ALL-IRELAND DIVISION THREE: John O'Sullivan on Old Wesley's 14-13 win over Greystones in the top-of-the-table clash
Colin Younger hobbled out the dressing-room door. At 33 years of age the knocks linger a little longer. Not that he cared: his smile told of the satisfaction at Old Wesley's victory over league leaders Greystones at Donnybrook. It was a nerve-jangling affair, the issue in doubt right up to the final whistle.
It may not be enough for Wesley. Saturday's opponents and Dublin University are still warm favourites to commandeer the two promotion places.
Younger has known the halcyon days at the Donnybrook club when they toiled amongst the elite of Irish club rugby. This is his final season, having been prevailed upon to give it one last season last summer.
"I was approached and gently nudged into giving it one more go. There was a new coaching staff in Jim Lowry and Mick Davern and there was a resolution within the club to try and head for Division Two. We got some players in and there was a good blend of youth and experience.
"We wanted to play a 15-man game. I remember when we were in Division One and as a centre you didn't see much of the ball," he says, laughing. "It was a case of give it to Adrian Hawe so he could kick us down the pitch or Chris Pim and let him stick it up his jumper. We got some new players in this season and there is a great bond in the squad.
"There's no finger-pointing when things go wrong. No one's out there deliberately making mistakes. If the truth be told this year was supposed to be one of consolidation, but after winning eight matches in-a-row, we pushed ourselves towards promotion.
"We drew against Suttonians and lost the next two before this match so we probably won't make it now, even with this win. It won't necessarily be a bad thing if we can hang on to the players we've got and recruit a few good young players."
This summer Younger will be able to turn to his family. "I'm really enjoying my rugby. I wouldn't play if I wasn't but where once you'd still be feeling stiff and sore on a Monday, that's now spreading into the Tuesday.
"Sure, it's not as fast, there aren't as many good players around as would have been the case when playing Division One, but it is still competitive."
Of that there can be no doubt. An appreciative crowd witnessed a tense struggle. Greystones should have taken the lead early on but hooker Ger Cleary was flagged by the touch judge for foul play at a ruck as excellent wing Maurice Logue was racing over in the corner.
It was an expensive aberration. Impressive Wesley number eight Kurt Steinbeck gave his side the lead on 26 minutes with a try, brushing aside some weak fringe defence to force his way over from 15 metres. Greystones responded with an opportunist try from centre Rob Connolly as he blocked down and gathered a Dave Doran clearance.
Murphy converted and kicked two penalties either side of a Stuart Wilson drop goal to leave Greystones leading 13-8. Two penalties though from full back John Lynch saw Wesley home.
Younger may be getting older but the memories of his last season on the first XV will be as cherished as those in loftier surroundings.
SCORING SEQUENCE - 26 mins: Steinbeck try, 5-0; 30: Connolly try, Murphy conversion, 5-7; 41: Murphy penalty, 5-10. Half-time: 5-10. 45: Wilson drop goal, 8-10; 47: Murphy penalty, 8-13; 56: Lynch penalty, 11-13; 73: Lynch penalty, 14-13.
OLD WESLEY: J Lynch; D Doran, C Younger, A Leeson (capt), R Thompson; S Wilson, P Campbell; W Mulhall, G van der Vyver, R Mamane, V Ryan, P Kelly, T Jago, K Steinbeck, J Sharpe. Replacement: R McNaughton for Doran (half-time).
GREYSTONES: R Spillane; M Logue, R Connolly, K Sheppard, R Carroll; R Murphy, S Scanlon (capt); J Hannon, G Cleary, M Phelan, T Ashmore, S Gallivan, G Murphy, M Hogan, D Crean. Replacement: N O'Brien for Murphy (22 mins).
Referee: M Jackson (Ulster).
