Virginia under 13’s versus Armagh under 13’s
On Saturday last Virginia under 13’s played host to Armaghs under 13s for a place in the cup final. Conditions were perfect except for a strong breeze blowing the length of the pitch which would make kicking difficult for both teams. A large crowd gathered expecting a good game and that is exactly what they got. Those who were there were entertained with a standard of rugby from both sides with belied their tender years of 12-13.
Virginia won the toss and decided to play with the wind down the pitch towards the clubhouse. The game kicked off at a frantic pace with this big Armagh pack quick to every ruck and had Virginia defending for their lives. Armagh were playing all the attacking rugby and Virginia were showing excellent defense with their backs displaying technique in tackling these big forwards and wingers. On one attack Armagh surged towards Virginia’s line under the posts and Virginia’s prop Steven Ryan made a tackle to stop the Armagh player going over, but just as it looked like he was going to fall over the line from the tackle Virginia’s Scrumhalf Sean Warren and Fullback Gareth Mannion came in to drive him back and with more Virginia players arriving they managed to hold up the Armagh player and win the penalty. This first half continued with both sides attacking and defending but Armagh showed more skill in moving the ball quicker through their skillful backs. Wingers Martin o Connell ,Mantas Ivaskevicius and fullback Gareth Mannion made big hits and showed some excellent skills in counter attacks form deep in Virginias half. Virginia did manage to string some further attacks deeper into Armaghs half but these resulted in turnover ball with Virginia players getting isolated with no support following.
Half time arrived with the score 0-0 and the large crowd knew that this game could be won by a single score. After a team talk to Virginia by the coaches Virginia looked to up their game in the second half, however after some loose play between the halfway line and Virginia’s 22, Virginia’s defense lines were broken with Armagh’s small but skillful no 12 running in to score beside the posts and with the try converted Virginia knew they were in a battle now if they wanted to progress to the cup final.Virginia’s centers Charlie Reilly and Fionn O Reilly put in a serious shift and tried very hard to get Virginia’s backs moving.The second half continued with some serious rucking and counter rucking from both sides but Virginia appeared to be getting an upper hand thanks to their pack.The Virginia forwards displayed great skill with flankers Daragh o Leary and Ben Brunton punching holes in Armaghs defenses they set up quick ball for the attack.With Virginia in Armagh’s half they won a penalty to the right of the posts between Armagh’s 5 meter line and 22. Virginia’s outhalf Peter Smith took a brave call and decided to kick for the posts even though the strong wind was against him. A lot of the supporters thought he should have kicked for touch but he proved them wrong and converted with ease with an excellent kick. These 3 points lifted Virginia supporters and players and you could feel a wave of anticipation sweep deerpark as only the clock was against Virginia now.
Virginia’s captain Oisin Kiernan and number 8 played a real captains role as he covered every blade of grass and drove his team on. He won countless rucks and turnover ball and set up attack after attack for Virginia but resolute defense from Armagh kept Virginia out. After another break from Virginia outhalf Peter Smith was tackled into touch on Armagh’s 22. Virginia won the line out and drove up to the right of the posts after a couple of pick and goes from Oisin Kiernan and prop Conor Cahill with the Virginia pack doing an excellent job in protecting the ball to keep the forward momentum there was five minutes left and with large roars to support Virginia moved laterally across Armagh’s line trying to break the defense. Eventually Virginia’s hooker Niall Preston picked the ball up from a ruck and drove over the line with Armagh players desperately trying to hold him up and if felt like forever before the referee raised his hands to award the try.Niall could not have picked a better time to score his first try of the season and it will remembered by this squad for many years. All of the training and hard work done since last September now rested on Virginia holding on to this lead, somehow Virginia had turned this match on its head and with the conversion missed to score was 8-7 to Virginia, a slender single one point lead.
Armagh took the restart an threw everything at Virginia with their big forwards fighting for the cup final spot and won the ball with a surge down Virginia’s right hand side. Virginia’s forwards tackled Armagh into touch and from the resulting lineout with only seconds left Captain Oisin Kiernan won the ball and drove it out of play to signal the end of the game.
Supporters from both teams applauded the teams off the pitch amid tears of delight from the Virginia players and supporters. The Armagh players were shell-shocked and were visibly upset. Sport can be very cruel sometimes as Armagh did not deserve to lose like this, but you would have to admire Virginia’s determination and courage. This was an outstanding game of rugby with the two panels of approx 44 players playing some fantastic rugby and providing the best 50 minutes of entertainment seen at Deerpark for some time. The Virginia players can be very proud of their achievement in reaching an Ulster cup final which will be played in Ravenhill. All of the Virginia players played extremely well and answered their captains call with many having their best displays at various stages in the game for some time. They should take great confidence and belief from this game.
Squad: Luke Brodie, Ben Brunton, Conor Cahill, Oisin Cullen, Jamie Davidson, Paul Donoghue, Owen Doyle, Euan Henry, Mantas Ivaskevicius, Oisin Kiernan, Pete Kiernan, Gareth Mannion, Daniel McConnon, Mark McSherry, Darragh O’Leary, Charlie O’Reilly, Fionn O’Reilly, Niall Preston, Steven Ryan, Luke Sheriff, Peter Smith, Sean Trainor, Sean Warren and Luke Tierney.
