Page 199 - Gonzaga at 60
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GONZAGA AT SIXTY: A WORK IN PROGRESS
narrowly defeated by Blackrock in the quarter inals at Donnybrook ater a most courageous
performance.
We had to wait unil 2004 -05 for Michael Boland’s team to win the Senior League
compeiion for the irst ime defeaing St Gerards in the inal. The 2005 team were to give
Belvedere a real scare in the senior cup quarter inal in Donnybrook. Belvo managed to scrape
through 13 -8 and went on to win the compeiion.
In 2005 -06 we reached the league inal again this ime Roscrea proved too strong on the
day. However Donal O’Cofaighs team made amends 12 months later by winning the league for
the second ime by defeaing St Andrew’s in the 2006-07 inal. Donal’s team were to put in
a memorable performance against Blackrock in the cup losing 6-3 and were considered very
unfortunate not to progress.
In 2007-08 early season injuries hampered our progress in the senior league. In the Senior Rugby abroad: coaches
Cup Dan Kane’s team put in a courageous performance against a physical relax on the French tour
St Mary’s team in the quarter inal. St Mary’s progressed to the inal. However we were to
inish the season on a high by winning the Vinnie Murray Cup for the irst ime.
TOURS
An annual tour has been an integral part of the senior rugby calender for many years. In recent
seasons we have toured in England, France, Italy and Spain as part of our cup preparaions.
In June 2008 the Senior Rugby Squad of 37 players (two teams) enjoyed a most successful
tour of South Africa. The boys played 7 matches on tour and returned home undefeated. This
was the irst occasion that a Gonzaga Rugby team ventured outside Europe. It proved to be a
fantasic rugby and life experience for all players and coaches. The tour would not have been
possible without the support of the headmaster, school management, parents of the boys and
past pupils. Above all it would not have been possible without the iniiaive in paricular of
Gareth Pelly who was the driving force behind the whole operaion.
The 2008-09 SCT beneited greatly from the tour enjoying a most challenging but successful
friendly season. Daniel McEvoy’s team defeated King’s Hospital in their irst ouing in the cup but
were very unfortunate to be defeated by Belvedere 12 -7 in the quarter inal. The inal whistle
blowing as a Gonzaga player was held up over the line.
Mark McGroarty’s 2009-10 SCT were defeated by Castleknock 11-3 in the Senior Cup but
were to inish the season with victory in the Vinnie Murray cup inal v CBC Monkstown.
Declan Fassbender, Howard Welsh, Eben Stewart, Gareth Pelly and Ollie O’Brien have all
made valuable contribuions to the development of senior rugby in recent years. Paul Kieran
(present gamesmaster) has played an important role in coordinaing and organising rugby in the
school. He has done so in a most eicient manner.
Rugby in Gonzaga has progressed greatly in recent years and we hope it will coninue to
develop. We have witnessed many admirable team performances and some close misses. ….
Hopefully rugby will coninue to be a source of enjoyment for many years to come.
GONZAGA AT SIXTY: A WORK IN PROGRESS
narrowly defeated by Blackrock in the quarter inals at Donnybrook ater a most courageous
performance.
We had to wait unil 2004 -05 for Michael Boland’s team to win the Senior League
compeiion for the irst ime defeaing St Gerards in the inal. The 2005 team were to give
Belvedere a real scare in the senior cup quarter inal in Donnybrook. Belvo managed to scrape
through 13 -8 and went on to win the compeiion.
In 2005 -06 we reached the league inal again this ime Roscrea proved too strong on the
day. However Donal O’Cofaighs team made amends 12 months later by winning the league for
the second ime by defeaing St Andrew’s in the 2006-07 inal. Donal’s team were to put in
a memorable performance against Blackrock in the cup losing 6-3 and were considered very
unfortunate not to progress.
In 2007-08 early season injuries hampered our progress in the senior league. In the Senior Rugby abroad: coaches
Cup Dan Kane’s team put in a courageous performance against a physical relax on the French tour
St Mary’s team in the quarter inal. St Mary’s progressed to the inal. However we were to
inish the season on a high by winning the Vinnie Murray Cup for the irst ime.
TOURS
An annual tour has been an integral part of the senior rugby calender for many years. In recent
seasons we have toured in England, France, Italy and Spain as part of our cup preparaions.
In June 2008 the Senior Rugby Squad of 37 players (two teams) enjoyed a most successful
tour of South Africa. The boys played 7 matches on tour and returned home undefeated. This
was the irst occasion that a Gonzaga Rugby team ventured outside Europe. It proved to be a
fantasic rugby and life experience for all players and coaches. The tour would not have been
possible without the support of the headmaster, school management, parents of the boys and
past pupils. Above all it would not have been possible without the iniiaive in paricular of
Gareth Pelly who was the driving force behind the whole operaion.
The 2008-09 SCT beneited greatly from the tour enjoying a most challenging but successful
friendly season. Daniel McEvoy’s team defeated King’s Hospital in their irst ouing in the cup but
were very unfortunate to be defeated by Belvedere 12 -7 in the quarter inal. The inal whistle
blowing as a Gonzaga player was held up over the line.
Mark McGroarty’s 2009-10 SCT were defeated by Castleknock 11-3 in the Senior Cup but
were to inish the season with victory in the Vinnie Murray cup inal v CBC Monkstown.
Declan Fassbender, Howard Welsh, Eben Stewart, Gareth Pelly and Ollie O’Brien have all
made valuable contribuions to the development of senior rugby in recent years. Paul Kieran
(present gamesmaster) has played an important role in coordinaing and organising rugby in the
school. He has done so in a most eicient manner.
Rugby in Gonzaga has progressed greatly in recent years and we hope it will coninue to
develop. We have witnessed many admirable team performances and some close misses. ….
Hopefully rugby will coninue to be a source of enjoyment for many years to come.
