Ulster Bank All Ireland League Div 2B At Palace Grounds – 23/11/2013 Armagh 15 (R Reaney 5 pens) Skerries 8 (K McGrath try, C Keane pen) Following on St. Patrick’s route from his first missionary footfall, the Skerries team with many supporters made their way to the venerated city of Armagh, ruminating quietly on their unbeaten start to their AIL campaign. Although this journey could not be classed as an act of religious pilgrimage, on reflection, a prayer rather than a rumination might have been more appropriate as the Skerries side,missing two sin-binned players in the final minutes, laid siege in vain to the Armagh tryline in an effort to create the equalising score. Neither human or supernatural intervention occurred and Skerries departed their good friends from the Orchard County with the bounty of a single bonus point. Within three minutes a successful penalty from the half way line indicated that the accurate kicking of recent Ulster Academy player Richard Reaney would be an influential factor in this game. This was cancelled out by a Conal Keane effort in the tenth minute. At times untidy, sometimes dynamic, but always riveting the performance of both teams showed a superior level of skill executed at pace. A kick and chase from Skerries gifted fullback David Quirke began an attack which resulted in Kevin McGrath being held up close to the posts. However, one of many penalties awarded saw Armagh clear their line and before the thirty minute mark Reaney was again successful with two further penalties. Although the scrummaging was rather scruffy at times,the power of the Armagh eight necessitated a gritty and pugnacious arm wrestle from the Skerries forwards with John Condron and hooker Kieran Leonard particularly willing. The inspirational play of second-row Joe Glennon continues to encourage the emerging talent of his partner Aidan Sherlock. They were well supported by the back row with the poaching abilities of Connolly, the freakishly talented O’Hare and the ubiquitous play of captain Ross McAuley creating a nuisance to the Armagh pack. The final ten minutes of the half saw Skerries apply persistent pressure and from a lineout the abrasive running of centres Michael Quirke and Marc Hewitt created the opportunity for McGrath to touchdown near the flag for an unconverted try. This left Armagh ahead 9-8 at halftime. On resumption the Armagh backline with former Northampton Saints centre Seamus Mallon prominent gave a physical examination to the Skerries defence which calmly and decisively dealt with each attack. In their five AIL games to date Skerries have a proud record of conceding just one try. Skerries front row welcomed Ross McCorry and Eamon Harford into the action but the formidable force of the opposition scrum created a further opportunity for Reaney to increase their lead to 12-8. On the sixty five minute mark the bewildering issuing of yellow cards to Keane and Leonard resulted in a further successful penalty to Armagh now giving a cushion of seven points. The game and its momentum now changed utterly but not in the manner expected. The dogged determination of the Skerries thirteen to beat the odds saw them respond with fervent perseverance. The final ten minutes saw waves of attack on the Armagh line but their desperate defence deprived Skerries of a second bonus point score. On this occasion the odds were not to be beaten. Skerries next AIL fixture is home to unbeaten league leaders Nenagh Ormond Sat 30th November. Skerries team 1 to 20….Mark Nally Kieran Leonard John Condron Aidan Sherlock Joe Glennon Thomas O’Hare Ronan Connolly Ross McAuley (capt) Eoghan Dempsey Conal Keane Kevin McGrath Mikey Sherlock Marc Hewitt Colin Doyle David Quirke Ross McCorry Eamon Harford Ross Halligan Chris Keane Paul Devitt
Posted on: Sun, 24 Nov 2013 14:14:54 +0000
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