St Caimins Create History

St Caimins created history yesterday as their U19 rugby team won the school’s and Clare’s first ever Munster rugby title.

Courtesy of:- Kevin Chesser, St. Caimins

A dominant and ferocious second half display from St Caimins saw them limit Abbey CBS to just seven points while they hit double the amount to win the O'Brien Cup.

Tipperary side Abbey were on the scoreboard with a try after ten minutes. St Caimins replied with flanker Brandon Cullinan going over for his second try in as many games on seventeen minutes to level matters. The Abbey closed out the half with another unconverted try to hold a 10-5 lead at the break. St Caimins did have a chance late on in the half but their attack came up short on this occasion.

In a blistering start to the second half, Abbey added a try and made no mistake with the conversion four minutes after the resumption. Spirited as ever the Shannon school responded in spectacular fashion with Tiarnan Agnew, the match-winner in the semi-final picking up another pivotal try while Evan O'Gorman slotted home the conversion to cut the gap to five points.

With over sixty minutes played, O'Gorman was again causing Abbey CBS trouble, this time crossing the line to put the sides on level terms for only the second time in the match. As the game entered the final ten minutes, St Caimins were awarded a penalty and their best chance at success. Evan O Gorman had a bruised foot at that stage and showed great leadership by making the call that he was not in a good place to take the kick .Step forward Conor Ferns to kick off the right foot with what would become a historic kick and one that will be remembered for the lifetime of the entire St Caimins lineup.

Traditionally on the sporting scene St Caimins made their name as a GAA powerhouse with household names such as Podge Collins, Conor McGrath, Chloe Morey, Aaron Cunningham, Maire McGrath a handful of the greats that played a part in the St Caimins story along with the many dedicated and committed teachers on the staff. During all that time Rugby went along under the radar but having been started in the old school by Limerick teachers Kevin Chesser and John Broderick ( now rugby pundit with TG4). When John left for St Munchins , Kevin Chesser continued flying the flag for rugby in the school with assistance from Jim Hennessy , Ger Folan and George Guilfoyle and the St Senans club .By 2004 Kevin Chesser steered St Caimins to the junior King Cup for non A schools. 2005 saw a great senior team get to the O Brien Cup final only to be beaten by yesterday's opposition Abbey CBS Tipperary.

St Caimins Teams both Junior and Senior have had mixed fortunes in the last ten years but have been competitive every year and have fielded good teams in the interim

This victorious team possess a never say die attitude mixed with a relentless and resilient demeanour that is hard to match. The ability is certainly there for the likes of Conor Ferns, Evan O'Gorman, Tiarnan Agnew, Alex Blake, Alan McInerney , Brandon Cullinan and more to go on to bigger and better things in the sport. Prior to this campaign, prop Davy Gleeson and player of the year (voted by the squad), never played the sport but gave countless brilliant performances in their bid for success.

The management team of manager Kevin Chesser, coach Niall Mallon , backs coach Declan Rowe and scrum coach Ger folan can definitely maintain the legacy of outstanding teams that have played on the rugby field for St Caimins in the past many of which make up the senior team with St Senans and with Diarmuid McMahon an outstanding player from the early years back now playing with Canterbury in New Zealand even on the same team on an occasion with legend Richie McCaw. Man of the match has several contenders Darren O loughlin James Colgan Shane Russell Jamie Divelley.Gavin McGonagle .Brandon Cullinan. Alan McInerney Adam Wood . Alex Blake 1 Evan O'Gorman . Conor Hallissey. Conor Ferns . Aaron Costigan . Tiarnan Agnew. Mikey Quinn take your pick! The team was the man of the match.

St Caimins Team: 1.David Gleeson 2. James Colgan 3. Shane Russell 4. Jamie Divelley 5.Gavin McGonagle 6.Brandon Cullinan 7. Alan McInerney (C) 8. Adam Wood 9. Alex Blake 10. Evan O'Gorman 11. Darren O'Loughlin 12. Conor Hallissey 13. Conor Ferns 14. Aaron Costigan 15. Tiarnan Agnew. Subs: Mikey Quinn, Evan Quigley, Aidan Gallagher, Evan O'Sullivan, Daryl Makoni, James Staed, Gary Cusack, Adam O'Sullivan, Marco Vimercati.

Manager Kevin Chesser ,coach Niall Mallon , backs coach Declan Rowe and scrum coach Ger folan.