Mixed Results For 7s Side

Day two of the World Club 7s proved more challenging for the Munster 7s side today in Thomond Park with fatigue and injuries taking their toll.

Heads dropped following the opening defeat to Daveta in the cup quarter final and tired bodies lost their way against Moscow Saracens in the plate semi-final, before pride was restored in the final game with victory against the Blue Bulls for an overall 7^th place finish in the tournament.

Head Coach Colm McMahon was forced to re-jig his side with injuries claiming Shane Buckley and Luke O’Dea before Ronan O’Mahony was also side-lined before the final game. Munster were unable to produce similar performances of the opening day and the highs and lows of sevens rugby were certainly evident today.

Day 2 Overview

Shane Buckley was ruled out this morning after a shoulder injury failed to settle overnight and Munster were forced to recruit their second player from the weekend’s combined squad. Former England Students hooker Olly Clough joined the squad in place of Buckley.

Game 1: In wet conditions Munster opened the scoring with a well taken Darren Sweetnam try in the corner. Scannell added a great touchline conversion and Munster led by 7 after 2 minutes. Daveta were quick to respond with a break away run but slowed up just short of the line and Sweetnam was within distance to stop the inevitable try but was subsequently carded for not releasing the player. The Fijian side scored off the resulting penalty and with Munster reduced to 6 men the sides were level after 5 minutes. Scannell drop kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time and Munster led 10-7.

It was a huge loss to the side when Luke O’Dea was stretchered off after sustaining a knee injury. The flying winger was in threatening form all weekend and dangerous with any space. Daveta broke the Munster defence for their second try and move ahead by two after 10 minutes and when the visitors were reduced to 6 for an intentional slap down on the ball Munster were unable to take advantage and disappointingly ran out of time with a final score of Munster 10 Daveta 12.

Game 2: Rossa Dooley from Newcastle West was recruited from the combined squad in place of O’Dea. Next was the plate semi-final against familiar opposition again, the Moscow Saracens. The Russians opened the scoring with the first try after a minute. Then Cork Con’s Ned Hodson replied with an impressive solo effort in crashing through the defence before Saracens crossed again on two occasions in the opening half. Stephen Fitzgerald added Munster’s second try after 10 minutes but Moscow secured their place in the plate final with two further converted tries.

Game 3: Munster faced the Blue Bulls in the 7/8^th place play-off and the Colm McMahon coached side advanced without the services of Captain Ronan O’Mahony who was suffering from a sore hip.
Ryan Murphy scored the first try after 2 minutes before the Bulls went ahead with a converted try 2 minutes later. Murphy’s Dolphin colleague Rory Scannell put Munster back in front before the half and they led by 3 at the break. Hodson added his second try of the day and with the extras added Munster led by 10 points after 8 minutes.

The Bulls replied with their second try before Olly Clough secured victory with Munster’s third try after 13 minutes, and a late Bulls consolation try on the final whistle wrapped it up with a final score of Munster 24 Blue Bulls 19.

2014 Champions – Daveta Rugby went on to win the inaugural Limerick World Club 7s tournament defeating an impressive Vancouver side in the final.

Overall it was an extremely enjoyable weekend and a fantastic occasion at Thomond Park with the supporters once again playing their part with the electric atmosphere matching the on-field thrills and spills of 7s rugby.