20th Sept 2024 – All Ireland League – Old Wesley 29 Blackrock 13
Veteran fly-half Ian Cassidy delivered a 19-point masterclass to secure Old Wesley’s 29-13 victory over Blackrock College RFC in the AIL opener.
Wesley started strongly, with Cassidy opening the scoring early with a penalty. Blackrock responded immediately, with Conor O’Shaughnessy leveling the score at 3-3. Wesley applied pressure through Cathal Kelly, who charged down a clearing kick, and full-back Tom Larke consistently posed a threat with powerful carries. Wesley forced another penalty, and Cassidy once again converted to put Wesley ahead. Blackrock threatened in return, with Inigo Cruz O’Brien making strong runs, but Alex Molloy’s last-ditch tackle kept them at bay. A misplaced Wesley pass allowed Derry Maloney to break through, running 80 metres to give Blackrock a narrow 6-8 lead. However, the lead was short-lived. Just seconds after the restart, Cathal Kelly blocked down an exit kick and scored in the corner, with Cassidy adding the extras to make it 13-8.
Wesley quickly built on their momentum. Kelly’s 60-metre carry set up Tommy O’Callaghan for a try in the same corner, and Cassidy’s conversion extended the lead to 20-8. The remainder of the first half saw both teams battling between the 22s, with errors preventing further scoring, leaving the halftime score 20-8 to Wesley.
In the second half, a high tackle on Josh Pim gave Cassidy another opportunity, extending the lead to 23-8. Blackrock’s efforts never faded and a try from Derry Maloney after a maul kept them in arms reach of the home side, leaving the score at 23-13. Wesley continued to control the game, with David Motyer’s powerful run leading to another penalty, which Cassidy slotted over. Tom Larke also kept the pressure on Blackrock’s defence with line breaks, and another penalty allowed Cassidy to finish the night with 19 points from the boot.
Though Wesley couldn’t cross the try line again in the second half, Cassidy’s clinical kicking had already done enough to seal the win. The match ended 29-13, giving Wesley a strong start to the season.
Old Wesley will next travel to Shannon, competing for the Tucker-McCoy Memorial Trophy in what promises to be another thrilling contest.
OLD WESLEY: Tom Larke; Tommy O’Callaghan, Alex Molloy, Eoin Deegan, Nathan Randles; Ian Cassidy, Willem Johnstone; Harry Noonan, Stephen Smyth, Cronan Gleeson, Shane Cawley, David Motyer, Cathal Kelly, Josh Pim (capt), William Fay. Replacements: Kieran O’Shea, Sam Kenny, Charlie Meagher, Mahon Ronan, Andrew Doyle, Eoin Murphy.
Scorers: Cathal Kelly, try; Tommy O’Callaghan, try; Ian Cassidy 2 cons,5 pens.
Player of the match: Cathal Kelly
Click here for photos by Ken Richardson
Click here for report on IRFU website
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