Boyne supporters made their way to the Milltown venue, Ashbourne, in great numbers last Friday night to watch this local derby clash against Ashbourne RFC in the QF of the 2nds plate. The excellent pitches were complemented by the lovely weather conditions that prevailed for the match on a warm, pleasant April evening with little wind to speak of.
Both sides would have been quietly confident before the kickoff of advancing to the semi finals next weekend. However, the try count read 6 – 0 in favour of the Boyne team, but Ashbourne certainly played their part in an entertaining game.

Ashbourne opened in determined fashion and their tactics of taking on the Boyne forwards and driving through the middle was apparent and effective from the kick off. Some excellent defence from James McKevitt, Keith Keogh and Kevin Wallace eventually created a turnover and the Boyne backs countered. After a good break by Garry Traynor a ruck was set up on the Ashbourne 22 just right of the posts and Boyne converted a 3 on 2 overlap and Rob McKenna touched down in the corner. The next try came when the home side were hit with a great counter attack when George Kennedy broke a tackle and fed Rob McKenna out on the wing around the halfway line, McKenna fended off a few would be tacklers to score under the posts. Boyne now led 12 – 0. Ashbourne went back on the offensive again and the unfortunate Conor Freeman damaged his knee after a ruck collapsed on him. Ron Eustace came into the game at this point. Ashbourne earned 3 penalties coming up to halftime but were only successful with 1 attempt. Boyne finished the first half well almost scoring another try but Alan MacEneaney converted a penalty after Ashbourne were caught offside. HalfTime 15 – 3.

It was still all to play for in the 2nd half but the Boyne tactics of spreading the ball wide and counter attacking with the ball in hand served them well in the 2nd half. Boyne introduced 4 fresh lads at halftime with Colman Sarsfield, Emmet Finegan, Dermot O’Neill and Mark Carr coming into the game. The Boyne lineout was working well with Pat Shuttleworth and Dec Moore doing very well. The Boyne scrum was also a good source of quality possession and the next try came from a switch move in midfield with Rob McKenna again evading several defenders to score near the posts after a very solid scrum. McKenna finished up with a personal tally of 4 tries after some good handling by backs and forwards, he applied the finishing touches to score. Mark McGuirk who had a solid game in the first half came back into the game for McKenna.

Coach Finegan who introduced himself into the game at halftime, only lasted about 20 minutes on the field. The referee adjudged that his rucking technique was more like mountain climbing, and as a result earned himself a 10 minute rest. While Boyne were a man down Ashbourne were awarded another 3 penalties but their kicker was having a poor day with the boot and didn’t convert any of them. From an Ashbourne lineout Boyne won the ball and shifted it to Paul Rice in midfield, he broke a few tackles and raced over for a great individual try. Boyne completed their scoring when Conor Duff, who had counter attacked very well all evening, finally got the try his performance deserved. Again Shane Campbell at scrum half excelled bettered only by captain Richard Shuttleworth and the two flankers Kevin Wallace and Declan Moore who seemed to be everywhere.

Next up Clondalkin in the Semi Final on Sunday 1st of May. All support very welcome.