Talisman O'Gara leads St Mary's past Clontarf to first AIL title in 14 years
SILVER SERVICE: Ethan Baxter of St Mary's College RFC and teammates celebrate with the trophy after the Energia Men's All-Ireland League Division 1A final match between Clontarf FC and St Mary's College RFC at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
St Mary’s College ended a 14 year wait for Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A glory in emphatic fashion, producing a six-try masterclass to defeat defending champions Clontarf 46–31 at the Aviva Stadium.
Driven by a clinical performance from talisman Mick O’Gara, who contributed 16 points from the tee, the Templeogue side capped a remarkable season, adding senior silverware to the school’s Leinster Senior Schools Cup triumph earlier in the year.
Clontarf, chasing back to back titles, made the perfect start. Within three minutes, number eight Jordan Coughlan powered over from close range to open the scoring, immediately putting Mary’s on the back foot.
The response, however, was swift. O’Gara steadied early nerves with a penalty before St Mary’s struck for their first try. After sustained pressure on the Clontarf line, centre Myles Carey showed sharp instincts, dummying his way through a narrow gap to touch down.
Momentum continued to swing in a breathless opening quarter. Clontarf regained the lead through flanker Aaron Coleman, who broke smartly from a driving maul to score, a reminder of the set-piece strength that has underpinned their success, honed under the guidance of Ireland and Leinster legend Cian Healy.
Yet, just as quickly, St Mary’s hit back. Winger Aaron O’Sullivan sparked the move with a dazzling run, evading defenders before offloading to Leandro Ramirez, who finished acrobatically in the corner. Mary’s taking a 15-12 lead into the break.
Mary’s emerged from the break with renewed intensity and purpose. After being denied moments earlier, tighthead prop Michael McCormack forced his way over from close range to extend the lead, with O’Gara adding the extras.
The Dublin side continued to build momentum. A crisp, flat pass from out-half Conor Dean released full-back Ruairi Shields, who surged through to score and stretch the advantage further.
Clontarf, to their credit, refused to fold. Leinster centre Hugh Cooney produced a moment of individual brilliance, reading a pass and intercepting before sprinting 80 metres to the line.
But again, St Mary’s had the answer. From the restart, they regained possession and drove forward, with flanker Josh Gimblett finishing from close range to restore control.
The decisive moment came shortly after the hour mark when Clontarf’s Conor Kelly was shown a yellow card for a high tackle. O’Gara punished the infringement from the tee, pushing the lead out to 20 points and effectively placing the game beyond reach.
At the final whistle, celebrations erupted. Fourteen years on from their last triumph, St Mary’s College were champions once more. The side who finished the season top of the table, are back in the top step for the third time of asking.
Tries: Myles Carey, Leandro Ramirez, Michael McCormack, Ruairi Shields, Josh Gimblett, Conor Dean; Cons: Mick O’Gara 5; Pens: Mick O’Gara 2
Tries: Aaron Coleman, Jordan Coughlan 2 each, Hugh Cooney; Cons: Conor Kelly 3
Ruairi Shields; Aaron O’Sullivan, Myles Carey, Mick O’Gara, Leandro Ramirez; Conor Dean (capt), Rob Gilsenan; Tom O’Reilly, Jack Nelson Murray, Mick McCormack; Greg Jones, Daniel Leane; Josh Gimblett, Ronan Watters, Dan Goggin.
Richie Bergin, Oisin Michel, Andrew Sparrow, Conor Pierce, Finn Burke, Ethan Baxter, Mark Fogarty, Steven Kilgallen.
Tadhg Bird; Dylan O’Grady, Hugh Cooney, Daniel Hawkshaw, Alex O’Grady; Conor Kelly, Sam Owens; Ivan Soroka, Dylan Donnellan (capt), Charlie Ward; Fionn Gilbert, Jim Peters; Paul Deeny, Aaron Coleman, Jordan Coghlan.
Declan Adamson, Alvin Amaniampong, Richie Whelan, Michael Moloney, Dan Magner, Conor Gibney, Darragh Doyle, Conor Bateman.
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