Page 56 - Lansdowne Yearbook 2020-21 Master Digital Edition

J2 METRO LEAGUE 339 points conceded in the 13 games before
DIVISION 2 REVIEW the playoffs tells part of the story, but the truth
lies within … we conceded 50 tries, scoring 22.
Fifty tries! Now to those of us who played for
Brian Whelan Gonzaga in the 1970’s, this was par for the
course, but for a Lansdowne side brimming
Played 14 with talent, it’s not really good enough.
Won 4
Lost 10 Some of our notable performances included
Points for 235 valiant defeats, like the two great tussles
Points against 339 with Clontarf, away and home and the narrow
defeat to league winners and stand out team,
Finished 7th Out of 8, avoiding relegation with Old Wesley on a stormy Donnybrook Friday
a resounding victory over Belvedere 60 – 7. night in February. These showed the character
and talent latent in the squad. But there’s
A slightly frustrating year for the J2’s again, nothing like a win to really reveal our best.
salvaged from disaster for the second season The victories over Greystones and league
in a row by a barnstorming performance in runners up St Mary’s were sweet, but on what
the relegation play offs. To paraphrase Van turned out to be the end of the season game
Morrison, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could play against Old Belvedere, all the planets aligned
like this all the time!” and the full force of this team at its best was
revealed.
In fairness to the group, it was rare that we
took to the pitch with a full-strength squad, The team looked like coach (”Dr”)Phil
with work and exam commitments attacking Donellan’s (wet?) dream line up, with an
us from within and injuries and calls of other explosive backline including Portuguese
teams laying siege from without. But that’s 7’s international import Joao Vieira and
the plight of most teams at this level and Ger O’Connor back from what seemed like a
responsibility for the season’s mixed fortunes season-long injury. We also had a full, fit and
must rest at our own door. Patchy results willing front row for a change with always
characterised by good, sometimes great on-form Gavin Murray and tungsten-tough
performances against familiar foes, like Old Rian O’Flaherty separated by Rory O’Donnell
Belvedere, St Mary’s, Greystones and Clontarf, at hooker, also back from injury. But Belvedere
with horror shows when playing newer rivals weren’t so lucky with their squad availability,
like Naas and Barnhall. And it seems we don’t as was revealed when their manager and
much like playing on Sundays either! But then their physio took to the pitch and
whatever about the psychology, the statistics eventually, they were reduced to 14 men
also paint a picture, however unpalatable. The and uncontested scrums before half time.
56 YEARBOOK 2020-2021