Last Saturday was a great day for Rugby in NUIM Barnhall. It kicked off early with over 200 Minis getting their Team Photos taken, while they got to see the Battle Harden Butchers warm up for their trilling Leinster Metro League Div 8 Playoff Final against Greystones RFC on Home turf.
It had been a tough League Campaign for the Blue Bulls as they battled through the 16 games season picking up only 2 loses along the way. They Went into Saturdays League Decider as firm favorites after topping the League and already defeating Greystones twice in the League, but as any Rugby player or coach will tell you, The Final is a different matter and it all comes down to want team turns up on the day and Greystones were here to play.
You couldn’t have asked for better weather on the day, The Sun was out and the wind was non existent and to top it off, it was Six Nations Final day. The mood was set, the Teams were ready, Game on!
Both Teams didn’t disappoint as it was 80 Minutes of back to back Rugby with Greystones Taking the Lead early with a breakaway try, leaving the Butchers to re-group get the nerves out of the system, Which they did beautifully as they came back strong with a Wonderful Shaun Evans Try and conversion and further Penalty to take the Lead going into the half. Greystones would not be done in so easy and proved what a tough side they are with some great handling in open play to break the Butchers Line on more than one occasion but each time the Butchers managed to scramble back with some great Tackles from the likes Gavin Woods and Jonathan Carberry with Counter Rucking lessons being provided by the “Bash Brothers” Ciaran and Conor Moloney, Greystones would have to throw the Kitchen Sink at the Blue Bulls to take back the lead. With some tactical changes from The Butchers Coaches seeing Albert Nagel and Jack “Old Man River” Looby coming off the bench to provide a wealth of Experience from 2 former 1st team players really showed as the home side really kicked into another gear and put away try after try with the likes of Gavin Woods and Jonathan Carberry and the boots of Gavin Delaney and Shaun Evans to was going to the Butchers Day in the Sun. Every Aspect of the Butchers game was on show in Parsonstown with some wonderful line out throwing form James Browne and Phil “Done it all before” Byrne with Shane Griffin and Jim Smith Getting Higher than the Dublin Spire the pack was in fine form.
With the Match Finishing Butchers 22 Greystones 15 it would be a great day at the office with the crowd informing our two Welsh Blow in’s Shaun Evans and Luke Ingleton that Wales had know taken a 26 lead over Ireland in the Six Nations, The pressure was know on the team to get the medals and get into the club house to Cheer on the Boys in Green.
Another Great Moment for our Club was watching Former NUIM Barnhall President and Leinster Past President Mr. Paul Deering handing the Cup to Butchers Captain Jim Smith.
As the Lads move onto the Cup in a few weeks, it will be a short lived celebration as the lads are back in Training this Tuesday for what hopes to be a long Cup Campaign coming up.
NUIM Barnhall RFC Butchers Team That faced Greystones in the Play off final
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| Substitute Positions | |
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| 16. | Jack Looby |
| 17. | James White |
| 18. | Eoin Stanley |
| 19. | Dave Walsh |
| 20. | Albert Nagel |
Well done to all involved in the Butchers from Everyone in NUIM Barnhall RFC
THE PRIDE, THE PASSION, THE BLUE.
