Six make debuts in opening friendly

Swords 17 Academy 45

History was made at ALSAA on Saturday as the first ever homegrown players made their senior debuts for Swords Rugby Club. Though the Greens went down to a strong Ulster outfit, the first game of the season was full of positives with some superb rugby along the way.

Danny John, Ray Boland and Dave Reilly all pulled on the senior jerseys for the first time, becoming the inaugural batch of youngsters to come through the junior ranks. Indeed, no fewer from six new faces lined out in a new-look Swords team, still devoid of a number of first team regulars. The going was tough up front as the visitors dominant pack held the upper hand in the scrum and lineout, while a number of glitches in defences cost Swords early points.

That said, the home side did at times find their rhythm and were rewarded with some excellent tries, particularly from John Condron and Richie Cowman, with Mulligan scoring the third following some quick thinking at a tap penality. Unfortunately, Cowman limped off shortly after his telling cameo and the player-coach looks likely to be out of action for some time. However, given the age profile, talent and determination of the young Swords side in his charge - fullback Dave Gallagher in particular stood out - he remains upbeat about the coming season.

‘There were lots of positives out there today,' Cowman reflected. ‘We had a very mixed side and the guys are still getting to know each other.‘We leaked three tries through our midfield channels for example - that's a case of the players not yet familiar with the system and each other. ‘Add in the fact that Academy were a very strong side, a division above our standard, then all in all it was a good run out. I'm delighted with it really. ‘We also managed to score one of the best tries I've ever seen, running the ball from our own half and offloading wonderfully. It's a solid base to start from.'

Swords next face Fingal rivals Skerries in the Jenkinson Cup this weekend.

Swords RFC: D. Gallagher; D. John, R. Boland, A. Ryan, L. Price; A. Forkan, J. Kubran; J. Condron, P. Jones, D. Reilly; F. Coll, L. Grayson; B. Hanlon, A. Dodsley, S. Mulligan.