Portarlington duly earned their place in the Quarter Finals today, hosting Blackrock in the final Plate play-off game in a result that was never really in doubt. More than the scoreline, though, today felt like a real coming together — a group of individuals combining to produce a fantastic game of rugby from first whistle to last.
Port dominated right from the off, collecting from Blackrock's kick-off. It took just three minutes to settle into their stride. From a turnover at a Blackrock scrum, Dan Carroll sent a clean ball along the line to reach Bradley Cooper (C), who spotted a gap in the Blackrock defence and crossed to the left of the posts for the opening try — which he converted himself to put Port 7–0 ahead.
Port reset from the kick-off and advanced straight back into Blackrock's 22, maintaining the pressure. Just two minutes later, the same set piece — a scrum against the head — fed Cooper again and he closed the deal for try number two, adding the conversion to make it 14–0.
On the seventh minute, following a Port lineout, a textbook movement of the ball saw Sam Lyons break from the forwards, loop into the backline, and power over for his first try of the season — pumping the legs and seeing the gap at exactly the right moment. 19–0. Sean Fitzpatrick was clearly not prepared to be left out of proceedings, and left his mark on the twelfth minute, using his height and skill to outmanoeuvre the Blackrock defence and break through for Port's fourth try. Cooper added the extras — a very comfortable 26–0.
Blackrock showed real character over the next ten minutes, doing their best to break through Port's defensive line, but Port held firm. Some excellent kicking from Dan Carroll relieved the pressure effectively. Blackrock were rewarded for their efforts with a try on the 22nd minute. Half time: Port 26–5.
The second half brought fresh legs and a very welcome return from long-term injury for both Eoin O'Connell and Tadgh O'Connor, both of whom settled into business immediately and showed a renewed fire across attack and defence. Port's secret weapon Tom Coen made his trademark presence felt just two minutes in, with a pick-and-go from the back of a Port scrum — dropping the shoulder and ploughing through the Blackrock defence on the right-hand side to extend Port's lead to 31–5.
The game settled between the 22s for a spell as Blackrock looked to gain the upper hand, and they were rewarded with a try in the left-hand corner from an overlap in Port's defence — 31–10. Oisin Geoghegan (VC) then stepped up to the plate, finishing a phase-two ball off a Port ruck with real conviction to touch down for his second try of the season. Cooper added the conversion: 38–10. Blackrock refused to give up, fighting to the very end and claiming the last try of the game. Full time: Port 38–15
Man of the Match: Ciarán Moore — Outstanding all-round effort about the field.
Outstanding Performances:
Sam Petriw, Dan Carroll, Mark Finlay, Jack McDonald, Thoma McGrath, Charlie Merriman, Aidan Scully
Great Overall Play:
Luca Hynes, Jack Turley, Harry Robinson, Finn Costello, Michael Owens, Tommy Walker, Arran Dunne, Sean Kiernan
Today's Squad
Jack McDonald, Ciarán Moore, Harry Robinson, Finn Costello, Oisin Geoghegan (VC), Charlie Merriman, Sam Lyons, Tom Coen, Dan Carroll, Michael Owens, Sam Petriw, Sean Fitzpatrick, Bradley Cooper (C), Tommy Walker, Thoma McGrath, Mark Finlay, Arran Dunne, Aidan Scully, Sean Kiernan, Jack Turley, Luca Hynes, Tadgh O'Connor, Eoin O'Connell
Quarter Finals — Here We Come!
Well done to all players, coaches, and supporters. Portarlington RFC — U14 Boys.