AIL 2025-2026 Round 5 – First XV v Cork Con
St. Mary’s College RFC V Cork Constitution RFC
27 26
Energia AIL Division 1A
Templeville Road
Saturday 1st November 2025
Diamonds’ beauty so rightly shines,
and haughty value it defines.
Yet greater value still is work,
those who graft and never shirk
Overall
Above lines I did for the game against Con in 2012 in that singular season of our last AIL championship when we triumphed 21-8 and Jack McGrath was MoM. They could rightly define the match today in this shining season. For there were periods when St. Mary’s played celestial rugby and yet near the end Conor’s men had to graft to get that valuable win. Indeed, it looked as though the home side would cruise before
Cork Con got back into the game. Conor himself took a knock mid-first half, with Aaron O’Neill coming up to 10 from 15. Although the Skipper was missed, Aaron acquitted himself commendably and showed he is a talented and worthy deputy to the maestro Deano. Indeed, the versatility of the team and their deep heart was evident today.
The warm throb of the club’s pulse welcomed us back to its heart, after our enjoyable and valuable academic adventure. The place was abuzz with activity of the developmental kind and of the rugby kind and of the social kind. A happy melange. It was very pleasing to see that, even after two days of deluge, the main pitch was in fine working order.
Let us face it, it is the rugby that fuels the existence and with a visitor such as Cork Constitution, an elder sibling by eight years in the club rugby family, the excitement was wobbly. We may have lost the feeling of being top, a tiny bit. However, we deserve it and like it, and intend to hang on to it with screaming intensity. It would take big effort, skill and spirit to do so. The ancient and potent Samhain spirit would infuse our team and tuck magical Mick O’Gara under its oxter to ensure we got that extra point. Our visitors from Cork, full of tradition (first winners of AIL), and many great players over time, brought their own magic; and so the game proved to be an incantation of magic spells of rugby effulgence.
As the season progress the combined efforts of individuals making up sub units and fusing to form an unbreakable squad and their adhesion to their coaching/managing groups has ordained their success. For instance, the backrow they can look spectacular when in full flight or crushing and snatching the turnover ball. What isn’t often noticed is the amount of unseen work they do, up close and personal. I saw Dan in every phase he was there today superb, Ronan really back to his swashbuckling self and then there is Josh Gimblett. Maybe you did not notice him too much, the opposing backrows, scrumhalves and so on, notice him as he runs over them or shatters them or sweeps them aside or steels their ball or robs their try as they are about to ground; they are ground! We are fortunate to have JRD.
Mention of Mick O’Gara reminds us, that today there were many delightful displays and we showed why we win. Mick has been playing with even more accuracy, potency and guile than previous years. He has been a most useful second receiver, a carrier with real venom and vector and has shown a leader’s ability too. Today his work rate was breath-taking. His clever lay-offs, deceptive and his kicking was as ever exception and game clinching. He also scored a particularly fine try…..and converted it. His overall game and influence on the outcome ensured he received the Manverton MoM Award. (See photo of Mick receiving the Award from his Manager, Paul Pender)
The Game
The pace of the game was at times Mk11 and unrelenting. The way Head Coach Mark McHugh has his team playing very few opponents can match them. This was why, when Mary’s had built the baseline lead that belief was there and Mary’s prevailed in the end. All of the above factors showed in abundance today, and also that undefinable character that wins the vital decisive moment. The Con Lineout was exceptional, and their rucking game strong. The scrums were even, and we welcomed young Leinster Andrew Sparrow to tighthead for his first AIL start. He showed why he is considered so highly. He is a fine young man in all respects with a long career stretching out ahead of him. The home backline again looked that bit sharper harder and hungrier and it told. The breakdown for long periods too was profitable for the Blues.
Playing down to the Road End Mary’s got off to a fine start, running and rucking with quick ball, and after a multi-phased attack on four minutes Deano did a slip pass to Leandro coming in from his wing and he fed Mick O’Gara on an exceptional angled vector, he split the defence and popped it under the posts and converted, 7-0. Mary’s continued to attack, and after a series of drives from the pack, Rob fed his Ten who did his Deano-Dink to Carvill Corner. Defender and Leandro went up, the ball knocked to the ground and over the line. Lightening reactions by Leandro saw him up and on the ball and it was 14-0 after a super conversion by MOG. Almost the first visit to the home, 22 on 17 minutes saw Con’s 8 Kelleher slip over and it was 14-7. On the half hour Mary’s had a series of misfortunes. Huge one was losing Captain Conor to a shoulder injury, and then we gave away a penalty and yellow card, followed by a mauled try by Cork Con, so it was 14-12. And soon half-time.
The second half was only three minutes old when a cross kick from Con gave their winger the chance and he took it, 14-19. MOG converted a difficult penalty on 53 minutes, 17-19. Mary’s had been having less possession, but got back into their stride again. The pack was tiring a tiny bit and so with the phenomenal ability and power of Mighty Mick and Tumultuous Tommer, they won a scrum penalty and when playing the advantage in mid-field Adam McEvoy on at 9, whipped out he ball; It came to Flying Ruairi Shields, who deftly lofted a neat pass over to Aaron O’Sullivan and he seared the turf as he left all agape, and in for a beauty on 59 minutes. 24-19.
Confidence was coming back. Big Dan Leane and Finn Burke were on too, and making their mark. However, on 74 minutes, the blue crow gulped as Con went over for a fine try to make it 24-26. We got one more chance, a penalty on 78 minutes from far out. The redoubtable Mick O’Gara, from wide out, scored, and made it 27-26. Con got a chance to do the same, but the kick went wide and gracious blue joy poured over Templeville. It finished 27-26. Phew!
We have two week before the biggest derby game against Terenure. One almost catches breath with the happy, exciting thought of one of our biggest games of the season.
We win with ecstatic and jubilant joy and lose with some misery, but with sportsmanship. Their victorious match today against Hinch brings a health warning, so preparations begin now. I don’t have to tell you what Lakelands is like and how important it is to be there to support our super team.
They need us.
This is vital, if you are in Dublin, be there on 15th November. Don’t dare watch the stream until afterwards.
Turn Up. By decree. Do it for Deano. Off the Pitch.
An avalanche of parents and supporters thronged around the dressing rooms and terraces as they enjoyed a hard-earned victory and a continued number One in AIL Division 1A.
Before the game, the pre-match lunch was a celebration of previous league and cup wins, particularly of the senior team under great 7, Kevin Devlin and The Shirleys’ all-conquering J2 team of several seasons. The hall was jammed with greats from Mary’s and some from Cork Constitution. The officers were all there to welcome them, and our cherished President Gareth Logan was regal in his warm welcome to all, and his reminiscences of other days and the great days of Con. It was recalled that the current Con President, and former international outhalf, Ralph Keyes, played in the first ever AIL Division 1 team on the day when Donal Lenihan scored the first ever AIL try. It also happened that there as guest on former Club Chairman and President Brendan Spring’s table, Peter McGiolla Ri was also playing that day and he scored the first ever St. Mary’s try in AIL. It further transpired that Ralph missed a tackle on Peter allowing him to score. It was wonderful to see so many of our greats and good to note the number of past presidents there. On JB’s famous table as old as the lunches were with himself, popular Mattie Jones who is the longest serving active past president, 1985-86, predating the AIL. He was a famed battler on the many teams he played on in a long distinguished playing career. Also, past presidents (PPs) on that table were the great Frank Kennedy and John Pyne. JB had his pal Charlie Chawke with Seamus and long-time member Barry O’Donovan. What a table! Three other PPs, one from last year Paudge McGill, also Michael and David Fanagan, were ensconced amongst many of the leading St Mary’s women, led by the former Hon Sec Aoife O’Donnell. Other PPs, Ronnie McBrien and Kevin Conboy, were there with Kevin’s fellow former senior team Manager, Greg Maher.
Our greatly missed Steve Jameson was remembered, and he was represented there by his fine son Dylan, who has been extremely impressive during this extremely sad and difficult time for him and his family. The super Victor Costello was there with Fergal Campion, Dick Whitty was there, Philip Lynch beaming, Brian Rowntree was happy to be there and former payer for Mary’s Nicky Barry was there looking tops and other former internationals who looked ready for the field were Kieran Lewis, and Terry Kennedy. Mikey Houlihan and G-Mack by two were there, one with Simon, and Gillian was seen working away with Padraig, while Mark Donnellan and Conor Kinnear were deservedly hobnobbing on the top table. Vinnie Murray was there, smiling and helping where possible. Springer had great former team Manager and club sharp wit Brendan (Reggie) Foley was there with Dr Tim O’Flanagan, JVP Gerry Hassett, another two PPs were there too John Gilsenan and Gareth Roche and Patrick Crwford, all being continuously disturbed by Dermot (Barney) Barnewell. Both Keaners and lots more former players were chatting to their former coach, the dynamic Stephen Shirley, now highly active VP. It was hectic during lunch, you can only imagine what it was like after the match.
Team (12 changes during the game)
15 A O’Neill, 14 L Ramirez, 13 M Fogarty, 12 M O’Gara, 11 A O’Sullivan, 10 C Dean (Capt.), 9 R Gilsenan, 8 D Goggin, 7, 6 J Gimblett, 5 C Pierce, 4 G Jones, 3 A Sparrow, 2 J Nelson-Murray, 1 O Michel, 16 T O’Reilly, 17 McCormack, 18 D Leane, 19 F Burke, 20 A McEvoy, 21 R Shields.
D O’Brien.
