Jon
Garbin Presents: Man of the Match Insider
This
Week’s Guest: Ryan Brennan
In a rematch of last year’s Empire Rugby
Conference final, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies took on the Stony Brook Seawolves
on Long Island in a match that was circled on many people's calendars since the
schedule was released. Unfortunately, after bringing the score close and
playing one of the better second halves of their season, the Bonnies couldn't
get the try that would have won them the game.
(Photo on Left:) Brennan uses a powerful
stiff-arm to score his first try of the season against Syracuse.]
However, many positives could be drawn
from the intense match. The Bonnies showed a good attacking balance with great
runs by forwards and backs alike. One particular back, Ryan Brennan, stood out
among the rest.
Brennan, a junior, Sports Studies/JMC
major, started off the year on an unfortunate note. After
a hard summer of weight training and a strong debut against Buffalo, Brennan
suffered a concussion in practice that made him miss four matches. The Bonnies
went 2-1-1 in their star winger’s absence.
“I was devastated,” said Brennan.
“As a junior with a backline of mostly underclassmen, I felt compelled to lead
by example, which is nearly impossible to do when sidelined.”
However, in a must-win
game against Syracuse, Brennan was able to shake off the rust and score a try
and set up another in his return.
Brennan’s main goal, however,
was to prove that he and the rest of his backline mates could go toe-to-toe
with what many thought was the best unit in the ERC, Stony Brook.
“Of all games, I had the Stony
Brook match circled on my calendar. It was my inspiration to improve all
offseason, especially after they defeated us in the conference championship
last year,” said Brennan. “I wanted to prove that the boys from Bonaventure
could drive eight hours, come out hard and give Stony Brook a hell of a game.”
In another stellar bout
between the two SB's in the Empire Rugby Conference, Brennan added two more
tries to his season total, as well as gifting some great off-loads to fellow
Bona Ruggers.
His first score came in the opening
minutes when Brennan returned a clearance pick more than 50 meters, breaking
numerous tackles on the way. Brennan’s second score came in the second half,
when he inserted into the backline from about 20 meters away, took a flat pass
from fly half Chuck Meagher, and
left the Seawolves’ defenders grasping at air.
(Photo on Right:) Brennan was just out of reach of the Stony Brook defense on
his way to the try zone for his second score on Friday night.
Brennan chose St.
Bonaventure because of its well-respected reputation and recommendations from
friends and family. Also, having appeared on the NYS U-19 Beavers, Brennan was
able to speak regularly with Bonnies coach Clarence Picard about the wonders of
the tiny school in Olean, N.Y.
The former Hamburg Bulldog
enjoys the finer things in life. Tom Hanks and Adam Sandler movies, Jennifer
Aniston's talents, as well as dining at the local Applebee’s and taking
advantage of their stellar 2 for $20
deal. Brennan lives in the Bonaventure Gardens apartments with fellow ruggers
Tom Tyler, Tallon Moritz and Tim Callahan.
Brennan also fancies
himself quite the linguist on the mic and has entertained many a team bus ride
with his rapping skills by utilizing his quick wits and steady rhythm.
He can be seen spitting
his game here: http://youtu.be/Je2qH-PE2NQ
Utilizing the third
person, Brennan said, “Everybody knows R-Breezy has the illest bars on campus,
shoot, in all of New York.” The artist known as R-Breezy added, “You can catch me ripping chumps apart at your
local weekend get together, possibly at your nearest Applebee’s, or in the near
future collaborating with Snoop Lion and Jay-Z,”.
With two matches left in
the season, Ryan Brennan will look to help earn the Bonnies a playoff bid while
also solidifying the backline going into senior year.
“Along with (team
president and fellow back) Kevin McCorry, we will be doing everything possible
to ensure an entry to nationals and the continued development of the young
players in our backline,” said Brennan.
(Photo on Left:) Brennan [right] escorts freshman
Pat Hogan into the try zone against Stony Brook, while freshman Chuck Meagher
looks on. Brennan says he will work hard with these two youngsters and their
classmates to ensure this becomes a familiar sight.]
The speedy winger with a debacling
stiff-arm wants to continue setting an example for the talented freshmen and
sophomores behind him. By proving himself in last weekend’s game, Brennan is on
the right track.