History was made for KCS rugby on Thursday the 4th of November when our Junior cup and Senior cup teams lined out in a double header against Patrician Academy Mallow in Independent Park. There was a lot of excitement for the day ahead as the 55 students, Mr Farren and Ms O’Shaughnessy set off from Kinsale at 9:30 for the day of rugby. They arrived to perfect weather conditions at Independent Park.

The Junior Cup team kicked off first at 11:30. It was great to see so many of the team get their first chance to wear the school colours for rugby since covid has prevented matches for the last two years. The lads really showed what they were made with an impressive win of 29-0. Each player showed great rugby skills and teamwork. Jacob Hayes really pushed the team forward by ploughing through the Patrician Academy’s defence multiple times gaining those all-important meters. James Brugger scrumhalf kept the team moving at pace and used his knowledge of the game to score an impressive try from the Academy’s lineout. Erhan Farley showed his impressive footwork and speed throughout the game and was rewarded for his hard work when he added to the scoreboard. Senan Aherne kept a calm head while playing fly-half and kicking for each conversion. The Junior Cup team are now set to play Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal in the Quarter finals of the King Cup. A special thank you to Paul Brugger who helped coach and Conor who saved the day by refereeing the match.

The Senior Cup team kicked off at 13:00 and came away with a hard-fought win of 37-17. It was a very physical game with big hits being put in by both sides. Zach Allen replaced his brother Jake, after Jake was unfortunately injured only minutes into the game. Jake had already made a massive impact to the game putting in many big hits and preventing the Academy from breaking the line. Fortunately for KCS Zack was well able to fill his big brother’s boots not only in defence but also in attack by scoring the first two tries for KCS. His teammates Cathal O’Leary and Paul Graham converted ensuring maximum reward. Both Cathal and Paul then went on to increase Kinsale’s lead over the Academy by scoring Kinsale’s the third and fourth tries, both used superb footwork to break the defensive line in their own half and had the speed to make it over the try line. Front rows David McCarthy and Eric lynch secured the win for KCS by both scoring in the last twenty minutes of the game, bulldozing through the wall of Academy players on the try line. The senior team will now take on Charleville CBS on the 18th of November in the quarter finals of the O’Brien Cup.