Match Reports
Defeat For Birr After Tough Start
Mullingar 20 Birr 3
An away fixture to Division One side Mullingar was always going to be
a tough start to Birr RFC's Midland League campaign.
Along with all other sporting events a minute's silence was observed for all victims of last Tuesday's barbarism in New York. In the aftermath of such a sick tragedy sport seems so trivial and yet life must go on, if only to show such cowards that their hideous actions cannot and will not allowed to make us change our day to day lives.
Anyway back to the match. Mullingar started nervously, indeed they kicked
the opening dropout over the sideline. Birr's front eight and more notably
the tight five had a scrummage to start the match. Mullingar possess probably
the best front row in the Midlands and Birr were in for a hard day in
the forwards. For all that Birr competed well in every department.
Mullingar's nerves continued and after a nice move from Birr, Mullingar infringed at the ruck. Alan McGee continued his fine form with the aid of the boot and Birr led 3-0 three minutes in. A dream start but Mullingar equalised within minutes, after Birr were penalised under the posts.
Penalties were frequent in the first half with both sides guilty of simple errors. Breaks from Ronan Joyce and Christy Hogan were spilled by Birr infringing at the breakdown allowing Mullingar to relieve the pressure. Many chances were spoiled by penalties conceded.
After such a penalty Mullingar kicked for touch. After finding the five metre line Mullngar launched wave after wave of attacks on Birr's line. They were thwarted from three successive lineouts. Mullingar then elected to scrumamge from a couple of penalty concessions. Finally Birr's line was breached, the conversion was missed and it was 8-3 to Mullingar after the first quarter.
After a half an hour Mullingar lost their excellent scrum half with a leg injury. Ronan Joyce broke the siege with two seperate bursts taking him as far as Mullingar's twenty two. The half time whistle blew and Birr finished the half on a high note.
The communication within the team at half time was excellent and all criticism was indeed constructive. Alan McGee and Marcus Kenny urged the lads to run at Mullingar.
And did Birr run at them! For the first 15 minutes of the second half
they owned the ball, but could not score. They did deserve a score or
two for their workrate.
Indeed they possibly would have but for an overturned penalty. From the resulting kick Mullingar got a line out which they executed with precision. Their jumper gathered and popped to the reserve scrum half. He flashed the ball wide and it went through about twenty pairs of hands and three phases of play. The ball went across the pitch three times and was finally touched down in the corner. A superb try.
The momentum which Birr had gathered was stopped dead and the restult
was never really in doubt following that.
Once again Birr were unfortunate not to score after a fabulous rolling maul which rumbled 40 yards down the touchline. Mullingar were penalised and Christy Hogan was unlucky to be held inches from the line.
Mullingar wrapped up proceedings with a late try to leave the final scoreline 20-3, flattering for Mullingar. Birr were not 17 points the poorer side.
With an improved lineout the result would have been very different. Best for Birr on the day were R. Joyce, M. Kenny and C. Kennedy.
Birr squad: Alan McGee (Capt) (1 penalty), A, Gallogoly, C. Hogan, C.
Campbell, J. Kavanagh, J. Fanning, R. Joyce, M. Kenny, S. Rudd, M. Lyons,
A. Lally, J. Kennedy, J. Smith, C. Kennedy, J. Kerins, R. Harte, J. Gleeson,
M. Kennedy.
Next week Birr are home to Clondalkin with a kick off time of 3pm at the Esso pitch and all support is very welcome. Thanks to all the travelling support who made the trek over to Mullingar. One can also keep in touch with Birr on the net at www.birrrfc.com.
Best wishes to the Irish Senior team in Edinburgh next Saturday from all at Birr Rugby Club.
