Friday 30th November

In spite of an excellent opening 15 minutes and an encouraging last five minutes of sustained attack, our J3’s couldn’t recover from extended lack lustre period in the middle of the game, notable for tackling that can best be described as “experimental”.

As always, however, there was much to be encouraged by. Great individual performances from the likes of Aaron Grogan (scoring a classic scrum half try, with a sniping 30 metre break down the blindside) Ludvic “Ludo” Amblard’s, heroic work rate (and low penalty count!) and fantastic counter attacks from Rob Manning.  There were also periods of sustained and varied phase play which show the benefits of great coaching and how far the group has come since September.

Always worrying to see a player carried off “on his shield” and all the more so when it’s the captain, John Flynn.  But the good news is that after Xrays and a nice long wait in Vincent’s Emergency Department, there were no breaks and Flynner was sent home.  Sore ligaments for a while, no doubt, but nothing too serious hopefully. Special thanks to candidates for Club Man/Person of the Month, Sean “Drics” O’Driscoll, Paddy “Halpo” and Orla “Orla” Doolin (the physio) for accompanying Flynner to the hospital. Get well soon Flynner.