J4 XV · Season archive
J4 XV — Season 2023/24
The O'Connor Cup won, Bective Rangers beaten 19–10 in the final at Energia Park, after a Division 8 final lost to Tullamore.
The O'Connor Cup won, Bective Rangers beaten 19–10 in the final at Energia Park, after a Division 8 final lost to Tullamore.
No team photo from 2023/24 has been identified yet. If you have one, please send it to archives@smcrfc.com.
St. Mary's score shown first. H = home, A = away, N = neutral venue.
| Date | Competition | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result | Venue and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/09/2023 | Friendly | Bective Rangers | A | 36–8 | W | Energia Park |
| 29/09/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Skerries | A | – | Holmpatrick. Listed as 'Conceded by Skerries' in the club stats workbook; Skerries withdrew from the league, so the fixture is not in the Leinster record or final table | |
| 06/10/2023 | Friendly | Guinness | H | 66–14 | W | Templeville Road |
| 13/10/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Stillorgan-Rathfarnham | A | 22–12 | W | Heavey Technology Park, Rathfarnham |
| 03/11/2023 | Metro Division 8 | De La Salle Palmerston | H | 31–7 | W | Templeville Road |
| 11/11/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Lansdowne | A | 61–14 | W | Lansdowne Road |
| 17/11/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Tullamore | H | 15–10 | W | Lakelands. Leinster: 'Game moved to Astro pitch in Terenure College RFC' |
| 24/11/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Emerald Warriors | H | 26–8 | W | Templeville Road |
| 01/12/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Bective Rangers | A | 26–29 | L | Energia Park, Donnybrook |
| 08/12/2023 | Metro Division 8 | Skerries | H | – | Templeville Road. Listed as 'Conceded by Skerries' in the club stats workbook; Skerries withdrew from the league, so the fixture is not in the Leinster record or final table | |
| 27/01/2024 | Metro Division 8 | Tullamore | A | 17–26 | L | Spollenstown |
| 03/02/2024 | Metro Division 8 | Stillorgan-Rathfarnham | H | w/o | W | Templeville Road. Walkover: conceded by Stillorgan-Rathfarnham (Leinster: 'Conceded by Stillorgan-Rathfarnham 2') |
| 16/02/2024 | Metro Division 8 | Lansdowne | H | w/o | W | Templeville Road. Walkover: conceded by Lansdowne (Leinster: 'Conceded by Lansdowne 5') |
| 23/02/2024 | Metro Division 8 | De La Salle Palmerston | A | 48–5 | W | Kirwan Park |
| 02/03/2024 | Metro Division 8 | Emerald Warriors | A | 30–24 | W | High School |
| 23/03/2024 | Metro Division 8 | Bective Rangers | H | 31–18 | W | Templeogue College. Leinster: 'Game moved to Templeogue College' |
| 06/04/2024 | Metro Division 8 final | Tullamore | A | 3–20 | L | Spollenstown. Division 8 final (play-off final) at Spollenstown; Andrew Gibbons injured (programme) |
| 10/04/2024 | O'Connor Cup, 1st round | De La Salle Palmerston | H | 22–11 | W | Templeville Road |
| 19/04/2024 | O'Connor Cup, semi-final | Lansdowne | H | 45–24 | W | Templeville Road |
| 26/04/2024 | O'Connor Cup, final | Bective Rangers | A | 19–10 | W | Energia Park. Final at Energia Park (Bective's ground); Thady McKeever stand-in captain (programme) |
Results come from the Leinster Rugby results archive (14), the club's statistics workbook (6). Where the Leinster record has a game, its score and date are used.
Club stats workbook dates the home Skerries fixture 08/12/2013 (typo for 08/12/2023, the date in the 2024/25 membership book)
Emerald Warriors (H): Leinster date 24/11/2023; club stats workbook, 2024/25 membership book and the 06/04/2024 programme have 21/11/2023 (stats sheet also mis-types the score as '26/08/2023')
23/03/2024 v Bective Rangers: the 06/04/2024 programme has 32-18 (Leinster, club stats and membership book 31–18); club sources give the venue as Templeville Road, Leinster as Templeogue College ('Game moved to Templeogue College')
17/11/2023 v Tullamore: club sources give the venue as Lakelands; Leinster lists Lakelands with the comment 'Game moved to Astro pitch in Terenure College RFC'
The 2024/25 membership book prints the away wins at DLSP and Emerald Warriors as 'DLSP 48-5 St. Mary's' and 'Emerald Warriors 30-24 St. Mary's' (St. Mary's score first, home team first) – Leinster has DLSP 5–48 and Emerald Warriors 24–30, St. Mary's winning both
O'Connor Cup final v Bective Rangers (26/04/2024): club stats workbook and membership books 19–12; Leinster 19–10 (three tries to two)
The O’Connor Cup win was the club's first since 2012 and its 9th overall (the 26/04/2024 programme lists 8 previous wins: 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2012).
Captain Andrew Gibbons missed both finals through injury; Thady McKeever was stand-in captain for the O’Connor Cup final (programme). The cup-final programme refers to 'Vice-Captain Conor' (Conor Quinn), whereas the 2023/24 membership book lists Thady McKeever as vice-captain.
Programme messages name the coaching/management team as Dave Gardner, Fran Pender, John Miller, Ciarán Murphy and manager Chris O’Connor.
Winters Cup 2023/24: the game v MU Barnhall at Parsonstown on 20/04/2024 was played by the J3 XV, not the J4. The Leinster team sheet is for 'St Marys College RFC 4' with J3 captain Richard Fagan as captain (in recent seasons Leinster's 'St. Mary's College RFC 4' is the J3 and '5' the J4), and the club stats workbook records the tie on the J3 XV sheet as 'Winters Cup - 2nd Round', lost 24–35, after a 1st-round walkover from CYM (04/04/2024). In this season's Leinster Division 8 record the J4 appear simply as 'St. Mary’s College RFC'.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Diff | Pts |
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| 2 | |||||||||
| 3 | |||||||||
| 4 | |||||||||
| 5 | |||||||||
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| 7 | |||||||||
| 8 |
Table from the Leinster Rugby results archive.
Comments: Skerries has withdrawn from this league. Lansdowne deducted 16 points for conceding four walkovers. Stillorgan-Rathfarham deducted 12 points for conceding three walkovers. Bective Rangers deducted 4 points for conceding one walkover. DLSP deducted 4 points for conceding one walkover.
68 names. All players named in the J4 XV selections of the club stats workbook 'Statistics & Score details Season 2023-2024' (friendlies, league, final and cup) plus the two final programme line-ups.
2 reports from the season, as written at the time. Click any match to open the report.
10 Apr 2024 St. Mary's 22 De La Salle Palmerston 11 Won O'Connor Cup, 1st round
J4 XV 22-11 DLSP (Templeville) 10.04.2024 – O’ Connor Cup Round 1
We faced DLSP a mere 4 days after a final loss down in Tullamore. It was safe to say the group had rebounded quickly and effectively, despite some key players being missing. Ross Moore stood out fantastically scoring twice in his first game with us, and it set motivations back to a high for our cup campaign. We conquered the beast that beat us in the final last season around, a testament to our resilience.
Scorers:
Tries – Ross Moore (2), Cody Dwyer, Leon Potts.
Conv – Dara Lynch (1).
15 Jack Delaney, 14 Cody Dwyer, 13 Daniel McGill, 12 Thady McKeever, 11 Matt Coughlan, 10 Dara Lynch, 9 Ross Moore, 8 Cian O’Brien, 7 Jaden Conboy, 6 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 4 Leon Potts, 3 Ayman Al-Frihat, 2 Marius Nikrov, 1 Kieran Egan.
Subs: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Gary Masterson, 18 Niall Kelly, 19 Oran Reid, 20 Alex Ryan, 21 Ryan Miller, 22 Áron Harrington.
19 Apr 2024 St. Mary's 45 Lansdowne 24 Won O'Connor Cup, semi-final
J4 XV 45-24 Lansdowne (Templeville) 19.04.2024 – O’ Connor Cup Semi Final
The semi final against Lansdowne was another thriller, similar to last year’s cup. The score line did not reflect the look of the game, with a present tension for most of the second half, despite our strong start through Thady. A few well worked late tries fortunately sealed the deal, sending us into the final for the second year running, against a Bective side we had both beaten and lost to so far this season, promising to be yet another tight match.
Scorers:
Tries – Thady McKeever (2), Matt Coughlan (2), Kieran Egan, Ross Moore, Jack Delaney.
Conv – Dara Lynch (5).
15 Jack Delaney, 14 Cody Dwyer, 13 Daniel McGill, 12 Thady McKeever, 11 Matt Coughlan, 10 Dara Lynch, 9 Conor Quinn, 8 John Luc Carvill, 7 Cian O’Brien, 6 Matthew Gallaher, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 4 Max Grace, 3 Cian Carolan, 2 Marius Nikrov, 1 Kieran Egan.
Subs: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Ayman Al-Frihat, 18 Leon Potts, 19 Oran Reid, 20 Niall Kelly, 21 Ross Moore, 22 Jaden Conboy.
16 line-ups, 16 with scorers. The source is given under each one. Click any match to open it.
15 Sep 2023 Bective Rangers 8 St. Mary's 36 Won Friendly
St. Mary's: 1 Aaron Doherty, 2 Andrew Gibbons, 3 Eoin Keating, 4 Richard Fagan, 5 Rory McPhillips, 6 Matthew Kennedy, 7 Marius Nikrou, 8 Dominic Coyle, 9 Thady McKeever, 10 Jack O'Mahony, 11 Harry Fanning, 12 Kyle Heneghan, 13 Denis Daly, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Conor Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Colm Byrne, 17 Thomas Demoulin, 18 Lucas Moran, 19 Gary Lynch, 20 Rikus Mostert, 21 Chris O'Connor, 22 Cian Carolan, 23 Conor Quinn.
Scorers. Tries: Conor Sheridan, Harry Fanning (3), Richard Fagan, Andrew Gibbons. Conversions: Harry Fanning (3).
From the club stats workbook.
6 Oct 2023 St. Mary's 66 Guinness 14 Won Friendly
St. Mary's: 1 Andre Christie, 2 Andrew Gibbons, 3 Henry Tracey, 4 Dominic Coyle, 5 Matthew Kennedy, 6 Marius Nikrou, 7 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Thady McKeever, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Gary Lynch, 12 Cody Dwyer, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Ayman Al-Frihat, 17 Eoin Keating, 18 Jack O'Kelly, 19 Alex Ryan, 20 Harry Fanning, 21 Ryan Miller, 22 Chris O'Connor, 23 Caglar Tuc, 24 Gary Masterson, 25 James Casey.
Scorers. Tries: Matt Coughlan (2), Marius Nikrou, Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, Jack Delaney, Thady McKeever, Dominic Coyle, Ryan Miller, Harry Fanning (2). Conversions: Dara Lynch (8).
From the club stats workbook.
13 Oct 2023 Stillorgan-Rathfarnham 12 St. Mary's 22 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Henry Tracey, 2 Aaron Doherty, 3 Andrew Gibbons, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 7 Marius Nikrou, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Cillian O'Donoghue, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Ryan Miller, 12 Daniel McGill, 13 Thady McKeever, 14 Cody Dwyer, 15 Matt Coughlan.
Replacements: 16 Eoin Boyle, 17 Thomas Demoulin, 18 Alex Ryan, 19 Liam Sardinha, 20 Jack Delaney, 21 AJ Ferris.
Scorers. Tries: Andrew Gibbons, Matt Coughlan, Aaron Doherty. Conversions: Dara Lynch (2). Penalties: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
3 Nov 2023 St. Mary's 31 De La Salle Palmerston 7 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Liam Sardinha, 2 Andrew Gibbons, 3 Eoin Boyle, 4 Max Grace, 5 Matthew Kennedy, 6 Marius Nikrou, 7 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Ryan Miller, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Colm Byrne, 17 Darragh Stapleton, 18 Jack O'Kelly, 19 Alex Ryan, 20 Rian Cassidy, 21 Cian O'Brien, 22 Gary Masterson.
Scorers. Tries: John Luc Carvill, Matt Coughlan (2), Daniel McGill, Jack O'Kelly. Conversions: Dara Lynch (3).
From the club stats workbook.
11 Nov 2023 Lansdowne 14 St. Mary's 61 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Eoin Keating, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Andrew Gibbons, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Mark Hayden, 7 Matthew Kennedy, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Jack Delaney, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Rian Cassidy.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Liam Sardinha, 18 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 19 Alex Ryan, 20 Cody Dwyer, 21 Michael O'Malley, 22 Jaden Conboy.
Scorers. Tries: Matt Coughlan (4), Thady McKeever (2), Jaden Conboy, Jack Delaney. Conversions: Dara Lynch (4), Thady McKeever (2). Penalties: Dara Lynch (3).
From the club stats workbook.
17 Nov 2023 St. Mary's 15 Tullamore 10 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Eoin Keating, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Andrew Gibbons, 4 Max Grace, 5 Richard Fagan, 6 Matthew Kennedy, 7 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Jack Delaney, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 David McGill, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Harry Fanning.
Replacements: 16 Lucas Moran, 17 Aaron Doherty, 18 Darragh Stapleton, 19 Stephen Campion, 20 Cody Dwyer, 21 Cillian O'Donoghue, 22 Ryan Miller.
Scorers. Tries: Matt Coughlan, Jack Delaney. Conversions: Dara Lynch. Penalties: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
24 Nov 2023 St. Mary's 26 Emerald Warriors 8 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Aaron Doherty, 2 Andrew Gibbons, 3 Liam Sardinha, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Alex Ryan, 7 Kyle Heneghan, 8 Mark Hayden, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Rian Cassidy, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Cody Dwyer, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Gary Masterson, 17 Anun Buajan, 18 Cian O'Brien, 19 Niall Kelly, 20 Jack O'Kelly, 21 Ryan Miller, 22 Áron Harrington.
Scorers. Tries: Matt Coughlan (2), Thady McKeever, Ryan Miller. Penalties: Dara Lynch (2).
From the club stats workbook.
1 Dec 2023 Bective Rangers 29 St. Mary's 26 Lost Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Aaron Doherty, 2 Andrew Gibbons, 3 Liam Sardinha, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Marius Nikrou, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Cody Dwyer, 14 Ryan Miller, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Colm Byrne, 17 Gary Masterson, 18 Jack O'Kelly, 19 Alex Ryan, 20 Áron Harrington.
Scorers. Tries: Cian O'Brien, Ryan Miller, Cody Dwyer. Conversions: Dara Lynch. Penalties: Dara Lynch (3).
From the club stats workbook.
27 Jan 2024 Tullamore 26 St. Mary's 17 Lost Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Aaron Doherty, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Andrew Gibbons, 4 Barry Holmes, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Matthew Gallagher, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Michael Nugent, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Cody Dwyer, 14 Áron Harrington, 15 Jack O'Mahony.
Replacements: 16 Gary Masterson, 17 Ayman Al-Frihat, 18 Liam Sardinha, 19 Jack O'Kelly, 20 Alican Acar.
Scorers. Tries: Thady McKeever, Andrew Gibbons. Conversions: Dara Lynch (2). Penalties: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
23 Feb 2024 De La Salle Palmerston 5 St. Mary's 48 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Cian Carolan, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Andrew Gibbons, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Matthew Gallagher, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Daniel McGill, 13 Thady McKeever, 14 Jaden Conboy, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Gary Masterson, 18 Niall Kelly, 19 Jack O'Kelly, 20 Cody Dwyer, 21 Mark Reynolds, 22 Ryan Miller.
Scorers. Tries: Cian O'Brien, Matt Coughlan (2), John Luc Carvill (2), Thady McKeever, Jack Delaney, Max Grace. Conversions: Dara Lynch (4).
From the club stats workbook.
2 Mar 2024 Emerald Warriors 24 St. Mary's 30 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Ayman Al-Frihat, 2 Aaron Doherty, 3 Cian Carolan, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Marius Nikrou, 7 Niall Kelly, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Lee Byrne, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Áron Harrington, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Liam Sardinha, 17 David Dixon, 18 Gary Masterson, 19 Dan McManus, 20 David O'Brien, 21 Dominic Coyle, 22 Cody Dwyer.
Scorers. Tries: Jack Delaney, Matt Coughlan, Cody Dwyer (2), John Luc Carvill. Conversions: Dara Lynch. Penalties: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
23 Mar 2024 St. Mary's 31 Bective Rangers 18 Won Metro Division 8
St. Mary's: 1 Ayman Al-Frihat, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Aaron Doherty, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Jaden Conboy, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Cody Dwyer, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Matt Coughlan, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Gary Masterson, 17 Kyle Corrigan Dromgoole, 18 Jack O'Kelly, 19 Niall Kelly, 20 Ryan Miller, 21 Áron Harrington, 22 Jack Curtin.
Scorers. Tries: Thady McKeever, Matt Coughlan (2), Cody Dwyer, Marius Nikrou. Conversions: Dara Lynch (3).
From the club stats workbook.
6 Apr 2024 Tullamore 20 St. Mary's 3 Lost Metro Division 8 final
St. Mary's: 1 Ayman Al-Frihat, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Aaron Doherty, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Jaden Conboy, 7 Matthew Gallagher, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Cody Dwyer, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Gary Masterson, 17 Liam Sardinha, 18 Kyle Heneghan, 19 Jack O'Kelly, 20 Niall Kelly, 21 Alican Acar, 22 Ryan Miller.
Scorers. Penalties: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
10 Apr 2024 St. Mary's 22 De La Salle Palmerston 11 Won O'Connor Cup, 1st round
St. Mary's: 1 Kieran Egan, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Ayman Al-Frihat, 4 Leon Potts, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Max Grace, 7 Jaden Conboy, 8 Cian O'Brien, 9 Ross Moore, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Cody Dwyer, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Gary Masterson, 18 Niall Kelly, 19 Oran Reid, 20 Alex Ryan, 21 Ryan Miller, 22 Áron Harrington.
Scorers. Tries: Ross Moore (2), Cody Dwyer, Leon Potts. Conversions: Dara Lynch.
From the club stats workbook.
19 Apr 2024 St. Mary's 45 Lansdowne 24 Won O'Connor Cup, semi-final
St. Mary's: 1 Kieran Egan, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Cian Carolan, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Matthew Gallagher, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Cody Dwyer, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Ayman Al-Frihat, 18 Leon Potts, 19 Oran Reid, 20 Niall Kelly, 21 Ross Moore, 22 Jaden Conboy.
Scorers. Tries: Thady McKeever (2), Matt Coughlan (2), Kieran Egan, Ross Moore, Jack Delaney. Conversions: Dara Lynch (5).
From the club stats workbook.
26 Apr 2024 Bective Rangers 10 St. Mary's 19 Won O'Connor Cup, final
St. Mary's: 1 Kieran Egan, 2 Marius Nikrou, 3 Ayman Al-Frihat, 4 Max Grace, 5 Darragh Stapleton, 6 Matthew Gallagher, 7 Cian O'Brien, 8 John Luc Carvill, 9 Conor Quinn, 10 Dara Lynch, 11 Matt Coughlan, 12 Thady McKeever, 13 Daniel McGill, 14 Ross Moore, 15 Jack Delaney.
Replacements: 16 Aaron Doherty, 17 Liam Sardinha, 18 Leon Potts, 19 Oran Reid, 20 Niall Kelly, 21 Jaden Conboy, 22 Ryan Miller.
Scorers. Tries: Matt Coughlan, Thady McKeever, Ayman Al-Frihat. Conversions: Dara Lynch (2).
From the club stats workbook.
Reviews, previews, programme messages and other pieces from the season, as written at the time.
2023/24 Message from the President (Division 8 final programme, 06/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Tullamore - 06.04.2024.
Best wishes to everyone involved with the impressive J4s in their league final against Tullamore RFC on Saturday 6th April. You have been led by a great Captain all year in Andrew Gibbons (who unfortunately is injured for the final) but we know would be leading on the pitch if available. Your attitude and resilience is so impressive and you personify everything we hold dear in St Marys. Good luck today from all of your Club mates!
Bobby O’Connor, President
2023/24 Message from the Chairman of Rugby (Division 8 final programme, 06/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Tullamore - 06.04.2024.
Wishing the J4s all the best in their league final. You guys have had an outstanding season to date under the guidance of coaches Dave G, Fran, John & Ciaran including manager Chris and the captaincy of Andrew Gibbons. You embody what Junior Rugby is all about and the whole club is behind you.
Alan Shirley, Chairman of Rugby
2023/24 Message from the J4 XV captain (Division 8 final programme, 06/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Tullamore - 06.04.2024.
The 2023/24 season so far has been a hugely positive story for our j4 squad. An injection into the team at the beginning of the season of some really talented players, and really great men, has made for a team anybody would envy on and off the pitch. We are going into this final against a very tough to beat Tullamore side, both of us having lost only one other game, aside from the matches against each other. Unfortunately, I can’t be part of the squad due to injury, which is devastating on a personal level, but I have no doubts in my teammates to do the club proud on the day, and I look forward to supporting from the sidelines. It’s been an incredibly enjoyable year so far, and while it’s far from over for them, it is for myself, and I am proud to have had the privilege of captaining this group.
Andrew Gibbons, Captain J4 XV
2023/24 Message from the J4 XV coach (Division 8 final programme, 06/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Tullamore - 06.04.2024.
John & myself were asked to help out with the J4's this season, we had heard that they were a young & talented group young of lads, who despite their tender age profile had an excellent core leadership group with experience coming through our minis, our youths & from schools. From the start we emphasised that we weren't here to reinvent the wheel, they had a style in the tradition of all great Mary's sides fast & wide, we see ourselves there to offer some guidance if & when required. The lads have formed a great bond & camaraderie both on & off the field. No doubt, whatever the result come Saturday evening the lads will raise the roof & a glass "We are the boys who wear the blue & white”.
Fran Pender, Coach J4 XV
2023/24 Message from the President (O’Connor Cup final programme, 26/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
Well done Captain Gibbo (Andrew), stand in Captain Thady, Vice-Captain Conor and all of the J4’s on reaching the O’Connor Cup final. A great achievement in itself, but an even bigger task lies ahead on Friday night. St Mary’s College RFC has a long, successful and enviable tradition in the O’Connor Cup, and we are very proud of it too. You are maintaining our important link with this competition this year and your Club is proud of you for keeping that link alive. You have some squad, and you are fortunate to possess great leadership, both on and off the pitch. Your deputy Captain, Thady, your incredibly supportive Coaching/Management team of Fran Pender, John Miller, Ciaran Murphy, Chris O’Connor and the legendary coach, (and past winner of the O’Connor Cup), Dave Gardiner, have all combined to give you the best possible foundation for this Cup campaign this year. And you have thoroughly deserved your place in the final.
Now you know what to do next.
Your Club is behind you.
Bobby O’Connor, President
2023/24 Message from the Chairman of Rugby (O’Connor Cup final programme, 26/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
Wishing the J4s and all involved all the best in the cup final on Friday. What a brilliant season it has been making the league final and following it up with the run to the final of the cup, playing outstanding rugby in the St. Mary's way. The club is hugely proud of your achievements this year and everyone is behind you on Friday.
Alan Shirley, Chairman of Rugby
2023/24 Message from the J4 XV captain (O’Connor Cup final programme, 26/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
To reach a final in a season is an amazing achievement. To reach two finals, is something special, and something to be extremely proud of. Although we couldn’t get over the line against Tullamore a few weeks ago, we have a different challenge this week vs Bective. The lads have a flame lit under them and are willing to do whatever it takes for a trophy. I know I haven’t played a huge part this campaign due to injury, but the group have the right leader in Thady to get the job done. I’ll be wishing them the best from the sideline, alongside our fantastic support, and regardless of the outcome I know I’ll be watching on proudly. BLUE BALL.
Andrew Gibbons, Captain J4 XV
2023/24 Message from the J4 XV coaches (O’Connor Cup final programme, 26/04/2024)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
After the bitter disappointment of losing the League final against Tullamore on the Saturday we didn't have long to feel sorry for ourselves as we had to pick ourselves up & go again on the following Wednesday in the Cup. It is a testament to the fortitude & character of the players not just on the day but in the wider squad to be able to refocus & apply themselves over the next couple of games to get us into the position of a Cup final where we find ourselves this evening. Despite their youthful profile they have experience & wisdom beyond their age.
No doubt, whatever the result come Friday evening the lads will raise a glass & the roof in song "We are the boys who wear the blue & white"
John & Fran, Coaches J4 XV
2023/24 Overall O’Connor Cup scoring stats before the final (O’Connor Cup final programme)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
Tries (11) – Ross Moore 3; Thady McKeever & Matt Coughlan 2 each; Cody Dwyer, Leon Potts, Kieran Egan & Jack Delaney 1 each.
Conv (6) – Dara Lynch 6.
Points (67) – Ross Moore 15; Dara Lynch 12; Thady McKeever & Matt Coughlan 10 each; Cody Dwyer, Leon Potts, Kieran Egan & Jack Delaney 5 each.
2023/24 St. Mary’s College RFC & the O’Connor Cup (O’Connor Cup final programme)
Source: SMCRFC J4 v Bective - 26.04.2024.
The James G. O’Connor Memorial Cup began in 1965 when it was presented by Old Belvedere RFC in memory of a founding member of their rugby club.
St. Mary’s College RFC has a long and distinguished history in the O’Connor Cup. The O’Connor Cup has traditionally been a J5 XV Cup Competition. In more recent times, it is the Cup that teams in Leinster Metro League Division 8 & 9 compete for.
Over the years, St. Mary’s College RFC have been lucky enough to win the O’Connor Cup on 8 occasions – 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1992, 1993, 1994 & 2012 and unfortunately, being the losing finalists on 6 occasions – 1978, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2022 & 2023.
Full List: (Captain)
1976 (Frank O’Rourke) beat Wanderers 12-6
1977 (Brendan Spring) beat Blackrock 16-10
1978 (Brian Swift) lost to Terenure
1979 (Brian Swift) beat Bective 9-0
1982 (Mick O’Leary) beat Terenure 15-3
1989 lost to Old Wesley
1990 lost to Terenure
1991 lost to Blackrock
1992 (Paul Glynn) beat Monkstown 11-0
1993 (Frank Kennedy) beat Terenure 19-6
1994 (John Russell) beat Bective 16-9
2012 (Gareth Lloyd) beat Clontarf 21-13 (AET)
2022 (Aaron Doherty) lost to Greystones 44-10
2023 (Conor Quinn) Lost to DLSP 21-6
Interesting Stats:
Club President Bobby O’Connor won the O’Connor Cup as a player in 1992 & 1994. Bobby also won as a coach in 2012, our last winning team.
J3/J4 Head Coach Dave Gardner was also part of the 1992 win as a player.
Roll of honour:
1965 Blackrock, 1966 Clontarf, 1967 UCD, 1968 UCD, 1969 Garda, 1970 Clontarf, 1971 UCD, 1972 Terenure, 1973 UCD, 1974 Terenure, 1975 UCD, 1976 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1977 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1978 Terenure, 1979 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1980 Monkstown, 1981 Lansdowne, 1982 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1983 Old Belvedere, 1984 Monkstown, 1985 Old Belvedere, 1986 Monkstown, 1987 Old Belvedere, 1988 Blackrock, 1989 Old Wesley, 1990 Terenure, 1991 Blackrock, 1992 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1993 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1994 St. Mary’s College RFC, 1995 Greystones , 1996 ????????????, 1997 Stillorgan, 1998 Old Belvedere, 1999 Monkstown, 2000 Naas, 2001 Clontarf, 2002 Lansdowne, 2003 ????????????, 2004 Barnhall, 2005 ????????????, 2006 Bective Rangers, 2007 DLSP, 2008 Blackrock, 2009 Old Belvedere, 2010 Terenure, 2011 Terenure, 2012 St. Mary’s College RFC, 2013 Terenure, 2014 Void??, 2015 Dublin University, 2016 Suttonians, 2017 Old Wesley, 2018 Old Wesley, 2019 Bective Rangers, 2020 Not played due to Covid, 2021 Not played due to Covid, 2022 Greystones, 2023 DLSP
Summary of Wins:
8 – St. Mary’s College RFC
7 – Terenure
5 – UCD, Old Belvedere
4 – Blackrock, Monkstown
3 – Old Wesley, Clontarf
2 – Greystones, Bective Rangers, Lansdowne, DLSP
1 – Garda, MU Barnhall, Suttonians, Dublin University, Naas, Stillorgan-Rathfarnham
For a full complete History of St. Mary’s College RFC & The O’Connor Cup please check out our website: <https://stmaryscollegerfc.ie/st-marys-college-rfc-the-oconnor-cup/>
Remember today, as season 2023-2024 draws to a close, win or lose:
We are Mary’s boys, who wear the blue and white,
and our star gleaming bright.
Boldly now we take the field to do or die,
and our banners wave, proudly high.
Ever dauntless, ever striving, come what may,
Man, for man will do his duty here today.
Rally round your colours boys with all your might.
Give three cheers blue and white.