J3s Match Report – Clontarf RFC v St. Mary’s College RFC
Metro Divison 6 League 2026
Castle Avenue
Clontarf J3s 15 – 31 St Mary’s J3s
On Saturday afternoon, St Mary’s College RFC J3s made the long and emotionally loaded trip to Castle Avenue to open their 2026 league campaign against Clontarf. It was a venue that stirred memories — not all of them good — after last season’s league final, and with familiar faces lining the pitch, there was plenty of motivation in blue jerseys.
As ever in junior rugby, plans didn’t survive first contact with reality. Captain Stephen Campion was ruled out with a chest infection, while winger Carl Moloney pulled up with a calf strain during the warm-up. Into the breach stepped Conor Sheridan, who was handed the captaincy and responded with a performance that set the tone for the day.
Sheridan was outstanding. Calm, composed and authoritative, he kicked superbly from the tee, communicated brilliantly with the referee and guided his players around the park. His Man of the Match award was fully deserved.
Mary’s wasted no time asserting themselves. James “Walshy” Walsh intercepted a Clontarf move and galloped the length of the field before being hauled down just short. Jack Levins was on his shoulder in support and finished the job, touching down for the opening try, converted by Sheridan for a 7–0 lead.
That score opened the floodgates. Tries from Mark Hayden and Conn Loane, both expertly converted by Shero, pushed Mary’s into a commanding 21–0 lead. To their credit, Clontarf refused to fold and struck back with a converted try and a penalty to leave the half-time score at 21–10.
The match had bite as well as quality. After a Clontarf line-out was driven into touch, tempers flared. A Clontarf forward took exception, and in the ensuing melee head coach Dave Gardner was shoved. Sub Michael O’Malley’s shout of “You’re a big man pushing a 60-year-old!” summed up the mood, and while Mary’s were penalised with a yellow card for coming in from the side, the incident showed the unity and steel in this squad.
Up front, Mary’s were dominant. Eoin Boyle, Aaron Doherty and Eoin Keating controlled the scrum, laying the platform for everything that followed. Boyle was immense, carrying hard, tackling everything that moved and scrummaging like a seasoned tight-five forward despite looking more like a back-rower. Richie Fagan and Shane Fanning were ferocious in the engine room, shutting down Clontarf’s carriers and bringing real physicality.
The back row of Matty Kennedy, Rory Tisdall and Mark Hayden was relentless, each of them giving absolutely everything for the jersey. Behind them, Conn Loane and Sheridan dictated the game superbly, keeping Mary’s on the front foot. Gary Lynch was immense defensively in midfield, repeatedly chopping down a much bigger opponent, while Jack Levins added both solidity and spark. Out wide, Oppy, Walshy and Cillian O’Donoghue were fully tuned in, with Walshy in particular making big gains on the counter-attack.
Mary’s struck again early in the second half with a superb team try, finished by Matty Kennedy and again converted by Sheridan to make it 28–10. Clontarf then enjoyed a spell of pressure and territory, scoring in the corner to reduce the gap to 28–15 after the conversion was missed.
Mary’s were tested further when injuries to Dominic Coyle and Kevin Smith, combined with yellow cards, left them defending with just 13 men. The line was held. When numbers were restored, Mary’s marched back up the pitch, earned a penalty and Sheridan calmly slotted it over to seal a 31–15 victory.
A tough opening fixture, played in a hostile environment, and a statement of intent from this Mary’s side.
Next up is a trip to Tullamore, a team that got the better of Mary’s earlier in the season. Revenge will be firmly on the agenda as Mary’s now sit third in the table with a game in hand.
Upwards and onwards.
Squad
1. Eoin Boyle
2. Aaron Doherty
3. Eoin Keating
4. Richie Fagan
5. Shane Fanning
6. Mark Hayden
7. Matty Kennedy
8. Rory Tisdall
9. Conn Loane
10. Conor Sheridan
11. Paul Opperman
12. Jack Levins
13. Gary Lynch
14. Carl Moloney
15. James Walsh
16. Cian Carolan
17.Dominic Coyle
18.Kevin Smith
19.Cillian O’Donoghue
20. Michael O’Malley
