Battling Boyne rewarded with priceless win
CURRENT head coach Gary Downey was captain of the Boyne team who lost to Kilkenny in their first-ever Leinster Branch competitive fixture back in 1997, so this was sweet revenge as the Drogheda men picked up their first points of the Division 1A season.
Saturday was a renewal of competitive rivalry between two teams who have been kept apart competitively for some time through trading their wares in different divisions, and ultimately it was the away side who came out top in a gripping encounter which had their travelling support on tenterhooks right up until the final whistle.
Some of the Boyne contingent who made the journey to Kilkenny were doing so for the second time within a matter of weeks, having accompanied fellow clubman Ger De Loughry’s remains there on his final journey for interment.
Whilst that was a sad occasion, this time they returned home in celebration as both Boyne teams came out winners in their respective matches.
Downey’s charges opened this game in sprightly fashion and retained possession well during the first five minutes. Against the run of play, though, and with the aid of a dubious touchline decision Kilkenny dealt an early blow with a try in the corner.
The conversion was missed, but with just seven minutes gone Boyne were already playing catchup.
Undeterred, they continued to control possession and had two chances to register their first score when the home side were penalised. Captain Karl Keogh,
Kilkenny Boyne
making a welcome return to the side, unfortunately failed with both attempts at goal.
Boyne continued to impress for the remainder of the first half and put the home side under pressure with good forward drives and slick moves between the backs.
Towards the end of the half Kilkenny had a man sin-binned and Boyne had an excellent chance to take advantage of that temporary extra man when they had a scrum deep in the home side’s danger territory, practically under the posts. However, they failed to convert it into a score and Kilkenny
Division 1A results Next fixtures Table
Gorey Enniscorthy Bective Wicklow Ashbourne Dundalk Boyne Kilkenny P 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 W 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 L 0 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 F 65 74 63 73 66 58 43 50 A 41 43 49 76 65 61 84 73
19 21
BP 0 2 2 1 2 2 0 2 Pts 12 10 10 9 6 6 4 2 clearing to close the half still those five points ahead.
The game seemed to be turn in Kilkenny’s favour on 50 minutes when it became Boyne’s turn to play with a reduced number as Paul Kelly was shown a yellow card, and the home side immediately took advantage of their numerical advantage and scored a converted try from a lineout to stretch their advantage to 12-0.
However, as has happened in their two opening encounters, Boyne refused to capitulate and responded admirably with determination and running at the opposition.
Still a man down, they attacked from their own half and centre Adam Brodigan broke several tackles to score under the posts on 58 minutes, and Keogh knocked over the simple conversion to leave Boyne just five points in arrears.
And it was that man Brodigan again who broke the line on 65 minutes for another brilliant try again under the posts, and Keogh’s conversion put Boyne 14-12 ahead.
With their tails up and brimming with confidence and no lack of skill, Boyne pushed on and man of the match Brodigan was to the fore again when he made another incisive break, eventually giving a delightful inside pass to the supporting Rory Hennessy who fended off two tacklers to once again score under the posts.
Keogh kept his 100% conversion rate intact and Boyne - 21-12 ahead - were now chasing an unlikely bonus point.
However, they to endure eight minutes of injury time, during
SCOREBOARD
which Kilkenny were awarded a penalty try which left two points between the sides.
On top of that, Boyne wing forward Wilson Twentyman was sin-binned and there were a few anxious moments for players and supporters alike before the referee’s long whistle confirmed the Drogheda side’s first win of this campaign.
This was a tremendous morale booster for the club and the team, who raised their game to achieve what was a very welcome result.
Whilst the team and supporters were celebrating their successes in Kilkenny, thoughts were also with their former teammate Caimin Hall following the loss of his father Brian, whose funeral service was taking place at the same time on Saturday. The players and members of Boyne RFC extend their sympathy to the Hall family.
Boyne now have a short break before making another away trip - to Wicklow - on October 13th. BOYNE: John McDonnell; Kevin McCleery, Adam Brodigan, Rory Hennessy, Evan McGinn; Michael Briscoe, Shaun Rooney; Patrick Shuttleworth, Padraic Mongey, Luke O’Callaghan; Declan Moore, Paul Kelly; Karl Keogh, Wilson Twentyman, Collie Ahearne. Repls; Jerry Onianwa, Conor Walsh, Kevin Prendergast, Sean Callaghan.