroll 54).
ARDS: S. Bell; S. Gardiner, S. Devoy, N. Stewart, C. Rodgerson; S. Paul (1T 1C 4P), C. Allen (inj. 27, M. Wallace); G. Garrett, C. Allen, G. Dempsey (C. Thompson 67); D. Tweed, G. Presho; K. Heaslip, D. Dillon, M. Creighton (c).
Referee: T. Dixon (L.A.R.).
