Alan Monaghan comeback for Star a key in their win over Old Boys in 1983....

Alan Monaghan returned from injury in 1983 to play his first game back for Star, where they beat Old Boys 19-9.   Old Boys started well and ran the ball wide to disrupt the Star defence.  

Ken McMillan, full-back for Old Boys started the  first points on the board by coming into the backline where he received a difficult pass from the centre, just managing to control it he kicked it through with his boot and it was gathered up by Paddy O'Brien who drew his opposite to perfection and off loaded back to McMillan who had cut in and scored a great try.
A large fight broke up on the side-line and after Neil Buchanan, the referee had talked to the linesman he awarded a penalty to Old Boys in front of the posts.
The forward battle was stifling for the whole game.  Star changed their tactics after half time and tightened up their play which upset the Old Boys game.  Star got more assertive in the lineouts which gave them the edge by the end of the game.
It was not until the game was into nearly the 70th minute that Star got ahead of Old Boys.  Monaghan was having a grand game and managed to put Robbie Hill through a gap and score but it was ruled that Hill had knocked the ball on.  
Not to be dispirited by this the Star forwards stole a ball of an Old Boy's scrum and sent the ball out the back line and Hill had no trouble scoring this time.
With only ten minutes left, both teams realised they were running out of time and Paddy O'Brien made a great back to no avail but losing the ball to Shaun Flynn for Star he made a gutsy run upfield, bumping of players on his way.  Star ended up 3 metres from the Old Boy's line and from a lineout, Malcolm Quinn charged over for a try.  

Star:  Macolm Quinn, Robbie Hill (1) Alan Monaghan (3PG) (1Con)
Old Boys: Ken McMillan (1) Stephen Black (1PG) (1Con)

Reference:  The Southland Times August 1983