De la Salle Palmerston 3 - Stillorgan 31
J3 League - Jan 25, 2004
In true Stillorgan style they came under big pressure for much of the early stages with the bigger DLSP pack pinning us down in our 22 with their main forward move of mauling from the lineout. But stout defending from forwards and backs alike held the siege and SRFC weathered the storm until they started to move the ball wide and stretch the DLSP backline. It was one of these moves that set up the first try from flying Finian Finn who charged onto the ball and raced from 35 metres out to down close to the posts duly converted by Mattie. SRFC confidence was up and it was now clear how DLSP were going to be beaten. SRFC again responded to a penalty from DLSP with a super try in the corner with the traditional pick and go tactic working a treat with forwards and backs mixing it. Eventually the ball popped to the Bull to down in the corner leaving a half time score of 12 - 3.
SRFC started off as they finished the previous half playing quick ball from good ruck ball and running at DLSP. The third try was to be hard fought and didn't come until 20 minutes into the half with some great pick and go from the forwards and ball was excellently popped from Nigel(holding off 2 DLSP lads) to Donnacadh Cleary who downed in the corner which was excellently converted by Mattie. SRFC were now running on all cyclinders and scored again from great break away play from the backs from Milky and Finian with the ball popping to Richie the stuntman Dolye who scored his maiden try. One more try was to come from Donncadh who ran around 2 DLSP backs to score again which Mattie duly converted.
SRFC were not to be pinned back in their half again until late in the 2nd half and held their lines to record a good victory away from home.
Men of the Match: Forwards - Danny Shanahan, Backs - Donnacadh Cleary