AIL Division 2B 29th October 2022
Scorers: Devlin(1*Try), Donaghy(1*Try), D.O'Neill(1*Try), Faiva(2*Conv)
Rainey Old Boys had their first ever AIL encounter with Malahide on Saturday. Although there has been a long history between the two clubs, dating back to the late ‘80s, this was their first encounter as senior clubs, contesting for the Eamon Gilmore Memorial Cup. The trophy, commissioned many years ago by Rainey in honour of Eamon’s stalwart contribution to the club, has been in Malahide hands since 2014, but a 19-0 home victory saw it return to Magherafelt once more.
The earlier heavy rain had cleared by the time the teams took to the field and the home side were quickest out of the blocks. With the Malahide left-wing seeing yellow after only 3 mins, Rainey were quick to press their advantage, sending his opposite number Cormac Devlin over the whitewash 2 mins later. In a gusty wind, out-half Faiva made no mistake with the conversion.
They quickly added another seven points, quick-thinking scrum-half Andrew Donaghy having the simplest of touchdowns between the sticks, and Faiva was presented with an easy conversion.
With the home supporters roaring their side on, Rainey made it three after 26 mins when hooker Daniel O’Neill scored, but on this occasion Faiva was unable to convert.
With a huge score line threatening, Rainey went after the bonus-point try, but as has so often been the case this season, they were unable to keep up the intensity. Centre Connor Fitzsimmons was sent to the bin on 35mins and with Malahide pressing hard, the half ended with no further score.
After such an action packed first half, those hoping that Rainey would push on in the second were to be disappointed. Fitsimmons’ return did little to improve the home side’s performance and the game descended into stalemate, Rainey’s prime objective becoming to prevent the opposition gaining a bonus point.
With the result no longer in any doubt, R.McCusker was shown yellow in the 78th min, but Malahide were still unable to trouble the scoreboard, leaving Rainey to run out 19-0 winners
Action returns to Hatrick Park next week, when Rainey entertain Galwegians, currently positioned second from bottom of AIL2B. If Rainey are to make the league play-offs, this is a must-win encounter.