www.communityvoice.ie

Coolmine progress to the Metro Cup semi-final with big home win

Coolmine 24 - 5 Terenure

Just a week after defeating Wanderers in the same competition Coolmine qualified for the semi-final of the Metro Cup after this four-try victory over Terenure. Playing at home in Ashbrook for the first time in this competition, Coolmine seized on their opportunities to score, and dominated possession to win a great game of rugby.

With perfect conditions for open rugby, Terenure opened with a strong surge into the Coolmine half, setting a good standard of high-tempo football with quick ruck ball and good recycling. However Coolmine resisted and it wasn't long before they had good ball of their own. Ganly and Prunty were again doing well in the lineout, and up front Coolmine established early on that they would have the upper hand in this area.

On ten minutes, a good thrust upfield following carries by Liam McGrath and Harley Murray led to lineout ball for Coolmine on the 22. The maul was followed by picks-and-drives, and Robbie Savage again proved unstoppable from short range, picking and twisting over for a fine score. The conversion by Conor Hayes made it 7-0 to Coolmine. Brian Wynne pulled up with a calf strain at this point and was replaced by winger Tom Sharkey, with Sean Mackay moving into the outside centre berth, Ruairi Farrell moving into 12.

Terenure gradually worked their way into the game with some good forward carries and effective support play. A penalty opportunity was missed, but was followed by two blocked-down 22 drop-outs, unnecessary scares for the home side.

Just before half time Ruairi Farrell threaded a dangerous kick through which forced a five-metre scrum; the collapsed contest led to a penalty. Instead of kicking Coolmine ran a penalty move. Harley Murray was held up just short, and from the recycled ball, Hayes made a half-break. Niall O'Donoghue took a great line off the outhalf, but couldn't hold a difficult pass and knocked on under pressure over the line. The half-time whistle followed. At this point Coolmine should really have had more points on the board.

As always, the opening score in the second half would prove crucial. Hayes missed a long-distance penalty opportunity, but not long afterwards Coolmine had a second try. A kick to the corner was well chased, and when the Terenure winger made a complete hash of the clearance, missing completely with a fly-kick, Alan Cousins pounced to scoop and score in the corner. The conversion was just wide, but the lead was growing.

Terenure could not break out and were forced to kick for territory. But Niall O'Donoghue, in at full back for the injured Tom Lane, had a superb day on the counter-attack. On 50 minutes a clearance was collected by Tom Sharkey (who enjoyed a good afternoon with plenty of ball); he stepped his man to link up with O'Donoghue, who made 20 metres before kicking for the corner.

It was a case of deja vu, as Terenure failed to deal with the loose ball, the winger getting turned over for another Cousins try in the same corner. That made the score 17-0 to Coolmine but with plenty of time left on the clock. The home side were growing in confidence however, with Sharkey again spearheading another counter-attack and surge for the corner. Harley Murray and Ollie Prunty were also all over the pitch, and Eoin Mullen made an impact with some strong runs when he came on.

On 60 minutes the move of the day should have finished in a superb score. Good ruck ball was flashed along the line, where Niall Ganly took a near-impossible pop ball from Farrell, deftly offloading for O'Donoghue who drew his man to put Alan Cousins clear only for the ball to be knocked-on.

But not long afterwards Terenure's attempts to break upfield were thwarted and a turnover gave Ken Condon possession. His strong carry opened a gap for Harley Murray who scampered over just beside the posts for a converted score. The conversion made it 24-0 and virtually game over with only ten minutes remaining.

Ful credit however to a game Terenure outfit who would not let the game die. Through good carries upfield by their impressive hooker and back-row, eventually the visitors went over close to the posts for a consolation score. In the dying moments of the game Terenure threatened to score again but were turned over just on the line. Ross Steen carried the ball out of play and the final whistle went.

This was an excellent display of running rugby by the home side. Coolmine now await the results of other fixtures to determine their Metro Cup semi-final opponents.

Next week the Leinster League returns with a visit down to Roscrea, a vital fixture for both 1st & 2nd teams. A supporters & players bus will leave Myo's next Sunday morning - all welcome to come and support!

Coolmine 1st XV: 15. Niall O'Donoghue, 14. Sean Mackay, 13. Ruairi Farrell, 12. Brian Wynne (Tom Sharkey 10), 11. Alan Cousins, 10. Conor Hayes (Ross Steen 75), 9. Andrew Barry, 8. Liam McGrath, 7. Harley Murray, 6. Ollie Prunty, 5. Niall Ganley (Ken Condon 70), 4. Dave Toole (Dave Geraghty 60), 3. Kieran Cawley, 2. Robbie Savage (Eoin Mullen 50), 1. Andrew Wood. Subs: Tom Sharkey, Dave Geraghty, Ross Steen, Ken Condon, Eoin Mullen.

Community Voice, Media House, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Phone +353 1 822 1432 - Fax +353 1 640 4444
info@communityvoice.ie