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Coolmine are emphatic winners in final league game
Coolmine 35 - 12 Railway Union

Coolmine fist team has finished in sixth place in Division 2 of the Leinster League, after this decisive 35-12 win at Ashbrook over Railway Union. The bonus point for four tries was notched up after just thirty minutes, and Coolmine eased off to let Railway in for two second half tries. The upcoming Metro and Spencer cup games will demand more from Coolmine, but the home team rarely has to make it out of third gear to record this win. The Engine Room – Coolmine and Railway Union prepare for another scrum

On an ideal day for rugby, Coolmine showed dominance in most areas of the park, but Railway did manage to made headway in open play with some effective continuity play off mauls and ruck ball. However Coolmine were clearly the more potent side, and looked dangerous every time they ran ball. Niall O'Donoghue was in at 10 and he had a good game alongside Conor Hayes and Ruairi Farrell, all playmakers who were involved in most of the scores.

From the opening exchanges Harley Murray took on a 50m carry before being hauled down short of the line. But the writing was on the wall for the visitors. A Hayes’ penalty after five minutes was the first score. Not long afterwards a catch and drive from a lineout on the 15m yielded the first try, prop Kieran Cawley the scorer. Hayes converted for a 10-0 lead.

After just 15 minutes, winger Eoin Threadgold, back from a long absence, suffered a dislocated elbow in the tackle and was replaced by U-20 Rory Farrell, in his first appearance for the senior side. Farrell quickly made his presence felt with a great game in attack and defence.

Shortly afterwards another forward-driven siege by Coolmine produced a try for veteran second row Dave Toole, whose support play continues to be second to none. Hayes converted again and Coolmine were pulling ahead.

Railway Union then made some headway upfield before a turnover saw room on the fringes from Andrew Barry; he broke free and offloaded to Harley Murray, who made ground before passing out to Hayes. The free-flowing move continued until the ball reached Alan Cousins, and simple but direct handling produced the try of the day, as Cousins went over in the corner. The try deserved a conversion and Hayes duly obliged, slotting from out wide to stretch the lead to 24-0.

A major rout looked on the cards as more enterprising open play from the Coolmine backs led to a breakaway score for full back Ian Flynn, who broke clear to touch down under the posts. Hayes added the extra point for a huge 31-0 half-time lead.

The second half saw Coolmine predictably take the foot off the gas, and Railway used the wind to good effect for field position. A more evenly-matched contest ensued. Coolmine had an Andy Barry try disallowed at this point as the score came under a pile of bodies, following a good forward surge.

U-20s prop Eanna Delaney replaced the experienced Kieran Cawley on 50 minutes to enjoy his first outing at senior level and showed well, while Mark Flanagan came on for Alan Cousins, slotting in at scrum-half with Andrew Barry moving to wing.

Railway Union finally scored a well-worked try when their winger broke free to touch down in the corner, and a fine conversion made it 31-7. But Coolmine struck back shortly afterwards when Harley Murray fended several Railway opponents to storm over for a fifth Coolmine try.

At 35-7 the game was long over as a contest. To their credit Railway Union finished well to score again through their right winger. Railway Union will play Division Three rugby next season but on this showing can have confidence in their ability to convert scoring opportunities.

The game finished at 35-12, and Coolmine conclude their league campaign in sixth place in Division II. Some early losses in the league put paid to any serious title ambitions, but a 20-0 win over league winners Newbridge suggests the team is capable of more. All eyes are now on the Metro Cup campaign which will resume again with a semi-final clash against either St. Mary's or Seapoint, who are yet to play. That contest will be a major step up from this outing, but in Metro victories so far, this team has shown it has the mettle and skill to do the job.

There is also the small matter of the Spencer Cup opener, a local derby against Garda RFC (date TBC) so there’s still plenty of rugby left in this season!

The second fifteen did not have a fixture, as Railway Union disappointingly failed to field a seconds side. They played out a training match against the U-20s (augmented with some of their own) and the final score ran out with the U-20s as winners, two tries to one. However the 2nd XV conceded only three tries in their league campaign, and dropped just one game in a superb season. Congratulations to Captain Brian Smyth, Coach Eddie Melvn and Manager Paul Fogarty.

Coolmine: 15. Ian Flynn, 14. Eoin Threadgold, 13. Ruairi Farrell, 12. Conor Hayes, 11. Alan Cousins, 10. Niall O'Donoghue, 9. Andrew Barry, 8. Harley Murray (capt.), 7. Rory O'Sullivan, 6. Ollie Prunty, 5. Dave Toole, 4. Niall Ganly, 3. Andrew Wood, 2. Eoin Mullen, 1. Kieran Cawley. Subs: Rory Farrell, Aaron Farren, Eanna Delaney, Mark Flanagan, Ross Steen.

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