The Well runneth dry
The Well lost 23-19 on Saturday, leaving them perilously close to the trapdoor leading to junior rugby. The ‘Well’ is certainly running dry: one win from ten, second from bottom in AIB League Division Three, and without a change in results, the frightening vista of Sunday rugby awaits one of Ireland’s best loved clubs.
But just what are the reasons behind their fall from grace?
The Well are admired by many for taking the brave decision to go fully amateur in 2004, but in these turbulent times for club rugby in Ireland no other club bothered to follow suit. 12 first team players walked out of the Well that summer because they were not going to be paid. For hooker Fintan Whelan, who stayed behind primarily out of a love of club over euro, he says reality is now setting in. Though reluctant to admit it, Whelan feels the Well may have to reverse their decision on amateurism based of course on the premise they maintain their senior status this season.
“Other clubs are showing the cheque book. We’re not,” said Whelan in the aftermath of another gut-wrenching defeat. “Here you play for the crest – that’s what I admire about these guys. Everyone who goes out there is playing for the crest. Obviously other clubs have a few bob to spend. They’ve got overseas players coming in and that’s probably strengthening their squad.
“Maybe we might have to look at things differently; we might have to change our outlook on next season.”
If Sunday’s well have to go down the route of paying players again, it’ll be a decision that will sadden head coach and former ‘Well great, Ken O’Connell, whose heart-on-sleeve attitude of his own playing days was reflected in a courageous and fearless but ultimately heart-breaking defeat.
O’Connell is doing his best to leave an imprint of his personality on the team, preaching unity and togetherness, but all that may not be enough to save the club.
“I hate saying it but we have to put our hands in our pockets and start paying players to compete as a senior status club because everyone else is doing it,” said O’Connell. “Unfortunately the amateur day is gone: if we stay amateur it’s only a matter of time before we’re junior. That’s the reality now — players have to paid. Hopefully we’ll survive this year, but for us to compete we have to put our hands in our pockets and start paying players.”
O’Connell added: “I’m saddened I have to say those words because you look in the dressing-room and all the lads are on the same level playing-field, not getting anything for it. They’re here for the enjoyment of the game, playing for the club and playing for each other. That’s being taken away really unfortunately in this league.”
The struggle to retain senior status is the back of Whelan’s mind. If they finish second from bottom, it’s a round robin series with up-and-coming junior clubs. The Well squad is small, the U20 team had to be disbanded because of a lack of playing numbers and also John O’Neill, assistant to O’Connell departed before Christmas.
With their backs against the wall, Whelan hopes that through all the adversity there will be some light at the end of the tunnel. At the moment they can’t even see the tunnel.
“It is in the back of our minds,” said Whelan. “I think we had a much bigger squad last season. The numbers are very tight this year. The bunch that are out there are a committed bunch. Hopefully we’ll get to stay up.
“Sunday rugby hasn’t crossed our minds. We’ll take one game at a time, I’m an eternal optimist, just love this club to bits, I know everyone inside in that dressing-room will give it 100% to keep this club in senior ranks.”
An 11th minute try by Andrew O’Brien, after Shane O’Sullivan cut open Rainey’s defence, gave the Well a good foundation, but two penalties and a converted intercept try from half way by the Magherafelt club pushed the northerners 16-5 ahead. The signs looked ominous for the Well, but they rolled up their sleeves and dug in making the hard yards primarily through Whelan, Derek O’Riordan and Mick Murphy. And they got just reward when Mark Purcell struck two penalties to bring them back into the game before the break on a 16-11 score-line.
On 47 minutes the Well levelled affairs. O’Riordan drove from the back of a five metre scrum, the pack regrouped and Brian O’Neill managed to dot the ball down. Purcell missed the difficult conversion but from the restart, the Well were caught napping and allowed hooker Damien Campbell take a diagonal line for the corner.
It was converted by Glancy but Well didn’t capitulate and they were signs that O’Connell’s words of “togetherness” and “unity” can ultimately save their senior status.
On Saturday they came up short, but the corner can be turned.
“We can survive,” added O’Connell afterwards. “There is too much tradition here. It’s centenary year, 100 years old, obviously the pressure is huge on me and the team, but I feel if we stick together, put the effort in over the next few weeks, we will stay up. But it’s going to take a mammoth effort.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
