1st XV 19-15 Garda
It’s coming to the business end of the season and Coolmine are still well in contention for their 2nd league title in a row, lying in second place 3 points behind Newbridge despite beating them away on the 17th of January. Coolmine need to win all their remaining games to give themselves a chance of securing first place so today’s local home derby against Garda RFC was a must win game. Although currently sitting in last place Garda’s form has improved lately and they have accumulated 15 points from only 2 wins picking up plenty of losing bonus points along the way proving they are a difficult side to put away. This fixture was cancelled earlier in the year due to the recent inclement weather so both sides were keen to put the game behind them and secure a victory. Playing conditions were quite good despite the sticky underfoot conditions. It was the visitors who started off the strongest they dominated both possession and territory in the opening minutes. Fielding a large pack they were winning the battle up front denying Coolmine the chance to get their hands on the ball. But they failed to convert their dominance into points and two kickable penalties went wide of the mark. It took 22 minutes for the home side to get their first real chance of scoring, an intercepted ball by David Barry in his own 22 left open space in front of him but he was chased down just past the Garda 10 metre line however coolmine were quick in support and secured their own ball keeping the pressure on, eventually leading to a penalty in front of the posts. Duly converted by Donal Crotty the home side went ahead by a slender 3 points. This initial attack seemed to spur Coolmine on as they came more into the game, their pack getting the measure of their opposite 8 and started to secure more ball which gave them more platforms for attack. A long rang penalty from Garda fell short and Coolmine were back on the attack again. Conor McIntyre broke free from the back of a driving maul and Coolmine had men over on the left wing but the referee called the ball back for a forward pass. 4 minutes later and a kick and chase ball from Eoin Mullen gave Coolmine possession deep inside the Garda 22. Quick ball across the line put the Garda defence under enormous pressure and Captain Ollie Prunty was stopped just short of the line. Another penalty for Coolmine put them 6 points ahead but Garda soon replied spotting a gap on the blind of the back of their own scrum and managed to touch down in the right corner. Appeals from the crowd for a foot in touch was dismissed by the ref and the lines-mans flag stayed down. Another penalty for Coolmine left them with a slender 9-5 lead going into the break.
5 minutes into the second half and yet another penalty streched Coolmine’s lead by 6 points but Garda replied immediately with a penalty of their own cancelling out the previously score. 12 minutes later and a quickly taken line -out put Alan Cousins into space and he managed to carve through the centre and off load onto the wing but an alert Garda defence managed to push the attacking maul into touch. A yellow card for one of the Garda second row gave Coolmine an extra man for 10 minutes. It took 23 minutes into the second half for Coolmine to get their first try but it was well worth waiting for. An 8 / 9 ball from the back of a dominant Coolmine scrum left Alan Cousins with little options. A box kick over the top bounced favourably for the scrum half and it quickly went through the hands leaving Harley Murray to touch down between the posts. 19-8 gave the home side some breathing space but the Westmanstown 15 were not quite finished with a last minute try gaining them yet another losing bonus point. A 17-13 victory for Newbridge over Wicklow leaves them still 3 points ahead. With 2 games to go Coolmine will need to win both and hope for either Enniscorthy or Garda to do them a favour and defeat Newbridge. Coolmine face Monkstown next Saturday in a Spencer Cup tie. Venue and kick off time to be confirmed. Many thanks to our sponsors Fetherstone Group & Brasserie 15.
Meanwhile Coolmine’s 2nd XV had a great 34-8 victory over Garda’s seconds thanks to 6 tries from Ger O Rourke (2) Mark Ward, Mal Smyth, Rob Kiersey, and John McCullogh. They lie in second place behind Kilkenny but have a game in hand. They look well on course for their 3rd title in a row with their destiny in their own hands. Three tough games left with a fixture against 3rd place Newbridge next Saturday and an away clash against top of the table Kilkenny the following weekend.
REPORT: JOE HUNT
PHOTOS: VOICU DUMA
1 M Hayes
2 E Mullen
3 A Wood
4 M Kenna
5 C McIntyre
6 O Prunty
7 S Connelly
8 H Murray
9 A Cousins
10 D Crotty
11 D Barry
12 C Hayes
13 R Farrell
14 D Barry
15 D Stacey
