Logan pays tribute to Mary’s secret weapon

IT was a case of mind over matter as St Mary’s College ended Shannon’s perfect start to the AIL Division One season with a 10-8 victory at Templeville Road on Saturday.

Mick Galwey’s side, bidding for a sixth successive win, were undone by a determined home outfit who were recording their second victory of the week — and the campaign.

Captain Gareth Logan was thrilled with the performance and revealed their secret weapon.

“We have had the sports psychologist Enda McNulty in with us over the last couple of weeks and he has been a revelation. We have a very young squad and he has helped to bring everyone together.

“Last week’s win against Dungannon was the turning point for us after such a poor start to the season. Things are really, really positive and you can feel the buzz throughout the club.”

He insists that feet remain firmly on the ground after such a high profile scalp.

“The plan now is to keep the momentum going. We have been plagued by injuries especially in the backline but now we must keep the head down and keep getting the results. This was just a win — there was no title. We are in the final of the Leinster Senior Cup and hopefully we can get something out of that.”

Hugh Hogan’s first half try, the boot of Jonathon Sexton and the power of the pack proved the difference against a Shannon outfit who had scores from David Quinlan (try) and Andrew Thompson (penalty).

Continued Logan: “It was ~massive. I know that Shannon were weakened but it is always great to beat a team or their reputation and calibre.

“Over the last week we were working hard on playing a tough physical game and our pack has really impressed this year.”

Cork Constitution defeated Munster rivals UL Bohemian (20-3) at Temple Hill to take top spot in the table following Shannon’s slip.

Con coach Brian Walsh said: “That’s the sixth game between the teams in the last three seasons, and it’s the first time we managed to put a bit of daylight between us and them. The other games were all nail-biting affairs. It still wasn’t easy but at least we got the scores at crucial periods. We’re well pleased with this win.”

Though the defeat saw UL Bohs drop from fourth to seventh place, Walsh believes the Limerick side will be involved in the battle for honours at the season’s end.

“They will win more games than they will lose, that’s for sure. We had to play pretty well to grind out a win, and the conditions were foul for both sides.

“They came back at us in the final quarter, but we had already scored a crucial try to kill off their challenge. Since joining up with the University of Limerick, the club has come on in leaps and bounds. They have training facilities second to none and they have an immense amount of young talent at their disposal. They probably have the best U20 side in the country and they’re bringing those players in year after year,” he said.

The heroics were not confined to Templeville Road on Saturday, with Ballymena edging ever loser into contention by beating Lansdowne at Eaton Park. It was their third successive game without conceding a point, as they romped to a 20-0 victory.

They move into third place — just four points behind the leaders and three adrift of Shannon.

Clontarf’s win helped them into fourth place, but only on points difference ahead of Dolphin, who face another tricky assignment next week away to UL Bohs.

At the bottom end, things are not going well for either Greystones or Dungannon particularly, or for Old Belvedere and Lansdowne.

Greystones prop up the table following a home defeat to Galwegians while the Ulster side finished on the wrong end of a 19-5 scoreline to Garryowen.

The light blues were rarely troubled and Munster coach Declan Kidney will note that young Keith Earls was yet again in top form and scored two smashing tries. They’re now in sixth position and only two points away from moving into a top four position.

UCC moved into top place in Division Two.

They edged ahead of Young Munster whose game with Buccaneers was called off due to the inclement weather. It was one of three games in the Division to be postponed — Thomond v Highfield and Ballynahinch v Belfast Harlequins will be played at a later date.