Mullingar RFC's men's teams record impressive away wins in Newbridge

Mullingar RFC 48 Newbridge RFC 5

Following a good win last week Mullingar faced Newbridge on their first away match of the season.

There were several changes to the Mullingar team from last week with Cian Cleary replacing the injured Arthur Brabazon at scrum-half, while Ben Glennon came off the bench to replace the injured Donal McGovern. Anthony McGivney started on the wing in place of David Lynam. The weather was also much changed from the previous week with this match played in glorious autumn sunshine.

The first score of the match went to Mullingar. Captain Paul Maxwell made a typical break up the middle of the pitch and Newbridge conceded a penalty at the breakdown on the 5m line. Mullingar took a tap penalty, but turned the ball over in contacts. However, when Newbridge tried to play out from their own 22, Daryl Quinn managed to intercept the ball and scored under the post. Matias Pfaff after the conversion to make the score 7 - 0.

The second score also fell to Mullingar. From the kick-off they applied good pressure in defence and Paul Maxwell managed to win a penalty when he jackled the ball at the ruck. Matias Pfaff kicked the penalty from just inside the 10-meter line to make the score 10 - nil.

From the kickoff, Newbridge initially penned Mullingar back into their own half, but Matias Pfaff made a good clearance kick into Newbridge territory. The forwards applied pressure at the lineout and managed to win a scrum and from the resulting scrum Mullingar moved the ball from right to left and Conor Gibney offloaded to find Anthony McGivney who crossed in the corner. The score was now 15-0.

However, Mullingar wasn’t having it all their own way, along a sustained period of pressure from Newbridge with multiple pick and go's eventually breeched the Mullingar defence to make the score 15 - 5.

From the kickoff, Newbridge spilled the ball and from the resulting scrum Anthony McGivney made several yards and a strong carry by Sean Cronin opened up the blindside where his scrum-half Cian Cleary found Matias Pfaff who scored in the corner. Pfaff also added the conversion to make the score, 22–5.

Mullingar added another try before halftime. Some good pressure on a Mullingar ruck caused the ball to squirt out, but Cian Cleary quickly regathered and popped to Sean Cronin, who beat two defenders and then used all of his 6-foot 3-inch frame to reach for the line and touch down under the post.

At half-time, Matthew Bruton replaced Hugh Rock at hooker and Mullingar continued in the same vein as the first half. Conor Gibney made a strong carry before offloading to Matias Pfaff, further carries by McGivney and Cronin took the ball deep into the Newbridge 22 where Cian Cleary swept the ball away to Daryl Quinn, who offloaded to Alan Brabazon, who crossed the line for another try. Matias Pfaff made the conversion to make the score 36–5.

Next was perhaps the move of the match, Jack Boyan turned the ball over on the Mullingar 5m line and beat two defenders to make it all the way to the half line. He then passed to Anthony McGivney who uncharacteristically passed the ball back inside to Conor Gibney. It looked like Mullingar must score a try but a knock-on at the base of the ruck allowed Newbridge to regroup, however, one of the Newbridge defenders was offside. Mullingar took a penalty quickly and Conor Gibney crossed the line to score again.

Conor Gibney added further try to make the final score, 48–5.

Mullingar will be happy with their start to the league but they know there will be bigger challenges ahead and several improvements will need to be made. But they now have a rest week before they travel away to face Coolmine who are genuine contenders to win the league.

1. Ben Glennon, 2. Hugh Rock, 3. Chris Fox, 4. Luke Finegan, 5. Daryl Quinn, 6. Sean Cronin, 7. Paul Maxwell (C), 8. Niall Hannon, 9. Cian Cleary, 10. Ben McCarthy, 11. Anthony McGivney, 12. Alan Brabazon, 13. Conor Gibney, 14. Conor Moore, 15. Matias Pfaff, 16. Matthew Bruton, 17. Ed Nally, 18. Alan Naughton, 19. Jack Boyan, 20. David Lynam. Player of the Match - Sean Cronin

J2s Pick Up Impressive First Win

Our Senior J2 side got their first win of the season with an impressive win in Newbridge. Kicking off at 1.30pm, Mullingar got the perfect start with some strong phases of possession and picking up a try within the first quarter. Following strong carries from Kevin Smith, Ciaran Geoghegan, Danny Gilleran, Jack Greally and David Lynam, veteran Killian "Cheddar" McNay barrelled over the line dragging Newbridge players with him, for Mullingar's first try. The lads continued their strong efforts with a further penalty and another try before half-time.

Newbridge however had their say, and had a very good purple patch in the 2nd half picking up a number of tries to leave 10 points in it, going into the last 10 minutes. But strong defence held Newbridge out and off a good line-out, with solid attacking phases, Mullingar picked up another try to seal the win with the last play of the game.

The lads will be pleased with the win following last season's struggles, and the impressive performance and to add a further five men making their club debut and senior debut, it can only bode well for the coming weeks.

Try Scorers: Darragh Cunningham, Cheddar, Dan Gilleran, Eoghan Murray, Louis Greene.

1. Niall Doonan, 2. Kevin Smith, 3. Ciaran Geoghegan, 4. Killian McNay, 5. Terry Whyte, 6. Daniel Gilleran, 7. Jack Greally, 8. Daniel Farrell, 9. Darragh Cunningham, 10. Luke Kelly, 11. Eoghan Murray, 12. David Lynam, 13. Will Pettit, 14. Alan O’Donoghue, 15. Lee Ryan, 16. Tony Doolan, 17. Shane Cunningham, 18. Lee Lyons, 19. Steve Baker, 20. Ross Tormey, 21. Louis Greene, 22. Robbie Landers, 23. Cody Finnane. Player of the Match - Killian "Cheddar" McNay