J1 XV — Season 2003/04
Leinster J1 League, Metropolitan Cup
The J1s won their J1 League section, losing only two league matches (to Old Belvedere and Bective Rangers), and were unbeaten from Christmas until the Metropolitan Cup final. For the second season in a row they were Metropolitan Cup runners-up, losing the final to Old Belvedere on Wednesday 5 May 2004.
Captain: Brian Brophy. Coaches: Derek Dowling, Derek Early (backs). Managers: Tommy McGovern, Dermot Barnwell (assistant), Ian Bloomer (assistant), Peter McLaughlin (assistant).
Honours: J1 League — Section winners; Metropolitan Cup — Runners-up
St. Mary's score first. (H) home, (A) away.
| Date | Competition | Opponents | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date not known | League | Old Belvedere | L (score not known) | |
| Date not known | League | Bective Rangers | L (score not known) | |
| Wed 5 May 2004 | Metropolitan Cup, final | Old Belvedere | L (score not known) |
We have only a little on this season. If you have results, team photos, programmes or match reports from the J1s this season, please email archives@smcrfc.com.
Click a game. Where Leinster Rugby has a team sheet it is used; otherwise the line-up is from the club's match report.
5 May 2004 Old Belvedere
Replacements: 16 David Kilbride, 17 Robert Sweeney, 18 James Ryan, 19 Simon Gibney, 20 Brian Flanagan
From the club match report.
From the club archive. Click to read.
5 May 2004 Metropolitan Cup Final preview (match programme note)
The St. Mary’s J1 team have had a very successful season. They have only lost tow league matches (against today’s finalists Old Belvedere and Bective) and are unbeaten since Christmas.
This is similar to last year’s record of three defeats (two in the Metropolitan Cup against Old Belvedere and Lansdowne in the final) and in the league final to Clontarf.
The team is coached by Derek Dowling who is a former St. Mary’s 1st team player. Derek has coached a number of Leinster teams at various levels and his knowledge of front row play is second only to Roly Meates.
The backs are coached by Derek Early who is a former St. Mary’s 1st team player. Derek has also coached the St. Mary’s SCT for a number of years. The side is managed by Tommy McGovern assisted by Dermot Barnwell, Ian Bloomer and Peter McLaughlin.
The age profile of the team is around 22, while the elder stateman in the squad is last years captain Alan Shirley.
The side is captained by Brian Brophy who has also played for the 1st team on a number of occasions. Brian’s brother Philip, an under 20 pennant league winner, is also part of the squad.