Lansdowne 3 Greystones 39, Ballycorus Rd. 27/02/10

It's only a dislocation!

During the game on Saturday I found my gaze wandering up past the lead mines above Ballycorus, into the foothills of the Wicklow mountains. Despite the fact that it was almost March, the snowy peaks were a reminder of what has been a harsh and damaging winter. Refocusing on the action in front of me this damage was evident on the pitch also....
Our circumstances are difficult this year, waiting on Monkstowns decision whether we can train or not has been both frustrating and bad for the team focus.
To sum up the difference in the two teams, there are two main issues:
On a weekend where there were not many other games going on, Greystones selected a strong team to do a job. Perhaps there were players who would not normally have been on their J4s? Who is to know... But given that Lansdowne were not fielding at J2 or J3 this weekend, would it have been right or wrong to do the same...? This is an unfortunate part of the junior game in ireland, a battle that needs to be fought at a higher level than me or you...
That being said the second difference between the teams was more pragmatic. There were 15 young men playing against 15 young men, and the difference in counter attacking capability was the difference between the two teams. When Greystones made mistakes, and they made a few, we individually took it as a signal to restart the game through scrum or freekick. When we made mistakes, and we made a lot, Greystones collectively, ruthlessly counter attacked and invariably scored. Other than that there was little difference, and yet the scoreline reflected a thumping defeat. One of the only positives came after Adam 'Speeding Ticket' Kavanagh's near severed finger was miraculously returned to it original shape and form by, not our physio, nor the two men from St Johns ambulance, but by the gentle gifted hands of Ed 'the Dr' Bruce. Amazingly Adam didn't cry.

Next week is our biggest test to date. Barnhall will turn up in Ballycorus with the B league title all but won. Our performance next week will be a mentle test more than anything, because if we do not have the bottle to "man up" against Barnhall then how will we do it in the semi final, or final of the cup which is just a few weeks away? If we cant beat the section B leaders, how will we beat the section A leaders? Because if we want to win the cup, we will have to beat them.

And if we dont believe we can do it, why do we turn up...?

Man of the match: Niall Healy

written by Philip McGoldrick

Photos by Ed Bruce

1. Peter Geoghan
2. Mark Forrest
3. Michael O'Halloran
4. Rob Moore (Pack leader)
5. Niall O Healaithe
6. Conor Gahan
7. Tom Crone
8. Michael Deasy
9. Millan Alonso
10. Keith Herman
11. Rory Gavin
12. Adam Kavanagh
13. Eoin Gantly (Captain)
14. Shane McElveen
15. Ronan Gibney

Subs
16. Conor McKenna
17. Simon Boylan
18. Smithy