Sport

Begley's right boot lifts the Begley gloom

Given the importance of Division One points, the long-range scenery shouldn't have got a look in

By DERMOT GILLEECE
Mon Dec 11 2000 - 00:00

Given the importance of Division One points, the long-range scenery shouldn't have got a look in. Yet for an extended period at Kilternan on Saturday, the sight of Howth Head in the distance, positively glowing under a winter's sun, was far more captivating than the action close at hand.

Andre Human, the Old Crescent manager, clearly appreciated the special bonus on offer in these circumstances. "I'd rather play badly and win, than be all over the opposition with nothing to show for it," he said afterwards. And it wasn't difficult to understand his point of view.

Neither side did themselves justice but Crescent made far fewer mistakes. Had the match been played in the wind and rain of the previous day, there would have been some excuse for the handling of the home backs, but not in ideal conditions.

Against that background, it was hardly surprising that the scoring was dominated for more than two-thirds of the match by the right boot of Crescent full back Brian Begley. In fact he kicked quite splendidly, landing five out of eight shots at goal, while two of his misses were from 45 yards' range. In addition to this highly significant contribution, Begley's general play was outstanding as he was rarely pressurised by a curiously sporadic home attack.

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Still, each side produced tackles of the highest quality, most notably DLSP's Shane Stephens' effort on Billy Leahy and Bruce Wood's tackle on Billy Tracey three minutes later. Crescent's contribution came 15 minutes into the second half when Eoin Reddan immobilised Dave O'Riordan within sight of a score.

Given the weakness of their backs, it was hardly surprising that DLSP's best try-scoring chances fell to forwards. Secondrow Kenny Wheelock was within seven or eight yards of the line in the 30th minute when he suddenly fell victim to the what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here syndrome. So he passed inside to hooker Mark Kavanagh and the chance was lost.

But another forward, replacement hooker Simon O'Donnell, was rewarded in the 68th minute when he displayed a commitment and confidence lacking among his colleagues.

In the process, he narrowed the deficit to five points but as DLSP went in search of a winner, it was Crescent who finished much the stronger, with two scores in the last five minutes.

All of which should be a cause of additional concern to DLSP, for in the view of the Crescent manager: "We were struggling with our fitness out there."

SCORING SEQUENCE: 5 mins: B Begley penalty, 0-3; 20: Begley penalty, 0-6; 28: Begley penalty, 0-9; 46: Begley penalty, 0-12; 68: S O'Donnell try, S Brougton conversion, 7-12; 78: B Tracey drop goal, 7-15; 82: W Munn try, Begley conversion, 7-22.

DLSP: S Stephens; P Costello, S Gormley, D McCabe, M Vioreanu: S Broughton, M Cross; L Ashmore, M Kavanagh, D Masters, K Wheelock, R Frost, A Toher, T Giles, B Wood. Replacements: D O'Riordan for Gormley (44 mins), S O'Donnell for Kavanagh (53), D O'Brien for Giles (60), D Dobsoln for Ashmore (64), E Devitt for Costello (70).

OLD CRESCENT: B Begley; B Leahy, W Munn, M Brodie, C Doyle; B Tracey, E Reddan; D Clohessy, M Hayes, G Evans, I Bloomer, M Bird, D O'Malley, Dbowles, P Glamuzina. Replacements: L Browne for Hayes (59), G Schoeman for O'Malley (63), J Cullinane for Clohessy (66).

Referee: S McDowell (Ulster).