Trafford MV beaten by Irish team Skibbereen in action packed pre-season game

By Wilf Dooley

Trafford MV welcome Irish side Skibbereen to their MacPherson Park ground at the weekend in their second pre-season game ahead of the delayed start to the 2026/27 season.

MV had great expectations going into the fixture against an unknown opposition – but the other unknown was their own mix of players as new combinations were tried out and holiday season impacted on selection.

The game was played in 4 quarters with the heat still a factors but the ground is now showing a little sympathy to the players following the recent rain showers. As seems to be the norm for Trafford there was a good battle up front as both packs tangled in the contest for possession and both teams looked game for the fight.

Once the ball broke out of the forwards there was plenty of action for the supporters to cheer about and as the tries came for both teams.

The game started well for Trafford as they played well across the team in the first quarter and things looked positive as tries came for Luke O’Shea, Lewis Owen and Oscar livings with the ball being moved well and good attacking promise caused problems for the defence, Trafford’s pace was there to be seen.

Stand Off half back Aaron Booth added 2 penalties as the visitors responded with 2 tries and a conversion leaving Trafford with a 21-12 lead after the first 20min – exciting play !

The second quarter was much tighter as Skibbereen came to terms with Trafford’s style of play and staunched the flow of attacks while getting themselves more into the attacking mode of play. The visitors played a more rugged attack and breaches in the MV defence became apparent as the visitors took the second period 2 tries to nil for a score at the half time break of 21-22 – everything to play for now.

The first part of the second half saw the visiting defence hold tight as MV failed to get on the board yet again and defensive frailties became common place. Trafford conceded 3 tries in the 3rd period as defensive tackles were incomplete and continuous passages of play by the visiting attack brought the 3 tries which saw a gap open up at the end of the 3rd quarter 21-37.

To the young Trafford players credit they stuck to the task in hand and a spirited final quarter saw both teams collect a couple of tries a piece with Skibbereen adding a conversion.

Zak Gardener and Tom Shepard crossed the line for Trafford as they ran in two wing to wing tries to close off the game. Plenty of promise was shown in the home teams attack but the players and coaches will now know where the emphasis has to be before the league season gets up and running.

Defence and discipline needs to be the mantra as the referee’s whistle got plenty of use in favour of the Irish team and the defence was not dominant in order to halt attacks in their early stages.

Full time: Trafford MV 31-51 Skibbereen