Chanel 1st Years come so close to knocking out Mount Temple.
By Hector McThug, Coolock Correspondent
Chanel debutant 1st year rugby side played with great courage and pride in Clontarf RFC yesterday. Led by the hard-running Mikey Webster they tore into the opening match and scored four tries in all. Craig MacMahon was very reliable at scrum-half but Chanel were slow to push up and close down space in a line. Despite brave efforts from Blake Byrne and Patryk Martins, Chanel went down by a try to old rivals St David’s. Tackle of the match- Webster! (The lad still hasn’t come back to earth!)
The second game was a feistier affair. Chanel tore into their more fancied Mount Temple opponents and had them rattled when they went over for two early tries. At this stage the tackling was full of intent. Darryl Fay impressed with his aggression and heart as did Exauce and Alvaro. Aaron Cullen began to hit a few rucks and Kyle Tyrell began to get busy. Chanel tired in the sun as the game entered the final quarter. Despite great rumbles and tackles from Alvin Abraham, Chanel lost narrowly in the final minutes.
The final game was hard work. An exhausted Chanel battled hard just to stay in touch against St Paul’s Raheny, a rugby school. Jauca, Stiles and Brereton tried hard as did Ruben Griffin. But too many times, lads missed tackles or avoided making them. The players were just exhausted from the physical battles.
The final game saw a wonder try from Darryl Fay as the Chanel lads had one last charge.
Chanel left everything on the pitch and can be very proud of their efforts. Well done to Coaches McGonigle, McCarthy and Maher (Clontarf RFC)
Chanel XV: Patryk Martins, Andrei Jauca, Craig McMahon, Blake Byrne, Danny Byrne, Aaron Cullen, Alvaro Manuel De Silva, Alvin Abraham, Daniel Stiles, Kyle Tyrell, Exaucé Gabie Nazazi, Lucas Brereton, Mikey Webster, Darryl Fay, Ruben Griffin.