MONAGHAN RFC – 5
–v-
DONAGHADEE RFC – 21
Match Reporter - Stephen Quinn

Donaghadee, second in the league with a 100% record, travelled to Monaghan to play the third placed team in the league. Lurgan RFC, also undefeated, sit just above Donaghadee, having scored more bonus points. Monaghan were in third place, also unbeaten but with one drawn fixture in their league record. We knew it was going to be a tough day; the word was out that Monaghan had a strong set of forwards and would try to play the ball tight. When we arrived at Monaghan it was a pleasant sunny day and the Dee were relieved to see that the match would be played on an excellent pitch that would suit our running and passing game.

The match kicked off with the Dee playing with the breeze that soon had an effect as outhalf Cooper was able to convert an early penalty to take the score to 3-0. A few minutes later, fullback Dan McBride took full advantage of the wind to kick a great penalty from 45 metres. Within another ten minutes, a great tackle from Johnston, at scrum half, caused a knock-on and from the resulting scrum and maul the Dee pack drove forward 15 metres and Conor O’Byrne dashed over for a score in the right corner. Another great kick from Cooper made sure that the Dee got the full 7 points, taking the score to 13-0.

The Dee forwards seemed to dominate in the loose but it was clear that Monaghan were beginning to dominate the set scrum and the spectators agreed that the Dee needed to maximise the advantage of the breeze and turn round with a good points advantage. After an infringement by the Monaghan forwards, Cooper again slotted home a penalty from 35 metres, taking the score to 16-0. The Monaghan forwards then got down to work and pressure from their set scrum drove the Dee back on a number of occasions. It was clear that Monaghan had got some fire in their belly and there were a number of incidents where the referee had to step in to ensure calm. However, the Monaghan forwards continued their drive and, after 30 minutes, Monaghan crossed the Dee line to take the score to 16-5. There was no further scoring in the half and the Dee were glad to see half time to reorganise the scrum and ensure that they did not throw away a winning margin.

Soon after the restart it was clear that Monaghan were determined to use their forward power and were constantly pressurising the Dee in the set scrum and lineout. Donaghadee quickly adopted, our scrum half ensured that we were playing off a route one ball but the wind and pressure on the lineout were beginning to tell and there was some last ditch tackling together with some good defensive kicking at half backs to hold Monaghan at bay. At 60 minutes there was a hard collision in mid-field and the Monaghan scrum half, Evan Rutledge, was stretchered off after a 5 minute stoppage. This upset the Monaghan side who never really got back into stride with the Dee starting to take advantage of the disorganisation in the Monaghan back line. Donaghadee pressure paid off and on 70 minutes our hooker, Dan Lindsay, went over for a good score in the corner to make it 21-5 to Donaghadee at full-time.

This was a great result and demonstrated how Donaghadee players and coaches could adapt play and tactics as the game progressed. The Monaghan forwards were contained. The domination that they showed around the half time period was curtailed and though, at one stage, it looked as though we could come away with a bonus point win, I think that all of the players and supporters would agree that just after Monaghan scored we would have been very happy with any sort of win. This victory was a real team effort though I have to acclaim some great tackling in the back row, praise the defensive kicking from the halfbacks and compliment the organisation of the defence in the centre of the field. I don’t think there was a standout performance from any individual player but I would like to commend this as a team victory.