Super Senan to the rescue

U14 CUP

BOYNE RFC WICKLOW RFC 22 25

WICKLOW’S under-14s travelled to Drogheda for a tough away assignment in the Leinster Cup quarter-final. Wicklow beat a tough Kilkenny side in a bruising encounter at Ashtown Lane the previous week in the second round.

This time last year Wicklow were knocked out at the quarter final of the cup to a last minute try by eventual winners Naas. This was a result that still rankles with the team and they were determined not to let a similar fate befall them again this year.

The game was played on a hard pitch with a stiff wind that favoured Wicklow in the first half. Wicklow started strongly and were soon on the attack. Boyne defended bravely and forced a series of turnovers that helped them keep their line intact. Eventually a scrum against the head forced a turnover and Wicklow attacked to the left. Stern Boyne defence kept Wicklow out but eventually the pressure told and Cormac Murphy drove over for the opening score of the game. The conversion was wide but Wicklow led 5-0.

A Darragh McCormack try helped the visitors open up a 0-15 lead at the break and Wicklow looked in complete control.

Boyne recovered and were soon back to within three at 12-15 thanks in no small part ot a cruel bounce of the ball.

Wicklow turned around into the wind in the second half and they knew Boyne would throw everything at them in the early stages. Two defensive errors and some good work by Boyne in attack led to a deserved try for the Louth men. The conversion was missed and Wicklow led 5-15.

From the kick off a cruel bounce of the ball saw the Boyne full back gather possession and score beneath the posts. The conversion made it 12-15 after five minutes of the second half.

A powerful run by Harri Armstrong put Wicklow back on the attack in the Boyne 22. Eventually the pressure told again and Senan Sloan Kelly powered over for a well taken try. The conversion was missed but Wicklow led 12-20.

Boyne attacked again but Wicklows defence was solid until they were penalised for a deliberate knock on with seven minutes remaining.

Boyne opted for the kick at goal and the kick was a good one. The score was 15-20 with five minutes left.

Wicklow restarted but two minutes later were on the back foot again. A speculative kick through bounced on the hard surface and sat up perfectly for the onrushing full back, who gathered at pace and sprinted clear to score beneath the posts. The Boyne crowd went wild and the simple conversion put the home side ahead by 22-20 in injury time.

To their credit Wicklow didnt panic but it seemed like the game was up when a knock on gave Boyne an attacking scrum in the Wicklow 22.

A remarkable passage of play ensued. The Wicklow pack took the ball against the head in the scrum. A strong run by Number 8 Senan Sloan Kelly and a powerful drive from Darragh McCormack brought Wicklow towards the halfway line.

The ball was recycled quickly and moved wide to William Fitzpatrick. The elusive winger danced around three would be tacklers and broke clear. It seemed he was certain to score but a last-ditch tackle by the excellent Boyne fullback brought him down five metres from the line. Fitzpatrick had the composure to turn and pop the ball up for the onrushing Senan Sloan Kelly who caught the ball and dived over in the corner to score. Wicklow were back in front 22-25.

The referee indicated there was still time to kick off. All Wicklow had to do was catch the ball and kick it into touch. The kick off was dropped and the ball was fed to Harri Armstrong who kicked towards the touchline.

Eventually after what seemed like an age, the ball dribbled over the line in slow motion from the mishit kick as Boyne advanced. The referee blew the final whistle and Wicklow had snatched victory from the jaws of seemingly certain defeat.

The Boyne players collapsed heartbroken and Wicklow celebrated. Wicklow showed remarkable composure to be able to keep their heads and engineer a match winning try from the most unlikely of situations.

Wicklow are really into the business end of the season now and move on to the Cup semi-final where they will take on Tullamore on April 18.

This weekend they play Athy in the Leinster Premier league semi final at home at Ashtown Lane on Saturday.

Darragh McCormack, TJ Kennedy, Cormac Murphy, Jack McCall, Noah Hughes, Will Fitzpatrick, Ricardo Whelan, Senan Sloan Kelly, Eric Peterson, Brian Johnson, Hugo Sloan Kelly, Harri Armstrong, Ciaran Matthews, William Fitzpatrick, Brendan Stone, Cian Byrne, Ben Harris, Rhys Davies, Finn Davies, Nathan Reynolds, Cuan Beirne.

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