Glorious day for Westport school

Glorious day for Rice College


FINAL
Rice College 26
Westport
Try: R Ludden, D Corcoran
Pen: D Corcoran (4)
Con: D Corcoran (2)

Calasanctius 18
Oranmore
Try: P Griffin, C Hansberry
Pen: E Stenson (2)
Con: E Stenson

Rob Murphy
Galway

IN a final that will take a permanent place in the annals of Westport and Mayo rugby folklore, Rice College delivered their best display of a truly superb cup run when they really needed it in last Wednesday’s final.
Twice at the Sportsground, this hugely talented side came from behind. During the course of the contest, they scored two thoroughly memorable tries to crown a first ever victory for a Mayo school in Connacht Schools Junior or Senior rugby. And they did it in some style.
Last year Calasanctius Oranmore had far too much for Rice College in the decider. The Westport side has caused a huge upset against St Joseph’s College, Galway in the semi-final but found the going tough in the final.
Lessons were learned, and with a large chunk of that side returning for another bash this time around, they delivered with the kind of composure that you’d expect from a side who had a cabinet of silverware back home
Oranmore’s three-in-a-row bid fell short then, but they had their moments in this contest too. Twice they must have been dreaming of another title – first when Patrick Griffin showed his immense talent to finish off a score in the corner beating two tackles and powering over.
That gave them an 8-3 lead at the midway point of the first half, after Dwayne Corcoran had kicked an early penalty while Eoin Stenson notched one for Oranmore. As the half drew to a close, however, Rice College found their feet, converting two vital penalties to edge back in front.
Corcoran was kicking well but that was only the beginning of a fine performance. He played a key role in their scintillating first try, which came from an attacking move around halfway and was sparked by the electric Ian Duggan, who made great yards before linking with Corcoran on his shoulder.
The outside centre drew the cover and had Rory Ludden darting down the wing to finish off from 20 metres. He had work to do but had the electric pace to do it. It’s a testament to the brilliant brand of rugby this Rice College side play that you had a winger-outside centre- inside centre combination as they went wide. Players switching at will and were capable of doing so.
That gave the Mayo men a 16-8 half time lead, and at that point, it was hard to see a way back for Oranmore. But to their immense credit they found one, first through the boot of a Stenson penalty and then from hard pressure which led to Craig Hansberry scoring. Stenson’s conversion was magnificent and Oranmore were on their toes.
They held firm for ten minutes, but as the game drifted into the third quarter, Corcoran grabbed it by the scruff of the neck. He kicked a penalty from 32 metres with the ball bouncing off the crossbar before edging over. He had earned the luck.
Then a brilliant Westport attack – that began with Corcoran and replacement Jake O’Shea making a fine break – finished with the former driving over from close range off the side of the ruck, in the style of the Irish captain who wears the same jersey.
Rice College had it all on the day – from a powerful front row, with Niall McCarthy to the fore, to a fine back-row performance, with Michael O’Grady on top of his game along with Ciaran Coughlan and Eoin Long.
In truth, there was no one player on this side that didn’t excel. And with a list of scalps that includes Garbally College and the Bish, they are very worthy champions. You get the feeling it’s only the beginning for rugby in Rice College.

Rice College
Niall Feehan; Ian Duggan, Dwayne Corcoran, Rory Ludden, Ruairí Keating, SeΡn Tobin, Stephen Cawley; Cormac Groden, Niall McCarthy, Conor Burke; Eddie Dunning, Joe O’Hare; Ciaran Coughlan, Eoin Long, Michael O’Grady.
Replacements used: Jake O’Shea, Tom McHale.

Calasanctius
Eoin Stenson; Patrick Griffin, Daniel Trayers, Darren Fitzpattrick, Daniel O’Connor; Mark Coyle, Darren Hennessy; Paul Maher, Owen Holland, Roberty Lloyd; Craig Hansberry, Thomas O’Reilly; Samuel Carroll, Liam Keaveney, Darren O’Brien.
Replacements used: Mikey Donohue, Stephen Flanagan, Diarmuid Joyce.

Referee: Tom McNicholas