Clane RFC

By Terry Hennebry

As we get into the business end of the season with one more match before we reach the half way stage, this was a game that would show whether or not Clane RFC would be able to keep their title challenge alive. On a perfect afternoon for Rugby Clane started the match in the way they know best; attacking from behind the scrum with total team rugby. It was evident early on that the forwards were going to give their backs every opportunity to run the ball.

Within 5 minutes Clane were camped in the Roscrea 22, anxious to get the first score on the board handling errors, which were to become a feature of the match, cost Clane a number of opportunities a combination of dogged and clever defense by the home team thwarted several Clane efforts.

On 7 minutes Clane were almost across the line but Roscrea managed to get possession and again clear to the 22 for a line out to Clane. From the line out Roscrea got clean possession and were, for the first time in the match, able to bring play into the other half of the pitch. However, this was short lived as McEvoy for Clane launched a ball well down field. From the following ruck Roscrea conceded a penalty and McEvoy opted for the kick to touch. From the line out Clane’s number 13 Murphy made a break but was adjudged to knock on as he grounded. However, the first score was inevitable and after a very clever box kick by Clane’s scrum half Alan O’Neill the follow up rush allowed Brian Conroy to touch down and give Clane the early lead.

McEvoy narrowly missed the conversion but after 20 minutes it was all Clane and the score on the board did not reflect the superiority in the possession stakes. This was because of the stout Roscrea defense and the number of unforced errors by Clane’s three quarters. Clane 5- Roscrea 0

As the first half progressed both McEvoy and Murphy made several breaks through the centre as a result of great ball set up by the forwards with both Conroy and Ryan in great form. Alan O’Neill’s rapid delivery was a key to getting the ball from ruck to open play to let Clane’s runners do the business but the possession was not being turned into points on the board.

Time after time the Clane forwards set up a platform for O’Neill to feed his backs but time after time as Clane neared the score line either a silly handling error or determined defense prevented a score and several times Roscrea were able to clear their lines with long kicks from their impressive full back.

After 30 minutes Roscrea finally mounted an attack of substance and just as they were near the Clane line, captain Brian Conroy intercepted what would have been a try scoring pass and Clane cleared their lines. However, the writing was on the wall as Clane failed to turn their overwhelming possession into scores and the Roscrea forwards began to get to grips with the visitors attacking style.

As the home team drove back up field they were awarded a penalty which was delayed while Clane hooker, Tony Blake, received treatment. Roscrea missed the penalty and the score surprisingly was still only 5-0 to the visitors.

With Clane forwards lording the set plays through Morrin, Doran, Blake, Casey, Ryan, Conroy and Holland their backs had plenty of possession to punish but failed on several occasions until they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which McEvoy converted to make it 8-0 to Clane with just 2 minutes of regulation time left in the first half. Paul Morrin, Clane’s talented number 1 had to come off for treatment to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Nial Hughes.

Following some loose play in midfield Roscrea were awarded a penalty and their full back kicked a brilliant 40 meter effort to land the home sides first points. Buoyed on by their first points and with Morrin off the field the Roscrea pack started to make some inroads into Clane’s territory and much and all as the Clane defense resisted, Roscrea finally got the try they deserved when their number 5 dived through a mass of bodies for a brave try well into injury time. The try was converted to leave the scores at 10-8 when the referee eventually blew the half time whistle. After the way Clane had controlled this game the half time score reflected more the visitors wasted opportunities rather than any home team advantage but the Roscrea tales were up!

Whatever Clane coach Enda Finn said to his cohorts at half time they came back out more resolute than before.

Within minutes they were attacking the Roscrea line again and, but for an adjudged late tackle by Number 9 O’Neill, Clane might well have put an early second half score on the board. Clane continued to drive forward and even with the change over of personnel up front Garry Mullen and Nial Brennan coming on, they couldn’t convert their advantage into scores.

The game was now at a serious turning point and the next score was going to be crucial. Clane almost got there with a piece of individual skill from Mark Coonan after he chipped ahead but as the pack arrived another handling error gave the home side a relieving scrum. As Clane kept up the pressure, from a line out infringement they were awarded a penalty which McEvoy this time converted and the Kildare side were back in front 10-11.

The next 15 minutes must have been frustrating for the Clane coach, as well as their followers, as they failed time after time to turn their possession into scores and by now should have been out of site of the home team. But let’s not forget Roscrea’s roll in upsetting the silken style of the visitors to keep the scores so close mid way through the second half.

Nevertheless, on 25 minutes Clane were pushing again and from a line out they gained clean possession; from the follow up Clane’s number 7 Mick Holland burst through for an inevitable and well deserved try. McEvoy added the extra points to take the score to 10-18. It seemed as if the Clane side would now pull away but Roscrea had other ideas and drove at the Clane pack with a ferocity that wasn’t evident in the first half. Clane’s forwards in fairness took the best that Roscrea could offer and defended resolutely until eventually the ref awarded Roscrea a penalty in front of the posts on 33 minutes. Roscrea’s accomplished full back duly dispatched the kick to make it 13-18 with less than 10 minutes to play.

Unfased by the proximity of their rivals Clane, showing just what a team they have become, began to play some of the best rugby of the match with controlled phase after phase of attack on the Roscrea line but again failed in the end result to produce points!

As the game was drawing to a close, Roscrea were able to take advantage of the considerable injury time and try one last time to cross the line and draw level or even snatch this match from Clane. It was not to be and when the Ref finally blew for full time the relief from the Clane Players was palpable. This was an away victory but not an easy one and Roscrea will surely pose problems or other teams this year. What this performance showed is that Clane are now a cohesive team unit with an in depth squad who all sing off the same hymn sheet regardless of substitutions.

In the earlier match, Clane’s seconds were beaten by a single point in a thrilling encounter. The performances of the seconds this year is keeping pressure on the places for the first team and helping to establish a real in-depth squad for the Kildare club side.

Next week, the season reaches the half way mark with Clane entertaining high ranking Ashbourne at home on the Ballinagappa Road grounds. Club president Billy Murphy said, “next weeks game will be pivotal to our season and a good home crowd support is vital if we are to continue on our quest for promotion”. He appeals to all rugby and sports fans from Clane and surrounds to turn up next Sunday at 2-30 to give the team the support they deserve. Hot food and drinks will be available as usual on the afternoon as the winter begins to make itself be felt. Be brave: be there.

Team: Paul Morrin, Tony Blake, David Doran, Thomas John Ryan, Justin Monahan, Mick Holland, Brian Conroy, Noel Casey, Alen O Neill Mark Coonan, ,Anthony Hennessy, Cormac Mc Evoy, Ronan Murphy, David Watkins, Colum Fagan Reps: Nial Hughes, Gary Mullen, Nial Brennan, Tom Barron, Tony McLoughlinn,