Byrne stays cool to slot vital kick to seal victory for seconds

WICKLOW RFC MONKSTOWN RFC 15 13

WICKLOW’S seconds snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against a tough Monkstown side at Ashtown Lane on Sunday. Fielding a young side peppered with a bit of venerable experience Wicklow held Monkstown to a 0–3 lead at halftime having played into the strong wind.

Aidan Kearney scored an excellent try with half an hour to go to give Wicklow the lead for the first time.

With 15 minutes left, Ruairi Barron scored an opportunist try by powering through a ruck to score beneath the posts. The conversion put Wicklow 12–3 up with 15 minutes to go.

Monkstown’s response was immediate, and they got over for a good try to make it 12–8 with 10 minutes left on the clock. Wicklow fell asleep at the wheel and some poor defence handed Monkstown a soft score as the game moved into injury time. Crucially the conversion was missed and Wicklow trailed by 12–13.

To Wicklow’s credit they never let their heads drop and set about working their way back up field and into Monkstowns 22.

A series of pick and drives forced the penalty and Allen Byrne cooly slotted over the last kick of the game.

The final whistle went and Wicklow had won. The win gives them two wins from two and they will travel to Gorey RFC next Saturday on top of the league.