Dashing Ronan O’Reilly untouchable as Drogheda RFC beat Enniscorthy
January1983
Enniscorthy 0 Drogheda 20
A well motivated Drogheda recorded a fine win over a very average Enniscorthy side which failed to match the rampant Boynesiders in any department.
It was the match in which replacements, prop Tom McGuinncss, wing forward Dave Dowling and winger Paddy Dwycr made strong claims for regular places and Grogan, Blaney and Nicolson will have their work cut out to get back on the firsts.
Drogheda opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Gormley kicked a fine penalty from far out on the left and after half an hour “Buzz” Irwin went over for a fine try from a five-yard scrum to leave the score seven-nil to Drogheda. The visitors stretched their lead when Murray kicked a penalty.
Drogheda were now throwing the ball around and Ollic Byrne at scrum half was totally dictating play from the base of a welldrilled pack whose rucking and set pieces laid the fondation for victory.
On half-time Irwin scored his second try of the match and his fifth of the season when Byrne fed him from a five yard scrum and the big number eight crashed over for a try converted by Murray.
Drogheda opened the second half in fine style and only stout defence by Enniscorthy halted a Drogheda attack that had Karl Byrne and Dessie Murray causing all sorts of problems.
Man of the match was winger Ronan O’Reilly who came close several times with some fine determined runs.
The big winger had just reward when a fine back movement saw the ball flash out to O’Reilly who drove over in the corner for the try of the match.
His fellow winger Paddy Dwyer came close also and his pace and ability to beat his opposite number on the outside is marvellous to watch.
Ollie Byrne crowned a great performance when he dropped a fine goal near the end of play, a feat he last achieved in 1964.
This was a credible performance by the visitors whose pack all played well and the backline certainly showed its ability to run the ball.
It still remains to be seen whether this style of 15-man rugby adopted by coach Eamonn Duffy and captain Ollie Walsh can bring the coveted Towns Cup to Drogheda.