Quarter Final result. Roland Barr Ulster Under 19s Cup.
Last Saturday afternoon, the Irish Rugby team enthralled over fifty thousand people inside the new Aviva Stadium at Landsdowne Road as well as countless others worldwide watching on TV or over the internet as they brought Englands Grand Slam hopes to a shuddering standstill with a totally dominant performance. English hopes and confidence would surely have been high prior to the match based on their performances in the preceding games but the only crumbs of comfort that the English would take from this would be a few points gleaned from Irish mistakes or carelessness and a Six Nations Championship title ( but no crown!!). How many people sat back on Saturday night, their pride in Irish rugby somewhat restored and feeling that warm glow of satisfaction knowing that their support, direct or indirect, had probably played a massive part in their teams victory?
Well, earlier that Saturday afternoon about twenty young lions, players in the Enniskillen Rugby Clubs Under 19s squad, limped, dragged and carried their battered and bruised bodies off the 1st XV pitch. Sheer relief was the overriding emotion on hearing the final whistle followed by a wave of total exhaustion but from the smiles on every one of their faces the handful of supporters that had turned out to watch could tell that the champagne corks of pride and euphoria were starting to pop in every head. The titans of the front five sat afterwards with the contented grins replaying the huge forward surges and massive hitting power that cut straight up the field from the kick off leading to a try within 5 minutes. Foster, Maguire, Trimble Perill and Irvine had wreaked havoc in that opening salvo with the back row of Fawcett, Johnston and Tanswell running riot on loose ball. Nothing was spared and Randalstown had no time to regroup, bone-jarring hits came one after another until the line beckoned to “Irv”. There was no hesitation and no mistakes. The tsunami word must have swept through a few Randalstown minds at that point. Some valuable points slipped by when the conversion was missed.
The visitors shook off this early assault and play ranged back and forth quite alarmingly for both sets of coaches but with Randalstown coming into the game more. An Enniskillen sortie into the Randalstown half after about twenty minutes was awarded with a penalty about 15 metres out from touch and 30 metres out from the line. Quick thinking scrum half, McCleery, didn’t hesitate with the quick tap and go and was in behind the posts to touch down with only the flailing arms of the Randalstown pack left in his wake. The sure boot of Charleton safely banked the two points. One of this teams weaknesses made its unwelcome reappearance several times when everybody “switched off” and allowed several deep incursions into “Skins” territory, particularly by one fleet footed, red haired Randalstown player. Fortunately the isolation this type of play brought the visitors usually ended up giving the ball back to the home side! However one of the opposition’s runs went practically untouched and bagged seven points and raised some questions about Enniskillens defence.
Air and water were swallowed in equally copious amounts at half time and all too soon it was back to battle. Again the pack laid body and soul on the line with Maguire, Irvine and Trimble outstanding and the wily Foster always at the helm. The backs were also coming into the game more although several possible runs were thwarted early on when the opposition rush defence quickly disrupted those attacks. However persistence finally paid off when after a breakdown near the centre of the pitch the ball was swept out along the line to Tiarnan Daly who skirted the rest of the defence to touch down. The conversion was good.
The backs were without the redoubtable Mitch McConville who watched from the sideline nursing a badly strained hamstring. His partner at centre, John McKenzie, had an outstanding game, continually harrying the opposition with a presence and physicality way beyond his years and surely one to watch for the future. Stu Connor and James Whitbread had one half each on one wing with Jason Wilson on the other wing all of whom gave tantalising displays of not only their speed but strength as well. Corrigan was faultless at full back, particularly enjoying joining the line seamlessly in attack and adding much to this teams armoury.
Micky Hoy was more than keen to show his array of talents too, coming on to add something different in attack. James West came on to replace Dale Johnston at blindside having taken a heavy blow to the face. West, like his back row partners Tanswell, Fawcett and Johnston was irrepressible. Unfortunately for Chris Daley and Mark Kettyle full time came all too soon and although screaming to get on failed on this occasion however they shouldn’t despair as they won’t have very long to wait!
This team should be commended on recognising its own strengths and talent and taking the decision to challenge for cup honours rather than an almost certain chance of a lesser trophy. Even if their cup run ended here their achievement would be exceptional: a band of about twenty boys, training once a week (weather and work permitting), at the counties only rugby club, usually playing with little or no support whatsoever (financial or vocal), taking on their peers from some of the provinces biggest and better off clubs. These are some of Enniskillens true unsung sporting heroes. Some people will say that Irish rugby is in the best of health because Brian, Declan and all the rest of the Irish squad are doing so well, but just get off your sofa and come and watch these young warriors and you’ll see that its not always money that will give you a love of the game or a pride in the shirt and club the like of which is held by these young men. You’ll see that rugby is in the very best of young hands here, it is respected and revered and the only payment ever sought is the occasional mere mention of their game in an article like this. These young players have displayed great strength, skill and courage to come this far as well as a pride in their club, their county and their team that beggars belief. One can only hope that a little more belief and a lot more support is shown by some other parties this Saturday 26th March when the semi-final is played at Mullaghmeen with an early afternoon kick off.
The coach and all the team would like to say a big thank you to the few supporters that did turn out last Saturday, to the parents and friends of the boys, the other youth coaches there in support, the Loves, Ciaran and kitchen and bar staff, those injured and unable to play and to 1st XV captain, Alan Wilkinson for also supporting.
