Swords Rue Missed Chances as Carlow Snatch Draw

November 1st, 2009.

Swords 22 IT Carlow 22

SWORDS left themselves needing a final day win to guarantee a coveted top three finish after allowing Carlow IT leave ALSAA with a draw on Sunday. After recovering from a poor start, the Greens took control and led by seven points coming into the closing stages, but leaked a late converted try and missed out on a crucial four points. The result leaves Swords in third place, but needing a positive result away to Wexford on Sunday if they are to progress to the top section of the next round of the Leinster League.

The visitors went two tries ahead in the opening quarter of play, slack defending allowing the students to twice breach the Swords defence. The Fingal side came to life towards half-time, setting up camp in the Carlow ‘22 and three times coming agonisingly close to getting on the scoreboard. Fiachra Coll, John Condron and Dave Gallagher were all held up over the line, before Swords won a scrum against the head five metres out, from which number eight Shane Mulligan crashed over and they soon levelled through centre Ross McBride's try as the half came to a close.

Swords began the second half as they'd ended the first, captain Mal Bradley leading by example with a try in the opening minutes. A well-worked line-out move allowed the home pack to rumble out the hard yards, before Bradley eventually grounded, following a 20 metre shunt. Carlow responded well and the Greens defence held firm, eventually profiting from a turnover, which was hacked on and scrumhalf Conor Greenan won the foot-race to touch down.

With their tails up, Swords should have put the game to bed, but they switched off and buoyed by their reinforcements from the bench, Carlow stepped up a gear and crossed once more, to bring the scores to 22-15 in the home side's favour. Disaster struck in the final minutes as Carlow somehow found a way through to crash over for a late score, which was converted, to tie the game at 22-all.

There was still time for Swords to press for a late winner, but their efforts were thwarted by a strange refereeing decision, as the official chose to blow up during a ruck, and the hosts were left to rue the win that got away.

Swords can take heart from another four tries - bringing their total to 29 in five games - and the knowledge that their destiny lies in their own hands. It all comes down to a clash in the sunny south-east, as the Greens set out for Wexford knowing a win will seal qualification for the top tier pool of Division 3.

SWORDS RFC: A. Flaherty; D. Gallagher, G. McCormack, R. McBride, J. Beikmanis; M. O'Reilly, C. Greenan; J. Condron, M. Bradley (c), B. Dolan; A. McLoughlin, M. Corbett; F. Coll, M. Finglas, S. Mulligan. Subs used: D. Reilly, R. Merrigan, A. Richmond, B. McArdle, A. Forkan.

** SWORDS second XV had their game away to Boyne cancelled due to a flooded pitch. They next play Navan at home on Friday, November 6th.