Bective subdue a spirited Athy with 5 first half tries
Athy RFC 19 Bective Rangers FC 32
The Showgrounds, January 11, 2025 – A view from the ‘side-line’ by OMAHD 🐕
ROUND Ten Leinster League D1A – Bective Rangers FC produced a dominant first-half performance, scoring five tries to establish a commanding lead over Athy RFC. Despite a spirited second-half comeback from the home side, Bective’s structured play, disciplined defence, and incisive attack ensured they left The Showgrounds with a 32-19 victory.
While Bective demonstrated their superiority in open play and set-pieces, the match was not without its challenges. Both teams received multiple yellow cards for high tackles and persistent infringements. However, Bective’s resilience, even when temporarily reduced to 13 men, proved critical in securing the win.
Bective opened the scoring after an impressive sequence of 10 phases that tested the Athy defence. Oly Foote eventually found a gap and crossed for the try. Mikey O’Hare missed the conversion, leaving the score at Bective 5-0
Athy responded quickly. Inside centre Tom Sheedy (#12) made a clean break through the Bective defence, running in under the posts to score. Sheedy added the conversion himself, putting Athy ahead at Athy 7-5.
Bective suffered an early injury setback as their captain, Tiarnan McCloskey, left the field with a hand injury. Donagh Lawler came on as his replacement.
But a minute later Athy’s Niall O’Hanlon was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, leaving his team a man down. Bective capitalized on the numerical advantage almost immediately. Gavin Kelly powered over for a try, and Mikey O’Hare made no mistake with the conversion. Bective 12-7.
On the 16th minute, Bective extended their lead as Jamie Lawless finished off a slick backline move to score another try. Mikey O’Hare missed the conversion, but Bective were now firmly in control at Bective 17-7.
Bective continued to dominate possession and territory, with Mattie Keane scoring their fourth try of the half. The conversion was missed by O’Hare. Bective 22-7.
The Bective pack continued their dominance when Gavin Kelly completed a strong half for himself and his team with his second try, benefiting from excellent offloading play by the Bective forwards. Mikey O’Hare converted to give Bective a commanding half-time lead. Bective 29-7.
Half-Time Score: Athy 7 - 29 Bective
The second half started with some disciplinary issues for Bective. Mattie Keane was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, giving Athy an opportunity to regain momentum.
Athy capitalized on the man advantage as Darragh Farrell (#11) finished off a well-constructed move to score in the corner. However, Tom Sheedy missed the difficult conversion. Bective 29-12.
Athy continued to force the game with some slick backline moved by Callan Carbery, brother of international Joey, but Bective restored their lead with a penalty kick from Mikey O’Hare after Athy were penalized at the breakdown. Bective 32-12.
Athy fought back valiantly, with Tom Sheedy adding his second try of the match. He converted it himself, narrowing the gap to Bective 32-19.
On 68 minutes, Bective’s discipline faltered again, with Connor Kelly shown a yellow card for persistent infringements and this was follower on 74 minutes when Bective were reduced to 13 players temporarily when Matthew Gilsenan was also sent to the sin bin for foul play. Despite this, Athy were unable to make further inroads.
Bective Rangers' clinical first-half performance and well-drilled attack proved decisive in their victory over Athy RFC. Despite a second-half resurgence by Athy, including standout performances from Tom Sheedy and Darragh Farrell, the home side was unable to bridge the gap. Bective's early dominance and ability to withstand Athy’s pressure, even while down to 13 players, secured them a well-earned win.
This match showcased Bective Rangers structured and clinical play, highlighting their credentials as league leaders, while Athy’s spirited efforts reflected their potential to challenge stronger sides.
Next up - Bective Rangers welcome Ashbourne RC to Donnybrook on Saturday, January 18, 2025, with a 2:30 pm kick-off. Bective, sitting atop the league table, will look to extend their unbeaten streak against Ashbourne, who remain at the bottom of the standings.
Final Score: Athy RFC 19 (3) – 32 (5) Bective Rangers FC
Bective Rangers 1XV: 15 Tim Carroll, 14 Mikey O’Hare, 13 Matthew Gilsenan, 12 Bobby Holland, 11 Craig Cantwell, 10 Oliver ‘’Oly’’ Foote, 9 Conor Halpenny, 1 Luke Mion, 2 Scott Barron, 3 Rory Mulvihill, 4 Ger Warde, 5 Gavin Kelly, 6 Tiarnan McCloskey ©, 7 Mattie Keane, 8 Jamie Lawless.
Finishers: 16 Rodrigo Gens,17 Tadhg O’Dwyer, 18 Donagh Lawler, 19 Connor Kelly, 20 Shane O’Meara.
Scorers: Bective: Tries: Shane O’Meara, Oly Foote, Jamie Lawless - 1; Cons: Mikey O’Hare -3; Pen: Mikey O’Hare – 1.
Referee: Simon Crooks ARUB IRFU – Ballymena RFC
