Seconds Towns Cup: Saturday 03.12.23

Mullingar 12-22 North Meath

Epic cup win for North Meath

“Sometimes the journey is more important than the destination” goes the saying, first said by a taxi-driver trying to justify why it costs €100 to get into town from the airport, and then wrongly attributed to Nelson Mandela or the Dalai Lama by some self-help charlatan with a website.

For North Meath’s senior team, the destination was the second round of the Provincial Towns Seconds Cup, and the journey, was a flight to Glasgow, a flight back from Glasgow, a drive down to Mullingar and another flight back to Glasgow all within 24 hours.

The end result was a hugely important win against Mullingar that may prove to be more significant than the league and cup double secured last week.

Trip away

The club's senior team, along with coaches and members, had booked a trip to Scotland to support the national team in the 6 Nations.

However, the subsequent draw for the first round of the Second Teams Cup, pitted North Meath against Mullingar on the day before the game.

Despite numerous requests to reschedule, the tie would not be moved so the squad decided to fly back from Glasgow on the Saturday morning, play the game, and then fly back to Scotland in the evening.

So it was understandable that the team were fully fired up for the game if not a little lethargic from the journey. And it was Mullingar that started the better.

Fortunately North Meath were able to resist the early pressure and then come away with a try from their first spell of possession. After two carries from the forwards, the ball went wide and captain Eanna Finn went over for the score.

The visitors then played their best rugby for the remainder of the half. The forwards were not only retaining the ball but also hitting the gain line at pace. And it was Graham Boland that got the second try, breaking through two tackles to leave North Meath up 12-0 at the break.

The good form continued in the second half. North Meath were awarded a scrum from the restart. The ball went out the back to Finn whose crossfield kick bounced into the grateful hands of winger Ruben Mostert who crossed for the score. Conor Grey's conversion made it 19-0 to the visitors.

It also triggered a fightback from the home team, leading to two tries in 10 minutes, closing the gap to just seven points and setting up a tense finale.

Despite the efforts of Mullingar, North Meath held out. And a late penalty from Grey was enough to see out the game and secure a famous victory.

There was just about time for a quick shower and change of clothes, and then it was back to the airport to catch a flight to Glasgow and cheer on the Irish team.

It was an epic team performance that will be long remembered but some players stood out with Boland and Ben Shine carrying well, Sam Bashford and the rest of the replacements having an impact off the bench, and Joe Carry was the pick of the backs.

Captain Finn hailed the performance and paid credit to his teammates who had made the decision to fly back for the game. "It was pure cup rugby today and it is what the club is all about," said Finn. "Huge behaviour all round."

Next up is a second round tie at home against North Kildare in three weeks, when presumably no one will need a plane ticket.

Team: Joe Carry, Ruben Mostert, Cian Doogan, Eanna Finn, Jordan Herring, Conor Grey, Nathan Kiernan, Padraic McGurl, Killian Flanagan, Jack Yore, Ciaran Cullen, Graham Boland, Ben Shine, Cailum Kiernan, Senan McDermott

Replacements: Sam Bashford, Theo Chamberlayne Daye, Eoghan Cosgrave

Tries: Finn, Boland, Mostert,

Cons: Grey (2)

Pen: Grey