Energia AIL Division 1A FINAL

St Mary’s College RFC V Clontarf FC
46  –  31
Energia AIL Division 1A

Final
Aviva Stadium
Sunday 26 th April 2026

 

 

 

A Wrap Up

Preamble
Having been through a highly charged pre semi-final, the build-up, this week was ostensibly less frenetic, but none the less cerebrally testing for players, coaches, management and administration, especially considering what was at stake. There was an evidentially positive confidence growing, without arrogation, as the week progressed. The head coach, Mark, had a programme for his squad in place and they were enjoying it, well sort of! The wheels of organisation at a central and local level were turning smoothly. Saturday, there was an arranged coffee morning at the Goat for club guests. There, incoming JVP David Lyons, ran an informative and interesting Q&A with Head Coach Mark McHugh and Chairman and Director of Rugby, Alan Shirley relating the development of the systems in place. The squad arrived to meet the group. With this squad of particularly friendly and integrated young men it was a super success.

 

The Longest Day
The diary for the day itself was a test for young players. The match was not scheduled until 4.00pm, following the Women’s AIL Final between UL Bohemians RFC and Blackrock College RFC. The top-pop-pals, President, VP and JVP, Logie, Shirls and Hass, had a busy programme, with an IRFU hosted lunch for the presidential entourages of the four guest clubs. There the president of IRFU, Dr O’Driscoll and AIL organisers welcomed the clubs and each of the club presidents replied. Our President, Gareth Logan, is a superb speaker, and once again was outstanding, covering all germane points in a succinct and entertaining fashion. As well as his lieutenants, he had invited the leading ladies of the club (see Post Match), and his special pal and fellow former senior player Frank Lynch who had come over from Chester to support his old club. Ian Bloomer who was on a crutch was there as a special guest in appreciation for his service to the club. Brendan Spring (Trustee) and Steven Hennessy club rep to Leinster, also Gareth Roche (Assistant Chairman) and ubiquitous Mossy Davin who has for many years been centre of organisation and is current hon treasurer, Archivist and Comms, Hon Secretary, Lorcan Byrne and Vinnie Murray Hon Match Secretary and Manager U20s and Comms group. While this was going on The Management were doing their business as they ever do quietly and efficiently. They were looking after every small detail, ensuring the players gear and extras were ready and in place. At this stage there is a hush in the dressing rooms and subtleties and sensitivities of man management are paramount. The squad has been most fortunate in having the group they have. Paul Pender has been a rock behind the group, knowing and providing, planning and sorting out
problems. It is a difficult but worthwhile job and when you have dedicated men like Conor O’Neill, Paul Conlon and Harry Ebbs with you and in unison, then it makes everything work well. These men totally deserve to celebrate and be celebrated. We owe them they spend long hours working for their club.

Meanwhile, the Hoi polloi were amassing in Charlie Chawke’s Searson’s pub in Baggot Street, awaiting the team bus to arrive and having club orange. It duly did, to great acclaim as it halted to share cheers and emotions. The scene was set. Meantime, back at the Lansdowne Ranch, Paul (Steve’s brother) Hennessy’s UL Bohs were defeating Rock Girls in an entertaining match to gain their third in a row AIL title.

 

The Aviva Stadium 16.00 hours
The ear-piercing PA system screamed out the arrival onto the pristine pitch, the two men’s teams. It is hard to envisage the inner feelings of the two squads, most of the Mary’s squad never having had the wonderfully awe-inspiring opportunity of sampling underfoot, the manicured sward of their Rugby Mecca. How would they respond? Firstly, there was poignant minute’s silence in respect of the recent very sad death of
Breda Rigney, wife of esteemed member Philip aunt of our star winger and fullback Mark Fogarty, and sister of Mark’s dad our , greatly missed Patsy Fogarty. Philip and their daughter Aoife Rigney were present. They appreciated greatly the deserved tribute. Across the pitch East side, had trickle-filled to circa 5,000 true blues, eager and anxious.

What transpired was historical and goluptious. This apotheosis of celestial rugby, which clearly justified its enactment on the top stage of the Irish game and was not just a victory for St Mary’s but for club rugby and the AIL. Clontarf too, played their part in ensuring that this will go down in the memoirs. After a very early wobble. St Mary’s steadied straight away and for almost all of the game were clearly in the ascendancy. The second half being a delightful symphony of rugby rhapsody. The Mary’s scrum adjusted to needs, and ended in positive territory, even with a replaced front row it held sway. Tarf usually have a strong pack and an exceptional maul. They had indeed, but we adapted again and put pressure with our own. Clontarf were as ever full of power and determination but little variation or adventure and
failed to get the ball wide with pace or penetration. Their source of points depended generally, with the exception of an intercept try, on forward power from close in.

The St Mary’s College RFC team has developed into one that has a beautiful balance, being strong in all facets of the game. Some fretted when the blue brigade played at a pace which was bewildering, that they might not be able to sustain it.

Sustain it they did and were still at Mk11 to finish. Marcus O’Driscoll had them at a fitness level that was infrangible. One of the distinguishing features of this group of players is the understanding between teammates; it is exact and impressive. There is too an abundance of leaders, and all enthusiastically follow their commander in chief, Skipper Conor, who was at his dazzling Deano dream best today, controlling the game varying play, hungry in defence and attack. His passing leaves defenders grasping and his variation of kicks gives opportunity; his Deano Dink being a feature. It is nigh on uncanny how Deano can spot an intercept and it is often in a scoreable position that he pounces. He did it again today. He played an outstanding captain’s part.

 

Head Coach, Mark McHugh, a former international player and Marys AIL winning outhalf, as well as overall coaching, has developed and put his own stamp on the backline with exciting and highly effective results. The backline is spectacularly pancratic, with penetrative pace and control and adamantine defence. Their interactions are intuitive and fluid, with inter-passing, offloading on contact, and instant support at breakdown. There is high powered pace out wide and instinctive cover of the backfield. In open play there is a melding of actions between forwards and backs and an innate understanding to produce completion. With Myles Carey back from injury he is again stratospheric, with sizzling acceleration and pace, soaring to snap ball from would be graspers; his balanced high paced running and perfect positional play is mesmeric and he can see and take a gap almost before it appears. On loose balls or breakdowns he is predatory. He was electric from kick off today emitting sparks of blue bristling energy. His aura inspired all around him and he was selected to receive the Manverton MoM Award. (See photo of Head Coach Mark McHugh presenting Myles Carey his Manverton MoM Award in front of the score board).

The pack is powerful, pacey, solid and athletic. Cohesion obviates any weaknesses and interpersonal confidence allows freedom, highly effective lineout and action, also allowing individual talent to flourish. Indubitably, it is the best back row in the league. The other five ensure it is the best pack. The painstaking work of Greg Jones, Jack McGrath and Tommer O’Reilly ensures a clever, effective lineout and maul, a strong scrum, and overall a highly mobile unit. As with the backline, there are several alternative players who can slot in as required. Mark emphasises the need for sufficient numbers in a squad, and has used over 35 players this season. Jamie Cornett keeps a close watch on the defence. Jamie is a brilliant video analyst, spending endless hours going over videos in minute detail, often over and over. The results, like Jamie himself, are invaluable. The squad have received valuable, expert video footage each week from Gordy Smyth. Statistics from IRFU show how true above is, with top try scorer Myles, top points scorer Mick O’Gara and overall top stats for Josh Gimblett, showing how valuable he is; on that point he has started every AIL game, carrying out to perfection his role as a Six. He has been brilliant every match, quietly and highly efficiently working. He is a big athletic man of immense power and energy. All season he has been superb. He is much admired by his teammates and those who interact with him.

The scores
Although all will have seen the match, for the record, the sequences are noted. Tarf won a penalty near halfway with four minutes gone and, after a kick to the corner and a lineout take, they moved a good maul to the line then with a strong drive Tarf 8 Jordan Coghlan got over for a converted try, 0-7. After eight minutes, Mick O’Gara notched up a penalty to make it 3-7. On 11 minutes, we had a lineout on the five metre line and after a clever deception, we were at the line, then all of our big carriers besieged the Tarf line. Then with Mick O’G joining the heaves, Myles came in, took the ball and he dived low and hard to score close in, on 13 minutes. Mick added and it was 10-7. At 20 minutes, Tarf took a lineout on the 5M line, mauled then, their 7 Coleman broke off and went over, 10-12. Richie Bergin replaced Jack Nelson-Murray  temporarily, for a blood injury, both were revelling in the joust. Marys went straight back on attack and after several phases the ball went left to right to Leandro, who was ever in positive and elusive action, he flicked out the ball to Aaron O’Sullivan who had a highly commendable star game. He hit bullet pace leaving a clutch of Tarf defenders, he arced inside a marker, then as he was being tackled he timed his out-flick to the following Leandro and he was over. A real stunner. There was no more scoring before half time. It was evident that although it remained close the blues were looking stronger and playing at top pace. During all of this the forest of blue on the East Lower was astir, with waves and cheers. Rynner was at his best, loudhailer in hand, as he led the chorus of Marys-Marys-Marys time after time; ditties and songs. Glorious support, augmented by a sizeable force of young St Mary’s College Boys. Half Time 15-12.

The second half started with Mary’s on the move, then after two minutes a penalty was driven into the corner by Ruairi Shields who was having a fine game, a post lineout maul was stopped, then the big men got working, time after time they took it p, and time after time Tarf drove them back with resolute and commendable defence, Greg with grunt and Ronan like a ramrod, Mick at his mightiest, Tommer
the Hyper Hippo bang, Josh JCB- like, Leaner lancing in, Dan like a dagger, Josh again, then on the 19 th phase Mighty Mick who was enjoying a super shift, over. TRY!

43 minutes, Mick O’G made it 22-12. We were playing now with nuclear power and pace, a Marked kick by Tarf gave Marys a line out near halfway, the maul formed and it ran steadily twenty metres before feeding hard working and eager Rob Gilsenan, he spun out a dinger to Mick O’G, who skipped Myles on a dummy vector, to Deano. He timed the pass perfectly to Ruairi 20 metres out on a keen vector and he fairly whizzed in under the posts. with Mick making it 29-12. The blue blur was on fire in the East Lowe; .Raucous, Marys-Marys-Marys.
Marys changed front row with Oisin, and Andrew coming on. Dan Goggin with a muscle strain went off, but such was his desire he was back, full throttle in a while, meantime Exocet Ethan was on to add his fire, now fully recovered from his hamstring strain. Later magic Mark Fogarty came on as did the up and coming and highly talented Conor Pierce, Finn Burke, and Stephen Kilgallen, without any variation in the level of play.

On 56 minutes a intercept by Tarf’s Hugh Cooney on his 22 gave him a straight run to the line, in spite of a heroic effort the Aaron Flyer to cut him off, 29-19. After an impressive and compelling build up with many drives, Josh used his avoirdupois and power to score under the posts and bring the score to 36-19, after Mick converted. Mick added a penalty goal on 64 minutes, 39-19 on 66 minutes Tarf got a mauled try, 39-24. Then on 79 minutes following a Tarf scrum in their own 22 the intended pass from outhalf was spotted by super Skipper Deano who swooped and zoomed in for a try converted 46-24. In injury time Tarf got a consolation try, converted, to make the final score 46-31.

The referee, Daniel Carson, must be congratulated for his sporting and judicious officiating and for allowing the game to unfold without over officiousness or interference. Indeed the players too were sporting and fair and played with absolute commitment but no rancour. It must be recorded too that the Clontarf fans and the alickadoos were most gracious and congratulatory, even with their natural disappointment. They will ever be a force and will continue to be competing at the top.

 

Post-Match
The players, after the sporting protocols, were cordially followed, ran immediately to the East Lower to greet their fab fans who were in raptures as their paladins approached and in wild jubilation they chanted and sang at each other as is the wont of current days. They even shredded “We are Marys Boys”. It was a real pleasure to watch, for although there was elation, there was no gloating nor arrogance nor
should there ever be. After long and joyous meetings, hugs and photos, the crowds slowly dispersed and headed for favourite haunts and later home to Templeville Road, to consummate the immense achievement.

The members and supporters were waiting in adulatory impatience at the overflowing club. Human movement was nigh on impossible but that was how it should have been. Many members of the two previous AIL wins were there to congratulate their new peers. Former players like Declan and Darragh Fanning, Davy Clare, Brian McGovern (over from France with his lovely wife) and Nick (the Warrior) McCarthy. The two presidents of those two years Brendan Spring (Trustee) 1999-2000, and John Gilsenan (father of top current scrum half Rob) 2012. Many of our faithful fans who travel big distance to cheer on their team were there, of course from Scotland Tony Flynn was there and Victor O’Connor, now a denizen of Youghal was there as they both had been for the semi-final too, Aoife O’Donnell Was home from Spain and in top form with the Quinn family. Aaron Hudson, Kevin Conboy and family, and all the women who had been at the match, led by our own star lady, Marie Hammond, Claire Brechnach, Maiar Congilio, Orlaith McHugh, Niamh O’Neill, Cathriona Pender, Fiona Shirley, Grainne Shirley, Gina Hassett, and BronaghLogan. All of these women are vital to our success. These are some of partners of our coaches and managers and presidential personnel. Some are deeply and actively involved in club administration and management, such as Marie, Bronagh Logan, Cathriona Pender,

Pearl Healy and Deirdre Stapleton. Others have sacrificed considerable chunks of their family life over many years, by supporting the work being done by their partners, often staying home while he is at his club coaching or at meetings or away at games or functions. These are wonderful unseen heroines. The club thanks you all for without you, we would not be celebrating today.

 

The Sponsors, likewise, are literally vital to our well-being and we thank them most sincerely. We are fortunate in having a loyal sponsorship cohort, led by our main sponsor, the Maples Group, also G-Mack, H&M Iron Works, Fanagans, Manverton, NFP, Morgan Crowe, Columbia, Serfac, The Chalke Group. The friendships that are widespread within the club game were evident, with very many clubs from all over the country sending congratulations and good wishes.

 

Now
It may take a while to sink in, but we are the AIL champions and well deserve to so be. If the squad and greater group can stay together and continue to expand and refresh there is every reason to believe that this pinnacle reached is not only a pinnacle but the start of a long high plateau. With the club leader group and the systems and supports they have built we have very good reason for optimism. Sustainability is the aim for all clubs in this challenging era, and we have that in sight. The vision of our recent group of presidents and committees has been
prescient and now with the Padel Courts, Spa, Coffee Dock and clubhouse facilities all productive and the energy hub plans, we can be at the start of a highly successful era. With regard to Padel, there has been a committee led by the Chairman Paul Conlon who have been extremely successful and prudent. However, reference must be made of the legend that is Frank Kennedy, (see Profile on Website Archive). He was not willing to take a decent deal. He wanted the best deal for his club and he set out to find that. He found an old pal and club member John Quinlan, who was willing to do help out. They worked out a most propitious arrangement which should go a long way towards achieving that aim of sustainability. They are both Mary’s Heroes.

 

Interesting to note that in 1969, St. Mary’s College RFC won the LSC with a superb team, for only the second time. In the same season, St. Mary’s College won the schools’ SCT Cup. They were photographed together, and many players from both teams ended up playing together at the club. That was the start of what I call the Golden Era of St. Mary’s College RFC. When we won many trophies and produced many representatives, international and Lions’ players. This could well be the start of our second Golden Era. We have all the moving parts moving in harmony, so if we are level-headed and continue to work hard at everything we do, and with the wonderful young members, men and women, now in charge, there is reason for that optimism.

 

The Road Unravelled

Having won the AIL in 2012, with a marvellous team led by the great Hugh Hogan and coached by Peter Smyth, Ciaran Potts and James Norton, and mentored by Steven Hennessy, with Terry Tierney as manager, the position was not sustained, so after season 2014-15 we were demoted. We recruited Alan Shirley, who had had a very successful rugby career and had proved himself to be a fine leader and an astute
strategist, to be Director of Rugby, and he then managed to bring Steve Hennessy back on board. They succeeded in getting the club back up and steadied the ship, as it were. However, we returned to AIL 1B in season 2018-19. That year, we developed a plan for the development of rugby in the club. We remained in 1B until we won the division and promotion in 2023-24. There were many challenges between, including
Covid 19, with the season 2020-21 cancelled. In 2022-23, with highly active and ambitious Gareth Roche as president, Ronan Watters became captain and proved to be exceptional and inspirational. That year, Alan recruited Sean Cronin as coach, who had just retired from an international career and was a terrific choice, as he started things on an upward trajectory, we finished sixth. In 2023, Sean was appointed to a post in Munster, close to his home, and so Mark McHugh, having been Backs Coach, took over as Head Coach, and he soared, bringing a brand of complete rugby, fast-paced in perpetuum mobile. His relationship with the DoR, manager, the Skipper and his squad has been superlative and critical. In 23-24, with Ronan as captain and the visionary Bobby O’Connor as president, there was a further urge to advance and widen our sphere of ambition further. The club topped 1B, and we were promoted. Then in 24-25, with Ronan again captain and with rugby man Paudge McGill as president we were second in the league proper and were defeated in the semi-final. This season well, that is the story. Congratulations to all.

 

Team (12 changes during the game) 15 R Shields, 14 Aaron O’Sullivan, 13 M Carey, 12 M O’Gara, 11 L Ramirez, 10 C Dean (Capt.), 9 R Gilsenan, 8 D Goggin, 7 R Watters, 6 J Gimblett, 5 Daniel Leane, 4 G Jones, 3 M McCormack, 2 J Nelson Murray, 1 T O’Reilly 16 R Bergin 17 O Michel, 18 A Sparrow, 19 C Pierce, 20, 21, E Baxter, F Burke 22 M Fogarty, 23 S Kilgallen.

D O’Brien.