Page 94 - The Gonzaga Record 1994
P. 94
SENIOR RUGBY
On a blistering September afternoon, a valuable for next year's team. The
healthy number turned out for the first of Garbally match sparked off a series of
many squad sessions under the watchful victories over CBC, High School and De
eye of Mr Whirdy. To his surprise, players La Salle. The De La Salle game marked
exhibited a more than satisfactory level of the debut of Keith Hyland at first centre, a
fitness and after intensive pre-season position which had previously been a
training the campaign kicked off against source of great debate as many centre
Blackrock, Delight was etched on the faces pairings had been tried. Late December we
of apprehensive supporters as Barry entertained a very strong St Michael’s
Brophy scored a fine late try to register a outfit and despite a considerable defeat
draw against one of the giants of Leinster players such as Ian Tuomey, Morgan
rugby. This was followed up by a tough O’Connell, David Moran and Brian
encounter against Pres Bray, with Gonzaga Horkan stamped authority on their
narrowly succumbing 15-13. positions with fighting displays.
As with last year the curse of injuries Improvements were obviously made
began early on with a shoulder dislocation during the Christmas period and we were
to experienced winger Fergal McGrath, helped considerably by four sessions with
which was a bitter blow after our Ollie Campbell and former All Black prop
promising start. The new league system, Steve MacDowell. A strong level of self
which was instituted to develop more belief filtered through the camp and we
competitive games outside of the Cup entered into the post-Christmas period in a
itself, then reared its head. Included in our positive frame of mind. The game against
group were our future second round St Paul’s was arguably our best of the
opponents King’s Hospital, who managed season. The pack dominated as we
to pull off a dogged 8-3 win on our triumphed 10-5. This illustrated the
ground. distance we had travelled since September
We experienced a tough baptism in the when we were convincingly beaten 29-3
league and failed to progress to the latter by the same team in the league. The return
stages but confidence soon grew again of winger McGrath boosted morale and
after a 39-3 massacre of CUS with the other injuries such as those to Hugh
winter months approaching. Optimism Ormond and Anthony Burns were
increased when the Cup draw was revealed beginning to repair themselves as the
and we were not to let the chance slip pieces of the jigsaw puzzle slowly slotted
away. A turning point in our season came into place.
with a bruising encounter against Garbally Our next opponents were much-fancied
whom we overcame thanks to a Mark Newbridge and despite losing the game
Davy kick and an inspirational display by 13-6 it all hinged on a late try by the
captain Tom Eustace, in his third year on Newbridge winger when a Gonzaga player
the team. Team selection became a was receiving attention off the pitch. Prior
hazardous occupation and in a bold move to the cup game, disaster struck when in
accomplished scrum-half and Vice Captain form flanker Brian McCarthy suffered a
Alan Boland came into the centre to inject horrendous injury to his shoulder in a
added bite to the attack. This conveniently training match and the whole team shared
opened the way for the blooding of the his disappointment at losing out at such a
hardworking and gritty Brian Kevans at late stage. This opened the way for Daniel
scrum-half whose experience will be Fennelly, who was determined to make up
86
On a blistering September afternoon, a valuable for next year's team. The
healthy number turned out for the first of Garbally match sparked off a series of
many squad sessions under the watchful victories over CBC, High School and De
eye of Mr Whirdy. To his surprise, players La Salle. The De La Salle game marked
exhibited a more than satisfactory level of the debut of Keith Hyland at first centre, a
fitness and after intensive pre-season position which had previously been a
training the campaign kicked off against source of great debate as many centre
Blackrock, Delight was etched on the faces pairings had been tried. Late December we
of apprehensive supporters as Barry entertained a very strong St Michael’s
Brophy scored a fine late try to register a outfit and despite a considerable defeat
draw against one of the giants of Leinster players such as Ian Tuomey, Morgan
rugby. This was followed up by a tough O’Connell, David Moran and Brian
encounter against Pres Bray, with Gonzaga Horkan stamped authority on their
narrowly succumbing 15-13. positions with fighting displays.
As with last year the curse of injuries Improvements were obviously made
began early on with a shoulder dislocation during the Christmas period and we were
to experienced winger Fergal McGrath, helped considerably by four sessions with
which was a bitter blow after our Ollie Campbell and former All Black prop
promising start. The new league system, Steve MacDowell. A strong level of self
which was instituted to develop more belief filtered through the camp and we
competitive games outside of the Cup entered into the post-Christmas period in a
itself, then reared its head. Included in our positive frame of mind. The game against
group were our future second round St Paul’s was arguably our best of the
opponents King’s Hospital, who managed season. The pack dominated as we
to pull off a dogged 8-3 win on our triumphed 10-5. This illustrated the
ground. distance we had travelled since September
We experienced a tough baptism in the when we were convincingly beaten 29-3
league and failed to progress to the latter by the same team in the league. The return
stages but confidence soon grew again of winger McGrath boosted morale and
after a 39-3 massacre of CUS with the other injuries such as those to Hugh
winter months approaching. Optimism Ormond and Anthony Burns were
increased when the Cup draw was revealed beginning to repair themselves as the
and we were not to let the chance slip pieces of the jigsaw puzzle slowly slotted
away. A turning point in our season came into place.
with a bruising encounter against Garbally Our next opponents were much-fancied
whom we overcame thanks to a Mark Newbridge and despite losing the game
Davy kick and an inspirational display by 13-6 it all hinged on a late try by the
captain Tom Eustace, in his third year on Newbridge winger when a Gonzaga player
the team. Team selection became a was receiving attention off the pitch. Prior
hazardous occupation and in a bold move to the cup game, disaster struck when in
accomplished scrum-half and Vice Captain form flanker Brian McCarthy suffered a
Alan Boland came into the centre to inject horrendous injury to his shoulder in a
added bite to the attack. This conveniently training match and the whole team shared
opened the way for the blooding of the his disappointment at losing out at such a
hardworking and gritty Brian Kevans at late stage. This opened the way for Daniel
scrum-half whose experience will be Fennelly, who was determined to make up
86
