The new season for the J1’S opened with a powerful look when they took to the field. Their dynamic first half blitz display, delivered a convincing performance in disposing of a resilient Terenure team who were made to play on the back foot from the beginning of this game.

From the kickoff, Lansdowne went on the offensive, up through the middle with some good forward carrying, and it was left to top try scorer from last year Oisin Devitt to open the scoring after just 5 minutes of the game with a sniping break to cut through the Terenure Defence.

It did not take long for try no. 2, this time following a decisive break from impressive winger Cathal Eddy, who outpaced his opposite number and ran into score in the left-hand corner with the conversion landed by outside half Tom Bohan. Terenure then conceded a yellow card, further worsening their situation. Try no. 3 followed from new signing center Harry O’Riordan who broke through defensive tackles on the 22’ meter line and with a bit to do muscled his way over in the right-hand corner. Bohan landed the conversion to leave the scoreline at 19-0.
The away team, although shell shocked at this point, responded and had then a period of possession which they turned into their own converted try. Lansdowne replied quickly with a very well taken try by flanker Barry Fitzpatrick, leaving the scoreline at 24-7. With 10 minutes still to play in the first half and a healthy lead what followed was two bits of individual brilliance by Eddy, who scored a brace of tries on the left-hand side, leaving with him with a hat-trick of tries in the first half. In both cases he showed his pace and skillful line of running in finishing from far out.

Praise was delivered by the coaching staff to the team at half time, who had produced a fine half of attacking rugby. At the commencement of play in the second half, it was the away team who started better and went on the front foot. Lansdowne showed a lack of discipline after a couple of substitutions, and there was no further scoring in the opening period of the second half. The scoreline did change after 56 minutes, following a yellow card to Lansdowne, a try by Terenure, which was followed some eight minutes later by another, reducing the scoreline further to 34-17. Again, there were changes on both sides, but two further yellow cards for Lansdowne following further indiscipline, and eventually Terenure were to score again with six minutes to play with a converted try leaving the scoreline at 34-24.

The last try of the game came after a good break by flanker Paul Wilson had brought the play right up to the line, leading to a try for No. 8 Donough Lawlor, which was converted leaving the final score at 41-24. 
Mention to the said Donough Lawlor, who had a fine game especially in the first half, to Paul Wilson at 6 who had a fine overall game, to Cathal Eddy for his hat trick of tries, and the bench players who did not in any way weaken the balance of the side but brought instead fresh impetus to the play when they came on.

The overall impression from the game is that the blitz first half display won the game comprehensively from an early stage, and if this is the line up for the J1s going forward, it is likely that they will be formidable opposition for any team lining up against them in the games to come.
The season moves to Game no. 2 with a trip to Donnybrook to play Old Wesley on Sunday the 29th of September. Support for them would be much appreciated and enjoyable as they play a fine brand of rugby!
 
Match Report - John Kilroy