Carrig’s students explosive rise in schools rugby continues

at Donnybrook TEMPLE CARRIG KINGS HOSPITAL 27 26

TEMPLE CARRIG are Vinnie Murray Cup champions for the first time ever, after surviving a brave second-half comeback from threetime champions King’s Hospital School in a thrilling final in Energia Park, on Wednesday afternoon.

The Wicklow school produced an enthralling showing in the firsthalf to score three tries through Joe Barford, Eoin O’Neill, and Cillian Burke, to go into the break 24-0 ahead.

The King’s would fight their way back into the game in the second through four tries, three of which were converted by Jack Ormsby, but it was that one missed conversion that would cost them, as Temple Carrig lifted the cup for the very first time at the end of a nail-biting finish.

A raucous atmosphere in Donnybrook set the stage for a highly entertaining game of rugby that was bathed in vibrant spring sunshine. Both sets of teams were well-supported, with the main stand bustling with noise.

It took just six minutes for Temple Carrig to break the deadlock, as Joe Barford powered over the line on the right-hand side. Thade Shanahan struck the conversion over the bar to put them 7-0 in front.

Temple Carrig’s bright start continued with an excellent try on 13 minutes, when a well worked move down the right-hand side ended with Eoin O’Neill sprinting over for the second score of the day; Thade Shanahan was once again on hand to add the bonus to make it 14-0.

King’s tried to mount a comeback but were being met with stiff resistance from the Greystones defence, while also falling victim to sloppy handling errors, such as when Dylan Bagnall knocked the ball on as he approached the Temple Carrig 22.

The Greystones students, meanwhile, were having no such problems finding gaps. A clever give-and-go between Shanahan and Josh Sproul ended with the latter almost breaking to the line, while Eoin O’Neill was denied his brace by a last-gasp tackle, after an excellent pass from Cian Hingerty.

On 33 minutes, Carrig got the third try that their pressure had deserved. A Howard Noonan line-out deep in the King’s 22 was knocked down to Cillian Burke, who showed great power and determination to resist several tackles and cross the line. Thade Shanahan added the extras with an excellent conversion from the right touchline.

While they were very impressive going forward, the work at the breakdown whenever their opposition mounted offence was also commendable, as was seen when Cian Hingerty turned possession over on his own 22 and ending the half with Temple Carrig well in control at 24-0.

Greystones were made to endure a rampant King’s comeback in the second half. The Dublin school chopped the Temple Carrig advantage away with four tries but it wouldn’t be enough, as Temple Carrig dug in to come away with the historic win.

King’s started the half with extra intensity, which was rewarded by Oluwatani Lawal powering over at the posts for his side’s first try. That score, as well as the conversion from Jack Ormsby, gave them a new lease on life.

Six minutes after their first try, King’s got in for their second, through Kenneth Cooper, as they continued to chip away at the deficit which, after the successful conversion, was reduced to 24-14.

The atmosphere inside the ground was rising, as the King’s supporters sensed an opening for their side. Greystones needed a moment of reprieve from the siege, which Thade Shanahan supplied with a vital penalty on 52 minutes.

King’s were almost in for their third after 58 minutes, only for Matthew Mahood’s cross-field kick to narrowly miss Adam Bagnall on the right flank.

They kept plugging away, however, and would deservedly get their third, once again through Kenneth Cooper, moments after Max Scully was sin-binned by referee Robbie Jenkinson. Jack Ormsby put the conversion wide, which proved to be integral to the final result.

With two minutes left, King’s got to within just one point of drawing level through an Ormsby try, but it was too little, too late. Temple Carrig survived a final onslaught to escape with the narrowest of victories; 27-26.

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