ROUSING RECOVERY
Greystones fight back from sixteen-point deficit to win
GREYSTONES BLACKROCK 27 25
SIXTEEN points down in the early stages of the second half, Greystones staged a miraculous recovery to build on their 43-12 away thumping of Dungannon, by edging Blackrock College at Dr Hickey Park, on Saturday afternoon.
On yet another bitterly cold day, the home side trailed 15-3 at half-time, having played against a strong breeze in the opening half, but, with the elements in their favour in the second period, the 12 point deficit didn’t look insurmountable by any means.
However, when Blackrock out-half Peter Quirke displayed tremendous pace in outsprinting a number of opposing players before touching down and converting his own try, that extended the visiting side’s lead to 22-6 nine minutes after the restart.
But to their immense credit, Greystones knuckled down to the considerable task in extremely admirable fashion, and subsequent tries by centre Rob Connolly, wing-forward Cormac O’Donoghue and prop Bobby Clancy saw the home side prevail by a two point margin.
As well as the trio of try-scorers, full-back Andrew Kealy made a massive contribution to the victory, bagging 12 points from placekicks, including one penalty from almost the half-way line.
Just six minutes had elapsed when Quirke landed a penalty for Blackrock, and this was cancelled out three minutes later when Kealy delivered his first three-pointer.
Then, after winning their own line-out following a penalty, the visiting pack was seen to considerable effect when they barged over for a try which Quirke failed to convert from a difficult angle, leaving ‘Rock 8-3 in front after 18 minutes.
Boosted by that breaching of the home defence, and by a yellow card handed out to Greystones scrum-half Killian Marmion on 27 minutes, the ‘Rock pack proceeded to gain additional ground by winning two scrums against the head.
And it was a telling indication of their superiority at this stage that referee Barrie O’Connell awarded the Stradbrook outfit a penalty try on 37 minutes, leaving Greystones trailing 15-3 at half-time.
Six minutes into the second half, Kealy landed his long-range penalty, but on one of the rare occasions that ‘Rock broke out of their own half on the restart, Quirke seemed to have put his side in the driving seat with his outstanding try.
Almost 60 minutes had elapsed before ‘Stones raised the optimism levels of their supporters, with Connolly touching down following a period of almost incessant pressure by his pack.
And Kealy added the extra points to reduce the visitors’ lead to 22-13.
Five minutes later that margin had been cut to two points, O’Donoghue touching down and Kealy once again splitting the posts.
However, referee O’Connell then signalled an offside offence by a home player, and Quirke comfortably slotted the penalty over the bar to put his side 25-20 in front.
But Greystones were not finished yet, and with two minutes left, Clancy touched down for his try, and once again Kealy displayed unerring accuracy to ensure his side’s seventh victory from nine games.
Afterwards, Greystones coach Kevin Lewis said: “At 22-6 down, we were under pressure but we have been there before this year. We trust the lads, they know what they’re about. They just rolled their sleeves up and they work very well together.
“Blackrock are an exceptionally good team and we were put to the pin of our collar to hang in there just before half-time. We were under no illusions today, we’re playing them again in the New Year (January 11) and it’s as tight as it could get.
“Because of the strength of the wind today, it was almost impossible to get out of our own half in the first half, and, as you saw in the second half, there was almost no way that Blackrock could get out of their half.
“Then in the second half, as well as our three tries, we had a couple of fantastic conversions and penalties from Andrew Kealy, one penalty being almost from the half-way line, and two conversions from near the corner. But, as well as his excellent kicking ability, Andrew is a fantastic addition to the team with his general rugby skills.
“At the moment, we’re missing a lot of players at the moment because of injuries. Today, we were without 10 lads who would normally be in the starting fifteen, and we were fortunate to have dual-status players in Bobby Clancy and Mick Doyle, who normally play (junior rugby) with Wexford and Wicklow.
“You’re allowed to use a certain number of dual-status players and we took that option today, and the two lads were fantastic and they added a huge amount to the whole thing.”
Blackrock coach James Blaney, a former Ireland ‘A’ and Leinster and Munster player, said: “I thought we were looking reasonably comfortable at half-time, and then Peter Quirke scored a great try with a terrific burst of pace early in the second half.
“But even at 16 points up, we couldn’t take anything for granted because of the strength of the wind, and really it was a game of two halves in that respect.
“And fair due to ‘Stones they ground it out, and when they got close to our line they came away with something each and every time.
“As well, the Greystones fullback showed great place-kicking ability, and coming into the match we were well aware of the threat that he posed. He’s certainly got a big boot and he’s very accurate.
“We have Greystones back at Stradbrook after the break, and I’d say it (promotion to Division 2A) could come down to the last couple of games. These back-tobacks (games) are pivotal to us.”