St Mary’s climb to third with narrow win

AFTER two defeats to open their campaign, St Mary’s College are now right up among the contenders for the All-Ireland League Division 1A title.

Saturday’s 21-18 success over Blackrock at Stradbrook was their fourth win on the trot and leaves them in third spot, just two points adrift of second-placed Cork Constitution. But the win was only achieved following a nail-biting climax.

As the game went into the final quarter, St Mary’s held a 21-3 advantage and seemed on their way to a comfortable win. But Blackrock staged a recovery which brought tries from number eight Mick Noone and second-row Des Dillon, one of which was converted by out-half Rob Keogh.

Suddenly Blackrock were right back in it, trailing by just 21-15. With four minutes remaining they had the chance either to take a scrum close to the line, or opt for the line-out in the corner.

They did neither, instead opting for Keogh to kick a penalty which reduced the deficit to 21-18, and they weren’t to get a further opportunity.

St Mary’s coach Ciaran Potts admitted to being quite anxious. He said: “I was very worried.

“As for their decision to opt for the penalty instead of going for the try, yes I was a bit relieved. They had a five-metre scrum, so it was a perfect attacking opportunity, but I’m sure they had their reasons.”

St Mary’s got off to the perfect start with two tries in the opening 12 minutes for a 12-3 advantage.

Blackrock, it has to be said, didn’t help their cause. The first try, initiated by full-back Paul Gillespie, and scored by right-wing Ronan Doherty, came in the opening minute.

If Blackrock’s defence wasn’t exactly great for that score, it was all over the place as centre Stephen Grissing was allowed to secure St Mary’s second try after a kick ahead by Mark Sexton.

Gavin Dunne, featuring at out-half instead of his normal full-back spot, landed one conversion and added a penalty to give St Mary’s their 15-3 interval advantage. All Blackrock could manage in reply was a penalty from Keogh.

Three further penalties from Dunne then seemed to put St Mary’s in complete control at 21-3 before Blackrock eventually came good.

There was also a dramatic finish at Dooradoyle where Garryowen earned an 11-11 draw against second-placed Cork Constitution when Declan Cusack kicked an injury-time penalty from the touchline.

In a typical hard-fought encounter, there were just two tries, full-back Lorcan Bourke going over for an early Garryowen effort, before second-row Brian Hayes crossed for Con.

Following Shannon’s dramatic success over Young Munster on Friday night, the three Limerick clubs are now all locked together on 10 points at the bottom of the table.

Clontarf stay out in front in Division 1B following a useful 25-18 victory over Lansdowne at Castle Avenue. Buccaneers stayed in second spot by virtue of a 16-12 success over their Connacht rivals Galwegians at Dubarry Park.

Bruff continued their climb up the table, moving to third spot, after defeating Dungannon 21-10, while an improved UCC got the better of UL Bohemians 32-23 in a highly entertaining encounter at the Mardyke.