COOLMINE R.F.C. 16

TALLAGHT R.F.C. 03

Pen: Danny Behan

Metro League Division 7
30/11/13 Ashbrook

After the high of beating AIB last week, Tallaght were brought down to earth with a bump by Coolmine who beat them 16-3 in Ashbrook. Tallaght started well and for the first twenty minutes they were camped in the Coolmine half. However they didn’t take advantage of their possession and territory where it counted, on the scoreboard. In truth they were let down by some poor option taking which left Coolmine off the hook.

In fairness to Coolmine their big, experienced pack started to come into the game and their hard, direct running exposed some poor Tallaght defending on the fringes. Their gameplan was simple but effective and it earned them two penalties which they kicked to take a 6-0 lead at half-time.

Tallaght used their bench for the start of the second half and the performance improved. However they still couldn’t score. Twice they turned down kickable penalties to kick for touch and try to score through the maul, but both times the tactic failed. They also frequently got into the Coolmine twenty-two through the powerful running of Simon Sweeney and Jack Russell but on every occasion they were ultimately penalised for holding onto the ball.

Coolmine kicked another penalty to go 9-0 in front. At that stage Danny Behan was sprung from the bench and, regardless of the result, it was great for everyone at the club to see him back on the field. He took over kicking duties from Ciaran Stewart and attempted a kick from inside his own half which fell just wide. He then kicked an excellent penalty to reduce the score to 9-3 and at least put Tallaght in line for a losing bonus point.

However it was not to be as Tallaght threw some loose passes in their own twenty two trying to chase the win. They ended up turning the ball over and Coolmine scored a try through their scrum-half, which was converted for a 16-3 final score.

Tallaght could have no complaints, the Northsiders were deserved winners. However they will be kicking themselves for not taking their chances, especially in the first half. They have set high standards for themselves this season and they failed to meet those standards. It was a tough lesson for everyone that you can’t take anything for granted in this league.

Other results went their way however so they remain four points clear in second place and well in contention to finish in the top two and make the play-off for the trophy. Next week’s home game against Stillorgan is their last game before a month-long break for Christmas and it’s an absolute must-win game now.

Tallaght R.F.C.

15 Stephen Heaney
14 Gary Doyle
13 Vilius Kuklis
12 James Maher
11 Sam O’Reilly
10 Ciaran Stewart
9 Aodhan Tinney

8 Simon Sweeney (captain)
7 Patrick Crofts
6 Jack Russell
5 Paul Cunningham
4 Joe Ivers
3 Declan Malone
2 Tony McManus
1 Sean Judd

Replacements

Alan Bernes
Ollie Murphy
Simon Cumiskey
Colin Malone
Danny Behan

Jim O’Connor ©