Tipperary Rugby: Unbeaten all year, Clonmel High School crowned Cleary Cup champions

Under 15 Cleary Cup Final

CLONMEL HIGH SCHOOL CBS 29-12 COLÁISTE DUN IASCAIGH (Cahir)

The High School Under 15 rugby team won the Cleary Cup, following a hard-fought final against Coláiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir, in Fethard Town Park.

The match was played in sunny but very windy conditions in front of enthusiastic supporters from both schools.
Coláiste had the wind in the first half, but it was the High School who opened the scoring following sustained pressure. Successive phases from one touch line to the other saw Natan Gucwa score in the corner to give the High School a 5-0 lead.
Coláiste’s reply was swift: some strong running from their big forwards gave Cahir captain Conor Hurley the chance to score a good try. He kicked the conversion to put his team 7-5 ahead.

This spurred on Coláiste and they quickly added a second try, scored by the impressive Tadhg Dunlea to increase their lead to 12-5.

As the match neared half time, the High School worked their way back into Coláiste’s 22. Hard yards won by Mbekezeli Masuku, James Blanchfield and Darragh Dempsey gave prop Jakub Prazan the chance to charge over to score a fine try. This left the score 12-10 to Coláiste at half time.

Munster Rugby Branch Vice President Brendan Foley presents the Cleary Cup to High School captain Mbekezeli Masuku

The High School had the big wind at their backs in the second half and they used it to good effect. Outhalf Conall Morrisson pinned Coláiste in their half with impressive kicks into space.

The High School capitalised and soon took the lead. A penalty gave the Clonmel school a lineout in Coláiste’s 22. Good work from Natan Gucwa gave clean ball to scrum half Olan Doocey. Centre Jerome Phelan was on hand to cut through the defence to score a great team try, putting his team 15-12 ahead.

Minutes later, centre Conor Williams showed pace and strength, beating several defenders to score under the posts. Morrison added the conversion, extending the High School’s lead to 22-12.

Coláiste showed great determination, working their way back into the High School’s half. However, any turnover ball was returned with interest with the aid of the strong wind.

High School’s back three of Cody Lee, Alex Pyke and Aidan McMaugh were industrious in attack and defence while James Blanchfield, Sam Normile, Michael Maher and Jack Fitzpatrick were playing very well in the pack.

The High School made several substitutions with Seb Hopkins, Sean Delahunty, Tony O’Brien, Jamie Cahill, Callum Condon, Conor Corbett and Sean Woods all introduced.

The High School continued to press home their advantage, led by their captain Mbekezeli Masuku, and his hard work paid off when he scored his team’s fifth try three minutes from full time. Morrisson kicked the conversion to push the High School 29-12 ahead.

Cleary Cup champions for 2024 - Clonmel High School CBS Under 15 Rugby team

The referee Olan Daly blew the full time whistle to the delight of the High School boys and supporters.
Munster Rugby Branch Vice President Brendan Foley presented the Cleary Cup to High School captain Mbekezeli Masuku. Mr Foley congratulated both schools for their part played in a fantastic final. He also paid tribute to referee Olan Daly of Munster Rugby and thanked Fethard Town Park for hosting the final.

A special word of thanks is extended to all of the family members who travelled to Fethard to support our boys. They were fantastic and certainly spurred the High School team on to victory.

The Cleary Cup was first played in 2005 and this is the High School’s seventh time winning the competition, having lost the final on the previous two occasions. Of more significance is that the High School Under 15 team has gone unbeaten for the entire season, following on from their McCarthy Cup win over St Munchin’s College in December. This is a fantastic achievement and tremendous credit is due to the team and their coaches for all their hard work.

High School panel: Aidan McMaugh, Cody Lee, Jerome Phelan, Conor Williams, Conall Morrisson, Alex Pyke, Olan Doocey, Mbekezeli Masuku, Sam Normile, James Blanchfield, Natan Gucwa, Darragh Dempsey, Jakub Prazan, Michael Maher, Jack Fitzpatrick, Seb Hopkins, Tony O’Brien, Sean Delahunty, Callum Condon, Jamie Cahill, Sean Woods, Conor Corbett, Ben Tierney, Patrick Normile.

The Coláiste Dun Iascaigh Cleary Cup final team who pushed Clonmel High School all the way.