Four Try Swords Leave Birr In The Cold

Swords 24 Birr 5

Winning ugly is often a key component of any successful side, as is grinding out results when not on top form. The scoreline for Sunday's clash at ALSAA will note Swords racked up four tries, collected their second league win of the season and secured a bonus point in the process. But the tale of the turf will read differently, a poor game, riddled with errors, indecision and missed chances.

Birr offered little in the way of attack, instead concentrating their efforts on slowing down Swords' ball and frustrating their hosts in the meantime. Swords on the other hand had enough chances to sow the game up by half-time, but fluffed their lines on more than one occasion. The clash in colours didn't help matters either nor did the, at times, bizarre refereeing decisions; that culminated in a comical second half moment when the official ordered ‘green' to stay still, after Birr had kicked ahead.

Thankfully, it was the Fingal side bedecked in emerald who moved on to the front foot, upping a gear in the forward battle and giving glimpses of their true selves. Earlier, Swords' start had been bright enough start, piling pressure on the Offaly men's line, which was eventually crossed by scrumhalf James Kubran for the opening try.

Richie Cowman converted and then pulled a drop goal narrowly wide and Swords spent the remainder of the first half trying to string decent phases together, rightly disappointed to only lead 7-0 at the break. Their second half efforts were dented slightly by the sin binning of second row John Condron - again a highly questionable decision - but they soon got back in gear and extended their lead midway through the half.

Good work upfront allowed Cowman to feed his backs and centre Ian Anderson did well to ground in the corner for an unconverted try. Their tails up, Swords pressed hard, the pack coming to life at last, with the likes of Jim Julian, Fiachra Coll and sub Robbie Merrigan impressing in the loose.
And it was through the forwards that the greens completed the job, twice driving over from inside the Birr '22'.

Firstly, prop Emmet O'Donnell got the vital touchdown following a steady drive and captain Shane Mulligan crashed over minutes later for the all important fourth, Cowman converting the second score. All in all, a performance to confine to the back of the memory banks, but five points that could have a big sway come the springtime. With 10 points from three games, Swords are in the mix even at this early stage. An improved performance away to Wexford on Sunday will be next on the agenda.

SWORDS RFC: W. Hill, D. Gallagher, I. Anderson, J. Gormly, D. Cahill; R. Cowman, J. Kubran; E. O'Donnell, F. McKevitt, E. O'Griofa; J. Condron, F. Coll; S. Mulligan (C) J. Julian, M. Corbett. Subs used: R. Merrigan, K. Corcoran, R. Kiely