Match Report: Connemara v Barnhall 11-10-08
Connemara V Barnhall 11-10-08
We traveled to Barnhall on Saturday in the knowledge that we had a fair chance of collecting some points from this encounter. After all we were within 3points of Barnhall when we met in the AIB cup only 2 weeks ago in the Monastery field.
Then again an away match in the AIL league against a team just down from division 2 is never easy. The game started a lively pace and Barnhall looked like they were going to be a hand full but within 3 minutes of the start we won a penalty in a very kickable position and Sean Joyce stepped up and put us on the score board. This was an important kick and set the trend as in the 5th and 8th minute he repeated the procedure Connemara 9-0 up and the missed kicks the previous week now a dim memory
Barnhall were finding it difficult to come to grips with the new rules and the Referee was very determined to implement the rules .Barnhall were playing well but continued to fall foul of the ref.
However we were finding Barnhalls pack difficult enough to handle and their backs were always looking dangerous and when Mark Foyle had to be replaced with an injury it was a worrying times for us and in the 17min Barnhall put a lot of pressure on our line and when a Sean Joyce’s attempted clearance was blocked down and with men over Colm Dufficy crossed for an easy try.
That left the score 12-5 and Barnhall now looking like they were coming back into the game.
This was Barnhall’s best period. The new laws caused problems again for the home team and on 30min after coming under pressure they gave away a needless penalty and Sean Joyce made them pay with another fine kick slotted over Leaving the score 12-5 which was how the half ended.
This was a good lead but Barnhall always had the capacity to stretch us so no one was taking anything for granted at this stage
The second half started with us taking the game to Barnhall and trying to extend the lead. Barnhall continued to fall foul of the ref and over all they gave away 26 penalties
The Connemara pack were now getting on top and in the 25min of the second half Sean Joyce slotted over a drop goal after some good forward play.
At 15-5 Connemara stuck to there task and in the 34min were rewarded with a well taken try by Peter O Toole after good work from the pack and a perfect pass from Gary Conroy left the score 20-5 . At this stage Barnhall were rattled and Sean Joyce added 2 more penalties in the 37th and 40th min 26-5 to Connemara
This was just what we needed an away win and with 2 home matches coming up this will restore confidence after what might be seen as a slip up in their first outing against Sundays well.
A big home crowd could be what is needed to see if we can continue overcome Suttonians who were 15-12 winners in Barnhall the previous week.
Saturday’s game kick offs 2.30
