Portlaoise’s Johnnie Ryan captains North Midlands to exciting opening round win

North Midlands 31 

South East 24 

THIS was the day these young rugby players were waiting for, the opening round of the BearingPoint Shane Horgan (U/16) Cup. 

And for one it was a vert special day, to have the honour of captaining the area team, and that honour fell to Portlaoise RFC’s Johnnie Ryan.

Ryan was one of three Portlaoise players in the panel along with Jack Reilly and Alex Schiller. And they were joined by Portarlington's 

Eoghan Griffin. 

The South East exploded into this game with good handling and fast movement from inside their own half. By the sixth minute they had scored two tries, from Alex Scallan (Wexford Wanders), and Chris Delahunt (Wicklow). The second try came from a clever midfield move releasing the full back to score close in..

The North Midlands slowly got to grips with the pace of the game. On 13 minutes they got on the scoreboard. Jack Reilly (Portlaoise), took a neat pass from Cillian Mc Mahon (Naas), releasing Max Alexander (Athy), to score in the corner.

The North Midlands pack were now taking control with excellent scrummaging and good work on the ground, Cillian Tamming (Naas), Ewan Hennessy (Athy), were prominent.

Scrum half Danial Johnson (North Kildare), brought the backs into play, keeping the South East under pressure. A try from Hennessy converted by Daniel Johnson converting.

The North Midlands continued to dominate in most departments. Just before half time they again demonstrated good handling releasing Zach Minogue-O’Reilly (Naas), for another try converted by Johnson.

A quick response from the South East saw Luke Scallan (Wexford), to cross for another try converted by Adam Donohoe. Half-time 19 points all.

The second half saw the expansive game continue. On 38 minutes Eddie Harris (Athy), blocked a clearance kick following up to touch down for a try converted by Minogue-O’Reilly. Neither side was willing to concede ground with quality handling and tackling on display from both sides.

A ruck just on half way resulted in the NM turning over the ball with Thomas Evans (Naas), breaking down field releasing Fionn Kelly (Athy), to score close in.

The South East continued to take the game to the North Midlands, eventually creating the opportunity for Danny Reade (Kilkenny) to strike for the last score of the game.

NORTH MIDLANDS SQUAD: Zach Minogue-O’Reilly (Naas), Max Alexander (Athy), Ruairi Lonergan (Cill Dara), Jack Reilly (Portlaoise), Harry Power (Athy), Cillian McMahon (Naas), Daniel Johnston (North Kildare), Eoghan Griffin (Portarlington); Johnnie Ryan (Portlaoise Captain), Donnacha Finn (Cill Dara), Cillian Tamming (Naas), Igor Matrrka (North Kildare), Oscar Cummins (Newbridge), Ewan Hennessy (Athy), Leon Ward (Naas), Eddie Harris (Athy), Andy Toft (Newbridge), Elliot Lane (Newbridge), Fionn Kelly (Athy), Alex Schiller (Portlaoise), Archie McCann (Clondalkin), Matthew Keys (Newbridge), Thomas Evans (Naas).