This result was enough to ensure that Randalstown 1st XV will top Qualifying 3 this year. With 1 remaining fixture against Newry next week they cannot be caught having suffered only one defeat this year at the hands of Belfast High School just before Christmas. Nevertheless they will hope to finish the season on a high at home next week against Newry.
‘Town travelled to Donegal on Saturday afternoon with a sizeable and enthusiastic travelling support on a lovely Donegal day with bright sunshine and a bracing wind blowing in off the Atlantic. Had the result gone the way of Donegal they would still have been in contention for the league title, so understandably there was a nervousness on both sides which led to a good few errors throughout the game.
Donegal drew first blood with an early penalty but ‘town were quick to equalise with a penalty of their own. They then continued to play some decent rugby but the moves frequently broke down due to silly errors and Donegal done a good job of turning over a lot of breakdown ball.
The home team’s tactic was to utilize the stiff breeze, which was in their favour at that point, and hoist up several high balls to try and gain ground. This were dealt with efficiently by Coulter at full back, who had one of his best games in the red and white jersey.
Centres Goodrich and McGarry always looked dangerous going forward but again they were thwarted by errors and turnovers and it was Donegal who having pushed forward again crossed the line with about 15 minutes on the clock.
The scoreboard wasn’t troubled again before half time, and the travelling support for ‘Town weren’t overly concerned by the deficit at that stage as they were confident in both the ability and the superior fitness of their outfit.
The confidence was not misplaced as within a few minutes of the restart Randalstown were awarded a penalty which was quickly taken and spread and Daryl McGarry raced in out wide.
O’Kane slotted the difficult conversion to level the scores.
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Donegal were then reduced to 14 men after a dangerous tackle on Dan Wilson and Peter McCann kicked the penalty deep into opposition territory. On any other Saturday afternoon this would have represented an excellent attacking line-out for Randalstown and the money would have been on them for a score to stretch the lead, but again the ball was turned over and suddenly Donegal were on the ‘Town line. Thanks to some excellent defence they were held up and this galvanised the ‘town pack as they absolutely took the home side apart in the resulting scrum. Wilson then broke with the ball up the middle of the park and found Peter McCann in support at pace. McCann had McGarry outside him but didn’t need him as he stormed in for a try. O’Kane added the extras and put some daylight between the sides.
Randalstown had already reduced a 7 point deficit though so the support were anxious for more to secure the win. It was nip and tuck for quite some time with both sides turning over ball and conceding penalties.
Coulter made some good yards up the pitch having gathered yet another high ball, and at this stage somewhat hampered by a heavily bandaged left eye, and laid the ball back nicely for the support but somehow it ended up again in opposition hands.
From a penalty advantage well inside the ‘town half Donegal tapped and looked to spread the ball along their pacey backline when up stepped McGarry junior with the sweetest interception at pace. He raced in from inside his own half to touch down under the posts with a strong contender for try of the season. O’Kane added the straightforward conversion and with less than 10 minutes remaining a collective breath was let out.
A scrum in the middle of the park saw the ‘Town pack creak slightly for the first time in the game, but the ball did make its way back to Laverty who made some ground before shipping to Wilson in support and he powered through, leaving would be Donegal tacklers looking rather hapless, before touching down for a well deserved try under the posts. Again the conversion was almost a formality for O’Kane and it seemed to be all over.
Donegal to their credit were determined to finish on a high and in the dying minutes marched upfield and crossed out wide for an unconverted try to leave the final score Donegal 15 Randalstown 31.
Yet again this Randalstown team stuck to their task and having been requested at half time by coach Stevenson to give 40 more minutes of the kind of rugby we know they are so capable of, responding by turning around a 7 point deficit into a fairly comprehensive win. The set piece was impressive against a solid Donegal outfit and the backline always threatened with ball in hand. David Goodrich slotted in for the injured Blayne McGarry and formed a solid partnership in the centre with Daryl McGarry, who proved just how dangerous he can be, despite his relative youth, when he bagged 2 tries on the afternoon. Peter McCann out on the wing gave an additional kicking option and had a fine afternoon with some strong running. Fullback Coulter as previously mentioned had one of his best games of the season and really showed his mettle playing most of the game with a heavily bandaged left eye to which he had sustained a substantial cut. The pack to a man were heroic but man of the match had to go to Dan Wilson who was supreme in defence and sublime in attack.
It would be remiss not to mention the hard work of coach Mike Stevenson this season as these players take to the park each week knowing exactly what is expected and have been well drilled to live up to the expectation. More than a few times this season they have turned around a deficit to cut loose in the closing stages and win games in some style. Mark Hermin can take some of the credit for the superior fitness, but what can never be in doubt is the absolute commitment of this group of players who work hard in their own time to become fitter and better and for that they are to be commended.
More hard work lies ahead as they step up to Qualifying 2 next season and we wish players and coach well in this.
Next Saturday Randalstown 1st and 2nd XV will entertain their Newry counterparts at Neillsbrook in what we hope will be an entertaining afternoon of rugby to round off the season. The 2nd XV finished a creditable 3rd in their first season of junior rugby and they will hope to despatch Newry 2nds with a win following on from their comprehensive win in the corresponding away game.
All support is as usual most welcome in Fortress Neillsbrook – Kick off at 2.30 pm.
