Round 6, AIL D2C - 7 November 2026, Energia Park Donnybrook. A view from the sideline By OMAHD
BECTIVE RANGERS FC 42 – 14 Monkstown FC
There was plenty more than league points at stake when near neighbours Bective Rangers and Monkstown renewed acquaintances at Energia Park on Saturday. Local bragging rights, the Michael Doyle perpetual Trophy and the opportunity to maintain momentum in the Energia All-Ireland League Division 2B South all added to the occasion.
Despite the long history and close relationship between the clubs, this was only the third time they had met in the All-Ireland League. The Michael Doyle Trophy, contested in memory of the great friendship between the two clubs, provided an extra incentive for both sides.
On a beautiful November afternoon in Donnybrook, it was Bective who came out on top, producing a powerful second-half display to secure a convincing 42–14 victory and keep their league campaign firmly on track.
The Rangers made a positive start and opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Centre Alex Walsh finished off a well-taken try, with David Fitzgibbon adding the conversion to give the home side a 7–0 lead.
Bective continued to apply pressure, and their second try arrived in the 24th minute. James Gallagher, who had been outstanding in the previous week's victory over Thomond, crossed the line to extend the advantage. Fitzgibbon again supplied the extras, putting the Rangers 14–0 ahead.
Monkstown, however, were not going to make life easy for their neighbours. They worked their way back into the contest and were rewarded in the 37th minute when Matt Stapleton crossed for a try, which he also converted.
At half-time, Bective held a 14–7 advantage, but the game was still very much alive.
(Half-time: Bective Rangers FC 14 – 7 Monkstown FC)
Rangers take control after the break
The second half proved a different story. Bective came out with renewed purpose and immediately put Monkstown under pressure. Just a minute into the half, Edward Kelly crossed for the Rangers' third try. Fitzgibbon converted to restore the 14-point cushion.
The home side were now beginning to find space and exploit it. Captain Christopher Hennessy added another try in the 52nd minute, with Fitzgibbon maintaining his perfect record from the tee.
Edward Kelly then claimed his second try of the afternoon in the 62nd minute, once again converted by Fitzgibbon. The Rangers were playing with confidence, and their attacking game was beginning to stretch the Monkstown defence.
There was still time for James Gallagher to get his name on the scoresheet for a second time. The forward, who had been named man of the match against Thomond the previous weekend, crossed in the 76th minute, with Fitzgibbon adding another conversion to complete a perfect six from six.
Monkstown did manage a late consolation, with captain Rob Wynne crossing in the third minute of added time. Stapleton converted, but it was too little, too late to change the outcome.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 42–14 victory for Bective, built on a strong first-half platform and an impressive second-half attacking display.
A valuable afternoon for the Rangers
Six tries and six successful conversions made for a satisfying afternoon for Bective, with Walsh, Gallagher, Kelly and Hennessy all contributing to the scoreboard. Gallagher and Kelly both finished with two tries, while Fitzgibbon was faultless with the boot.
The result was another important step in Bective's campaign. Following victories over Bruff, Midleton, Buccaneers and Thomond, the Rangers have now added Monkstown to that list, making it five wins from their last five league fixtures after the opening-day defeat to Old Crescent.
The latest Division 2B South standings make encouraging reading for the Rangers. Clonmel remain top with 28 points from six matches, but Bective are in second place on 26 points, just two behind the leaders. With five victories from their six outings, and the best points difference in the division at +152, Bective are firmly in the hunt.
There is still a long way to go, but the Rangers have put themselves in a strong position. Their meeting with Clonmel later in the campaign is already shaping up to be an important fixture in the race for the title.
Up next: On the road to Cork to meet Dolphin
Following a mini two-week break, the Rangers now turn their attention to Round 7 and a trip south to Cork, where Dolphin RFC provide the opposition on Saturday, November 28, with a 2.30pm kick-off.
Bective will make the journey in confident mood after extending their winning run to five league matches with the convincing 42–14 victory over near neighbours Monkstown.
The break provides an opportunity to recover and prepare before another important away assignment. Dolphin will present a fresh challenge, but Bective will travel with plenty of confidence following their recent run of results.
Scorers:
Bective Rangers: Tries: Alex Walsh (10'), James Gallagher (24', 76'), Edward Kelly (41', 62'), Christopher Hennessy (52'); Conversions: David Fitzgibbon (11', 25', 42', 52', 62', 76').
Monkstown FC: Tries Matt Stapleton (37'), Rob Wynne (80+3'); Conversions: Matt Stapleton (37', 80+3').
BECTIVE RANGERS 1st XV: 15 Tim Carroll; 14 James McKeown, 13 Alex Walsh, 12 Matthew Gilsenan, 11 Chris Rolland; 10 David Fitzgibbon, 9 Charlie Reilly; 1 Luke Mion, 2 Christopher Hennessy (capt), 3 Conor Kelly; 4 Andrew Treacy, 5 Conor McMenamin; 6 Gavin Kelly, 7 Tiarnan McCloskey, 8 James Gallagher. Replacements: 16 Arturo Sturaro, 17 Rory Mulvihill, 18 Evan Galvin, 19 Bobby Holland, 20 Edward Kelly.
Referee: Sean Kearns, MAR IRFU.
