A stout performance sees Stillogan march on against Guinness
16 April 2003
Guinness 9 - Stillorgan 16
Stillorgan progressed to the semi-final of the J4 cup after an enthralling, if sometimes heated battle in the Iveagh grounds. Apologies for the old cliché but it was a game of two halves. Stillorgan played the first half as if it was their first time playing together. Guinness applied most of the pressure in the first half and were rewarded with three penalties which were converted. Stillorgan managed brief sorties into the opposition's half but lacked the fluency or cohesion to threaten Guinness's line. We did managed to record a penalty to leave the score 9-3 at half time.
A free for all 'fisticuffs' started at the beginning of the first half. The referee could have singled out two or three people for marching others. Unfortunately the slowest/last man to the troubles always gets the card and unfortunately he was wearing the maroon and blue. This incident galvanised Stillorgan and suddenly a spark and urgency returned to the team. Playing a controlled game they quickly tagged on a couple of penalties to square the game. More pressure applied and suddenly Guinness looked like a beaten side. Following a rumbling maul inside the opposition twenty two, the Bull saw a 10 yard gap open up and sprinted two yards through the gap for the match winning try. A prophecy come through for the Bull as he dreamt of scoring the winning try. (note he also dreamt that he would become filthy rich, good looking and humble). Alan converted to stretch the lead to seven points. Stillorgan held out comfortable for the final few minutes to record a famous win.