Valiant Summerhill lose to the Jes
COLÁISTE IOGNÁID SUMMERHILL COLLEGE 13 7 TOP Oil Connacht Schools Senior Cup Final COLÁISTE Iognáid made it back- to- back Top Oil Senior Cup triumphs and a 14th senior title in front of a raucous crowd at the Sportsground on Wednesday afternoon.
Summerhill fought strongly throughout but were unable to penetrate the Iognáid defence until the last play of the game.
It was by no means a vintage performance from the Jes but they produced a professional display to claim their second title in a row.
Captain Diarmuid Codyre followed in his brother Morgan’s footsteps, who lifted the title last year, with the out- half one of Iognáid’s standout performers.
The crucial score came just before the break as prop Garey Keane, broke right through the middle of a ruck to cross.
Codyre’s conversion made it 10- 0 and a third Codyre penalty in the second half sealed the deal.
Credit to Summerhill as they never gave in and the Sligo school went in for a richly deserved try in the last play through lock Caoileann Carty with Brian Cox converting but they will have to wait another year for their chance to collect their maiden Senior Cup title.
After a dominant start by the Jes, Codyre missed two penalties in the opening 15 minutes with the second, from 45 metres, having the legs but whistling just wide of the left hand post.
A yellow card for Summerhill star centre Ross Hickey for an infringement at the breakdown after 27 minutes proved a major setback and Iognáid took full advantage.
First, Codyre slotted a penalty to make it 3- 0 and after further pressure in the Summerhill 22, Keane spotted a gap in the Summerhill defence to score the all- im- portant first try with Codyre converting. Summerhill were unable to hit top gear as Coláiste Iognáid ran out winners for the second year in a row.
Summerhill Head Coach Ross O’Boyle said he was extremely proud of his side on reaching the final.
“We are disappointed we felt this year that it could have been ours.
“It was tight and when they scored the try they went ahead from us. The lads deserve great credit, their effort is incredible. Looking back to where they’ve come since December, beating big teams including the Marist, Garbally and the Grammar.
“We did it the hard way. The players and coaching staff are a fantastic bunch and these players can look forward to what’s next for them.
“There may not be silverware this year but the legacy that’s left inspiring young kids is huge.”
Ross said rugby is really thriving in the school and there’s a bright future ahead these group of players and those to follow.
“The teachers and students have been fantastic giving us real support.
“There were four bus loads who travelled to the Sportsground for the final and it was a good day for rugby.” SUMMERHILL COLLEGE: Hugh Kisby; Cormac Murray, Kevin Connell, Ross Hickey, Rett Solano; Brian Cox, Brendan Cunningham; Mark Keegan, Vincent Reynolds, Conor Mc Govern; Caoileann Carty, Gary Golden; Fiachra Doherty, Sean Wynne, Adrian Cummins ( C). REPLACEMENTS: Ben Smith, Brian Flanagan, Andy Probst, Yusuf Shalabi, Darragh Feeney, Jack Gorevan, Thomas O’Hehir, Ruairi Mulligan, Rodrigo Garcia, Mark Harte, Sean Chambers. COLÁISTE IOGNÁID: Adam Cunningham; Conor Briscoe, Tomas Forde, Cillian McCabe, David Molloy; Diarmuid Codyre ( C), Eavan Kenny; Adam Corbett, Conall Fallon, Gary Keane; Diorai O’Connor, Aaron Mannion; Jake Gallagher, Cathal McGuinness, Hugh Keaveney REPLACEMENTS: Sean Monaghan, Cian Parsons, Michael Higgins, Tomas Power, Ciaran Anthony, Ruadhan Durkin, Gareth Kenny, Rory O’Flynn.