St Mary’s, Drogheda have had a stellar season as they bowled over Dundalk Grammar and Wilson’s Hospital on their way to the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Duff Cup final.
They were able to build a combined total of 110 points from 16 tries in two matches.
This is impressive by any standards. They didn’t come to a standstill there.
The Fr Godfrey Cup became their next target and they wasted no time in hijacking the claims of The King’s Hospital 39-19 in the first round and Presentation Bray 36-29 in a real crackerjack of a contest in the quarter-final.
The dream ended at the hands of eventual winners Temple Carrig, 44-17, in the semi-final of an encounter that was closer than the endgame would suggest.
Tullow had to overcome a strong challenge from Naas CBS for a three-point win (32-29) in the first round of the Duff Cup.
It was a tight affair in which the ability of the back row Diarmaid Deacon, Séan McGrath and Michael O’Brien to take down the Kildare school’s ball carriers made the vital difference.
Loose-head prop Killian Faulkner, their captain, and second row Jack Foley are two prominent ball carriers capable of breaking the gain line and setting up the play for the quick boys in behind.
The greatest strength of Tullow has been the contribution of the squad allied to the game management of their half-backs Dara Curran and Tadgh Walsh to knit backs and forwards together.
They have had too much for CBS Enniscorthy, East Glendalough and Good Counsel, New Ross without being runaway winners.
This was all done and dusted by the time they got close, but not close enough, to Scoil Chonglais from Baltinglass (26-19) on their way out of the Fr Godfrey Cup in the first round.
They should be battle hardened and ready against a St Mary’s side that will want to end an unprecedented season with a trophy.
St Mary’s, Drogheda v Tullow Community School, Donnybrook, Wednesday (KO 12pm)
Paths to the Final
First Round: St Mary’s got walkover from St Joseph’s, Drogheda; Tullow CS 32 CBS Naas 29
Second Round: St Mary’s got walkover from Gormanston; Tullow CS 52 CBS Enniscorthy 12
Quarter-finals: St Mary’s 36 Dundalk Grammar 12; Tullow CS 25 East Glendalough 14
Semi-finals: St Mary’s 74 Wilson’s Hospital 7; Tullow CS 26 Good Counsel, New Ross 14
St Mary’s (Possible): Tony Smith; Dominic McCabe, Andrew Magilton, Karl Martin (capt), Oscar King; Ruairi Hanlon, Sean Horan; David Hobbs, Mark Tully, Killian Jennings, Evan Tyndall, Darragh O’Brien, Clinton Nkpa, Jake Cunningham, Jack McQuail.
Tullow (Possible): Stephen Metcalfe; Aaron Bolger, Jack Johnson, Stephen Carroll, Fionn O’Toole; Tadgh Walsh, Dara Curran; Killian Faulkner (capt), Quentin Smyth, Ciaran Haskins, Harry Dawson, Jack Foley, Diarmaid Deacon, Séan McGrath, Michael O’Brien.
