Sweeney Score The Highlight As Mary’s See Off ‘Wegians

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, March 28

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 38 GALWEGIANS 17, Templeville Road

Scorers: St. Mary’s College: Tries: Conor Donohoe, Paddy Brophy, Shaun McCarthy, Richie Sweeney, Mark Sexton, Stephen Keogh; Cons: Barry Lynn 4
Galwegians: Tries: Liam Casserly, Liam Scahill; Cons: Rob O’Beirn 2; Pen: Rob O’Beirn

St. Mary’s secured their eighth win of the campaign against Galwegians, bagging a bonus point in the process, and with a game in hand to play next weekend, they still have an outside chance of reaching the semi-finals.

They fell 3-0 behind in Saturday’s game when full-back Rob O’Beirn kicked a penalty for ‘Wegians, whose forwards set the early tempo and were helped by their strong scrum.

But in out-half Shaun McCarthy, Mary’s had the game’s outstanding player. The Australian brilliantly pulled the strings for the Dubliners, setting up good territory for them and linking well with the outside backs.

Tries from centres Conor O’Donohoe and Paddy Brophy, along with a deserved effort from McCarthy, shot Mary’s into a 19-3 half-time lead, with full-back Barry Lynn converting two of those scores.

‘Wegians ended the first half down to 14 players, following the sin-binning of prop Dan O’Connell.

And with Mary’s chalking up their bonus point try, soon after the restart, ‘Wegians were left chasing the game.

The fourth try was a well-taken effort by Sweeney who showed great pace to run in from close to the halfway line.

Replacement Stephen Keogh picked up a yellow card but after Liam Casserly and Mark Sexton had swapped tries, the Leinster back rower sealed the issue with a try of his own.

As play became looser and looser amidst tired legs, Keogh’s touchdown was followed by a Liam Scahill try but a losing bonus point was beyond a gallant ‘Wegians side.