Metro Premier 1 – St. Mary’s College RFC J1s v Blackrock College RFC J1s

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St. Mary’s College RFC J1s (34) v (20) Blackrock College RFC J1s

Monday, 30th March 2026

This was a treat, a joy to witness, and it is good to relate that a large cohort of Mary’s supporters, and one from Rock, swarmed the terrace and clubhouse in raucous cheers and chants and counter-chants, for this Metro Premier 1 relegation match. It had the intensity a top trophy match. J1 level is a high-quality league, often underestimated, but it was goluptious. From start to finish the players, the coaches
and the supporters were breathless with excitement. The referee, too, joined in the spirit of club rugby at its best, by judicious use of sanctions and encouragement to play; and play they did. Both teams went toe to toe and tried by every indirection to get the upper hand, but just as one did, the other got back, to the very last play, nearly ten minutes into injury time.

Often J1 teams are fileted just before kick-off, which can be dispiriting, however a special mention must be made for the coach, former club captain and star hooker Richard Halpin, who managed with minimum time to produce a team of kinetic energy, determination and cementation. Great credit too must go to Garry Manning and Darren Walker, who over the last few seasons stuck with the task, often difficult but never flinched. Johnny Allison has also been a great help this season. They glowed with joy. Dedicated Paul Conlon, the Club Chairman, was involved too tonight with the team. It would be unfair to mention anyone, so great was the contribution of each player who donned the super-starred blue, except to say that Oisin Kearney was an excellent captain, fitting for the occasion. It was also good to see names on both the Mary’s and Rock teams of famed parents and siblings.

Rock took the lead in the first half, scored two fine tries, and Mary’s replied with one. The halftime score was 7-14. Second half, Mary’s increased the pace and got ahead to lead 17-14 through two converted tries and a penalty. It was ding-dong, and Rock got a penalty back, and it was 17-17. Mary’s snatched a fine try converted 24-17 and added a penalty to make it 27-17. Rock were not done and got themselves a penalty it was 27-20. Then the fun really started with rock frantically attacking with élan, from all sides, over and back, Mary’s dug in, tackle after tackle covering for each other repelling, and Rock came again Then into extra time, it was frenetic, on went the chants and on went the play; then, we got an intercept and under the posts, 34-20. Winner all right!

 

Mary’s scorers. Oisin Kearney (converted, all kicks were by, 10, Ethan Kenny) Penalty, Kenny, Paddy Watters (converted), Leon Potts (converted), Penalty Kenny, Jack Halpin (converted).

J1Team
1 Adam Mulvihill, 2 George Hassett, 3 Oisin Kearney, 4 Leon Potts, 5 David Leane, 6 Jonathan Lynch, 7 Lucca Jennings, 8 Conor Pierce, 9 Shane McGrath, 10 Ethan Kenny, 11 Ross Moore, 12 Mathew Blake, 13 Thady McKeever, 14 Paddy Watters, 15 Jack Halpin, 16 Jack McKenna, 17 Padraig Dundon, 18 Mathew Smyth, 19 Liam Flaherty, 20 Jordan Carlisle.

D O’Brien.