St Mary’s On Top At Guinness Mid-Strength Irish Rugby Gathering.

As part of the Guinness Mid-Strength Irish Rugby Gathering, the IRFU Club Sevens was the main event of the day, taking place on the immaculate pitches at UCD in Belfield. Competitive games were witnessed from group stages to final play-offs.

From midday on the main pitches, there were four competitions running which were the Men’s Open Division 1, Men’s Division 2, Women’s Open Division 1 and Women’s Division 2.

Blackrock College RFC Ladies won the Women’s Open Division 1 Cup beating St Mary’s College RFC 17-12 in a great final. Meanwhile, Old Belvedere defeated visiting Glaswegian side, The Flumps in the Plate final, 17-0 for that trophy.

For the Men’s Division 2 Cup final, we saw a determined Enniscorthy RFC win a very tight encounter 21-17 against seasoned Club Sevens regulars, Malahide RFC.

This year was not to be for Dublin University FC, the All-Ireland Club Sevens holders, but did win the Plate Final against Queen’s University Belfast RFC in a wonderful game of Rugby Sevens to watch. Final score was 27-21 to Trinity.

Men’s Division 1 Cup semi-finals saw St Mary’s College RFC face Shannon RFC in the first semi-final with City of Derry RFC up against Lansdowne FC in the other semi. This was one game just beyond Shannon’s grasp, with Mary’s the comfortable winners, 32-0. Let this not hide the previous wins Shannon had crafted however.

Although City of Derry scored first and took their game to Lansdowne, the Dublin 4 side patiently looked prized possession and ended up working a winning try leaving City behind, 17-12.

For the Cup Final and All-Ireland title, Lansdowne lost hold of their hard-worked lead gained midway through the second-half to two brilliantly executed St Mary’s tries.

This final was a thriller, delivering all that good rugby sevens is about; passing, agility, speed, support play and a patient eye for the gap.

In addition to the Club Sevens were both tag rugby and touch rugby competitions running concurrently through the afternoon. Silverware in the touch competition was won by the G Team first up, who beat Usual Suspects in the Plate final. For the Touch Cup final, Mickey Mouse Club defeated the superbly named, North Sydney Parade Bears 6-2.

Tag teams competed for their titles with SRFC toppling Heaton’s Hurricanes 7-4 in the Plate final and Leinster Broncos carrying their All-Ireland form into the Cup final by beating Toothless Gibbons 5-1.

The hard work, dedication and keeness to participate of all the teams, who took to the fields at Belfield for this event was hugely admirable and greatly appreciated by the spectators, hosts and organisers. Also, we thank the likes of the Flumps from Scotland and Albany Knicks from the United States who added that special international element to the day.

Congratulations and many thanks to all who contributed to making this Guinness Mid-Strength Irish Rugby Gathering a fantastic event, exemplifying everything that Irish rugby club is about.  

Photo galleries can be found on the IRFU Facebook page.