Colaiste Chill Mhantain complete development cup double

December 20, 2016 4:08 pm Elma Beirne

The Athy boys came into this without lock Tom Henry and centre Ryan Foley. This did not stop them taking control from the kick-off to establish territory and move the ball left and right.

Centre Aaron Rowan was a source of danger, creating the space for left wing Peter Doyle to career over for the first try in the seventh minute.

Out-half Ben Purcell was not immune to putting boot to ball and an intelligent kick forced a lineout for Athy.

The pressure valve was released when they could not connect in the air.

The ground work of second row Edward Owens was good enough for a turnover to keep Athy in the right area.

They were met with strong defence from Wicklow as centres Daniel Rooney and Jamie Noble made their presence felt.

It took a monster breakout from CCM captain Cormac Fenton to turn the tide.

When he was taken down by a high tackle, full-back Aaron Byrne stepped up to fire over the penalty in the 18th minute.

The enterprising attitude of Ardscoil meant they were never slow to move the ball even from a tap penalty.

Their collective approach was countered by the individual threats from CCM, identified by out-half Malachy Stone’s 50-metre break brought to a conclusion by Rowan’s try-saving tackle.

When Wicklow tried to turn the screw, Doyle took the gamble of going for the interception which paid a handsome dividend of seven points from his 80-metre dash and Rowan’s conversion for 12-3 in the 25th minute

There was little time to soak it in as Stone’s weaving run was improved by centre Noble’s cutback against the grain for a try converted by Byrne to narrow the gap to two in the 28th minute.

Immediately, Fenton took off from deep inside his half for a wonder try which took him through and around the defence to capture the lead (15-12) for the first time on half-time.

Wicklow were quickly back into their rhythm, centre Rooney dancing past tacklers and Stone stepping inside for a superb try in the 32nd minute.

It was swinging one way then the other as Rowan bashed to the line and converted to make it a one-point game.

They were back in front when captain Rowan took the ball on and Purcell twisted to the whitewash for 24-10 in the 40th minute.

The Kildare boys turned down a certain three points for Rowan to tap-and-go yet again.

The ruck was recycled for right wing Thomas Keane to fly around the outside for 29-20 in the 47th minute.

CCM were always capable of a piece of individual brilliance, their out-half Stone taking off not once but twice for a remarkable try to leave four points in it.

Straight away, centre Jamie Noble repeated the trick by flirting with the touchline before cutting infield for a try converted by Byrne for 32-29 in the 63rd minute.

It didn’t end there. Rowan was held up over the line as the clock turned red to signal wild celebrations from the Wicklow boys.

At Donnybrook – CHILL MHANTAIN 32 (M Stone, J Noble 2 tries each; C Fenton try; A Byrne pen, 2 cons); ARD SCOIL NA TRIONOIDE 29 (P Doyle 2 tries; A Rowan try, 2 cons; B Purcell, T Keane try each)

COLAISTE CHILL MHANTAIN:

15. Aaron Byrne

14. David Tyrell-Browne

13. Daniel Rooney

12. Jamie Noble

11. Caolan Mooney

10. Malachy Stone

9. Fionn Luddy

1. Hal Fitzgerald

2. Andrew Murray

3. Aaron Canterbury

4. Josh Griffin