Magical day ends with Popplewell Cup crown
WICKLOW-13S TULLOW U-13S 7 0
WICKLOW RFCs Under-13 squad travelled to Gorey RFC on Saturday morning to take on some of the best teams in the South East in an early season 15-a-side competition.
The Popplewell cup is named in honour of Gorey’s Nick Popplewell who played for Gorey, Leinster, Ireland and the Lions. This was the 27th running of the annual competition hosted by Gorey RFC with the support of the Popplewell family. Wicklow had only won the trophy twice in the past.
Wicklow travelled with a large squad of 32 players. In an effort to get as much rugby as possible for all the players, Wicklow fielded two teams.
The first games kicked off at 11am and culminated in the final at 3pm.
Wicklow’s Black squad started off with an excellent win against Wexford before going down in a tight contest against the home side Gorey.
They performed well against the Wicklow Red side before losing to a huge Tullow side in their last game of the day.
Wicklow’s Red squad opened with wins against Tullow, Gorey, Wexford and drawing with New Ross in a tight game. The final was contested between Tullow and Wicklow.
It was a very tight game but Wicklow had the edge on their bigger opponents early on. A powerful break up field by Tom Murray put Wicklow on the attack deep in Tullow territory. Wicklow spurned a simple penalty in front of the posts and opted to go for the try. They took two tapped penalties and eventually drove over the line to score. Prop Sean Gillespie emerged from underneath the pile of bodies to claim the touchdown. Outhalf Brian Johnston, who was outstanding on the day added the extras and Wicklow led 7–0.
Tullow surged back into Wicklow territory and as the clock ticked down were camped on the Wicklow line. Wicklows defence was superb all day and they were in no mood to concede a late try. They forced the turnover as the final hooter went. Scrum half William Clarke coolly fed the ball to Johnston who put the ball out of play and the final whistle went.
There were great scenes of delight as this bunch of young players had secured their first ever competitive trophy.
Captain for the day was the excellent Noah Hughes who spoke very well afterwards as the skies opened and torrential rain began to fall. He thanked Gorey RFC for organising the tournament, Tullow for a tough game, the parents for all the support, the WRFC coaches and especially all 32 members of the Wicklow squad who travelled to Gorey on the day.
This was an exhausting but enjoyable and memorable day for this young team. Best wishes go to Will Fitzpatrick who injured his arm and we wish him a very speedy recovery.
Wicklow’s Under-13s begin their South East League campaign on Saturday morning at home in Ashtown Lane with a game against Co Carlow RFC with kick off at 11am.
Wicklow: Ben Harris, Brian Johnston, Darragh Carey, Findlay Davies, Hugo Kelly, Isaac Foley, Jack McConnell, Jake Whyte, Johnny Harkin, Luca Sturlezi, Tom Murray William Clarke, William Fitzpatrick, Will Fitzpatrick, Brendan Stone, Cormac Murphy, Harri Armstrong, Jack McCall, Jonathan Flemming, Joss Hulin, Nathan Reynolds, Noah Hughes, Rhys Davies, Sean Gillespie, Senan Kelly, Stephen Tobin Kelly, Theo Pennell, TJ Kennedy Darragh Corcoran, Cuan Dennis Leacy.