Defeat for Greystones on first outing in Division 2A
Tough defeat away to Armagh side
CITY OF ARMAGH 30 GREYSTONES 26
IN the last five seasons of All Ireland League action Greystones and Armagh have developed a close rivalry that saw both sides promoted from Division 2B last May with Stones topping the table with just a single point advantage over their adversaries. On the pitch it has been equally close with rarely anything more than a score between the sides.
It was no different on Saturday when the two sides met in the historic setting of the Palace Grounds Armagh for the opening round of this years Ulster Bank League with the hosts running out 30 – 26 victors in a pulsating match played in difficult wet conditions.
Following an impressive pre-season and astute recruitment under new Head coach, former Ulster backrow Willie Faloon, Armagh hit the ground running racing into a 17 point lead after just fifteen minutes before a punch drunk Greystones regrouped and played their way back into the game to eventually lead by three points with ten minutes to play before a late penalty try earned by the dominant Armagh pack swung the game and final result back in favour of the home side.
The game was barely three minutes old when Armagh crossed for their opening score. Dominating possession from the off the well drilled side played through the phases inching Greystones back towards their line and with no answer the power and precision the Armagh forward pack brought to the ruck area Greystones were powerless to prevent the impressive John Faloon from crashing over close to the posts.
The second score followed shortly after with Armagh maintaining dominance and possession from the restart.
Greystones had no answer to the direct running lines and quick off loads and were left clutching at straws when number eight Neil Faloon was on hand to take the final pass to cross easily. Outhalf Cormac Fox, who maintained a 100 per cent record all afternoon converted and added a penalty soon after to set up what looked to be a rout of Greystones with a 17 point lead after just 15 minutes of play.
Whatever the catalyst Greystones woke up and started taking the game to Armagh. Barry Lynn in the centre making inroads behind the Armagh defence and opened up gaps for wings jack Keating and Ferdia Kenny to exploit.
This initial pressure brought the award of an Andrew Kealy penalty who like Fox enjoyed a 100 per cent record for the afternoon but Stones conceded softly from the restart to allow Armagh retain the 17 point advantage. It was important that Stones made inroads on the Armagh lead before halftime and it was stand in Captain, Kealy who provided the magic and inspiration with a searing break from deep in his own half to set up their first try.
Gathering a defensive clearance from Armagh he evaded a half tackle before splitting the Armagh defence down the middle feeding the onrushing Jack Keating to finish the move with an unstoppable run in over the last thirty meters. Kealy converted and swapped further penalties with Cox to leave it a ten point game at half time.
The second half continued in the same fashion with Greystones making all the breaks and pressurising Armagh with Ferdia Kenny making a nuisance of himself on the wing and Killian Marmion orchestrating from out-half.
This good work was all achieved behind a struggling and retreating pack that suffered a torrid afternoon against the bulkier Armagh outfit. Working with scraps of ball going backwards highlighted the skill levels in this Greystones side and it was Michael Kirk on in the centre for the injured Craig Hazelton and Andrew Kealy who once again split open the defence to set up Stones second try finished by Robin O’Sullivan to tie the game at 23 points each.
Marmion, deputising for Kealy off the kicking tee pushed Greystones ahead for the first time with ten minutes to play but the final act fell to the Armagh pack who passed up the opportunity to level the match with a late penalty smelling the opportunity to make their domination pay with a series of scrums close in that resulted in the inevitable penalty try to deliver the result to the home team.
Greystones: Bobby Clancy, Ben Tou, Conor Pearse, Oisin Lennon, John Campbell, Cormac O’Donoghue, Alan Dempsey, Robin O’Sullivan, Jason Curran, Killian Marmion, Ferdia Kenny, Craig Hazelton, Barry Lynn, Jack Keating, Andrew Kealy (Captain). Replacements: Michael Douglas, Cian Maguire, Eoin Marmion, Michael Lirk, Matt O’Brien.
Scorers: Tries: Keating (Try) O’Sullivan (Try) Kealy ( 3 penalties and two conversions) Marmion (penalty)
Armagh: Daryl Morton, Andrew Smyth, Philip Fletcher, Josh McKinley, Peter Starrett, Robert Whitten, Ally Birch, Neil Faloon, Thomas Campbell, Cormac Fox, Robbie Faloon, John Pollock, John Faloon, Chris Colvin, Kyle Faloon.