Coolmine v Ratoath

What a morning for Rugby.... Sunshine,no wind and soft ground conditions made for a super game of rugby this morning in Coolmines ground... Over the last three weeks,our boys attitudes toward how they conduct themselves on and off the pitch, how they exert pressure on their opposition,support eachother in play and defence and have an inner belief in themselves has really begun to blossom this spring!!
We kicked off the game in the first half and didn't hang back in our tackling or aggressive rucking in order to win turn over ball and turn defence into attack....We had a compact pack for today's game,with only the 8 forwards available to us but together they were magnificent in their roles... From our front row in Tadhg,Mattieu and Sidney your ball carrying was the best it has been all season... You three showed great development in your control of your ball carrying and it was highlighted in the second half by a brilliant bit of skill shown by Tadhg as he ran across field in the back line and gave an offload ball to Darragh that Brian Ö Driscoll could only dream about.... Fantastic skill Tadhg! Mattieu,you took a lovely pass from a ruck and ran straight at a wall of purple and red and somehow managed to break through them and break the gainline... Tremendous strength shown by you in that break...
As for the other five forwards who acted like and are really all back row forwards,had the game by the scruff of the neck! From a superb catch and run from our captain,who ran half of the pitch only to be stopped by a great try saving tackle from Coolmine... Your control at the back of the scrum Calum was super and on more than one occasion during the game,you should and could have scored....To Donnacha's pick and go from the back of rucks and scrums... Exciting to watch...To Conor's direct line of running in attack and gainline breaks.... Like a runaway train Conor...To Adams "thief in the night" like ball robbing from his opposite number...You show great courage and heart in your game Adam,week in and week out....To Bríans overall attacking flare,with ball in two hands,side steps and strength in rucking....All topped of with a superb try from a tap and go on Coolmines 22 line....All of these boys bring something positive to the table every week and they our certainly one of the best forward packs in Leinster.
As for our backs, today you performed to a very high standard indeed... The only bad thing about it,is that I'll be expecting that from now on,in future games lads.... Evun,you played a great attacking game today... Made some lovely breaks and off loaded the ball at the right time.. You have found great strength in putting your opposite number under pressure in scrums and forcing him to make mistakes. Keep up the good work!!! Jack,you had a dream game at 10... You took your try brilliantly because you used your eyes and head and saw where the space was to attack..... You and Evun get better in every game as half backs and are developing a lovely partnership in your passing and positioning.... Well done Jack.
We had Ray and Cian in the centers today and together held the back line very well..... Good communication and awareness helped keep Coolmines attacks to a minimum and you both supported eachother in the manner I've come to expect....Cian,you made some lovely breaks throughout the game,no more so than the one in the first half which led to Lewis's try..... Game changer play...
Ray you were denied your try but in our minds that was as good a score that will never be allowed.... Positive play and attacking flare all comes from believing in yourself and being a team player... That's what opened the gate for you today Ray and you should be proud of yourself....
Our three wingers today,Matthew,Darragh and Dean got more ball today than they have over the last 3/4 games. It's a game of patience on the wing lads... You have to rely on the rest of your back line to run a ball,pass a ball and make sure that they don't forget you! Darragh,you certainly had a much busier game this morning... Great to see you run so freely but always remember to try and back yourself for speed on the outside of your opposite number instead of cutting back inside to where you can get caught.... You were unfortunate too,not to get over the line in the first half... Dean Leacy,even with your injured thumb,you played a superb game.... You are learning the game at a very fast rate of knots and God knows how good you will be next season... Great handling of the ball,direct running had your opposite number beaten and defensively you are getting better and better.... Well done Dean....
Matthew Collins received some good ball today and you've shown us that your training is paying off.... You took some great ball into attack and you never lost it when you were tackled.... Believe in yourself Matthew when you receive that pass and run into space... Well done young lad... Lewis Nolan went to fullback today and made his presence felt almost immediately... You had a cracking first half(only half) today.... 3 tries in any game is a great achievement.... I've asked to work on your defence and today you showed that you have.... You chased down Coolmines player to tackle him when all hope seemed lost in reaching him,put the tackle in to slow him down but he was too close to the line to be eventually stopped by our captain Calum.... Well done Lewis on a wonderful half game of rugby and for your understanding of changes that were made today.....
Overall boys it has been a great day in the office.... We still have a fair bit of work to cover for next weeks match at home but enjoy today's win for what it is.... A Team Win!!! A massive thanks goes to Steven (Coolmines coach ) and his boys for contributing to today's game.... They are a credit to your coaching staff,to your club and to rugby itself.... Thanks a million to our parents for their unconditional devotion to their boys and the support they bring to the sideline...... Absolutely smashing!!!!
Man to the Match for today's game goes to Lewis,Tadhg and Jack.....
I'll see you all on Wednesday night boys....