Simon Collie

AIB R.F.C. 42

Tallaght 1st R.F.C. 27

Tries: Adam Nolan, Jack Russell, Simon Collie, Aaron Shanahan
Con: Rob Hudson 2
Pen: Aaron Shanahan

John Madden Cup (J4) – Group C
DCU Sports Complex
23/9/2017

Tallaght’s men’s A team travelled to Glasnevin in their final pool match of the John Madden Cup. AIB kicked two penalties to take a 6-0 lead, but then Tallaght hit back with a try by Adam Nolan to make it 6-5. Tallaght were missing a number of backs already but things got worse when Karl Segrave sustained a shoulder injury. Their normal defensive solidity was missing and AIB exploited this with three quickfire tries to take a 23-5 lead. Aaron Shanahan kicked a penalty for Tallaght to make the half-time score 23-8 to AIB.

AIB started the second half well with another converted try but Tallaght skipper Jack Russell got over for a try to make it 30-13. Tallaght were further hampered when Adam Nolan and Simon Collie clashed heads by accident and Nolan had to leave the pitch. AIB hit back with another try to make it 35-13 but then Collie scored a superb individual try to make it 35-20 after Rob Hudson’s successful conversion. Tallaght winger Gavin McKeon was harshly yellow-carded for a high tackle. AIB scored another converted try but Aaron Shanahan scored a fine try after chasing up a kick and breaking clear to score under the posts. Hudson converted to make the final score score 42-27.

Tallaght coach was disappointed with his team’s poor start but proud of the way they kept fighting in the second half. “They are a good side and grew in confidence from our mistakes. Our defence and our ball protection were way off our normal standard. We need to learn from this game and our main focus is next week in terms of gaining promotion from Division seven. We have worked hard so we are looking forward to the league campaign. The next few weeks are going to be a huge challenge with a number of key backs unavailable next weekend which is not ideal, but I am confident we get a couple of positive results. The club played two matches yesterday at the same time which is a huge progression in terms of Tallaght Rugby Club. Although we didn’t get the results we wanted, a lot of clubs will look at that and know we are going places”.

Man of the match: Simon Collie

Tallaght 

15. Simon Collie
14. Aaron Shanahan
13. Padraig Jones
12. Rob Hudson
11. Gavin McKeon
10. Adam Nolan
9. Karl Segrave

1. Stephen Kelly
2. Simon Gaskell
3. Nigel Foster
4. Joe Ivers
5. Jonathan Allison
6. Kevin Quinn
7. Alan Sower
8. Bernard Russell

Replacements:

16. Arran O’Loughlin
17. John Burke
18. Michael Burke
19. Emil Wyrebiak

Report: Jim O’Connor
Photo: Anne Kavanagh