AIL 1B Old Wesley 31 UCC 29
Old Wesley edged out UCC 31–29 in a pulsating AIL Division 1B clash at Energia Park, decided by the narrowest of margins after a dramatic late finish.
Wesley opened the scoring when captain Eoin Deegan seized a loose ball on halfway and sprinted clear under the posts. Tom Larke converted for 7–0. UCC responded with three quickfire tries — Mark Hetherington finishing off a break from Ben O’Connor, Stephen O’Shaughnessy powering over from a maul, and Gene O’Leary Kareem darting through midfield to put the visitors 19–7 ahead. The home side rallied before the break. A clever quick tap from Stephen Smyth allowed Billy Corrigan to crash over, before prop Ben Popplewell burrowed through from close range to give Wesley a 21–19 half-time lead.
One minute into the second half, Mahon Ronan sparked a brilliant team try — breaking the line himself, linking with Evan Kenny and Ethan Black, and finishing under the posts for 28–19 after Larke’s conversion. UCC refused to go away. Kamil Nowak forced his way over from close range, and Charlie O’Shea’s 74th-minute penalty nudged the Cork side ahead 29–28. Larke had one chance to reclaim the lead but pushed his kick wide — only for Wesley to earn another penalty two minutes later. The out-half held his nerve at the second attempt, slotting it to seal a 31–29 win amid huge relief from the Donnybrook faithful. Wesley defended doggedly in the dying moments, with Deegan, Ronan, and Cathal Kelly leading the charge to secure a memorable victory.
An instant AIL classic — full of swings, grit, and heart. Deegan’s leadership, Ronan’s dynamism, and Larke’s late redemption kick embodied Old Wesley’s character as they remain unbeaten in Division 1B. Next up, its a clash with previous table toppers, Instonians, in two weeks time.
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Scorers: Tries: Eoin Deegan, Billy Corrigan, Ben Popplewell, Mahon Ronan; Cons: Tom Larke 4; Pen: Tom Larke
Team: Tom Larke; Jarrod Homan, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan (capt), Jules Fenelon; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Stephen Smyth, Ben Popplewell, Billy Corrigan, Mahon Ronan, Cathal Kelly, Dan Campbell, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Sam Kenny, Charlie Meagher, Paidi Farrell, Charlie Hempenstall, Stephen Hendy.
