A weekend off, but no resting on my laurels Well again, this year’s bragging rights went to Munster in the Interprovincial final. The final score was 11–10 and it was a tight game throughout.
On a blustery day in the Sportsground in Galway, we dominated possession and territory in the first half, against the wind. We looked dangerous on a few occasions, but that final pass seemed to go astray or we were held up over the line.
In the second half we were first to score with a penalty but we let Munster straight back up the pitch for 3 points. Then we scored a great try, straight off a scrum, but again we lacked concentration and Munster came back up the pitch again and slotted another penalty.
In the last 20 minutes of the game things changed for Munster’s benefit; the wind seemed to favour them and they changed their out-half, who took control of the game in the conditions. Munster scored a try with 10 minutes to go and that is it how it ended.
While I am disappointed with the result, it is great for the Irish squad that it was such a good game and a number of players put their hands up to be counted.
The Irish squad for the season is due to be named tonight. It will consist of a panel of 35 players. I am sure it has been a nervous few hours for players as they wait to receive an e-mail which will inform them if they have made the squad.
John O’Sullivan is commencing his second season as coach, so he has a better idea of players available to him and different combinations that will work. In fairness to him, he has made every effort to see as many potential national players as possible. He has attended each of the provinces’ training sessions and also has travelled the length of the country watching club games, while getting other matches videoed.
While I don’t envisage any huge shocks or changes, you just never know if all players are available to commit to the amount of time required, or if a player possesses the particular skills that the coach is looking for to implement a certain game plan. I suppose all will be revealed soon.
It has also been announced that we will play our three home games against Italy, Wales and Scotland at St Mary’s in Dublin on Friday nights under lights. Hopefully this will draw us larger crowds, as people will still be able to go to the men’s game the next day, and floodlit matches naturally seem to draw a crowd.
It was quite unusual for me last weekend, as I found myself with the entire weekend off. Our UL Bohs league match against Boyne was postponed, so I made myself available for a Gaelic football match with Clontarf.
I played the second half and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. At first I did forget that it was non-contact and was hitting with a shoulder, but after a few stern words from the referee I got into the flow of things.
On Sunday I decided to check out the opposition for the season as Blackrock were playing Highfield. In a very one-sided game, Blackrock were very impressive.
It was a game that also saw the return of Irish International Tania Rosser. Tania missed last season due to pregnancy and she will be a welcome return this year. Blackrock definitely look like the team to beat this year, with a big mobile pack and fast skilful backs.
I am also back coaching the schoolgirls’ team in Lucan Community College. There has been a great turnout at training sessions, with numbers between 28 and 36 for each session.
To be honest I couldn’t handle those big numbers on my own, especially as there is such a huge difference in skill levels, so I have decided to split the squad into a junior and senior team.
The girls really love rugby, so much so that a number of them are travelling weekly across to Blackrock to be involved in their youth team. It is such a pity the girls must travel so far to play club rugby, but their eagerness is good for the future of women’s rugby in Ireland.
