By Hugh Cahill
What a game of rugby we witnessed in Castle Avenue last weekend.
Clontarf and St Mary’s served up an enthralling battle on the north side of the Liffey, in what was a brilliant advertisement for the excitement, talent and commitment on display every week in the Ulster Bank League.
The game had everything: well taken tries, massive hits, drama and excitement throughout.
Neither side gave an inch and in the end it was St Mary’s who took advantage of their opportunities to set up a league decider against Young Munster this weekend.
Clontarf are not gone yet, but Andy Wood’s side know they must beat Lansdowne away from home, and hope that Young Munster come out on top at Templeville Road.
St Mary’s were clinical in Castle Avenue last Saturday. They barely touched the ball in the opening twenty five minutes, but still managed to hold the lead at the half-time whistle.
Their commitment in defence, particularly around the fringes, frustrated the Clontarf attack and their patience and discipline to wait for the right opportunity to strike was extremely impressive.
This was where experience counted. The return of captain and man-of-the-match Hugh Hogan inspired the Mary’s pack to toughen their resolve and follow their captain’s example.
We saw Ireland use the choke tackle to huge effect in their Rugby World Cup win against Australia last year, and Mary’s deployed this same defensive tactic with equal success last weekend.
Time after time Clontarf carried into contact only to be held up by one or two blue jerseys and lose possession. It must have been frustrating for the home supporters to watch, but it was extremely effective. Young Munster will need to prepare for some similar treatment on Saturday or find ways around the Mary’s defence.
I read an interesting article in the Limerick Leader this week. Apparently Paddy Power has stopped offering odds on end of season league games where teams have nothing to play for because they are finding them too difficult to price up.
One could argue that Young Munster have nothing to play for this weekend given the league title is now beyond them, but to agree with that theory is to blatantly ignore the history, reputation and pride in this club.
Mike Prendergast has built a fine young squad over the last few years and their narrow play-off defeat to Cork Con last season suggested the Cookies will only improve.
Their enthusiasm for the tackle and blitz defence is very difficult to deal with as Con found out quickly last year, and while the loss of Alan Kingsley to Australia must have been a huge blow, they seem to have taken it in their stride this season.
Willie Staunton (brother of former Munster and current Leicester back Jeremy) is the league’s top scorer so far this season and his reliability in front of goal could prove crucial in this game.
Richie Lane had an uncharacteristically bad day with the boot last weekend and it cost Clontarf a lot of points. If Staunton gets similar opportunities at Templeville Road on Saturday, Mary’s might not get so lucky.
Alan Cotter is the main absentee for the visitors on Saturday. The Munster prop hasn’t recovered from injury to take his place in the front row.
Cotter’s good form in the Munster Academy has seen him rewarded with a development contract for next season and Munster obviously hold him in very high regard.
His absence against a strong Mary’s scrum is undoubtedly a blow, but Young Munster have an Ireland club international with plenty of experience in Hugh McGrath to take his place.
Liam Og Murphy was one of the stand-out performers for the Cookies against Con last year and it will be interesting to see if the young blindside flanker can have the same impact against the likes of Hogan and Ciaran Ruddock in the Mary’s back row.
If Young Munster need any reminder about the threat Mary’s pose out wide, they need only look at the tape from last Saturday.
Darren Hudson touched down twice in two clinically taken scores, but Conor Hogan’s wonderful solo try must go down as one of the best of the season.
Mary’s have this incredible skill of being able to soak up pressure and hit opposing teams on the counter attack. Hogan’s run, chip and chase is a perfect example of this. Staunton will have a job controlling the Young Munster line in attack, while also guarding against the possibility of a breakaway Mary’s try.
You could argue that Clontarf froze last weekend with their first ever league title on the line. St Mary’s know their fate is in their own hands on Saturday, and while they will be favourites to win, they should guard against complacency.
As a good friend – who just happens to be a Cookies fan – said to me this week: “Young Munster would enjoy nothing more than coming to Dublin and depriving Mary’s of a league title.”
Make of that what you will.
Prediction: St Mary’s to win by 7
