The Tribesmen were the eventual winner against perennial title challengers, The Dublin City Exiles, in a pulsating, nail biting contest in Ashbourne Rugby Club last Saturday. A defeat would have meant an abrupt end to the 2016 campaign whilst now, after winning the game, the Tribesmen extend their season by at least one more game in a mouth watering clash against the Athboy Longhorns next Saturday in the Republic Of Ireland final.
The game began with the typical fiery challenges between both sets of forwards with Andrew Atonio and Sean O’Gorman making the yards for the Tribesmen. The first penalty of the game occurred as early as the 4th minute, awarded to the Tribesmen. However, the men from the west failed to capitalize on any advantage and the first try came from the Exiles on the 13th minute. With the conversion missed, the Exiles led by 4 points. This lead didn’t last for long though, with Jacob Spargo striking back on the 18th minute for the Tribesmen and with the conversion secured by the reliable boot of Peter O’Neill, the Tribesmen were ahead by 6 points to 4. Around the 20 minute mark the Tribesmen made a couple of key substitutions introducing Patrick Curran and Jason East, both of whom made a massive impact, particularly the big prop forward Jason East who made a 40 metre dash up the touchline brushing aside any obstacles in his way. The Tribesmen further extended their lead on the 22nd minute through Colm Neary, which was once again converted by Peter O’Neill, this gave the Galway men a lead of 12-4.
The rest of the first half saw a period of dominance by the Exiles who crossed the white wash three times without any reply and with two conversions secured this gave them a lead of 20-12. The Exiles were further boosted by two yellow cards shown to the Tribesmen in quick succession, firstly to Conor Mackey for a shoulder charge and the second being shown to Peter O’Neill for holding down in the tackle. This meant that the Tribesmen were down to 11 men as the half time break approached and it was against the odds that fullback Eaton Maloney scored for the Tribesmen in the dying seconds of the half, and with the 2 points from the resulting conversion, the scores at half time was 20-18 to the Exiles
As play resumed for the second half, the Exiles should have made their numerical advantage count as the two Tribesmen in the sin bin waited to rejoin the action, but the Galway men managed to hang on and avoid conceding during this period. With the full compliment restored, the Tribesmen pressed on and scored again with Eathon Moloney registering his 2nd try. With Peter O’Neill scoring the conversion this gave the Tribesmen a lead of 24-20.
With a place in the final at stake, both teams tried everything in their respective repertoires’ to gain the ascendancy, and it was the Exiles who struck next with a try out wide. With the conversion missed this put the scores at 24 points each. The tension in the air was palpable as the clock ticked down, and faced with the prospect of extra time if the score remained the same, which neither team was relishing after this high octane encounter, both team were desperately looking for that one last score.
The deadline was broken with just two minutes left on the clock, when the Exiles conceded a penalty in a kickable position. Peter O’Neill kept his nerve to slot over the kick to give to the Tribesmen a two point lead. The lead was further cemented when Conor Mackey crashed over from close range in the last minute of the game to give the Tribesmen a six point lead. This made the score 30-24 to the Tribesmen and this was the final score.
The Tribesmen now sail forward into unchartered waters next Saturday when they take on Athboy Longhorns in the Republic Of Ireland final. Should they be successful in this challenge, they will then take on the best that Northern Ireland has to offer in the All Ireland final in Bray, Co Wicklow the following week. Kick off on Saturday for the Republic Of Ireland final is at 2pm at Ashbourne Rugby Club, Co Meath.