Mens Firsts 35 – Skerries 36

Galwegians managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in an eleven-try thriller in their opening contest in the Energia AIL Division 2B on Saturday.

Playing against the breeze in the first half, the newly-promoted Blues got off to a perfect start when a perfectly executed line out maul was finished off by starting hooker Eoin Ferry in the second minute. Inside centre Stevie Mannion added the extras for a 7-0 lead. The Blues were to hold onto this lead until the start of the second quarter when the visitors finally made use of some territory, and full back Ronan Mulcahy crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.

The Blues stretched their lead just after the half-hour mark through an outstanding piece of skill from Jack Beatty. As the hosts put the ball through hands, the right-wing kicked through in open field and regathered for his side’s second try. Mannion converted again to make it 14-5. Just when it looked like Wegians would take this lead into the break, disaster struck on the stroke of half-time. Having initially thwarted an attack, a misfired lineout on their own 5m line saw them cough up possession. Flanker Dylan Keane was then yellow carded and from the resulting scrum, Skerries flanker Alex Cleary forced his way over under the posts, which Mulcahy converted to leave it 14-12 at the break.

Although the home side had the wind advantage in the second half, this put a pep in the step of the visitors who got off to the perfect start with a third try on 42 minutes. It followed a great break by Daragh McEneaney who offloaded to second-row Sam Deering who touched down on the right. Although the conversion was wide, the visitors now led for the first time in the game 14-17.

Remarkably, this would be the first of five tries in the third quarter, as the pendulum swung back-and-forth. Wegians responded very well and barely two minutes later, some quick hands put second-row Rob Holian clear on the left and he finished well for his side’s third try. Mannion landed a superb conversion to restore his side’s lead to 21-17.

Then it was the turn off the visitors to regain the lead, as patient attacking play led to winger Tadhg Keane Boylan scoring out on the right, and an excellent conversion by Paul O’Loghlen restored their three-point advantage. Cue another response from Wegians as another slick backline move created the chance for young out-half Ryan Roche who scythed through the cover to finish in spectacular fashion near the right corner. The impeccable Mannion split the sticks again to recover their four-point lead.

Wegians were now turning the screw and playing the more expansive rugby. The visitors were reduced to 14 men and just on the hour mark, the hosts struck what seemed a decisive blow when their dominance was rewarded when debutante number 8 Eanna McCarthy finished off some good work by his pack. Another Mannion conversion had the Blues now 11 points ahead and looking primed to seal the win.

However no one told the visitors who didn’t read the script, and the final few minutes would prove disastrous for Wegians. Skerries kept punching holes and always looked threatening with ball in hand. They gave themselves a life line when they managed their fifth try in the 72nd minute out wide from Peter O’Neill. The missed conversion reduced the deficit to just six points entering the final few minutes. Wegians had countless opportunities to safely close out the game, but some poor decision-making and lack of execution at key moments would cost them very dearly, not least when a 5m line out maul was penalised for truck and trailer.

In the closing stages the hosts were consistently on the wrong side of the referee, with a late yellow card for Cian Brady.  This gave Skerries the opportunity to stretch the Blues defence. Their patience and tenacity was rewarded when centre Kevin McGrath finished a late rally to cross and score under the posts. This gave O’Loughlen the relatively simple chance to convert and steal the victory, and he duly obliged.

This one will hurt the Blues as they know this really was one that got away. However they will have to focus on the many positives from what was their first AIL outing this year. They have a chance to put things right this weekend away to Rainey Old Boys in Hattrick Park, Magherafelt on Saturday 28^th (2.30pm).