AIL – Highfield 13 Old Wesley 6 – 25th Sept 2025
Old Wesley travelled to Highfield the day after the entire country was under a red weather warning. The wind had passed but a torrential downpour in the hours leading to kick off led to some difficult conditions in Woodleigh Park.
It was the home side who adapted best playing the smarter rugby that eventually gave them a deserved victory on the day. There were few highlights and numerous mistakes from the visitors who did manage to stay in the battle admirably to gain a losing bonus point.
The only scores in the first have came from the number 10’s. Shane O’Riordan who was impressive out of hand scored a penalty in the first 20 mins to give the Cork men a 3-nil lead. Just before halftime Cassidy responded to make it 3 all at halftime.
After 56 mins it was Cassidy who doubled the Old Wesley lead with another penalty. The lead didn’t last long however. Highfield went on the attack and after a series of phases managed to force a penalty under the Old Wesley posts. The away side completely switched off and scrum half Richard Cassidy took advantage by taking a quick tap to canter over under the posts untouched. O’Riordan added the regulation conversion to give Highfield a 10-6 lead with 20 minutes left on the clock. The final score of the game came from O’Riordan with another penalty 2 minutes from time.
As the game was coming to a close the home team looked certain to score another try. But Old Wesley managed to defend the attack and the full-time whistle blew giving them one match day point to take back to Donnybrook.
The game also saw Old Wesley suffer the devastating blow of losing their tight head prop, Sam Kenny, to a broken leg after 3 minutes. Thank you to everyone in Highfield who helped attend to Sam. A special mention to Andrew Egan and Adam Curry who were watching the stream in Dublin and travelled to Cork to get Sam home to Dublin safely. We all wish Sam a speedy recovery.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Click here for video highlights
Scorers: Pens: Ian Cassidy 2
HT: Highfield 3 Old Wesley 3
Team: Tom Larke, Paidi Farrell, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Eoin Murphy, Ian Cassidy, Willem Johnstone, Harry Noonan, Stephen Smyth, Sam Kenny, Shane Cawley, David Motyer, Cathal Kelly, Josh Pim (capt), Reuben Pim. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Rory Duggan, Charlie Meagher, Will Fay, Fergus Jemphrey, Evan Kenny.
