AIL – Dublin University 12 Old Wesley 27 (Jan 18 ’25)
By Andrew Egan
It was a perfect day in College Park; one of the best places to play rugby in the country. There was a strong crowd of tourists and AIL regulars viewing on in anticipation of what was to be an exciting clash. The conditions were perfect on a warm winter’s afternoon, sun shining and clear skies.
It was Wesley who were to the fore early with a dominant start. Will Fay, Reuben and Josh Pim taking on a lot of ball with some dominant carries. With 5 minutes gone Alex Molloy made the first break of the day, making 50 metres and then eventually getting tackled just outside the Trinity 22. Andrew Doyle was infringed at the ruck and Cassidy stepped up to make a 3 nil to Wesley from the penalty in front of the posts.
The visitors were unlucky not to score with their next visit into Trinity’s 22. Deegan forced a turnover with a huge tackle in midfield. Cassidy played a clever chip kick over the onrushing defence only for Molloy to be stopped inches from the line. The attack continued patiently and the patience paid off with a Reuben Pim break resulting in a Trinity yellow card for a deliberate knock on. With the man advantage Wesley scored their first try of the day. From a lineout on the Nassau Street side Wesley went to the maul. The backs were then released and man of the match Murphy fizzed a pass to Farrell on the right wing. The Irish U20 flyer put on the afterburners to give the students no chance of stopping him, as he scored in the corner. Cassidy was just wide with the conversion which left the score at 8 nil after 20 mins.
Trinity spent the next 5 mins putting the impressive visiting defence under pressure. With the home team running out of ideas another turnover was forced. Murphy cleared the ball and then chased to bring play into the Trinity half. The home team scrambled and cleared but couldn’t get organised as Murphy again made another huge break down the middle of the field. He drew 2 defenders and put the excellent support runner Doyle under the posts. Cassidy converted to make it 15 nil.
Straight from the kick off Wesley almost scored the try of the season. Larke, Deegan, Murphy and Doyle exchanged passes in an exciting move. The try was foiled by a marginal knock on in the far corner as Wesley looked certain to score. We didn’t have to wait long for the 3rd try of the day. This time the pack were the creators. Some big carries by Kenny and Noonan eventually led to a ruck to the right of the posts. Alex Molloy who was first to the breakdown spotted a gap that he exploited to make the score 20 nil. Cassidy converted to give Wesley a 22 point lead.
Just before the break Trinity hit back with a try or their own. Ryan, McCloskey and Baird made multiple powerful carries as the visiting defence started to creak. It was Ryan who eventually dotted down after the patient series of play. Lynch converted. The half time whistle blew to make it 7 – 22 at the interval.
The 2nd half started in calamitous fashion for the home team. A perfectly weighted box kick from the Old Wesley halfback Doyle hit the chest of fullback McCarthy. The ball landed perfectly into the hands of Eoin Murphy who was on the chase. The winger didn’t have to break stride and he galloped away to give Wesley the bonus point they thoroughly deserved. That gave Wesley a 20 point lead minutes into the 2nd half. It turned out to be Wesley’s last score of the game but that was all that was required on the day. Trinity showed moments of resolve and rallied to produce some good rugby of their own. Zac Baird scored what was to be a consolation try with 30 mins left on the clock. Some mistakes and good defence on both sides led to no more scores on the day.
Old Wesley can be satisfied with their day’s work and taking 10 points from Trinity this season. It leaves Old Wesley in 3rd place in the league with a tough trip to Highfield on the horizon.
