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05/12/2009
“The honor of the conquest is rated by the difficulty.” The words of the French essayist Michel de Montaigne ring true among the J2 faithful this week, in the aftermath of their 24-7 victory over league leaders Old Belvedere. Having been beaten in their season opener by Belvo in a humiliating 45-7 defeat, and in losing their second game of the league to Clontarf, the hopes of winning the league for Lansdowne seemed lost.
Undeterred, the squad set to work knowing the only back into contention was to win every coming game. The reward of three hard fought wins against Terenure, Mary’s and ‘Rock, coupled with massive improvement throughout the squad as a whole, culminated in a decisive win on Saturday in a wet and windy Ballycorus.
Lansdowne now sit joint second in the league with Belvo, and only a paltry 15 points point difference separate the sides. Credit must go to Quigs and Beamer, who have set the tone with tough training sessions and have given the J2’s such an excellent coaching platform.
Lansdowne opened strongly again, and were rewarded when Marc “The Bus “ Flood slotted a penalty from range, in difficult conditions. The first half ebbed and flowed, but Belvo never once managed to get further than the Lansdowne 22. Further pressure resulted in 3 more penalties from Floody, which gave Lansdowne a 12-0 lead at the half.
In the second half Lansdowne were finally rewarded with a try from Dave Upton, which the big land owner from Clare hammered over from five meters out. Belvo managed to get a foothold in the Lansdowne 22, and used their maul to good effect. After a sustained period of pressure, and some excellent defending, Belvo eventually got on the scoreboard from a 5 meter lineout maul. Undeterred, Lansdowne responded at the end, when a perfectly judged cross field kick by Shane Whelan was gathered on the hop by Robbie Becker for a try. The Bus missed his easiest kick of the day, to leave the score at 24-7 at the final whistle.
Lansdowne now wrap up their pre-Christmas schedule with a return game against Clontarf on Saturday, another grudge match given what transpired earlier this season. Another win is a must if Lansdowne are to press home their position, and move past Clontarf & Belvo into sole possession of first place.
Lansdowne Team: 15 Dave Nyhan 14 Darragh O'Neill 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc "The Bus" Flood 11 John Sparks 10 Shane Whelan 9 Dereck Poppinga 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Charlie Butterworth 6 Reg White 5 Mark O'Donnell 4 Dave Upton 3 Dave Soden 2 Dave Tunney 1 James Caslan
Subs: 16 Mikey Soden 17 Stefano Molle 18 Anthony Quinn 19 Rob Becker 20 Mark Tuthill
Scorers: Dave Upton (Try), Rob Becker (Try), Marc Flood (4 Pens, 1 Con)
16//11/2009
Saturday marked the third consecutive victory for the J2’s, in a 26-8 win over Blackrock, a team who had won four J2 leagur titles in a row up until 2007. The scoreline does not do justice to the physicality of the match, and the post-game consensus was that this was the toughest test faced by the J2’s thus far.
Nothwithstanding the physical nature of the encounter, Lansdowne never trailed in this game. Another fast start, akin to last week against Mary’s, resulted in an early penalty by the semi-retired Dave Quigley. With access to ball out of touch courtesy of Beamers Encyclopedia of Lineouts, Lansdowne were able to sustain pressure on Rock, and from a five-meter scrum Dave Burke was able to pounce on a poor pass from the Rock scrum-half for the first try.
Another Quiggs penalty saw the score at 11-3 at halftime.
The second half opened with Rock furiously looking to work back into the game. However, forcing the game helped Lansdowne keep pressure on Rock in their own half, and after another period of pressure fullback John Sparks crossed after some nice handling in the backline.
A further penalty by Quiggs had Lansdowne in firm control of the game, although it never quite felt like it, because the penalty count and general discipline of the J2’s is at an unnacceptable standard. This simply has to change if the J2’s are going to challenge for the league, as it allows teams too much opportunity to stay in games, and breaks up any ability to play at a high tempo.
Rock were eventually rewarded for their efforts on the back of a ridiculous penalty count, and managed to rumble over a try, which was not converted.
With the game seemingly much tighter than the score would indicate, PROP Mike Soden wowed players and spectators alike with his deft left foot kick-through, upon which the ever active Sparks was able to chase over the line for a final try, converted by scrum-half Shane Whelan.
On the back of three wins, Lansdowne are now firmly in the hunt for the J2 league, with return games against Belvo and Clontarf on the 5th and 12th of December, respectively.
Lansdowne Team: 15 John Sparks 14 Dara O'Neill 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc Flood 11 Rob Becker 10 Dave Quigley 9 Shane Whelan 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Dave Burke 6 Reg White 5 Yogi? 4 Mark O'Donnell 3 Steff Molle 2 Dave Tunney 1 Mike Soden
Subs 16 Mike Nolan 17 Dave Soden 18 John Garry 19 Mark Tuthill 20 Gary Notley.
Scorers Dave Burke (Try), John Sparks (2 Tries) Dave Quigley(3 Pens), Shane Whelan (Con)
09/11/2009
St. Mary’s came into Ballycorus on Saturday as holders of last years J2 League and with an unbeaten start to this years campaign under their belt. They left with their first loss in league play since the 2007/2008 season, and under the impression that Lansdowne had stacked their side with J1 players. Evidently compliments come in many forms.
Hyperbole aside, this was a must win game for the J2’s if they were going to be realistic in our aspiriations of winning the J2 League this season. Lansdowne started strongly and were rewarded for early pressure with a penalty by outhalf Dave Quigley, which Mary’s responded to with a try for a 5-3 scoreline. More Lansdowne pressure gave way to points when a great break by centre Rob McCarthy sucked in the defence, and Alan Flanagan touched down for a 8-5 lead. Mary’s came back with a penalty and the score remained 8-8 at halftime.
The seconed half opened with the sides trading penalties and the balance of the second half was played with the score at 11-11.
A Mary’s sinbinning gave Lansdowne a period of sustained pressure in the Mary’s 22, coming within inches of the line on several occasions, until a blocked kick by Mike Soden, brother of Polish prop Dave, was dived on by Dave Quigley for a try, converted to give Lansdowne an 18-11 lead.
Penalties were again traded by the sides to leave the score at the final whistle 21-14 to Lansdowne.
In a hard fought win against a side that has set the pace in the J2 league for two seasons, the J2’s proved that they are in the hunt for this years league. There is still much improvement in this side, and although the lineout functioned much better than the previous week, there is still room to get better in this area. The road to winners of the league will still go through Mary’s, Clontarf and Belvo, but with return matches against all of those clubs ahead, including both against the latter two before Christmas, the fate of this years league is very much in Lansdownes hands.
Blackrock are up next in Ballycorus, in what will be another difficult encounter with a former league winner.
Lansdowne team: 15 John Sparks 14 Art McCoy(Rob Becker 60 mins) 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc Flood 11 Max O'Flaherty 10 Dave Quigley 9 Shane Whelan 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Dave McGuinness 6 Dave Burke 5 Mark O'Donnell 4 John Garry(Reg White 70 mins) 3 Dave Soden 2 Dave Tunney 1 Matt Steerman(Mikey Soden 50 mins)
Subs not used. Ed Lyons, Dereck Poppinga.
Scorers Dave Quigley (Try, 3 Pens, Con), Alan Flanagan (Try)
01/11/2009
The decision to move the Lansdowne J2’s game forward to a 12.30 kick off proved vital in a bonus point victory for the 3rds. With the weather holding up pre Katrina-esque conditions in the late afternoon, the J2’s were able to play some open running rugby, which resulted in three first half tries.
Two came from winger Daragh O’Neill who showed strong finishing, and one penalty try was awarded when Terenure took offence to centre Rob McCarthy’s fashioning of a Lansdowne jersey and obstructed him on a kick chase.
The second half proved to be scrappier than the first, but Lansdowne managed to seal the bonus point when a strong break from flanker Dave Burke and scrum half Shane Whelan was finished by Alan Flanagan.
There was good play all around, with good running by the forwards, and good handling by the backs. Lansdowne looked dangerous with turnover ball, but the lineout left the team wanting in terms of field position and retention.
All in all, considering that the team had not had a match in 3 weeks, a bonus point win in Lakelands was a great result.
The league will continue on Saturday against St. Mary’s, in what will prove to be a pivotal game if the 3rds are to challenge for the league.
Metro J2 League Round 6
Lansdowne FC 24 Old Belvedere RFC 7
“The honor of the conquest is rated by the difficulty.” The words of the French essayist Michel de Montaigne ring true among the J2 faithful this week, in the aftermath of their 24-7 victory over league leaders Old Belvedere. Having been beaten in their season opener by Belvo in a humiliating 45-7 defeat, and in losing their second game of the league to Clontarf, the hopes of winning the league for Lansdowne seemed lost.
Undeterred, the squad set to work knowing the only back into contention was to win every coming game. The reward of three hard fought wins against Terenure, Mary’s and ‘Rock, coupled with massive improvement throughout the squad as a whole, culminated in a decisive win on Saturday in a wet and windy Ballycorus.
Lansdowne now sit joint second in the league with Belvo, and only a paltry 15 points point difference separate the sides. Credit must go to Quigs and Beamer, who have set the tone with tough training sessions and have given the J2’s such an excellent coaching platform.
Lansdowne opened strongly again, and were rewarded when Marc “The Bus “ Flood slotted a penalty from range, in difficult conditions. The first half ebbed and flowed, but Belvo never once managed to get further than the Lansdowne 22. Further pressure resulted in 3 more penalties from Floody, which gave Lansdowne a 12-0 lead at the half.
In the second half Lansdowne were finally rewarded with a try from Dave Upton, which the big land owner from Clare hammered over from five meters out. Belvo managed to get a foothold in the Lansdowne 22, and used their maul to good effect. After a sustained period of pressure, and some excellent defending, Belvo eventually got on the scoreboard from a 5 meter lineout maul. Undeterred, Lansdowne responded at the end, when a perfectly judged cross field kick by Shane Whelan was gathered on the hop by Robbie Becker for a try. The Bus missed his easiest kick of the day, to leave the score at 24-7 at the final whistle.
Lansdowne now wrap up their pre-Christmas schedule with a return game against Clontarf on Saturday, another grudge match given what transpired earlier this season. Another win is a must if Lansdowne are to press home their position, and move past Clontarf & Belvo into sole possession of first place.
Lansdowne Team: 15 Dave Nyhan 14 Darragh O'Neill 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc "The Bus" Flood 11 John Sparks 10 Shane Whelan 9 Dereck Poppinga 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Charlie Butterworth 6 Reg White 5 Mark O'Donnell 4 Dave Upton 3 Dave Soden 2 Dave Tunney 1 James Caslan
Subs: 16 Mikey Soden 17 Stefano Molle 18 Anthony Quinn 19 Rob Becker 20 Mark Tuthill
Scorers: Dave Upton (Try), Rob Becker (Try), Marc Flood (4 Pens, 1 Con)
16//11/2009
Metro J2 League Round 5
Lansdowne FC 26 Blackrock College RFC 8
Saturday marked the third consecutive victory for the J2’s, in a 26-8 win over Blackrock, a team who had won four J2 leagur titles in a row up until 2007. The scoreline does not do justice to the physicality of the match, and the post-game consensus was that this was the toughest test faced by the J2’s thus far.
Nothwithstanding the physical nature of the encounter, Lansdowne never trailed in this game. Another fast start, akin to last week against Mary’s, resulted in an early penalty by the semi-retired Dave Quigley. With access to ball out of touch courtesy of Beamers Encyclopedia of Lineouts, Lansdowne were able to sustain pressure on Rock, and from a five-meter scrum Dave Burke was able to pounce on a poor pass from the Rock scrum-half for the first try.
Another Quiggs penalty saw the score at 11-3 at halftime.
The second half opened with Rock furiously looking to work back into the game. However, forcing the game helped Lansdowne keep pressure on Rock in their own half, and after another period of pressure fullback John Sparks crossed after some nice handling in the backline.
A further penalty by Quiggs had Lansdowne in firm control of the game, although it never quite felt like it, because the penalty count and general discipline of the J2’s is at an unnacceptable standard. This simply has to change if the J2’s are going to challenge for the league, as it allows teams too much opportunity to stay in games, and breaks up any ability to play at a high tempo.
Rock were eventually rewarded for their efforts on the back of a ridiculous penalty count, and managed to rumble over a try, which was not converted.
With the game seemingly much tighter than the score would indicate, PROP Mike Soden wowed players and spectators alike with his deft left foot kick-through, upon which the ever active Sparks was able to chase over the line for a final try, converted by scrum-half Shane Whelan.
On the back of three wins, Lansdowne are now firmly in the hunt for the J2 league, with return games against Belvo and Clontarf on the 5th and 12th of December, respectively.
Lansdowne Team: 15 John Sparks 14 Dara O'Neill 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc Flood 11 Rob Becker 10 Dave Quigley 9 Shane Whelan 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Dave Burke 6 Reg White 5 Yogi? 4 Mark O'Donnell 3 Steff Molle 2 Dave Tunney 1 Mike Soden
Subs 16 Mike Nolan 17 Dave Soden 18 John Garry 19 Mark Tuthill 20 Gary Notley.
Scorers Dave Burke (Try), John Sparks (2 Tries) Dave Quigley(3 Pens), Shane Whelan (Con)
09/11/2009
Metro J2 League Round 4
Lansdowne FC 21 St Marys College RFC 18
St. Mary’s came into Ballycorus on Saturday as holders of last years J2 League and with an unbeaten start to this years campaign under their belt. They left with their first loss in league play since the 2007/2008 season, and under the impression that Lansdowne had stacked their side with J1 players. Evidently compliments come in many forms.
Hyperbole aside, this was a must win game for the J2’s if they were going to be realistic in our aspiriations of winning the J2 League this season. Lansdowne started strongly and were rewarded for early pressure with a penalty by outhalf Dave Quigley, which Mary’s responded to with a try for a 5-3 scoreline. More Lansdowne pressure gave way to points when a great break by centre Rob McCarthy sucked in the defence, and Alan Flanagan touched down for a 8-5 lead. Mary’s came back with a penalty and the score remained 8-8 at halftime.
The seconed half opened with the sides trading penalties and the balance of the second half was played with the score at 11-11.
A Mary’s sinbinning gave Lansdowne a period of sustained pressure in the Mary’s 22, coming within inches of the line on several occasions, until a blocked kick by Mike Soden, brother of Polish prop Dave, was dived on by Dave Quigley for a try, converted to give Lansdowne an 18-11 lead.
Penalties were again traded by the sides to leave the score at the final whistle 21-14 to Lansdowne.
In a hard fought win against a side that has set the pace in the J2 league for two seasons, the J2’s proved that they are in the hunt for this years league. There is still much improvement in this side, and although the lineout functioned much better than the previous week, there is still room to get better in this area. The road to winners of the league will still go through Mary’s, Clontarf and Belvo, but with return matches against all of those clubs ahead, including both against the latter two before Christmas, the fate of this years league is very much in Lansdownes hands.
Blackrock are up next in Ballycorus, in what will be another difficult encounter with a former league winner.
Lansdowne team: 15 John Sparks 14 Art McCoy(Rob Becker 60 mins) 13 Rob McCarthy 12 Marc Flood 11 Max O'Flaherty 10 Dave Quigley 9 Shane Whelan 8 Alan Flanagan (Capt) 7 Dave McGuinness 6 Dave Burke 5 Mark O'Donnell 4 John Garry(Reg White 70 mins) 3 Dave Soden 2 Dave Tunney 1 Matt Steerman(Mikey Soden 50 mins)
Subs not used. Ed Lyons, Dereck Poppinga.
Scorers Dave Quigley (Try, 3 Pens, Con), Alan Flanagan (Try)
01/11/2009
Metro J2 League Round 3
Lansdowne FC 27 Terenure College RFC 8
The decision to move the Lansdowne J2’s game forward to a 12.30 kick off proved vital in a bonus point victory for the 3rds. With the weather holding up pre Katrina-esque conditions in the late afternoon, the J2’s were able to play some open running rugby, which resulted in three first half tries.
Two came from winger Daragh O’Neill who showed strong finishing, and one penalty try was awarded when Terenure took offence to centre Rob McCarthy’s fashioning of a Lansdowne jersey and obstructed him on a kick chase.
The second half proved to be scrappier than the first, but Lansdowne managed to seal the bonus point when a strong break from flanker Dave Burke and scrum half Shane Whelan was finished by Alan Flanagan.
There was good play all around, with good running by the forwards, and good handling by the backs. Lansdowne looked dangerous with turnover ball, but the lineout left the team wanting in terms of field position and retention.
All in all, considering that the team had not had a match in 3 weeks, a bonus point win in Lakelands was a great result.
The league will continue on Saturday against St. Mary’s, in what will prove to be a pivotal game if the 3rds are to challenge for the league.
