Portlaoise player captains North Midlands to win over Metro to maintain perfect start
The North Midlands team which made it two wins from two in the Shane Horgan Cup when getting the better of Metro in Togher on Wednesday
NORTH Midlands made it two wins from two in this season’s BearingPoint Youths Cup. The side, captained by Portlaoise RFC’s Johnnie Ryan, overcame a determined Metro side 33-12 at Portlaoise Rugby Club on Wednesday afternoon.
The second round of the competition, which forms part of the Leinster Rugby Player Development Programme, attracted a large crowd, with South East and North East also in action on an adjacent pitch. Having opened their campaign with a victory over South East, North Midlands were faced with a stern examination from a Metro side making their first appearance of the season.
Playing with the benefit of the wind in the opening half, Metro started impressively and took the game to their opponents through a powerful forward display. Malahide No. 8 Oliver Lynch led the charge, while MU Barnhall duo Levon McNally and Zander van Zyl consistently made inroads and put the North Midlands defence under pressure.
Metro’s bright opening was rewarded after 15 minutes. Dylan Ingleton's long pass created space out wide for Josh Madden, who crossed for the opening try. North Midlands responded through strong carries from Ruairi Lonergan of Cill Dara and Cillian McMahon of Naas. Their pressure paid off when McMahon released Naas second row Cillian Tamming, who powered over beneath the posts. Daniel Johnson added the conversion to level matters.
Metro regained control approaching the interval. A clever kick ahead from midfield exposed space behind the North Midlands defence and Madden showed impressive pace to gather and score his second try of the game near the right touchline. Ingleton added the extras to leave Metro holding a deserved 12-7 advantage at the break.
The second half belonged to North Midlands.
A strong message from the coaching staff at half-time saw a marked increase in intensity, with the home side moving the ball more effectively between forwards and backs. The Leinster Rugby development programme requires all squad members to receive meaningful game time, and the resulting changes tested the depth of both panels.
North Midlands eventually found the breakthrough after 55 minutes. With Igor Materka and Portlaoise centre Jack Reilly helping to create momentum and space, scrum-half Daniel Johnson spotted a gap around the breakdown and darted through for a crucial try. He converted his own score to edge North Midlands into the lead.
The contest then swung decisively in the hosts’ favour. From a lineout move, slick handling through the backs released Ruairi Lonergan, who weaved his way through the Metro defence for a superb try. Johnson again converted to stretch the advantage.
Metro attempted to force their way back into the game but were punished by some clinical counter-attacking rugby. Winger Matthew Keys gathered a loose ball close to his own line and launched an ambitious attack from deep. Spotting support on the outside, he released Lonergan, who raced clear for his second try of the afternoon beneath the posts.
With confidence growing, North Midlands finished strongly. A late Metro attack broke down, allowing Cillian McMahon to seize possession and sprint the length of the pitch for a spectacular closing try, putting the seal on an impressive 33-12 victory.
The result sees North Midlands move to the top of the table with maximum points from their opening two games and underlines the strength and depth of the squad assembled from clubs across the region.
Following the final whistle, the North Midlands players were presented with their Area kit before turning their attention to their next outing, which takes place in Mullingar on December 29.
Zach Minogue-O’Reilly (Naas), Matthew Keys (Newbridge), Ruairi Lonergan (Cill Dara), Jack Reilly (Portlaoise), Thomas Evans (Naas), Cillian McMahon (Naas), Daniel Johnson (North Kildare), Oisin Nicholson (Naas), Eddie Harris (Athy), Elliot Lane (Newbridge), Cillian Tamming (Naas), Johnnie Ryan (Portlaoise), Fionn Kelly (Athy), Ewan Hennessy (Athy), Igor Materka (North Kildare).
Replacements: Donnacha Finn, Eoghan Griffin, Owen Moran, Oscar Cummins, Alex Schiller, Archie McCann, Max Alexander and Flynn Clayton.
