Politicians fought the law and the law won (Law Society 5 - 0 Dáil & Seanad XV)

The match was a charity fixture for the injured players’ trust of Rugby Players Ireland and refereed by Declan O’Sullivan of Dechert LLP.

The Law Society of Ireland team snatched victory from the Dáil & Seanad side with the only try being placed by Mark Heslin, partner at Beauchamps Solicitors. Dáil & Seanad made several gallant attempts to cross the line, but failed to overcome the lawyers’ robust defence.

Dáil & Seanad started the game strongly with several attempts to break through the Law Society lines, thwarted only when lawyer out-half Simon Keogh turned over the ball and initiated a counter attack.

As if to confirm that this was no soft fixture, the injuries started pouring in early, starting with a stretcher being called for a Law Society man within five minutes of kick-off. The favour was returned soon after with a Dáil & Seanad man coming off with a head injury.

The first serious attempt of the game came at 12:20 with Dáíl & Seanad coming within two metres of landing a try, before being deftly turned over to the Law Society defence.

Former Ireland international, Isaac Boss of the Law Society, took the opportunity to make a run at the opposition’s lines, only to be cleared off the line with a kick from the defenders. The first half elapsed with plenty of good attempts but without any result.

The second half of the game started with its share of casualties too, with Dáil & Seanad’s #3 coming off with an arm injury, having put in an excellent game and some well-placed tackles while on field.

The defining moment of the game came when Mark Heslin managed to pass both Senator Neale Richmond and Alan Farrell TD to the touch line, taking the only points in the game for the Law Society.

With points secured, the Law Society put up a tight defence that successfully warded off a myriad of attacks from the Oireachtas side.

Michael Carney of Whitney Moore Solicitors successfully put a stop to a late run from Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy which may otherwise have brought a late equalizer.

What the game lacked in points, it more than made up for in entertainment value. One might have expected that a game between Leinster House and Blackhall Place “suits” would have been an amiable affair, but instead there was intense rivalry, good efforts, and hard tackles on both sides. The evenly-matched sides were distinguished by only the slimmest of margins - with a stellar performance from Heslin ensuring that our politicians remain under the rule of law.

Kevin Burns, Irish Legal News