After two tough away games in a row both Senior teams have been given the Friday off training this week to rest the tired bodies and recharge the batteries ahead of what is going to be another tough block of games. The players were feeling the effects of the physical nature of the two games from opposition that had big packs that carried the ball strongly. That meant they had to do a lot of defending and spend long periods without the ball. But we had worked hard on defence and holding our shape when stressed and apart from a few periods of sustained phases on the whole the defensive line was pretty good.

And even though we are top of the table in one league the coaches would love to see the two teams putting in performances that show the talent there. The 2nds league placing is probably a reflection of not having enough time together as a team at training during the week, and more runs together will hopefully bring rewards, but that requires a full buy in from the entire Senior squad. It is great to see the Under 18s joining the Senior training squads runs and this integration early on will bring their skills along, and also mean when they are available to play Senior rugby will not be over awed or intimidated by the set up.

Both the Newbridge and Cill Dara matches showed how tough it is to get positive results in the leagues and the guys are well aware that what they have done so far wont be good enough for the next three games. Two home ones against Carlow who have shown by their results they will be a handful and Portarlington who have handed us our only defeat already to our 1st XV team.  The Portarlington 2nds will be out for revenge after our first round win against them. The challenge is only getting harder. That is all before we round out this block of three games with a very tough ask of Railway in Dublin. But first things first and the guys can rest for the weekend before hitting training again Tuesday night to prepare for the Carlow challenge.

But I can say the coaches have been talking about Carlow since Sunday night.As they know how hard this game will be.

And hopefully the AB’s will reverse the Chicago result...otherwise it could be a long week for this coach!!!