All Ireland League – Old Wesley 51 – Queens University 38 – 11th Jan 2025
Wesley hosted Queen’s University Belfast in the opening AIL match of 2025, delivering an action-packed and dramatic encounter.
The home side started brightly, gaining territory with their kicking game. An early penalty from Ian Cassidy put Wesley 3-0 ahead. From the restart, Wesley continued to press. Alex Molloy, just inside the Queen’s 22, threw a basketball-style pass to unleash hooker Stephen Smyth, who went over for the try. Cassidy added the conversion to extend Wesley’s lead to 10-0.
However, Wesley’s discipline at the breakdown allowed Queen’s back into the game. A series of penalties saw Queen’s earn a try from captain Lorcan McLoughlin, and full-back McFarland converted to bring the score to 10-7. Queen’s soon took the lead when McLoughlin powered over again from close range. McFarland’s conversion put the visitors ahead 10-14.
Wesley responded quickly, with Eoghan Murphy making a strong break up the middle. After winning a penalty, Cassidy slotted the kick to narrow the gap to just one point at 13-14. Queen’s continued to play with confidence, with second rows Joe Hopes and Oliver Hughes causing problems in both open play and the lineout. Hopes went over from close range to extend the Queen’s lead to 13-19. Wesley hit back through a series of scrum penalties, with Adam Watchorn dominant in the set piece. A quick tap penalty from centurion Tommy O’Callaghan led to a yellow card for Queen’s flanker Josh Stevens. A kick to the corner then allowed Wesley to drive a maul over the line, with Smyth crossing for his second try. Cassidy’s sideline conversion gave Wesley a 20-19 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Wesley continue to assert their dominance. From the restart, Molloy broke through following a lovely offload from Cassidy, setting up prop Watchorn. Tom Larke finished the move with a try from close range, and Cassidy added the extras to make it 27-19. Wesley extended their lead further when a well-executed move saw Deegan pop the ball to Molloy, who dotted down under the posts. Cassidy converted again, putting Wesley 34-19 ahead.
Despite the scoreline, Queen’s refused to give up. They earned a penalty near the Wesley 5m line, and prop Flynn Longstaff powered over for a try, narrowing the gap to 34-26. Wesley responded in style with a stunning try from their own 22. Eoin Murphy made the initial break, offloading to O’Callaghan, who passed to Andy Doyle. Doyle then found Larke, who scored his second try of the day. Cassidy converted to make it 39-24.
Wesley continued to press forward. A kick from Cassidy forced a scrum 5 metres from the Queen’s line. From the scrum, Pim picked from the base, passing to Doyle, who set up Larke. Larke unselfishly passed to O’Callaghan, who scored on his 100th AIL appearance. Cassidy converted to extend the lead to 44-25. Queen’s, however, fought back once again. From deep in their own half, McFarland finished in the corner and converted his own try to make it 44-33.
Wesley responded once more, quickly advancing upfield. From a scrum, Larke sprayed the ball wide to find O’Callaghan, who raced into space for his second try of the day. Larke then nailed a brilliant sideline conversion to make it 51-33.
The visitors had the final say when they powered over from a maul, with Jack Boal crossing for Queen’s last try of the game.
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Click here for photos by Deryck Vincent
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Scorers: Tries: Stephen Smyth 2, Tom Larke 2, Alex Molloy, Tommy O’Callaghan 2; Cons: Ian Cassidy 4, Tom Larke; Pens: Ian Cassidy 2
HT: Old Wesley 20 Queen’s University 19
Team: Tom Larke; Tommy O’Callaghan, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Eoin Murphy, Ian Cassidy, Andrew Doyle, Harry Noonan, Stephen Smyth, Adam Watchorn, Billy Corrigan, David Motyer, Cathal Kelly, Josh Pim (capt), Reuben Pim. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Sam Kenny, Mahon Ronan, Shane Cawley, Fergus Jemphrey, Evan Kenny.
