Mullingar Under 18s miss out

Mullingar came into this game with only one loss way back last September which was a fantastic record but they were playing a Wicklow team with an even better record with no defeats this season so far.So with Mullingar as massive underdogs a lot of people were expecting Mullingar just to make up the numbers but this Mullingar set of players, their coaches and mentors had another idea.The plan in training was to take to Wicklow from the kick off and that is exactly what they did. For the first 20 minutes there was only one team playing rugby with some fantastic work rate from the Mullingar forwards. Patrick Simpkin and John Hughes were taking ball on over and over, with excellent rucking by Jordan Gillmor, Sean Gunn and Colin McCormack. The lineouts were all working fantastic with Robbie Bourke hitting his excellent jumpers, Daragh Daly and Adam Karoum. Mullingar were winning everything in the air, on the ground and in the tackle. Wicklow did not know what hit them and it was in this 20 minutes that Mullingar needed to convert possession to points on the board but in fairness to Wicklow they defended everything that was thrown at them.The one outstanding break was made 10 minutes into the match with a flat ball putting Aaron Connolly clean through but he was stopped just short of the line illegally by the Wicklow player and the penalty was converted by Stuart Flynn. After this initial 20 minutes though Mullingar sat back a bit and let Wicklow get into the game and with the wind behind them they kicked into Mullingar"s 22 a lot and from scrum and lineout they put their big men smashing on the inside.Mullingar were fantastic in defence with Stuart Flynn and Alan Brabazon smashing tackles in the centre of the field but Mullingar were guilty of a panic situation and after turning their ball over a few times we failed to settle and allow our outhalf to clear the lines. This left Wicklow, who had started to panic, get settled in our 22. Eventually, with Adam Karoum, Patrick Simpkin and Alan Brabazon had putting their bodies on the line over and over again, the Wicklow pack got an overlap and their inside centre ran in a try which was duly converted just before the half time leaving the score 7 to 3 to Wicklow. With only five minutes to half time Mullingar had to hold out with no more scores but they conceded a penalty in front of their posts to leave the score 10 to 3 in favour of Wicklow at the break.The Mullingar coaching staff would have been totally happy in general with the first half as they did not let the huge Wicklow pack bully them and at this stage they introduced their big man, Jonathan Cribbin and brought him on to steady the scrum which was going backwards all the time. The tactic for Mullingar was to play the second half in the Wicklow half but unfortunately Mullingar never really got good ball for Stuart and every time he did Wicklow kicked back at Mullingar. Our full back and wingers never had it easy so Wicklow were now in command and after they had been held up on our line on a number of occasions with players like Damien Moran and Kevin Pyke and David Butler not allowing them touchdown Wicklow started to get nervous as although they were 10-3 up they could not get any more points on Mullingar.They were always worried of Mullingar super back line and quick thinking players. They seemed to be aware that if players like Aaron Connolly and Robert Allen got ball wide they would run the length of the pitch so they were very cute with their scrum half having a huge game making sure it was kept close in where their power was. It was after pounding after pounding of their forwards that Mullingar eventually caved in and they missed two tackles and Wicklow went in the corner for another try. They missed the conversation but with only three minutes left they felt it was done and dusted.Mullingar sent on Philip Butler, Ronan Scally and Owen McCormack. Patrick Simpkin the captain, led the charge taking ball after ball on and Wicklow started to get a taste of their own medicine as our big forwards crashed into them over and over Then all of a sudden it was a different Mullingar side making ground on every take and eventually after super work by Simkin and Karoum, Stuart Flynn went in for Mullingar"s first try.Suddenly a comeback was on the cards and the crowd were excited. Flynn converted the try thinking there was more time for yet another late surge but alas the referee blew the whistle after his kick and Mullingar"s dream was over.The players and coaches were distraught as we feel if there was just a little more time in the game we could have had them. However, on the balance of play the better team may have edged it and on this day the better team on the day won. So with the Cup now starting, which is even more important, the lads need to get back together knowing that if the draw goes to form these 2 teams will meet again in the final of this competition and if there are good numbers at training and these guys believe in themselves and are prepared to put 100% in they know they can beat this fantastic Wicklow side. The lads will do well to remember that last year"s beaten league finalists went on to beat Wicklow in the Cup Final.All of Mullingar RFC is proud of this team and that showed in the numbers that turned out to support. It shows there is a good future in Mullingar if these lads continue to learn and develop their undoubted skills that they have. It"s been too long since Mullingar have been in Donnybrook and the first time our 18s have been to the League Final. We need to make a habit of making finals and to be the club who always are at Donnybrook. So these lads have lifted the club by being that team who have brought us back to Donnybrook and they can do it again if we are prepared to work hard. So lads let"s get back training this Tuesday and Friday night and with our first round of the cup to take place on Saturday morning at 12 noon in North Kildare let"s get back to the winning team we are and get this train going again.The Man of the Match award has to go to Patrick Simkin in the way he lead his team but Adam Karoum equally put his body on the line over and over again and was all over the pitch so that must be noted as well.Mullingar Team : Colin McCormack, Sean Gunn (Jonathan Cribbin 35), Robert Bourke (Owen McCormack 65), Jordan Gillmor, John Hughes, Adam Karoum, Patrick Simpkin (Captain), Daragh Daly, David Butler (Philip Butler 55 blood and 65), Stuart Flynn, Kevin Pyke, Alan Brabazon, Aaron Connolly, Damien Moran (Ronan Scally 65), Robert Allen, Ronan Scally, Philip Butler, Jonathan Cribbin, Shane Heffernan, Eoin McCormack, Stephen Woods, Aaron ClarkeNext weekend sees both the 18s and 16s in cup action, with the 16s away to Dundalk, who played in the U 16s Leinster final on Sunday before the 18s final and were beated 10-5 by Navan. Undoubtedly this will be a tough task for the 16s away to the Leinster finalists, but their performances have been improving over the last few weeks and hopefully they win on Saturday.The mini teams are gearing up to their Midland qualifiers in the next few weeks with the 10s and 12s qualifiers on March 21st in Mullingar and the 11s qualifier in Birr on next Sunday 15th March. The U 11s had a trip to Drogheda yesterday to play Boyne in preparation for the Birr games.Next Saturday sees one team from the 8s, 9s, 10s and 12s will travel to Virginia with the bus leaving at 10.00 from the club.FixturesNext weekend"s fixtures are;Under 18s Cup game away to North Kildare KO 12 noon, Under 16s Cup game away to Dundalk KO 11am, Under 14s Friendly being arranged, Under 13s North East league v. Balbriggan time and venue TBC, Under 8s, 9s,10, and 12s Away to Virginia, bus leaves at 10am Under 11s Sunday - Midland qualifier away in Birr, bus leaves at 9am.Under 12The Mullingar Under 12s had a busy week. We are now training at 6pm every Wednesday evening for one hour as well as Saturday morning at 10.30am as we prepare for the Leinster Qualifiers on Saturday, March 21 in Mullingar. With competition for places hotting up, the training is gaining intensity with each session.Last weekend half the squad trained in Mullingar and the other half made the short journey to Moate where they played a game. The training went well in Mullingar where the session involved a lot of ball work and ended with a 7 a side match, which was very competitive.The game in Moate was played in poor weather condition with constant rainfall on a heavy pitch. This was going to be a real test of character for these lads. We agreed to play three 10 minute games.All the games were played with a high skill level from both backs and forwards.The level displayed was such that we had no handling errors from our backline in the games overall and we only conceded two penalties. The forward play was solid and every forward gave 100% in what were atrocious conditions. The scrum was solid and the lineout functioned well, we won all our own ball and stole some opposition ball. The backs played well as a unit. They defended in a line and made some bone crushing tackles. Also with the ball in hand they moved the ball along the line to the wing where we did all the damage. Overall this was the best team performance for some time.Each of the three games were tight affairs and great credit must be given to a very spirited Moate team who never gave up. Also we thank Moate for the hospitality shown and the food served after the matches.The full squad that travelled to Moate was Roy Cleary, Fionn Daly, Bobby Gonoud, William Hayes, Sean Kennedy, Donal Liddy, Edward Nally, Jacob Powles, David Raleigh, Kevin Smith, Colm Hogan, James Butler, Sam Duncan, Eoin Duncan, Kevin Smith.