Page 71 - The Gonzaga Record 2004
P. 71
JUNIOR RUGBY
The last two years had been the most successful for Junior Rugby in Gonzaga’s
history. In that sense this Junior team had a lot to live up to, but they were also
very well qualified to do so, having won the U13 League in First Year, and they wel
comed back some of last year’s Junior Cup finalists to add more experience to their
ranks. They didn’t disappoint either. Although they didn’t get a cup run as the in
the two previous years, that is the nature of cup competition and what makes it so
exciting. Many of the best teams have made first-round exits over the years.
However, earlier in the year they had added a Junior League cup to the school's cab
inet, causing great excitement in the school, and they played some great rugby
throughout the year, ensuring that this season would be remembered as a success
ful one.
As if spurred on by the previous team’s exploits, the Juniors got the season off to
a great start. They won all of their League games, including early victories against
the likes of the High School, Kilkenny, St. Andrew’s and St. Gerard’s. This meant
that they qualified for the semi-final of the League.
This took place on Wednesday 26th November in the distant fields of Wicklow
R.F.C. where they played Kilkenny College. A bus load of 3rd Years followed on to
support. Their support must have worked, as the team played very well to emerge
as convincing 22-7 winners. This meant that they would be playing in the final in
Donnybrook against Wesley, this time with the whole school to cheer them on.
The date for this eagerly-anticipated match was set for Tuesday 9th December,
and it turned out to be a thrilling match for all the supporters. Gonzaga were obvi
ously extremely confident, not having lost a game, and this showed after only three
minutes when repeated pressure led to a try for centre Donal O Cofaigh. Captain
Shane Gahan missed the conversion and was very unlucky with a penalty kick just
a few minutes later. The team looked very strong and it seemed as if they might
take control. But Wesley’s defence held and avoided conceding any more for a
while. However, Shane, who was having a good game, released winger Chris
Coughlan and he made over the line at the corner. Gonzaga reached half-time 10-
0 ahead.
Wesley played better in the second half and soon got three points from a penal
ty. Shane restored the ten point advantage, but it was getting tense, and the sup
porters could see that there was a real game on now. The pressure was on and the
team’s defence was really tested. With not long to go one of the Wesley flankers got
in under the posts, and when that was converted there were only three points in it.
There were only about ten minutes left, but this was extremely tense as Wesley kept
up their offensive. All the Gonzaga support was extremely relieved when the whis
tle blew, but this quickly changed to pride at what the team had achieved. They
had been deserving winners of the Junior League with a score of 13-10.
Following this success, the Captain, Shane, with vice-captain Killian Hussey,
Page 69
The last two years had been the most successful for Junior Rugby in Gonzaga’s
history. In that sense this Junior team had a lot to live up to, but they were also
very well qualified to do so, having won the U13 League in First Year, and they wel
comed back some of last year’s Junior Cup finalists to add more experience to their
ranks. They didn’t disappoint either. Although they didn’t get a cup run as the in
the two previous years, that is the nature of cup competition and what makes it so
exciting. Many of the best teams have made first-round exits over the years.
However, earlier in the year they had added a Junior League cup to the school's cab
inet, causing great excitement in the school, and they played some great rugby
throughout the year, ensuring that this season would be remembered as a success
ful one.
As if spurred on by the previous team’s exploits, the Juniors got the season off to
a great start. They won all of their League games, including early victories against
the likes of the High School, Kilkenny, St. Andrew’s and St. Gerard’s. This meant
that they qualified for the semi-final of the League.
This took place on Wednesday 26th November in the distant fields of Wicklow
R.F.C. where they played Kilkenny College. A bus load of 3rd Years followed on to
support. Their support must have worked, as the team played very well to emerge
as convincing 22-7 winners. This meant that they would be playing in the final in
Donnybrook against Wesley, this time with the whole school to cheer them on.
The date for this eagerly-anticipated match was set for Tuesday 9th December,
and it turned out to be a thrilling match for all the supporters. Gonzaga were obvi
ously extremely confident, not having lost a game, and this showed after only three
minutes when repeated pressure led to a try for centre Donal O Cofaigh. Captain
Shane Gahan missed the conversion and was very unlucky with a penalty kick just
a few minutes later. The team looked very strong and it seemed as if they might
take control. But Wesley’s defence held and avoided conceding any more for a
while. However, Shane, who was having a good game, released winger Chris
Coughlan and he made over the line at the corner. Gonzaga reached half-time 10-
0 ahead.
Wesley played better in the second half and soon got three points from a penal
ty. Shane restored the ten point advantage, but it was getting tense, and the sup
porters could see that there was a real game on now. The pressure was on and the
team’s defence was really tested. With not long to go one of the Wesley flankers got
in under the posts, and when that was converted there were only three points in it.
There were only about ten minutes left, but this was extremely tense as Wesley kept
up their offensive. All the Gonzaga support was extremely relieved when the whis
tle blew, but this quickly changed to pride at what the team had achieved. They
had been deserving winners of the Junior League with a score of 13-10.
Following this success, the Captain, Shane, with vice-captain Killian Hussey,
Page 69
