All-Ireland League Division Three finalGerry Thornley talks to Eoin O'Brien about the anomalies entailed in playing for the title while missing out on the bigger prize of promotion
Nothing highlights the injustices of the ultra-conservative and unimaginative promotion and relegation system in the AIB League quite like the example of Greystones in Division Three. The Wicklow club were the top try scorers (70) and points scorers (491) in all three divisions and finished second of 17 teams in Division Three by a clear nine points, and yet because there is only one promotion place they missed out on a place in Division Two by one point. It hardly seems fair.
As a result, Greystones' largely academic divisional play-off final at high noon on Saturday against Ards (who beat the already promoted Highfield last Saturday) will have a slightly hollow ring to it.
That said, it's good to see a club which once drew thousands to Dr Hickey Park as one of the eight elite teams in Division One (spending three seasons there) having a day back in the sun. (The sentiment applies no less to Ards, the one-time top dogs in Ulster.) And they hope the sun shines too, for a rumour is circulating that bad weather could yet see the Greystones-Ards game shunted to the Lansdowne Road back pitch.
"It's a bit disappointing that it's not coupled with promotion but it's a day out in Lansdowne," says Greystones captain Eoin O'Brien. "I've been playing AIL rugby for eight or nine years and I've only had one - that was the seconds' Millennium Cup final.
"So very few players have had that privilege and I remember the seconds cup final. There were a couple of hundred people at it, but there was still a hush on the bus.
"We've a very young team, especially out in the back line, and I am, by a country mile, a veteran at 27. They'll enjoy the wide, open spaces as well, because we play a very, very attacking game."
Gone are the days when 'Stones were a forward-orientated outfit. "Every club in the country is looking for props. They're giving out about our kids being obese these days but we're not growing any props," he quips.
Leading the way to the whitewash, indeed the league's top try scorer, is converted right-winger Stewart O'Connell.
"He travelled the world for a year. He'd been a scrumhalf and we always knew he was quick, but out of necessity we put him out on the wing one day. Not just gas, he's a clever runner, with great balance and great feet."
Despite missing two months through injury, young full back David McKechnie scored 10 tries. Key to their style of play has been their ex-Super 12 outhalf, MJ Smith, but he has recently departed for the Currie Cup.
"He's been absolutely brilliant. We've a very good young back line and he's been the general. He just changed the whole back line. He can pass the ball 40 yards with no lob at all and it singes your hand when you catch it. It took us a while to get used to the fact that he brings a whole new dimension to our game. We're hoping he's back next year."
Smith also chipped in with 164 points.
O'Brien himself is ruled out of the big day with an ankle injury, and no less than Smith, others with knocks aren't being rushed back as might have been the case had promotion been at stake.
Greystones won promotion two seasons ago only to rebound back down, which must make this season's near miss all the more galling. Invariably they are left to reflect on the points that got away, and from literally the opening day of the season against early pacesetters Banbridge. Trailing 19-10, "white-line fever took over" and they ran a last-minute penalty from under the posts rather than go for the bonus point.
But of course you can never tell how things might have panned out, and O'Brien accepts Highfield were deserving of their promotion.
The signs are that most of the squad, including the likes of 21-year-old flanker Rob Connolly and Smith, will return next season, which gives O'Brien real confidence that promotion can be attained.
Their emphasis has been on players with a local affinity, which in turn has galvanised local support.
With their facilities, catchment area and history, Greystones have the ability to become upwardly mobile again, and a day in the sun may at least give them a helpful nudge in that direction.
