Ulster Bank AIL Division 2B Corinthian Park 23/02/2019
Galway Corinthians 55 (Keller try 7 con 2 pen, Guilfoyle O’Reilly 2 tries ea, McDermott Huxford try ea.)
Skerries: 38 (Davitt 4 pen 3 con, M Sherlock E Sherlock R Halligan C Marrey try ea.)
Straight away after the kick-off by Corinthians, Skerries were awarded a line-out which they failed to control and gave away possession to Corinthians. Skerries were immediately on the defensive and had difficulty in doing so as the Corinthians back-line continued to gain territory resulting in their scrum half, Guilfoyle, touch down to register the first try of the match after two minutes of play. A bit of unsettled play then by Corinthians allowed Skerries points on the board after two converted penalties by Paul Devitt bringing the score to 7-6.
Twelve minutes into the game Corinthians excellent handling and speed in the back-line yielded another try by winger O’Reilly, again converted by out half Keller. The score now 14-6. A further two penalties went Skerries way and again ably converted by Devitt, just a two point gap at 14-12. On thirty minutes, poor defence by Skerries allowed Corinthians out half Keller demonstrate his evasive skills and touch down for the home team’s third try, now 21-12. Ross McAuley was then introduced from the bench and began to make a difference to the flow of the Skerries performance. The pace quickened and on the half time mark, Skerries Captain Mikey Sherlock scored a well worked try, converted by Devitt, to leave the score going into half-time at 21-19.
The second half saw Ruairi Woods slot in at out half with scrum half Eoghan Carron taking No.10 position. Second row Ross Halligan, who worked tirelessly throughout, scored Skerries second converted try. Now Skerries were in front 21-26 and hopes were starting to rise as the intensity from Skerries was growing stronger. Their pace was unrelenting and suitably rewarded when Mikey Sherlock supported his cousin, Evan Sherlock, in for Skerries third try. The score was 21-33 and things were looking good for the visitors. Twelve points ahead away from home, what could go wrong….
But as in most sports, one has to expect the unexpected.
Momentum changed now to Corinthians. Excellent as Skerries were in attack, they looked porous in defence and before the hour, conceded three tries! This doubled the home side tally to 42-33. Skerries responded well and a quick thinking throw to the front of a line-out close to the Corrinthian line allowed substitute Conn Marrey burrow over for Skerries fourth try bringing it to 42-38.
Unfortunately for Skerries, this didn’t rattle the men from the West who finished stronger with another converted try by scrum half Guilfoyle, converted by Keller who also added two penalties to leave the final score 55-38!
Positives for Skerries are, they came up against a good pack, with a well-coached scrum but competed very well. Props Trevor Scufil and replacement Conn Marrey were particularly prominent. It was unfortunate that lineout specialist, Tom Mulvany, departed injured early in the game, reducing throw-in options. The strength of back row player Turvey and the athleticism of Jenkinson was impressive. The place-kicking of winger Paul Devitt in the absence of the injured regular out-half, Billy Mulcahy, was impeccable. Skerries has not and will not play against as efficient a back line in this Division, their skill and pace was difficult to match. Although coming out second best was not the result the boys would have planned for, the away bonus point was no more than deserved.
The next challenge is Rainey Old Boys at home this Saturday, Kick Off 2:30pm