Historic all-Tipperary Cleary Cup final as Clonmel HS advance to play CDI Cahir

Under 15 Cleary Cup Semi Final

HIGH SCHOOL CBS 33 WATERPARK COLLEGE 26

Clonmel High School U15 Rugby team secured a place in this year's Cleary Cup Final following a hard-fought win against a very good Waterpark College side on our 4G pitch on Friday. The match was played in lovely March sunshine in front of a large crowd of supporters.

The first half was a tight affair with most of the play between both 22s. Waterpark broke the deadlock after half an hour with a good try in the corner to give them a 5-0 lead. The High School replied with a try on the stroke of half time when captain Mbekezeli Masuku crashed over following sustained pressure from the pack. Conall Morrisson kicked the conversion to put the High School 7-5 ahead at the break.

Waterpark began the second half in storming fashion, scoring two quick converted tries to put them in a commanding 19-7 lead.

The High School composed themselves and worked their way back into the Waterpark half. Some crisp passing released Alex Pyke down the wing to score a very welcome try! Conall Morrisson kicked the conversion to leave the score 19-14 in favour of Waterpark.

A moment of magic from High School fullback Aidan McMaugh saw him weave through the Waterpark defence and score under the posts. Conall Morrisson added the conversion to put the High School back in the lead 21-19.

The match swung back in Waterpark’s favour when they pounced on High School’s failure to clear the ball from their 22 and they scored a good try and conversion to give them the lead 26-21.

With less than ten minutes left, the High School went on the attack once more. Great interplay between backs and forwards allowed Michael Maher to score in the corner. The match was level 26 all.

Time was nearly up. As both teams had scored four tries, Waterpark would win if it remained a draw by virtue of the first try rule.

Waterpark kicked the ball deep into the High School 22. The ball was spread wide to winger Alex Pyke and he took off up the touch line evading three tackles to score the match winning try! The home support went wild! Conall Morrisson kicked the conversion to put the High School 33-26 ahead.

The match ended three minutes later to the delight of the home support. It was a fantastic team performance that demonstrated the character and resilience of the High School boys.

The High School has now reached its third Cleary Cup Final in three years, having lost the previous two to Abbey CBS. This year they will face Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir, in the final.

The High School U15 team: Aidan McMaugh, Callum Condon, Cody Lee, Conor Williams, Alex Pyke, Conall Morrisson, Olan Doocey, Sean Delahunty, Jack Fitzpatrick, Jakub Prazan, Darragh Dempsey, Natan Gucwa, James Blanchfield, Sam Normile, Mbekezeli Masuku (c), Tony O'Brien, Michael Maher, Jack Prendergast, Jamie Cahill, Sean Woods, Seb Hopkins, Ben Tierney.