First XV need to pick up points

by RICHARD BLACK

WITH only five league games left, City of Armagh need to start picking up points. Last Saturday was a case in point.

Trailing by 7 points for the last fifteen minutes Armagh tried to get back in the game only to concede a late penalty. UCD were astute enough to know that they had to deprive the visitors from getting a losing bonus point and their scrum half duly converted to send Armagh home pointless.

City of Armagh had made a few changes from the Young Munster game, some of them positional. Shea O’Brien and Nigel Simpson came back from sickness with Shea going to his normal position of full back and Sam Cunningham going to the left wing. Mathew Hooks went back to the centre in Postlewaithe’s absence, leaving Dylan Nelson to go to the substitute bench.

Nigel went into openside and John Glasgow went back into the second row, leaving James Crummie to also sit on the bench. When Armagh eventually found their way to the UCD bowl, conditions were perfect, except for a soft pitch. Frank Murphy, the international referee was in charge and a tight game was expected. UCD had also a much changed side and had Leinster prop, Milne and second row, O’Tighearnaigh in the team, plus a number of last year’s Ireland under 20s in the side.

UCD went ahead after 3 minutes when scrum half Moloney slotted over a penalty. This was cancelled out 4 minutes later when O’Brien equalised. Armagh, however, were slipping off tackles and were certainly on the back foot for the first 25 minutes of the match. Milne showing excellent pace for a loose head prop, broke down the left wing, smashed through some weak defence and scored on the corner. This was unconverted. UCD scored a second try minutes later through Corkery, converted by Moloney so after 15 minutes Armagh were down 15-3.

An excellent break by scrum half Lewis Finlay nearly led to a try, but he was penalised very quickly for holding on as his support was slow to get to him.

UCD scored a third try to make it 22-3 and the writing really seemed to be on the wall when Tim McNeice, selected for the Ireland Clubs panel, had to go off with a head injury.

Dylan Nelson came on to the left wing, Cunningham reverted to full back and O’Brien went to centre. The shuffle seemed to galvanise Armagh and from a driving maul 7 metres out, Neil Faloon, playing in his 148th AIL match for Armagh, touched down. O’Brien converted to reduce the score to 22-10.

Armagh were now playing with much more confidence, with the forwards and back combining well. UCD were struggling with the drives from McNabney and the subtle breaks from O’Brien. Lewis Finlay was then awarded for his energy when he had a terrific snipe and chipped over the UCD defence, collected the ball and touched down under the posts. His try was converted by O’Brien to reduce arrears to 22-17.

UCD were somewhat relieved to hear the referee’s whistle to go into the halftime break 22-17 in front. The scores could have been even closer, but Armagh made a mess of a couple of attacking lineouts, when the ball failed to reach its target. There were also a couple of silly mistakes like crossing and offside from a knock on and this didn't help Armagh’s cause.

Armagh continued to up their game in the second half and the scores were brought level when Andrew Willis barged his way over in the corner on his 186th AIL appearance. The scoreline was now level at 22 all when UCD got in for a soft try following a 10 metre lineout. With a rehearsed move out, half Tarrant evaded the Armagh cover to score the bonus try. Moloney converted to bring the score difference back again to 7 points. Armagh tried everything to get back into the game but some of referee’s calls and use of advantage left the vocal Armagh support somewhat baffled.

The referee has the final call though on advantage and sometimes it works in your favour and sometimes it doesn’t. Saturday was not one of those days.

There was further frustration when Armagh again got an attacking lineout, only to have a crooked throw. Armagh had further chances and still looked the fitter side, but they gave away that penalty near the end and Moloney calmly kicked the 3 points to prevent Armagh getting the losing bonus. Not only not getting one point was disappointing but a fourth try would have given Armagh two points.

With the team only a point ahead of Shannon, this would have given the club a bit more breathing space. With only five games left, against leaders Clontarf, Cork Con, Lansdowne in the top 3 positions and Shannon and Dublin University below, the next few weeks is vital for their survival in Division IA.

The team and management were very disappointed to come away with nothing.

Coach Chris Parker said that the guys had enough opportunities to win this game but unfortunately they couldn’t take them. He believes that they can fix and improve on elements of their game and he looks forward to the challenge that league leaders Clontarf bring next week.