Rusty second IX see off 13 man CIYMS
The game should have been sewn up after 20minutes with Monaghan in control but careless final touches left MN on the back foot instead, especially in the final 15mins of the first half. The bigger CI backs threw themselves at MN who blinked at the wrong time to allow CI through for a soft try after 30 minutes. A one man effort by CI calling MN backs bluff, no tackles allowed CI forward to touch down in the left corner. This encouraged the vocal CI supporters who expected more but Monaghan responded on the nick of half time working Conan Mc Gonagle through for a deserved try to the right. Two failed conversions left it 5 each going in the break with two injuries reducing CI to 13. MN only capitalised on the reduced opposition in the 2nd half, upping the ante with some slick moves from MN backs and forwards to allow Johnny Rutledge straight between the posts. Dwayne Rooney moving to outhalf, took over the kicking from Fintan Hanna while David Savage moved to centre penetrating the CI defense with probing accurate kicking. Meanwhile two MN infringements inside our own 22 gifted 6 points to the home side leaving it 11 to 12 in favour of the away team. Game on and CI knew it, coming tearing in to MN looking for the break and finding it too often but good work at the back with Eamonn Toner excellent under the high ball as well as good kicking in to the CI 22 by Dwayne Rooney, soaked up the pressure as MN began to show make breaks. Conal Mc Gonagle and James Hurson forced several turnovers and solid tackling from Dwayne Rooney eventually secured consistent MN possession with the ball continually getting spread out to the MN wing. Liam Savage broke this trend, took his chance to sell a dummy pass before accelerating through the CI backs to touch down in the middle. With the conversion wrapped up MN still looked distinctly uncomfortable at times, allowing the stronger backs through too often with only clever low tackling by Dwayne Rooney, Rory Mc Kenna and Daniel Mc Crossan holding the MN line. With only 10 mins to go, and pressure none stop from the MN forwards, a bad clearance by CI inside their own 22 rebounded across the line to allow MNs 4th try when CI failed to get back in time. With a spring in their step and only minutes to go, MN younger guns were anxious for more but an over ambitious lineout allowed CI to break down past the halfway line before he was stopped and threat removed. MN came home 15 points clear (could have been more) with only one try conceded. Good performance all round improving as the game went on with Jim Mc Ardle winning almost every lineout, a performance that captain Willie Patton could take comfort from – eventually!.
