While Coolmine took the honours in last Saturday’s Leinster Coyle Cup Under-11 Finals in Longford RFC, the real winner was rugby…
The quality of skill on show, complimented perfectly by the ideal conditions, led to a wonderful day’s entertainment in the ideal surrounds of the Demesne rugby grounds.
In all, the club catered for 15 visiting teams from all corners of the province, all of whom had qualified for the finals through their respective regional competitions.
With the very best in Leinster on show, the skill levels certainly matched the billing, as the tries, tackling, off-loads and general determination to win were notable in every match.
After the initial rounds of competition, the teams were divided up into various competitions – Cup, Bowl, Plate and Conference.
Eventually, after some fine displays by both teams, it was Navan and Coolmine who contested the Cup Final. Having met in the group stages, the two sides played another pulsating game in the decider, with the game finished 2-2. However, as Coolmine scored first in the game, they were deemed winners.
The Coyle Cup was presented to Coolmine by Brian Coyle and his wife Barbara, who have strong family connections with Longford.
Those who took part were Longford, Lansdowne, Kilkenny, North Kildare, Navan, Coolmine, Cill Dara, Wexford, Tullamore, Skerries, Suttonians, Gorey, Edenderry, Naas, Seapoint and Boyne.
Winners:
Cup: Coolmine; runners-up Navan
Plate: Skerries, runners-up Seapoint
Bowl: Tullamore, runners-up Wexford
Conference: Gorey, runners-up Boyne
