Athy RFC 45 Dundalk RFC 43
Leinster Rugby U-18 Premier Cup final
History was created in Donnybrook on Sunday as Athy RFC U-18s claimed the Leinster Rugby Premier Cup for the first time ever.
In a titanic tussle with Dundalk RFC, a late try saw Athy snatch victory right at the death.
A lightning raid by Athy straight from off the top of a lineout started with Ruairi Scully’s burst up the middle and ended with Oisin Grufferty’s speed around the outside for James Harris to convert in the 12th minute.
The sides traded points throughout but Athy took a 26-19 lead into the changing rooms.
The Louth outfit began the second half with a bang and instantly levelled the game with a converted try when play resumed.
Athy then fell behind when Dundalk scored again to make it 33-26.
The thrill-a-minute play continued James Harris using Grufferty as a decoy to release Conor Kelly into space.
Dundalk failed to heed the warning as Kelly skipped around three defenders the next time he saw the ball for Harris’s conversion to square it in the 49th minute.
Next up, centre Darragh Farrell was stationed on the short side to take Doyle’s smart ball on and scrum-half Andrew Doyle was on hand to take the ball home for Harris to make it 40-33 in the 57th minute.
It came as no surprise when Fionn Duffy’s direct carry opened the door for Dundalk to flash right for Leo MacRuairi to go over unopposed in the 62nd minute.
They were able to turn the screw in the maul amid a frenzy of excitement, Ronan McDonnell crashing inside the cover from close range to take a 43-40 lead.
There was still time for one more Athy attack. The lineout was used to set in motion the backline, Joseph Fenning stopped short in the right corner before Andrew Doyle slipped in almost unnoticed to complete his hat-trick.
Five of the starting 15 on the Athy team hail from Laois while one of the replacements is also from the O’Moore County.
Props Karl Donoghue and Paddy Julian are both from Ballylinan while so too is Number 8 James Walsh.
The centres, Darragh Farrell and Oran Kelliher, are from St Joseph’s and Barrowhouse respectfully.
While replacement Callum Lang is also of St Joseph’s with some of the Kildare lads also having strong Laois connections.
Hat-trick hero Andrew Doyle and James Harris, who was on the Kildare U-20 team that won Leinster last week, are both from Castlemitchell but have cousins in Stradbally.
And winger Joseph Fennin is a first cousin of the Murphys from St Joseph’s too.
SCORERS: Athy: Andrew Doyle 3 tries; Oisin Grufferty 2 tries; Ruairi Scully and Conor Kelly try each; James Harris 5 cons. Dundalk – Ronan McDonnell 2 tries; Eoghan Staunton, Jacob Dunleavy, Conall Kelly, Lawrence Jones and Leo Mac Ruairi 1 try each; Diarmuid Reilly 4 cons.
ATHY: Oisin Grufferty; Conor Kelly, Oran Kelleher, Darragh Farrell, Joseph Fennin; James Harris, Andrew Doyle (Capt); Karol Donohoe, John King, Jack Henry, Adam Healy, Patrick Julian, Jack Dooley, Ruairi Scully, James Walsh. Replacements: Dylan Rafferty, Luke Sheerin, Harry Bradbury, Ryan McDonnell, Callum Lang, Ronan Delamere, Raymond Glynn, Jamie Kelly.
DUNDALK: Cian Kelly; Daniel Gregory; Deshawn Ighodaro; Conall O’Callaghan, Leo MacRuairi; Diarmuid Reilly, Jacob Dunleavy; James Canning, Lawrence Jones, Jonny Jones, Ryan Martin, Fionn Duffy, Ronan McDonnell, Marco Jordaan, Eoghan Staunton. Replacements: Rory Wallace, Darragh Quinn, Tadgh King, Jake Fee, Jamie Matthews, Robert Malone, Max Valentine, Oran Rafferty.
SEE ALSO – Portlaoise RFC U-15s take the Leinster Plate title after tough Tullow challenge
