BECTIVE PREVAIL AGAINST CARLOW IN OAK PARK
September 29th, 2024 – A view from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD - 🐕
County Carlow FC 22 Bective Rangers FC 31
ROUND TWO of the Leinster League saw Bective prevail in a tight physical battle with County Carlow FC in Oak Park. With a later-than-usual kick-off time of 5.00 pm against last season’s Leinster League Division 1B champions, and both sides having lost their opening league games, Bective were in no doubt that a physical challenge was in store.
The match referee was Caián O’Flynn ARLB IRFU from Coolmine RFC and called both sides together for a minute's silence in honour of the late Jim Lawler who played in the Bective front row for over two decades. Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Air.
Carlow took the kick-off, and immediately Bective responded with a series of carries by the forwards for Conor Halpenny to box kick from inside the Bective half. His kick was fielded by Carlow who carried back to the 5m line for Bective to concede the first penalty. The resulting lineout and maul put Carlow’s Larry McGrath over the line for a try. The conversion by scrum-half Dan Crotty and Carlow lead 7 – 0 with only 4 minutes gone.
The Bective response was immediate – from the restart Carlow knock-on and Bective had a scrum on the Carlow 22. A quick feed and the ball switched from Conor Halpenny to Tim Carroll to the ever-ready Shane O’Meara who beat the Carlow cover to score a try. Mikey O’Hare added the conversion, and the score was 7 – 7.
From the restart, Carlow continued to press, but Bective stood firm. Great defence and counter-rucking saw James Gallagher kick the ball upfield, gather and offload for Tadhg O’Dwyer to score a try. Mikey missed the conversion, and with 10 minutes on the clock, it was now 7 – 12 to Bective.
For the next 10 minutes, Carlow continued to press the Bective defence, which stood firm and counter-rucked and frustrated the hosts. But after a series of penalties against Bective, 6 at this stage, with 23 minutes on the clock, the referee issued a verbal warning to Bective – Carlow opted for the kick to bring the score to 10 – 12.
As the game progressed it became more physical, resulting in stoppages and a series of slight injuries. On 33 minutes, following a series of strong driving plays by Gavin Kelly and Jamie Lawless, following a penalty for Bective, Gavin passed to his brother Connor to crash over the line for a try. Conversion by Mikey and we had Carlow on the rack with the score 10 -19 to Bective.
From the restart, Carlow were on the attack, Donagh Lawlor replaced Tadgh O’Dwyer and immediately conceded a penalty on the Bective 22, and was awarded a ‘team’ yellow card. Mathew Gilsenan retired due to a ‘ham-string’ problem and was replaced by Joe Quilter. With Bective down to 14 men, Carlow opted to scrum, but a dominant Bective scrum held firm and ran the clock down to halftime.
Half Time – County Carlow FC 10 (1) Bective Rangers FC 19 (3)
From the restart, Bective began to show their intent as they spread the ball fast and wide to stretch the Carlow defence. On 44 minutes, an injury to Joe Quilter, and he was replaced by the ever-green Bobby Holland - the back line began to move – and the tackles were made. On 50 minutes following the return by Donagh Lawlor, the pack forced a midfield turnover and a ‘quick hands’ pass to Shane O’Meara, sprinted unopposed from the halfway line to under the posts for a try. Micky added the points. 10 – 26 for Bective with the bonus point secured.
Time to close the game down – Carlow had other ideas, Bective were to withstand the Carlow attack and following advantage play by the referee, Dave McDermott, the hosts #13 was in for a try. With the conversion by scrum-half Crotty, the score was 17 – 26 to Bective.
A switch at hooker saw Luke Mion replaced by young David Kealy, who had a fine outing last week against Wicklow, but a series of penalties against Bective and they were back defending their line. A high tackle in midfield drew another penalty and the referee spoke to Bective’s captain again. Carlow went up the line, another penalty and another lineout, but the Bective defence stood firm. However, Carlow kept coming back until finally on an advantage play, #15 Carlow was in for a try. As there were now 8 penalties against Bective in the second half, they would have to finish the game with 14 players as Jamie Lawless was sent to the bin. Carlow missed the conversion, and the score was now 22 – 26 to Bective.
But back came Bective, following a lineout on the visitor's 22, with some great forward driving by the Bective pack following a strong scrum, assisted by Donagh Lawler and Tiernan McCloskey managed to turn the ball over. Some quick hands by Connor Halpenny led to a Carlow ‘slap-down’ – professional foul and #20 got a yellow card.
Both teams were now down to 14 men with 2 minutes remaining. Following a miss-firing lineout by Carlow, Oly Foote made a beautiful break from halfway, resulting in a penalty to Bective on the Carlow 5m line. With time now up, the call from the sideline was to tap and go. A strong carry by Conor Kelly, a quick pop by Connor Halpenny to Gavin Kelly and he was in for a try. Micky missed the conversion, but it was game over and the final score was 22 – 31.
Following two rounds of the Leinster League, the gap between top and bottom is 10 points, with Bective on 6 points. But as we all know this is a tough league with some very good well-coached teams. Thanks to the Bective coaching team of Ben Manion, Peter O’Donnell who has added a toughness to the pack and our own Rory O’Loughlin in his coaching of some fine back-line plays. This week we had some excellent performances, with Bobby Holland, Tim Carroll and Oly Foote as the pick of the backs. The Kelly brothers and James Gallagher, led by captain Tiernan McCloskey were shining lights for the forwards.
Next up – Bective 1st XV return to Donnybrook vs Athy RFC, on Saturday 12th October for a 2.00 pm Kick-off. Athy Rugby Football Club are one of the oldest rugby clubs in Ireland – founded way back in 1879.
Full Time – County Carlow FC 22 (3) Bective Rangers FC 31 (5)
Bective Rangers 1XV: 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Mikey O’Hare, 13 Craig Cantwell, 12 Matthew Gilsenan, 11 Shane O’Meara, 10 Oliver ‘’Oly’’ Foote, Capt. 9 Conor Halpenny, 1 Rory Mulvihill, 2 Luke Mion, 3 Conor Kelly, 4 Tadhg O’Dwyer, 5 Gavin Kelly, 6 James Gallagher, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey ©, 8 Jamie Lawless. Finishers: 16 David Kealy, 17 Tom Dever 18 Donagh Lawler, 19 Bobby Holland, 20 Joe Quilter. Scorers: Bective: Tries: Shane O’Meara - 2, Tadhg O’Dwyer, Gavin Kelly, Conor Kelly - 1; Cons: Mikey O’Hare -3
Referee: Ciarán O’Flynn ARLB IRFU – 2023/24 Holder of the Denis Collins Perpetual Award for Progressive Referee
