North Midlands off to a flyer in U16 Shane Horgan Cup held in Kildare

The opening games of the 2023-24 inter-area Leinster U16s Bearings Shane Horgan Cup competition took place at CIll Dara Rugby Club on Wednesday last.

The first game saw North Midlands take on the Midlands to be followed by the Metro Area v the South East. A very large crowd turned up to support the four teams along with a significant representation from Leinster Rugby Development Department who were there to see the stars of the future.

North Midlands have been back in training since mid-July with a squad of over 30 players, from nine clubs across the North Midlands, coming together on Monday nights. The fitness and conditioning sessions in the gym were complimented by hard sessions on the park, as the coaches encouraged the players to come together as a team.

The game on Wednesday night was played in near ideal conditions, with little or no breeze. The opening 15 minutes were hectic, the home side set a very high tempo with the backs and forwards all getting their hands on the ball.

Team work and ball retention were the key element of the game plan. From the kick-off into the North Midlands 22, fullback Hugh Martin (Cill Dara) carried the ball into the opposition half, breaking a few tackles to score wide – 2 minutes 5-0. By the 20 minute mark, the North Midlands, with big carries from Oisin Brien (Naas); Odhran O'Reilly (Portarlington); and Matt Cunningham (Portlaoise) had added three tries converted by Turlough Donnelly (Newbridge). While the score was strongly in favour of the home side the visitors continued to bring the game to the opposition.

Scrumhalf Joshua O'Keeffe (Newbridge) picked up a ball at the back of the maul; quick hands across the backline released Daniel Gill to cross wide on the left five meters in. Half time score 36-0.

The second half was a much closer affair. The North Midlands defence was now called into play. Good tackling and rucking reduced the opportunities for the visitors. Again the North Midlands back-row began to get control. Oisin Brien showed superb pace, having picked up a loose ball in his own 22 he broke through the defence and scored under the posts.

With the Midlands now pressing to get a score opportunities continued to arise for the home side. Again pace proved important with Joshua O'Keeffe running support to his wing forwards broke clear to score under the posts. The final five minutes was played inside the North Midlands 10 metre line. However, the home defence held strong until the final whistle. Final score 50-0.

Scorers: Matthew Cunningham and Oisin Brien 2 tries each: Hugh Martin, Odhran O'Reilly Daniel Gill, Joshua O'Keeffe 1 try each Conversions Turlough Donnelly 3 Hugh Martin 2

Squad: Hugh Martin (Newbridge): Daniel Gill (Newbridge): Matthew Costello (Naas): Matthew Cunningham (Portlaoise): Daniel Mc Connell (Cill Dara): Turlough Donnelly (Newbridge): Joshua O Keeffe (Newbridge): Shane Foley (Portlaoise): Myles Mc Namara (Newbridge): Darragh Whyte (Portarlington) (Captain): Eanna Moynihan (Portlaoise): Joseph Cole (Athy): Odhran O'Reilly (Portarlington): Patrick Reeves (Athy): Oisin Brien (Naas): Rian Cullen (Naas): Christopher Hulin (Newbridge): John Knowles (Athy): Jamie Wall (Cill Dara): Daniel Whelan (Portlaoise): Ben Stapleton (Portarlington): Bruno Mc Cann (Clondalkin): Zach Maginness (Portlaoise).