Page 78 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 78
RUGBY Roscrea by 4 points to 3 (the match was
abandoned after Ado Carton was injured).
Morale was high way back in September The impetus of the Roscrea game must
1984. On a fine sunny day out in King's have carried into the next fixture. Gonzaga
Hospital grounds the green warriors were victorious against Templeogue by 22
limbered up to the tune of'Mark Connolly's to 3 points.
workout'. The team had a change of The news of having been drawn against
Captain in David John Nolan, and ten C.B.C. in the cup was greeted with cautious
changes from the team that was beaten by relief. But the friendly match against C.B.C.
Castleknock the previous season. The five was an appalling spectacle. Gonzaga
remaining were Nolan, O'Briain, Gibney, conceded two give-away tries to the C.B.C.
O'Callaghan, and O'Higgins. wingers. Yet all was not dark; hope was at
When fray commenced the forward hand in the shape of Jim O'Callaghan who
strength of King's Hospital was soon felt. scored from two five yard scrums. Gonzaga
Still, a nice piece of opportunism yielded a were beaten, but most were convinced that
fine score in the corner by Noel McMahon, revenge could be had in the cup.
who was a revelation as wing three-quarter, Hope was confirmed by a good
having spent his career thus far in the front performance against Clongowes. The
row. Gonzaga showed promise in the line- tactical ploy of playing O'Callaghan in the
out if they could only organise themselves second row seemed to pay dividends, and
to provide clean possession. An heroic the trainers were quite pleased with the
effort by D. J. Nolan led to a side-wise sally efforts of O'Briain, Fahy, and O'Connor.
out of his 22. He was duly sandwiched by The backs had one of their better days, with
three of the meatier specimens of the K. H. Deeney resplendent at full back, Lynch
pack. The concussion he suffered led to his penetrating in the centre, and Lennon
subsequent absence from the team for three innovative at scrum-half. Another win was
weeks. The day was lost by three tries to recorded.
one. The seconds also lost that day, but the Unfortunately, the great 1984-85 side
thirds, with such seasoned war horses as did not train over Christmas. This caused
Brian O'Donnell and Willie McCarthy, considerable concern at the time. Certainly,
were having none of that, and their match some members of the squad were
commenced a memorable season for them. immovably engaged over the period, and
It was left to the hand of God to take pity their unavailability is unquestionable. When
on this miserable lot. Surely it was no the team could train again it was plagued by
coincidence that whilst abandoning bad weather and snow. In a game played
training, half of the Sixth year (the more against St Paul's in wretched conditions
sinful section, naturally!) went on retreat, Gonzaga were decisively beaten in a poor
and after that put in the best performance match. The Templeogue match was also
thus far at Roscrea the following Saturday. poor, albeit victory went to Gonzaga. Only
The day was marked by three events: Columba's provided opposition in the build-
squadron leader Nolan reported fit for up to the cup. All were agreed that at last
duty; but tragically Ado Carton, who had the commitment was shaping up, but the
been having a splendid season, received a team required an injection of spirit and
neck injury on the field. This fine prop confidence. Unfortunately the team went
forward has been told by doctors not to down to Columba's. The next match was
play rugby again. Rory Hayes also put out for real - the cup.
hi s shoulder that day, and may have
damaged his chances for a first team place. The Senior cup match
The third incident was the mysterious
absence of certain members of the third's The Irish Independent rugby correspondent
contingent at Roscrea. Anyway, the firsts headed this match: ECSTASY FOR
registered their fir st unofficial victory at MONKSTOWN; AGONY FOR GONZAGA. For
70
abandoned after Ado Carton was injured).
Morale was high way back in September The impetus of the Roscrea game must
1984. On a fine sunny day out in King's have carried into the next fixture. Gonzaga
Hospital grounds the green warriors were victorious against Templeogue by 22
limbered up to the tune of'Mark Connolly's to 3 points.
workout'. The team had a change of The news of having been drawn against
Captain in David John Nolan, and ten C.B.C. in the cup was greeted with cautious
changes from the team that was beaten by relief. But the friendly match against C.B.C.
Castleknock the previous season. The five was an appalling spectacle. Gonzaga
remaining were Nolan, O'Briain, Gibney, conceded two give-away tries to the C.B.C.
O'Callaghan, and O'Higgins. wingers. Yet all was not dark; hope was at
When fray commenced the forward hand in the shape of Jim O'Callaghan who
strength of King's Hospital was soon felt. scored from two five yard scrums. Gonzaga
Still, a nice piece of opportunism yielded a were beaten, but most were convinced that
fine score in the corner by Noel McMahon, revenge could be had in the cup.
who was a revelation as wing three-quarter, Hope was confirmed by a good
having spent his career thus far in the front performance against Clongowes. The
row. Gonzaga showed promise in the line- tactical ploy of playing O'Callaghan in the
out if they could only organise themselves second row seemed to pay dividends, and
to provide clean possession. An heroic the trainers were quite pleased with the
effort by D. J. Nolan led to a side-wise sally efforts of O'Briain, Fahy, and O'Connor.
out of his 22. He was duly sandwiched by The backs had one of their better days, with
three of the meatier specimens of the K. H. Deeney resplendent at full back, Lynch
pack. The concussion he suffered led to his penetrating in the centre, and Lennon
subsequent absence from the team for three innovative at scrum-half. Another win was
weeks. The day was lost by three tries to recorded.
one. The seconds also lost that day, but the Unfortunately, the great 1984-85 side
thirds, with such seasoned war horses as did not train over Christmas. This caused
Brian O'Donnell and Willie McCarthy, considerable concern at the time. Certainly,
were having none of that, and their match some members of the squad were
commenced a memorable season for them. immovably engaged over the period, and
It was left to the hand of God to take pity their unavailability is unquestionable. When
on this miserable lot. Surely it was no the team could train again it was plagued by
coincidence that whilst abandoning bad weather and snow. In a game played
training, half of the Sixth year (the more against St Paul's in wretched conditions
sinful section, naturally!) went on retreat, Gonzaga were decisively beaten in a poor
and after that put in the best performance match. The Templeogue match was also
thus far at Roscrea the following Saturday. poor, albeit victory went to Gonzaga. Only
The day was marked by three events: Columba's provided opposition in the build-
squadron leader Nolan reported fit for up to the cup. All were agreed that at last
duty; but tragically Ado Carton, who had the commitment was shaping up, but the
been having a splendid season, received a team required an injection of spirit and
neck injury on the field. This fine prop confidence. Unfortunately the team went
forward has been told by doctors not to down to Columba's. The next match was
play rugby again. Rory Hayes also put out for real - the cup.
hi s shoulder that day, and may have
damaged his chances for a first team place. The Senior cup match
The third incident was the mysterious
absence of certain members of the third's The Irish Independent rugby correspondent
contingent at Roscrea. Anyway, the firsts headed this match: ECSTASY FOR
registered their fir st unofficial victory at MONKSTOWN; AGONY FOR GONZAGA. For
70
