DEVINE IS RIGHT ON
Rapid progress for Munster man
SONGS OF PLAYS: Connacht’s Finlay Bealham and Matthew Devine sing the “The Fields of Athenry” in the dressing room after defeating Zebre on Saturday
MATTHEW DEVINE proved a chip off the old block, picking up Man of the Match after scoring two tries just two days after signing his first pro contract, as Connacht wiped out Zebre 54-16.
The scrum-half’s tries, a shortish snipe and a superb long range break, were the first two of the province’s seven and were all the more important as they set the early platform for runaway victory.
Ballinasloe-born and a son of Mike Devine who, as a Buccaneer, not only played on the wing for Connacht but, playing out of Shannonbridge GFC, was a 1988 All-Ireland U21 football winner with Offaly.
There is likely more to come from the family too as behind Matt is younger brother John who plays in the centre.
The brothers are Ballinasloe RFC and Garbally College products - both played on the 2019 Connacht Schools Cup winning team - and were Ireland U20 Grand Slam winners in their respective years, Matt in 2021, John in 2022.
Progress
Matt has made notably swift progress this year to this point.
There was a senior Connacht debut away at Lyon in the Champions Cup last January, he turned 22 in February, and was named in the matchday 23 for the Challenge Cup match with Pau and URC game with Benetton in early April.
“We were delighted to have bounced back so brilliantly from last week,” said Devine after the win over Zebre.
“I think the team gave the supporters something to cheer about, I thought the team was brilliant tonight.”
The Connacht senior squad is currently carrying four scrumhalves, sometimes team captain Caolin Blade, on-loan from Ulster Michael McDonald, Colm Reilly and Devine.
“People are fighting for the jersey across every position we have got but in my case Caolin has been brilliant to me ever since I have come into the Academy,” says Devine.
“He may be in the same position and I guess you could say we ‘fight’ for the same position but he has always been very good to me.”
Bonus
Meanwhile Jack Crowley, Alex Nankivell and RG Snyman starred for Munster who got the season’s first away win over the Bulls at the famed Loftus Versfeld.
A 27-22 scoreline featuring tries from Shane Daly, Snyman, John Hodnett and Conor Murray gained them the bonus point too.
Said Graham Rowntree of a performance that saw them swap positions with Bulls, taking them to third with four games to play.
“We have so much respect for South African teams and, when you come down here, you have got to be good and I’m immensely proud of the lads for that effort against a very good team.
“We had a good plan going into this game against this team, at altitude, and we stuck to that plan. We were in a good place at half-time and not such a good place in the third quarter, but we kept playing and our composure was special.
“There are still elements we have to improve on. We can be so much better.”
Leinster’s ‘second string’ were beaten 44-12 at Lions and, a loss that sees their URC league table lead cut to a single point.
There are a number of internationals making their way to South Africa to bolster the squad ahead of meeting sixth-placed Stormers in Cape Town.