You Win or You Learn
“You win, or you learn”. That quote was never
more relevant than it was for our U15’s boys rugby team after we came out the
wrong side of our North Munster Schools Cup Final last Friday in Clanwilliam.
There is no point in reminiscing over all the little variables that may, or may
not have contributed to the final result. Doing so has never changed the result
of any match. What is important to reflect on however, is the standards these
boys have brought to rugby in the school.
Our focus over the last few weeks has been on absolute hard
work. The message we sold to the boys was that talent never won anything. They
now understand that hard work supersedes talent all day long and without it you
get nowhere in rugby. The work they put into our first half try took the effort
of all 15 players with Leon barging his way over the line, for what was a super
score.
When you are 10-5 down at half-time, you are absolutely
still in the game. But, when you are camped between their 10 meter and their
try line for the entire second half, you always expect to get the return you
deserve for your dominance. We just could not get over the line and David came
very close at the death. The effort and commitment these boys put into winning
that game last Friday was just brilliant to watch. This commitment was
epitomised by nobody more than our captain Tadhg who, after getting a bad knock
to his leg just before half-time, did all he could to play through the pain
barrier, but it was just too much of an ask. He was a huge loss for the second
30. They gave it everything and we could not have asked for anymore. The
Villiers jersey was on display and they promoted it with pride.
There is no silverware to display at the end of a good season,
but so much was achieved outside of that. Thomas is going to a final Munster
Clubs trial this Wednesday in U.L and he has the full support of all his
teammates. Tommy is probably our most improved player. Fahad seems to be
getting faster and Max’s leadership qualities sets him apart from any
opposition player he comes up against.
What gives me great hope for the future is that we have one
of the best 15yr old rugby players I have seen in years in Eoin. He dislocated
his thumb in a rugby match on Wednesday, got it popped back in, strapped it up
and just got on with it. 48 hours later he put in an utterly dominant
performance and battered everything that came his way in a Clonmel jersey. He
is one to watch for the future.
Unfortunately, it was not to be this time, but lessons were
learned and reputations were enhanced. There were tears at the end, but that
just shows how much they care. There is no shame in not winning a cup final in
that manner. These boys will have some great days in rugby. Last Friday was not
one of them, but down the line, they will reflect on that match and understand
that they gained so much from this performance.
We have already set a target for next season. This team is
going to put everything into qualifying for the Munster ‘A’ Schools Junior Cup.
Last October we just came up short against the schools rugby superpower in
Presentation Brothers Cork. There was only 4 points in it at the end of that
game. If we qualify for the Junior Cup next year, then we might just get an
opportunity to make up for that game.
Richie Mc’Caw is the greatest rugby player to have ever
played the game and he famously said, “I
don’t believe in luck. I believe in hard work”. These boys have that in
bucket loads.
16/04/2018
Exhausted is an understatement. But that’s what witnessing an exceptionally close cup match can do to you. As we faced Nenagh St. Joseph’s in The Cleary Cup semi-final today, we saw a game that was demanding on the players in both a mental and physical capacity.
Nenagh are a side with good skills and comparable work rate. While physically superior to us, we dominated them at the breakdown. Over the last few weeks the breakdown has been our main area of focus. Different techniques were introduced to the boys and they put them into practice on the pitch today with great effect.
Our forwards were a credit to themselves, their school and their upbringing. They were fearless against the bigger team. Our front row of Christian, Ross and Godwin showed determination, endurance, grit and passion in defence. In the second row David Keane and Victor won lineout ball, carried, passed, tackled and did everything asked of them for the 70 minutes. They were brilliant.
There is no doubt in my mind we have one of the best backrow units in U15’s schools rugby throughout Munster. Max, Thomas and Eoin were simply immense today. They epitomised teamwork. These boys are both dogged and skilled at the same. You couple that with an earnestness that would inspire some of the great names in the game, then you know you have something special at your disposal in these three boys.
Noah Patterson did not pass one ball out of place today. He was so accurate with his distribution and even managed a couple of snipes at the breakdown. Outside him, Doug Howell portrayed a sidestep that you just cannot coach. He left defenders in his wake with break after break. Our centres of Vincent and Glenn drove at their carriers and blitzed their line a number of times making huge ground. Our ¾ line of Diarmuid, Fahad and Tommy McDowell showed great instincts in carrying Nenagh’s kicks back towards their defensive line while leaving several defenders in their wake. Tommy 8’s getting better with every game and his confidence in growing more and more. Diarmuid will just throw himself at anything that comes his way. He portrays a toughness that contradicts his size. Guy came on at fullback at halftime and secured the back field area. He tidied up so much ball and was a great addition.
We had a number of standout moments in what was a thrilling match: Eoin McCormack’s try and overall dominant performance. He was simply brilliant. Fahad’s two tries and general mayhem causing jinking runs. Ross O’Shea performed a miracle tackle in the corner 1ft from our try line. He just worked and worked until he reached their winger and put in a tackle that forced a knock on at the line. It was a massive sigh of relief and a huge contributor to winning this nail biting schools cup semi-final. Max put in a hit towards the end of the match when the pressure was on. He drove their player back 3 yards and we turned over the ball. With 2 minutes left, it was a key.
Success does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work. Success is no accident. There are no secrets to success. It is the result of graft, learning from your losses and persistence in seeking perfection. What these U15’s boys have above all else is loyalty to one another. That is key to team success. The final is on the 13th of April. Their ability as rugby players will be tested that day, but do not question these boy’s loyalty and character. They have it in bucket loads. Friday the 13th! Will it be lucky for Villiers? Something tells me it will.
