v Suttonians
UCD J1 8 - 25 Suttonians
Sunday 13th of January meant a journey across Dublin for the J1 side to play Suttonians. The J1 team decimated by injuries and alpine related excursions took on a Suttonians side which was top of the table and in good form after the Christmas break. With a numerical disadvantage from the start Collidge found the first 20 minutes a struggle and failed to get into the game from the off. Suttonians playing with the wind in the first half enjoyed much of the possession and three tries in the opening 25 minutes left the J1’s with everything to do. As the first half progressed, Collidge began to get a foothold in the game, with David Gilchrist and Stephen O’Dwyer popping up in the loose and gaining momentum. Collidge were rewarded with a penalty which was duly converted by outhalf Kevin Quinlan.
In the 15 minutes before half time, Collidge dominated the Suttonians pack with rumbling mauls and clinical rucking. With ten minutes to go a strong Collidge drive from a line out catch by Dave Phiskie was powered forward and directed strongly by scrum half Julian Moroney and the maul crossed the line to bring the J1s right back into the game and the pendulum swung in our favour. Unfortunately each subsequent intrusion into the Suttonians 22 was not as fruitful and this was to be Collidge’s only other score during the game.
After half time, play resumed with Collidge encouraged by their late rally in the first half. Strong centre play from Geoff Sheehan and second row convert Conor O’Keefe kept Collidge on the front foot. The backrow of Paddy Conlon, Ger O’Rourke and Cathal Doyle kept the Suttonians busy at the breakdown. Five minutes into the second half Collidge conceded a dubious try from a quick lineout, which was unfortunate. But the remainder of the second half was essentially trench war fare with neither side really getting a grip on the game. Strong performances from Eddie Conlon and Gav Telford in the front row kept Suttonians playing much of their game in their own half and the counter attacking of Mark Browne and Kyle Komphamel helped Collidge to a strong second half performance despite a numerical disadvantage. The final whistle went and the score line was 25-8, but this did not reflect the performance of the J1 side, which again was one in which determination and ambition showed through.
At the post match press conference, coach Dave Murphy poured cold water on any discussion of links with the vacant managers job with the Republic of Ireland Football team.
“My future is with the Collidge J1 side, I’m not a soccer coach, I don’t even know what soccer is…”
When asked for comment, J1 Manager, Shane Geraghty denied speculation on Dave Murphy and Eddie Conlon’s future. “Both Dave and Eddie are committed to Collidge and the J1s. Talk of Eddie switching codes to figure skating simply aren’t true. I can confirm however that Stephen O’Dwyer has been asked to participate in the next season of “America’s next top model” which is surprise not just to him but to all of us too. He never even mentioned auditioning!”
Shane Geraghty