Virginia RFC seniors progress to play-off final

Rugby

Virginia RFC hosted the Championship Division 3 semi-final against neighbours Co Cavan RFC on Saturday last. In dry but gusty conditions, Virginia put a strong performance to emerged clear winners on a score line of 38-10.

Virginia started the strongest and put their opponents under severe pressure from the kick-off and it didn't take long for the hosts to put points on the score board. On the 7th minute Virginia were awarded a lineout in Cavan's 22m, Conor Cahill caught the ball and a good maul was set up, following a good effort from the pack, the ball was sent to the backs who nearly scored in the opposite corner. Cavan's defense was stretched and when the ball came back, two good carries by Oisin Kiernan and Cillian Cahill tied up more defenders.

Cavan were running out of players to defend their line leaving one of their props isolated, John Cooke identified the mismatch and when he inherited the ball, he outflanked the defender to open the score. Cooke converted, 7-0 Virginia.

The second try followed from Cavan restart, Virginia fired a high ball that Cavan's rear guard could not control. The favourable bounce was gathered by Niall Patterson how ran deep in the visitors' 22m. Patterson offloaded to Owen Doyle in support, Doyle was stopped short of the try line by scrambling defenders, through quick recycling and good handling the ball was spread wide for Cillian Cahill to score from close range. John Cooke kicked the difficult conversion, 14-0.

Cavan upped their game and the contest became more even as the half progressed with both teams exchanging blows without converting on the score board. After few failed attempts near Virginia line Cavan were awarded a penalty that they elected to kick successfully, reducing the score to 14-3. Virginia responded with a penalty kick of their own to maintain the 14 points gap until half-time on a score line of 17-3.

Early in the second half, Virginia played off a line-out near the half-way line, good sustained ball retention saw Captain Niall Patterson breach Cavan defence only to be stopped in Cavan's 22m.

The ball was recycled to reach Liam Gordon who managed to offload an inside ball to winger Liam Hennessy just before being bundled into touch. From close range Hennessy dotted the ball for Virginia's third try. Another excellent conversion from Cooke brought the score to 24-3.

Once again the sore spurred Cavan into action and from penalty for offside they kicked the ball into touch near Virginia's line. From the ensuing lineout maul, Cavan crashed over the line and with the added conversion the score was 24-10 with 30 minutes left.

Virginia regrouped and took back control of the game as fresh legs were introduced to the party. Virginia increase their lead on the 62nd minute when Cormac Lindsay scored under the post following one of his trademark kick and chase, Cooke once again added the conversion, 31-10.

The last score of the game came courtesy of Conor Cahill who ran an excellent line near Cavan's line and with an equally good pass from Sean Warren, Mr Cahill ran unopposed and score near the post to the delight of his Virginia College fan club! 38-10 with another conversion from John Cooke.

The excellent official on the day Eamonn Whelan brought the game to a close few minutes later to a physical, entertaining game.

Virginia now awaits the result of the second semi-final between Monaghan and Letterkenny this Saturday to confirm who they'll host in the promotion play-off final on Saturday May 7. It was a great day at Deer Park only made possible by a club wide effort from our volunteers who made the day run smoothly and quite an enjoyable experience for everyone.