Big win for Cashel in Dublin in All-Ireland League victory over Blackrock College

ALL IRELAND LEAGUE DIVISION 2A

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 8 CASHEL 14

After the smash and grab draw achieved by Blackrock eight minutes into injury time on January 7 in Spafield, it was vital that Cashel came away from Stradbrook Road, Dublin on Saturday last with a result to keep pace with the leaders. They ultimately achieved this by scoring a try three minutes before the finish to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Cashel recently celebrated ten years as a senior club. Blackrock, on the other hand, are a proud club with senior status for 130 years and have produced many players who played for Ireland and the Lions.

For Cashel it was all hands to the pump in the first half to ensure the wind disadvantage did not leave them with a mountain to climb in the second half. They got stuck into their task early on and were awarded three penalties in the first four minutes. Working hard, they brought play into the Blackrock half but a penalty concession had them back defending on their own 22.

All eyes were on the first scrum as this area, surprisingly, cost Cashel dearly in the previous game. They more than held their own in the first scrum and continued to dominate this area for the rest of the game.

The backs, however, were caught offside and Blackrock went three points ahead with a penalty.
Three minutes later a clever Blackrock grubber kick was carried over their own line by Cashel, giving a five metre scrum to Blackrock. Cashel defended well and won a relieving penalty.

On 18 minutes Cashel lost their own ball in a lineout 20 metres out. Blackrock got a scrum and attacking on the blindside put their winger in for a try in the left corner. They missed the conversion, as the ball fell off the tee, and the kicker had to attempt the conversion with a drop goal.

Cashel were beginning to grow in confidence and they won two scrum penalties. Both were kicked superbly to touch by Ryan O’Sullivan and the hosts had a player sent to the bin. Cashel won the lineout and headed to the Blackrock line, going through many phases. When a gap appeared the ball was whipped out to Freddy Bergada and he beat two defenders to score. Ryan O’Sullivan converted.

At half time Blackrock led by 8 points to 7.

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The second half saw Cashel go on the attack early on and while they had plenty of possession they could not make any headway against a very solid and well-organised defence. Both teams had periods of dominace but both defences were holding firm.

Cashel continued their dominace in the scrum but Blackrock lorded it in the lineouts. Play went from end to end and in the difficult conditions both teams deserve credit for the entertainment they provided.

After 71 minutes Blackrock were awarded a penalty 22 metres out. They went for the three points but at the last moment the ball drifted wide in the wind.

At this stage Cashel had been reduced to 14 men for a high tackle. As time drifted on it looked like Blackrock were going to prevail. With three minutes left Cashel were awarded a scrum on the right side of the field 25 metres out. James Ryan picked quickly at the back of the scrum and made ten metres before he offloaded to Conor Cashman. Cashman made for the line and with two defenders hanging off him he dived over for a precious try. Ryan O’Sullivan, for the second week in a row, converted with an almost impossible kick, as he floated the ball out into the wind and brought it in over the black spot.

Blackrock were not finished and were given a lifeline when Cashel gave away two silly penalties in injury time. However, they held on bravely for a very important win.

Once again we saw two very good teams go head to head in a top quality game. For Cashel there were many heroes. The front row of Cormac O’Donnell, Niall Fitzgerald and Brendan Ryan won the front row battle and never took a step back. Brendan Crosse carried all day and Brian O’Connor added much-needed power in the second row following his return from injury. Wing forwards Ciaran Ryan and Liam Shine were rampaging right through. James Ryan at number eight was outstanding. He tackled and carried from start to finish and his break from the scrum to set up Conor Cashman for the try was a match-winning moment.

At scrum half Michael Hickey had a wonderful game. He fills in regularly for Josh Pickering and always turns in a top-class performance. Cashel are very lucky to have him in the squad. He just gets on with the job.

Ryan O’Sullivan is proving his versatility. He moved to outhalf from the wing, got his backline moving, kicked superbly to touch and his conversion at the end was a thing of beauty.

In the centre Ben Murray and Aidan McDonald defended well all day. Conor Cashman and Richard Kingston were very solid and Cashman worked hard to score the winning try. Freddy Bergada was assured at full back. He’s quick, has great feet and took his try at a vital stage in the first half. John Ed O’Connor made an appearance late in the game. He is on the wrong side of forty but is still superbly fit and well able to mix it with the younger players - an example of how to work hard and keep fit.

QUEENS UP NEXT
This was a vital win for Cashel as it narrowed the gap on Blackrock. However, Queens University had a bonus-point win and are now well ahead of the chasing pack. They play Cashel in Cashel this Saturday at 2.30 in another top of the table clash. It is an opportunity for all the Cashel supporters to come and cheer on their local team. It promises to be a classic.

Cashel team (1-21) C O’Donnell, N Fitzgerald, B Ryan, B Crosse, B O’Connor, C Ryan, L Shine, J Ryan, M Hickey, R O’Sullivan, R Kingston, A McDonald, B Murray, C Cashman (captain), A Bergada, K Murphy, J Evans, D O’Neill, J E O’Connor, P Leamy, J O’Rourke.