Greystones dig deep for victory
GREYSTONES RFC SKERRIES RFC 36 24
LEINSTER cups don’t come easy, and the Greystones under-17s team had to dig very deep to secure this cup on a warm sunny day out by Malahide estuary on Sunday.
A long way from Dr Hickey Park the Wicklow men once again set out hopefully in the quest to bring some silverware home to Greystones.
A large crowd of enthusiastic supporters led by the ever present President of Greystones RFC, Mr Fran Nolan watched on as the final kicked off, unfortunately things weren’t going quite to script as the men from Skerries tore into Greystones and utilising some very skilful experienced backs stormed into a three try 19-0 lead after only 12 minutes.
This left the crowd more than a little shell-shocked, but not the men out on the field of battle.
Captain Neil Megannety rallied his brave team and with 15 minutes to go before half time they stood up one to fifteen and wrestled back control of the game.
Special mention must go out to all of the Greystones forwards on the day, they were not once found wanting and as is their mantra they went “looking for work all day”.
As usual the engine room with Vlad Antonov and Cillian Burke dominated all in front of them and as is becoming the norm got over the whitewash and touched down for valuable scores.
The entire squad was now involved and looking to finally bring glory back to Wicklow.
Eoin Sreenan and Conor Pickering marauding as is their want, Megannety leading with a cool head and a powerful presence, Noonan the Leinster under-16 hooker hitting every ruck as if he had Rory Best’s jersey in his sights!
Entering the final quarter of the match Greystones held a slender two-point lead, nerves were frayed, but not on young Keating, the Stones scrum half, as Greystones earned a penalty 10 metres outside the Skerries 22, he stepped up to calmly drive it towards the estuary and stretch the scoreline out with a five-point lead, but still a one score game with eight minutes to go!
Skerries refused to give in and came back determined to wrench the title from stones grasp.
This was not to be. Following a great turnover by the Stones pack, Keating found Jake Brodeur going left into the Skerries half and with three defenders in front of him he deftly chipped the ball just ahead and out of reach, put on the burners and collected in style to touch down for a try worthy of sealing any game.
Keating added the conversion to complete his haul of four conversions and one penalty.
A proud club president Fran Nolan presented Neil Megannety and his team with their hard one prize.
A well deserved victory in a season that has delivered so much with more to come, these young men keep the hopes of Greystones RFC shining bright.