Cobh Pirates News

After a tough morning for the very young Junior 2s side in the league in Dolphin RFC Cobh Pirates welcomed Old Christians RFC to the Paddocks this weekend, in the third game of the Munster Junior League Div 1. On a day perfect for rugby, Pirates took an early lead from the boot of Alan Langford in front on the posts courtesy of a Christians infringement.

The restart did not travel the compulsory 10 yards, to which Noel O’Donovan took advantage and barrelled his way up the field.

The home side were camped between the half way line and the opposition’s 22 for the next 10 minutes before Christians cleared the lines through the hands and ran in a try in the corner to negate the Pirates early lead.
From a solid defensive structure, Pirates were able to put pressure on the counter attack, which paid dividends which regular try scorer Alan Langford touching down on the 28th minute, resuming the advantage on the score board, 8-7.

Cobh began to settle somewhat from here; with the solid re start catch by Noel O’Donovan setting up a play allowing the backs to progress back into the Christian’s half. The visitors had a chance to reclaim the lead with a kickable penalty, but were off target to bring the score to half time 8-7 in favour on Pirates.

The coaching staff took advantage off the break to re- focus the players, with the restart being gathered by “Buzz” O’Donovan and the resulting kick pinning Christians back into their half.

Soon after Jack Hickey stole an intercept setting the backline up for a passage of great hands before Adam Devlin was unlucky not to score in the corner.
From the line out the kick infield was retrieved by Buzz, setting up a solid platrom. The quick ball allowed David Lambe to barge over for another try for Pirates, all within 5 minutes of the re-start.

Pirates did not let up and the play was centred in the opposition half, Eamon Ronan pinning he opposition back with some precise kicking.

Close to the half hour mark Pirates were rewarded a penalty deep into the Christians half, where they opted for the kick to the corner showing the intent to gain maximum points. The home side won the line out and moved the ball across the field, setting up another quality ruck and resulting in quick playable ball. Eamon Ronan spotted that Martin Clifford who,cleverly, was out on the wing (Marcus Horan style ) and delivered a cross field kick to the penny allowing the man of the match to touch down for an 18-7 lead.

From there on both teams played with a greater sense of urgency, both looking for extra points on the MJL1 table.
Christians availed of a number of solid phases giving their threatening no. 15 a break up the touch line only for Pirates “Lamby” to make a solid tackle halting the progress.

Soon after a visitors scrum was turned over, and a sequence of superb passing from Eamon Ronan released Alan Lanford into space where after a dummy pop touched down for the 4th try.

Final score 23-7 to Pirates maintain a great record on their return to the MJL1.
Juvenile results :

U13 Friendly (Sat. 8th Oct.);
Cobh Pirates (12) v. Highfield (7)
U14 Friendly (Sun. 9th Oct.);
Cobh Pirates (20) v. Clonakilty (10)
U16 League Conference 4 (Sat. 8th Oct.);
Bandon (10) v. Cobh Pirates (20)
U18 League Conference 5 (Sat. 8th Oct.);
Muskerry (40) v Cobh Pirates (15