Swords Go Down Fighting in Arklow

Arklow 31 Swords 20

Swords' promotion hopes took a dent with defeat in Arklow on Sunday, in a game they should have taken more from. In conditions more suitable for windsurfing than rugby, the Greens leaked three first half tries, which left them playing catch up for the remainder of the game. That said, they went on to outscore the hosts in the second half and in the end were left ruing earlier errors.

Swords were dealt an early blow losing back row Matt Corbett before kick off, but took the lead in the opening minutes with a penalty from fullback Dave Cahill. Arklow responded swiftly finding a hole in the Swords midfield and grounding shortly after, before striking through the same route shortly after.
The loss of the returning Loic Guyomarc'h in the centre just 10 minutes in also scuppered Swords' efforts.

Shell shocked, Swords gradually retained their composure and began to impose themselves, the pack coming to life, grinding out the hard yards. Their work was rewarded with a well taken try out wide. From a ruck 20 metres out, outhalf Richie Cowman went blind, feeding centre Dave Flynn who in turned found Dave Gallagher, the winger squeezing in in the corner, leaving Swords 19-8 down at the break.

Buoyed by their mini revival, Swords upped a notch, despite playing headlong into a howling gale. Any ball that went to boot inevitably ended up blowing into touch and the Greens coped well, keeping possession in hand and in tight. A turnover in midfield gave Arklow a huge overlap for try number four, while a lost ball off a lineout gave them their fifth, two scores Swords could have avoided.

Given they managed to pull back two further tries, in the end they were they killer blows. More good work in the backs saw Gallagher claim his second score. Then Cahill finished off the try of the game, a slick training ground move involving number 8 Shane Mulligan and scrum half James Kubran going blind and finding the fullback at full tilt, who scorched home from easily 50 metres.

Their tails up, Swords pressed hard for the fourth try, which would have at least given them a point for their efforts. Time and the elements went against them and they were left to wonder what might have been. A performance akin to the second half in Arklow this Sunday at home to Athy will keep them right in the mix.

Swords RFC: D. Cahill; D. Gallagher, L. Guyomarc'h, J. Gormly, D. Flynn; R. Cowman, J. Kubran; E. O'Donnell, K. Corcoran, E. O'Griofa; J. Condron, F. Coll; M. Bradley, J. Julian, S. Mulligan (c). Subs used: R. Kiely, I. Anderson.