Ambitions were strong when Darren Brady took the captaincy at lasts years AGM. Dave Farrelly was chair of Rugby Development and he was impressed with last years senior head coach Thomas Campbell (TC); his knowledge of the players, his ambition for Mullingar RFC, and his experience (getting promotion to All Ireland League with two clubs, Dundalk and City of Armagh). TC set about getting his squad structure established, with huge support in both time and personal input from Club President Tony Doolan who coaches the Under 18 squad. First things first, forwards coach Cormac Dunne was retained and defence coach Lemeki Vaipula was recruited, as player coaches with vast experience. Then a playmaker outhalf was recruited to assist as attack coach, and in Mitchell Millar from New Zealand – a recruit that ‘completed the jigsaw’.

A teambuilding weekend was a great success. Talented youths turning 18 were keen to step into senior squad rugby, and a tight group of trusted and committed senior players formed a leadership group. This consisted of our club captain and coaches, ex captains Alan Brabazon and Daryl Quinn, and stalwarts of recent seasons Darrech Geraghty, Johnny Moran and Paul Maxwell. Training numbers were excellent and the facilities at NGS Gym with Luke Finegan were a great help. So into the first games and we had the usual early game nerves as to how things might click. TC gradually introduced structure so that every player knew what they had to do, with combined training including ALL senior players, i.e. 1^st XV, 2^nd XV, and Under 18s trained together with TC, Tony, Cormac and Lemeki - all on the same ‘page’. The signs were positive in terms of training, early hard work in the season and players buying into the squad culture. Promotion from Division 2A was the stated and tangible goal.

So we played Longford in the Midland League and lost, but very narrowly and late in the game. We then played Boyne RFC and won a friendly away against a team in Division 1B, which was encouraging. We then played Edenderry in the Midland League and had a good result, with Daire Conway impressing. We played the first game in the League away to Portlaoise in torrential rain, and won 11-5. The team defence was really good that day, which was becoming a hallmark. What was especially encouraging was the performance of young players and a nice mix of experience. Mitchell and Lemeki brought their own skills and experience in crucial positions. With Lemeki at 8, TC at 9, and Mitchell at 10 there was solid control and leadership where it mattered -  to bring training into reality on match day. Wexford at home was a bonus point win, 7 tries scored. Next up was North Kildare away, and the side put in a good performance, but somehow managed to keep North Kildare in the game, partly by conceding yellow card penalties. We lost to a gut wrenching last minute try, losing 20 - 17 despite a three tries to two advantage. Ouch!  The seconds also lost narrowly despite playing very well, but there was a conscious declaration of intent from the whole squad to stick with the structure and work at improving. Early Leinster League Results (tries in brackets):

Portlaoise 5 (1) – Mullingar 11 (1)

Mullingar 45 (7) – Wexford 24 (3)

North Kildare 20 (2) – Mullingar 17 (3)

The North Kildare loss was a hard blow, but you often hear that sides learn more from a loss. Back to training, and with two wins and one loss so far, the die was yet to be cast. Better followed…..

Mullingar 60 (9) – Balbriggan 12 (2)

Edenderry 5 (1) – Mullingar 50 (8)

Newbridge 16 (1) – Mullingar 22 (3)

Mullingar 26 (4) – Coolmine 6 (0)

So halfway through the season at the end of November, Mullingar had gathered their composure, improved their defence to average 1 try a game, and were scoring tries. There was strong pressure from the seconds squad, who were also now winning games. In total 40 players have played for the 1^st Team Squad and range in age from a half dozen 18 year olds to a veteran of 49 (sorry Craig!). Seconds were having to make selection issues for the bench – unheard of in the last few seasons.  Coolmine were within one game of catching us, and we had to visit them at home in the last game, so nothing was taken for granted. The bus was still moving:

Mullingar 31 (4) – Portlaoise 24 (4)

Wexford 11 (1) – Mullingar 19 (3)

We stayed top of Division 2A with two close wins. Then we had the Midland League Final in Roscrea over New Year, with a fine and convincing win against a strong Longford (Division 1B) team - against whom we had lost in September. Back to the Leinster League in the New Year:

Mullingar 41 (6) – North Kildare 20 (2)

Balbriggan 17 (3) – Mullingar 31 (5)

Mullingar 43 (7) – Edenderry 7 (1)

Coolmine 21 (3) – Mullingar 34 (5)

So, after a season of huge commitment from the full senior squad, we were promoted to Division 1B with two games to play. After three years in Division2A, we can look forward to Division1 rugby gain next season.

The full 34 players making up the 1st team matchday squads during the Leinster League were:

Forwards (16): Darren Brady (Captain), Niall Derham, Cormac Dunne, David Faulkner, Luke Finnegan, Chris Fox, Darrech Geraghty, Paul Maxwell, Kilian McNay, Aleksa Mitic, Johnny Moran, Alan Naughton, Daryl Quinn, Brian Reidy, Kevin Smith, Lemeki Vaipula.

Backs (18): Alan Brabazon, Arthur Brabazon, Ryan Brennan, Cathal Burke, Thomas Campbell (TC), Cian Cleary, Daire Conway, Stephen Derham, Stuart Flynn, Aaron Glennon, Dave Lynam, Donal McGovern, Mitchell, Miller, Petar Mitic, Eoghan Moore, Sean Rock, Craig Swanson, Ronan Wallace.

A further 6 players were part of the squad who won the Midland League: 

Sean Casey, Evan Eivers, Daniel Gilleran, Darragh Lambe, Sean Loughlin and Ross Tormey. 

(Next week, March 8^th is the last League game v Newbridge at home and a win for the seconds will get them within a whisker of second in their division - a solid season.)