Rugby History – Arklow CBs
Arklow CBS are delighted to be making History in terms of their senior Rugby, The senior team id having a fabulous run so far, beating St. Mary’s C.B.S. Portlaoise in the quarter final and likewise in the Semi Final against our neighbours in East Glendalough. For the 1st time in our history, we are Heading to the Final of the Senior Rugby in Donnybrook next Wednesday 16th March 2002 against St. Mary’s Edenderry.
Semi Final - Anne McInerney Cup – Match Report
Arklow CBS 15 v East Glendalough 7
Anyone in attendance at the Oval in Arklow on Monday afternoon had the pleasure of witnessing a fantastic Leinster senior school semi final between local rivals CBS and EGS. With players from both teams playing for the opposition clubs this was always going to be a full blooded match with hard hits and marginal calls.
CBS started the game as they meant to go on gathering the ball early and pressuring the Wicklow town side’s defensive line. This pressure finally paid off with there first try of the game after some dynamic ball carrying from the forwards. This resulted in the first 5 pointer. The CBS forwards kept up the pressure in 1st half, with Conor Healy at 9 and Conn Kinsella at 10, control and excellent kicking from the hand, marching the EGS side back at every opportunity . With the game heading to half time CBS managed to notch a second try to give them a 10 point lead at the break.
After the break EGS were like a team transformed using the width of the pitch at the Oval to their advantage as their backline started to exert pressure on what had been a resolute Arklow defensive line with Sean McCarthy and Darragh O'Murchú putting in some monster hits. EGS managed to get over the whitewash midway through the half to narrow the gap to 3 points. With the game then in the melting pot the aforementioned Kinsella who excelled with his boot all day kicked two well executed 50-22s to keep EGS on the back foot. With CBS gaining control again the subs of the bench Oran Kelly and Dean Kelly Farrell in particular brought some much-needed energy to keep the pressure on. Sean McCarthy managed to extend the Arklow sides lead breaking through the cover and dotting down to extend his school lead leaving it to a two-score game with 8 minutes to go. EGS piled on the pressure but some resolute defending again from the home side gave them the victory in the battle of the neighbours.