Leinster Senior Cup Schools Rugby

St. Michaels vs Castleknock College Senior Cup First Round

The match was of good quality and a good flow for the most part. The conditions were not suited to any outhalf, although they coped reasonably well. The game itself had plenty of open play, kept predominantly tight and with the forwards, it rarely reached the wingers. The rain was unforgiving to anybody that touched the ball and was very unpredictable. Scrummaging didn't collapse once, lineouts were often won against the head, and there were very few turn overs. 

            Line outs were unpredictable, and sloppy. Having jumpers being lifted slow off the mark. Tackling was consistent, and reliable in tight for Michaels, however Castleknock were weak on the midfield and wing. They did however hold strong on their own line in tight. With some players making some heroic tackles when broken and closing down the Michaels attack. Michaels got some of the most basic aspects of their game out the window, nearly taking the ball into contact at little or no speed. One player that defied this was the hooker, making many breaks during the game. Michaels scrum half was very quick from the breakdown with a flowing pass, and outhalf stringing the next play. Granted the ball was very slippy, but other players should have spread themselves out. With Castleknocks flanker, and captain James O'Neill he created huge amounts of space and made something out of nothing. Twice picking from the scrum and running blind, he wasn't given much options as the winger once cut inside into the play and having the ball go dead, and another when he fended off one tackle and offloaded to another. He played through an injury sustained in pretty much the first play. Having to be attended to by physios, carrying this knock didn't phase the player much as he continued to play well. However he couldn't finish the game as a second injury was too much to hold. However in my opinion he played very well and earned in my view the man of the match.

Match Analysis

• 1 min- A huge hit at the halfway line see’s Castleknock's number 7, Jack O'Neill go down. He gets back up, Castleknock win their scrum and play down the blindside wing.
• 3 min-Michaels concede a penalty on their 22 and Castleknock take the three point lead.
• 6 min-Michaels win their own lineout on their own 22 and kick. They lose possession and Castleknock's 15 James McCormack hard makes good  ground.
• 8mins-Michaels win their own lineout on Castleknock 22 . Michaels 11 Oisin O'Meara makes      good ground in a run.
• 13 mins-Michaels knock the ball on on their 22.Castleknock win the scrum.
• 18 mins-Michaels win their own lineout but knock the ball on.
• 23 mins-Michaels draw the Castleknock defence from one side to the other and eventually Michaels number 4, Ross Molony gets over. Ross Byrne converts.
• 26 mins-Michaels win their own lineout.
• 28 mins-Byrne makes a good break in the center.
• 30 mins-Michaels miss a penalty.
• 32 mins-Michaels concede a penalty on their 10metre. Jack O'Neill makes a good break.
• 33 mins-Michaels concede a penalty in Castleknocks half and jack O'Neill makes another good break.
• 35 mins-Michaels win a scrum on the halfway. Michaels hooker Richie Allen makes a good break
• *  Second Half *
• 37 mins-Castleknock win a scrum on their 22. Castleknock 5 Zaran Butt is subbed for 22 Conor O'Shea.
• 39 mins-Castleknock win a lineout and roll the ball well in the pack. They knock it on and Michaels fullback, Cian Kelleher makes a good break loses it in contact.
• 40 mins-Michaels win a scrum against the head on the halfway. James Ryan makes a good break.
• 44 mins-Jack O'Neill goes down injured. Number 22  replaces the captain.
• 46 mins-Castleknock attack well and make plenty of ground. Great rucking defense by Michaels Castleknock kick into Michaels 5 metre.
• 48 mins-Michaels make good ground 12 has a break offloads to 12 who stepped 3 players.
• 50 mins-Pick and go by Michaels . score, try disallowed for crossing. 5 metre scrum.
• 52 mins-Michaels turn over and Ross Byrne gets under the posts and converts. 
• 54 mins-Break by Castleknock, High tackle by Michaels. Penalty awarded to Castleknock and they kick for touch.
• 55 mins-Castleknock win possession maul it . Michaels turn it over.
• 57 mins-Castleknock win a lineout against the head.
• 58 mins-Michaels 3 Denis Coulson off for 16 Conor Duffy
• 60 mins-Michaels 2 Richie Allen off for 17 Nick Quane
• 62 mins-Michaels 13 makes a great break in the centre after excellent hands.
• 64 mins-Scrum down on the Castleknock 10 metre. Castleknock win. Good hands out to the centers.
• 66 mins-Michaels 21 James O'Connell on for 9 Nick McCarthy
• 70 mins-Michaels 22 Mark O'Keefe on for 12 Matthew Gilsenen
• 72 mins-Castleknock scrum down, they win it .
• 73 mins-Michaels turn it over and kick for touch. Final whistle
• Full Time, Michaels 14 Castleknock 3

Special Thanks to Michael Kineen for helping write and document the article !

Interview with John Fogarty

Interview with John Fogarty ex Irish International and Leinster player.

(Note this was conducted before the St Michaels match against Catleknock)

We asked, " What are your expectations for the cup this year ?"

He said that basically; Terenure College are favorites however they have a lot to live up to, and maybe they could be too confident ? They do however have a number of good players especially in Billy Dardis, Harrison Brewer, Andy Roche, and Tim Schmidt. But this will not be enough to secure the title.

We asked, "Are there any players to look out for this year ?"

He said again that; there were a good few players in Terenure to look out for. St Micheals have a good foundation in the squad this year with a number of younger players, "I don't like putting pressure on any players so I wont name them" However he indicated there were some from St.Michaels. He did although name that fullback Cian Kelleher would be a threat to any defence. (He proved to be right) In Blackrock, they also had quite a few good players, and that this year would be in preperation for next years effort in winning the cup.

And we asked " In your opinion who is a dark horse this year ?"

I think that Blackrock have been quiet, that said they are always expected todo well every year. This could work to their advantage. They appear to have a chip on their shoulder from last years defeat in the first round to Terenure. Their pack is really quite big, with Oliver Jager and Nicholas Timoney being a big part to it. St Marys have been quiet in this year so far, although they beat Clongowes and St Micheals at home. They have a small but strong side, quick and intelligent on their feet, but will depend on how they get on in Fridays match against CBC Monkstown.

Special Thanks to John Fogarty for allowing us to interview him, and Michael Kineen for helping me write and document the article !

Schools Rugby Radio Programme "Heave"

Wednesday night, 9-10 pm, 93.9 Dublin South fm.

In the media there is a lot of focus on schools rugby, come this time of the year. Often there are supplements in the newspaper on the tournaments. Sentanta Sports covers the matches live and replays for television, Newspapers have nearly everything covered from the layout of the competition to analysis of the squads and individual players. They do a great coverage and overview of the rugby, but one thing they're lacking, was well captured by Heave. They're following all of the competitions from January until St.Patrick's day in March. This is as far as I know the only designated show to schools rugby !

                Radio has always a been a very big part in sports, having a wide audience and easily accessibility. Heave have made a big impact to the publicity in the sport, being more widespread and accessible. Other shows, have pundits giving their opinions on the level and tempo at how the game is now. These are always from experienced perspectives and from above nearly looking down. What Ian O'Connor and Paul Tuile the presenters did really well, was the ground work they did. Putting in the effort to get the perspectives from the people in the action, first hand instead of from observing. They got an interview with Wesleys Colleges' backs coach, Craig Ronalson, the interview was very informative, having the coaches perspective on the match played against St.Andrews and the match in front of themselves against Roscrea. One aspect of the show, valued very much so is the opinion of the Coaches. This is what separated in my opinion this schools rugby programme from any other.
               They have thorough results in every cup match, from The Fr.Godfrey Cup and Senior Cup. Broadcasting a somewhat bulletin at the start of every show, giving the results of the matches passed, fixtures to come and what they have in the shows agenda. They interviewed Eric Miller, St.Gerrerd's Coach senior cup team coach. They interviewed him via phone call from earlier on in the day showing their research and . Their way of interviewing, is articulate, direct to the point and give a great perspective to everybody.

 Overall the programme is really made a great first impression. They have a Facebook profile and Twitter page, links to them are at the bottom of the article. In my opinion they really are worth tuning into, when texting or calling into the station they dont dismiss your opinion ! Give them the like or follow on twitter !

Heaves Facebook page !
Heaves Twitter Page !

- Feel free to leave a comment, Cheers !