The club would like to take this opportunity to thank all who got involved and participated in any way throughout the previous season, particularly those who are new to the challenges of keeping a club like Monaghan ticking over. Clubs don’t run themselves, they need members with a can do attitude. Thankfully plenty have got involved but there is never enough and we cant take the existing committee, coaches and helpers for granted.
We look forward to seeing you all next season.
EXILES V MRFC SELECT 2013 – CHARITY MATCH Sunday 5th May
Classic Rugby Treat for Monaghan Supporters
Sunday last saw some of the finest rugby to be played in Rafeenan during the annual Monaghan RFC vs Monaghan Exiles Charity match. A fast-flowing and committed evening of competition between Monaghan’s finest and those who have moved on to other clubs, but continue to enjoy their association with their ‘native’ club was enjoyed by a large crowd at the Ballinode venue, in support of Monaghan Hospice
The fine, but belated, spring weather and good conditions helped, but in the main it was two teams who wanted to play rugby in what has traditionally been a very competitive fixture. The Exiles might have been considered to be the favourites, with the exposure of their players to a consistently higher level of the sport, but the Monaghan team, led by David Berry have been a tough nut to crack in recent seasons and were not intimidated by their illustrious comrades. The match got off to a ripping start, both teams eager to keep the ball moving. Monaghan favoured a more pick-and-go style, trying to create space for their fast back line, whilst the Exiles tended to keep the ball in hand and try and break tackles, either through imaginative lines of running or breaking tackles. However, there weren’t too many tackles broken on Sunday, with both sides making some very worthy and bone-jarring tackles.
As it transpired, it was Monaghan who made the early running, taking advantage of an early handling error by the team in white to break away down the field, their first try scored by Asley Berruy Indeed, it looked as if the ‘home’ side were threatening to dominate from the outset, as the Exiles struggled to link their plays together, despite great individual running from the likes of Malcolm Allister and Lorcan Mc Gillan. Malcolm Allister’s men found themselves often isolated, and gave away more early penalties than they would normally have countenanced as a result. This meant that Monaghan were able to keep them pegged in their own half of the field for much of the opening period. However, the scrums and lineouts were even throughout, with neither side gaining any dominance, and both teams retaining high percentages of success on their own put-ins. The enduring pressure, following line breaks from Marc McArdle and Lorcan Mc Gillan & Miller at scrum-half, allowed Marcus Totten to break over the line for Monaghan’s second try of the evening. This was ably converted by Ashley Berry to put the Blues twelve points up.
There was too much pride and experience from the ex-patriates to allow such a circumstance to continue, and, challenging strongly from the restart, they turned over the ball, and progressed deep into the Monaghan half. Clearing kicks from the back line helped relieved the pressure somewhat, but the Whites regained possession from ensuing lineouts. Supporting Karl Funcheon, Davy McGregor, currently plying his trade in Coventry in the English league took possession of a magnificent offload, changed his line of running to break a tackle and was able to score under the posts. The conversion brought the score to 12 -7 at the interval, and both teams were glad of the break after a half of helter-skelter, yet skillful rugby. At this point both teams realised that, unlike in previous years, the game was evenly matched and there for the taking for whichever side wanted it most, and that the early minutes of the second half would be crucial to the outcome.
The pattern resumed as before, with Monaghan dominating territory and possession by dint of their greater understanding of each others play. Breaks by Mark Mc Ardle and David Millar were countered with some ferocious tackling, notably from Kevin Mc Loughlin, Declan Savage and Gareth Graham belying the friendly nature of the encounter. And yet, there was little difficulty for the referee at the breakdown, both teams choosing to sweep the ball away rather than to slow the game down. It was this imaginative and speedy rugby which held the attention of the vociferous crowd in attendance. It was the Monaghan team who enhanced their score in the first instance. After ten minutes of intense rugby, the Blues’ backs, through fashioned a break down the right, and this was well-supported by their forwards. The Exiles couldn’t get enough players back and from the ensuing breakdown, Marc McArdle was able to crash over the line. The successful conversion gave the Blues a healthy twelve-point gap, but the Whites were not done yet. sensing the game might be slipping away from them, they maintained their most intense period of pressure, and created a couple of near chances. Eventually, it was captain Malcolm Allister himself, a first team player with Portadown, who got over for the score. Again, this was converted by to bring the difference to that of a converted try.
With few minutes remaining, and some big hits in defence from both sides, Monaghan finally enhanced their grip on the game with a try from Lorcan Mc Gillan to seal the win, following some excellent linkin g play from Gary Gillanders The Exiles got a late consolation try to put a respectable gloss on the final score which was Monaghan (26) Exiles (17). The game was played in a great spirit and many of the large crowd commented on the exceptional standard of fast rugby played at Rafeenan that evening.
After the game, team captain David Berry thanked the Exiles, all ex-Monaghan players, for making their way from far afield , and noted that the standard and quality of rugby emanating from the county and its environs was encouraging for the future of rugby in the area.
Much appreciated were the culinary skills of Geraldine & Noel in the kitchen and thanks to everyone who sponsored the day, either money or food.
Proceeds to Local Cancer Charities.
Many thanks to ref Noel Treanor.
