The supplement in the paper of record (which is today) always marks the real build up to the blue riband competition of Irish rugby. Even before a ball is kicked, its hard to see anything other than a Holy Ghost derby come March 17.
Itâs Vinnie Murray Cup semi-final day tomorrow. My beloved CUS take on Gonzaga at Sydney Parade while itâs an all-Eastern Seaboard affair at Wicklow as St. Gerardâs meet unfashionable Wexford CBS.
Iâm hoping that the Leeson Street school will take their place as Marist-ocrats of the schools game this year, and my source tells me that the squad are very fo-cus-sed.
If I get a chance Iâll preview the prospects of each squad in the run up to the real big kick off in 11 daysâ time.
Some wonderful names to conjure with in this yearâs squads.
Devastation for the 'Cus in the Vinnie Murray Cup semi-final. Best of luck to balbec and his beloved 'Zaga for the rest of their campaign. Iâll now be transferring my support to my beloved St. Gerardâs.
Hereâs a match report from todayâs Bumper edition of the CUS Chronicle:
Another good day for rugby as both CUS and Gonzaga squared off for their Vinnie Murray semi final at Monkstown Rugby club.
A large support of almost 400 students (only 30 students did not go to the match) were in good voice.
After 20 minutes it was looking like we would receive a drubbing. Poor tackling slick handing and hard running had seen Gongaga race into a 26 - 7 lead. Their impressive back line was taking advantage of our mistakes and punishing us severely. Our one try came from a pick and drive from our pack that saw our captain and number 8 Luke Trench score. This set the pattern for the game where we played through our forwards while Gonzaga looked to run the ball.
Trenchâs performance during the match was simply the stuff of legend. After Gonzagaâs third try it looked as if his game was over. From the restart he leapt into the air to compete for the ball and landed awkwardly on his neck. After 5 minutes of treatment and genuine concern he was ok to continue and boy did he continue!
Gradually we came back into the game, the intensity of our hits increased and penalties ensued. From line out 5 metros out Luke touched down for our second try after a driving maul. By halftime we had clawed our way back into the game which had seemed a distinctly remote possibility after 20 minutes.
Our pack marshalled by Luke with Enda Kelly (who ran Luke close as CUS player of the game), Sean OâHara, David Byrne, Donal McCarthy, Stephen Russell and Cormac OâCleirigh to the fore had taken the game by the scruff of the neck.
The pattern continued in the second half with our pack camped in the Gonzaga 22. We had the ball over the line two times only for the ref to rule that we had been held up. Oh for a TMO!
Our aggressive running kept the Gonzaga defence under pressure. Matthew Butler, Max Lacken and Stephen Tarpey, caught the eye in the backs. Out-half James OâKane and his replacement Tom Newman played well while scrum half Cian OâCurry played like a third flanker.
With 10 minutes to go our pressure told when after another maul and drive Luke Trench scored his third try. This try like the previous two was converted by Matthew Butler â 7 successful kicks out of 8 is not a bad return from two matches. Unfortunately from the kick-off Gonzaga put together a good passage of play to score a try in the corner which they converted. Our brave and I mean brave effort was over.
Hard luck to the lads and their coaches â we showed determination and guts but our poor start had given us too high a mountain to climb. Best of luck to Gonzaga in the rest of their campaign.
Many thanks to all of the past pupils who attended the game â your support is greatly appreciated
Tremendous effort by the rank outsiders from the Gick in the re-arranged fixture but ultimately Michaels justified their billing as favourites and ran out narrow winners. Next up its a Holy Ghost derby in the quarter final against the 67 times champions. This has the look of a de facto final about it.
A big Jesuit match up up in the quarters as well with the Northsiders from Great Denmark Street facing the boggers from Clane.
[quote=âManuel Zelaya, post: 898920, member: 377â] Next up its a Holy Ghost derby in the quarter final against the 67 times champions. This has the look of a de facto final about it.
[/quote]
Thatâs nonsense @Sidney . Belvedere have an excellent team this year and I fancy them to beat Clongowes. Whoever wins that game would be more than a match for St Michaelâs who will have to improve no end if they are to beat Blackrock.
Newbridge are real dark horses this year, I fancy them to beat St Maryâs. There will be plenty of opposition for whoever wins the Blackrock game.
From the restart he leapt into the air to compete for the ball and landed awkwardly on his neck. After 5 minutes of treatment and genuine concern he was ok to continue and boy did he continue
[quote=âartfoley, post: 898975, member: 179â]gonzaga cunts
fuck you @balbec[/quote]
We are green, we are whiteâŚ
[quote=âSandymount Red, post: 898944, member: 1074â]Thatâs nonsense @Sidney . Belvedere have an excellent team this year and I fancy them to beat Clongowes. Whoever wins that game would be more than a match for St Michaelâs who will have to improve no end if they are to beat Blackrock.
[/quote]
Youâre getting confused if youâre addressing Sidney on my posts. In any case, youâre well and truly confused on this thread if you thought Belvedere would win the Battle of the Jesuits. Clongowes Wood thumped them 26-12 today.
On Thursday the 13th of February, St. Marys College and Newbridge College will go head to head in the Beauchamps Leinster Senior Cup quarter final in Tallaght Stadium.
:o
[quote=âmyboyblue, post: 901441, member: 180â]On Thursday the 13th of February, St. Marys College and Newbridge College will go head to head in the Beauchamps Leinster Senior Cup quarter final in Tallaght Stadium.
[/quote]
Tallaght is the right place for a crowd of muckers from Newbridge.
Tomorrow is what its all about. The Holy Ghost derby is the de facto final. Its St Patricks Day coming 4 weeks early.
[quote=âManuel Zelaya, post: 901444, member: 377â]Tallaght is the right place for a crowd of muckers from Newbridge.
Tomorrow is what its all about. The Holy Ghost derby is the de facto final. Its St Patricks Day coming 4 weeks early.[/quote]
Manchester United fans will be delighted to know that Old Trafford isnât the only stadium in these islands that harbours ghosts.
[quote=âmyboyblue, post: 901441, member: 180â]On Thursday the 13th of February, St. Marys College and Newbridge College will go head to head in the Beauchamps Leinster Senior Cup quarter final in Tallaght Stadium.
[/quote]
There was a match in Tallaght last year sure. Possibly Roscrea and Newbridge / Clongowes
Shamrock Rovers always maintained it was a multi-activity stadium, and not solely for football. Is this correct, @The Wild Colonial Bhoy?
Itâs got nothing to do with them. They rent out the stadium just like the Leinster branch. They have zero say who gets to play there.
Thatâs my point. Sure theyâre the main tenant, but theyâre one of many bodies/organisations that use the stadium. Which was what Shamrock Rovers always said.
I canât believe that this thread has been contaminated and is degenerating into a discussion on âShamrock Roversâ of all things.
No doubt TASE, or whatever heâs calling himself these days, will use it as a stick to beat the GAA with. But itâs good to see the stadium being used for occasions such as this.
http://www.limerickleader.ie/sport/anyone-you-recognise-in-these-schools-rugby-stereotypes-1-5868256
too true to be funny