Page 73 - The Gonzaga Record 1989
P. 73
SENIOR CUP TEAM 1988-9
The season of 1987-88 ended on a note side, Fisher High School. After
of optimism. The team had performed Christmas training, we had mixed
admirably in the 'Cup', and the squad results, including a good win over De
contained more than the usual pro- la Salle, Churchtown, 12-4. At this
portion of young players. Further, this stage we had learned of our 'cup' draw,
was the team which had reached the and we knew a win over the Section A
semi-finals at 'Junior' level. But then qualifiers, in the 2nd round, would
disaster struck .... September's Lectio probably end in a match with our
Brevis had scarcely started, when we Jesuit rivals, Clongowes. The subse-
learned that Stephen Sexton and Kevin quent friendly match then proved to be
O'Brien, who would have strengthened one of the highlights of the season,
our team somewhat, had left for other both sides giving their all. We narrowly
schools. We were also, most unfortun- lost to Clongowes (the referee our own
ately, to be deprived of the services of trainer Mr McCarthy), 20-21. And
David Stritch, Graham Love and Paul then, in our penultimate match,
Slattery, all carrying long-term against St Paul's, disaster struck again.
injuries. Worse still, Eoin Brophy was John McGeough, our inspirational
already sidelined with a recurring leg hooking captain broke his leg . With
injury. Robert O'Mahony taking over the
hooking duties, and Keith Mulcahy
becoming skipper at scrum-half, we
prepared, by training against both
Undaunted
C.U.S. and the Past Pupils, for our
Undaunted, however, Mr Whirdy second round match against the much
commenced his infamous pre-season fancied Section A team, De la Salle,
physical training. All present grinned Skerries, at Jones' Road. And indeed,
in eager anticipation as he outlined they proved to be a talented side.
his personalised version of circuit Having played into a gale, it took a
training! When we were finally shown spectacular five-man backline running
a ball, there was a new face in the back move, ending in a try for full-back
row, speedy Kevin Quinn. He proved Brophy, for us to have a 4-3 half-time
to be a revelation in this position, lead. And yet again 'Salle' came back
another example of Mr McC's inspired straight away with a penalty. But it was
thinking. It was with a strange-looking to be our back line's day. Another
senior team, and the usual apprehen- penetrating move resulted in a try for
sion then, that we arrived at Pres. Bray nippy left-wing Patrick Lewis. The
for our first match. None were more match was put beyond Skerries's reach,
surprised than ourselves when we won at 16-6, by a superb solo try from
6-3. This was the start of a good centre, John McKenna who was most
unbeaten run which was abruptly influential throughout. A Brophy
stopped by an emphatic and dis- penalty from long range completed the
heartening defeat, away to Roscrea. scoring at 19-6.
We had three matches this season Next stop was the Donnybrook en-
against distant opposition: we beat counter with Clongowes, Gonzaga's
Limerick's St Munchin's, drew with third senior quarter-final in
Galway's 'Garbally', and we had a successiOn. Although labelled the
most enjoyable win over the English underdogs, we immediately took the
71
The season of 1987-88 ended on a note side, Fisher High School. After
of optimism. The team had performed Christmas training, we had mixed
admirably in the 'Cup', and the squad results, including a good win over De
contained more than the usual pro- la Salle, Churchtown, 12-4. At this
portion of young players. Further, this stage we had learned of our 'cup' draw,
was the team which had reached the and we knew a win over the Section A
semi-finals at 'Junior' level. But then qualifiers, in the 2nd round, would
disaster struck .... September's Lectio probably end in a match with our
Brevis had scarcely started, when we Jesuit rivals, Clongowes. The subse-
learned that Stephen Sexton and Kevin quent friendly match then proved to be
O'Brien, who would have strengthened one of the highlights of the season,
our team somewhat, had left for other both sides giving their all. We narrowly
schools. We were also, most unfortun- lost to Clongowes (the referee our own
ately, to be deprived of the services of trainer Mr McCarthy), 20-21. And
David Stritch, Graham Love and Paul then, in our penultimate match,
Slattery, all carrying long-term against St Paul's, disaster struck again.
injuries. Worse still, Eoin Brophy was John McGeough, our inspirational
already sidelined with a recurring leg hooking captain broke his leg . With
injury. Robert O'Mahony taking over the
hooking duties, and Keith Mulcahy
becoming skipper at scrum-half, we
prepared, by training against both
Undaunted
C.U.S. and the Past Pupils, for our
Undaunted, however, Mr Whirdy second round match against the much
commenced his infamous pre-season fancied Section A team, De la Salle,
physical training. All present grinned Skerries, at Jones' Road. And indeed,
in eager anticipation as he outlined they proved to be a talented side.
his personalised version of circuit Having played into a gale, it took a
training! When we were finally shown spectacular five-man backline running
a ball, there was a new face in the back move, ending in a try for full-back
row, speedy Kevin Quinn. He proved Brophy, for us to have a 4-3 half-time
to be a revelation in this position, lead. And yet again 'Salle' came back
another example of Mr McC's inspired straight away with a penalty. But it was
thinking. It was with a strange-looking to be our back line's day. Another
senior team, and the usual apprehen- penetrating move resulted in a try for
sion then, that we arrived at Pres. Bray nippy left-wing Patrick Lewis. The
for our first match. None were more match was put beyond Skerries's reach,
surprised than ourselves when we won at 16-6, by a superb solo try from
6-3. This was the start of a good centre, John McKenna who was most
unbeaten run which was abruptly influential throughout. A Brophy
stopped by an emphatic and dis- penalty from long range completed the
heartening defeat, away to Roscrea. scoring at 19-6.
We had three matches this season Next stop was the Donnybrook en-
against distant opposition: we beat counter with Clongowes, Gonzaga's
Limerick's St Munchin's, drew with third senior quarter-final in
Galway's 'Garbally', and we had a successiOn. Although labelled the
most enjoyable win over the English underdogs, we immediately took the
71
