Friday, April 3rd
Clongowes Wood College
Kick off 11:00am
A thrilling and high-quality trial match unfolded in Clongowes Wood on Friday morning, as Leinster U18 Clubs overcame their Schools counterparts in a 53–24 encounter played in ever-changing conditions. Sun, wind, and rain all played their part, but it was the quality on display that truly defined the occasion.
As the clouds eventually parted, one player shone above all others—Rocco Quigley —who delivered a remarkable individual performance, crossing the whitewash six times over the course of the game.
His clinical finishing was the standout headline, but it was built firmly on the collective effort of a Clubs squad sharpened by an intensive three-day camp.
The team was expertly captained by outside centre Alan Marnell, who led from the front with composure, physicality, and clarity in both attack and defence. In the pack, Aidan Tamming was a dominant force, controlling the lineout and anchoring a powerful scrum that consistently put the Schools side under pressure.
The match began at a frantic pace. Leinster Clubs struck first through Rocco Quigley, who finished off a sweeping move involving out-half Scott O’Shea and centre Byron O’Hara to give his side an early 5–0 lead.
Leinster Schools responded impressively, moving the ball fluently through hands and phases to edge ahead 7–5 after a well-worked try.
However, the Clubs side quickly regrouped and began to assert themselves. The breakdown became a fiercely contested battleground, with both teams showing real intent and physicality.
With the wind at their backs in the second period, Clubs elevated their performance. Their backline began to click, with Scott O’Shea pulling the strings superbly.
Fullback Leon Regan produced one of the moments of the match, slicing through the defensive line, regathering under pressure, and stepping inside the final defender to score under the posts.
Up front, the platform was exceptional. Back rowers Cillian James and Brandon Nolan were relentless in both tackle and ruck, while Ollie Quinn added further stability and work rate.
Scrum-half Conor Martin ensured quick, accurate distribution, keeping momentum high and the Schools defence under constant strain.
Rocco Quigley added further gloss to the scoreboard with a rapid-fire hat-trick, capitalising on the space and tempo generated by the team.
As the game entered its final stages, the Clubs side continued to play expansive, attacking rugby.
Substitute Michael Redmond made a significant impact, showing great pace and determination to score in the corner, adding a brace to cap off a lively performance.
In the end, the 53–24 scoreline reflected a dominant second-half display from Leinster Clubs, though Leinster Schools contributed fully to an entertaining and competitive contest.
This fixture provided a valuable platform for all players to showcase their abilities, with intensity, skill, and cohesion evident throughout—a highly encouraging outing following the three-day camp.
Clongowes Wood College
Kick off 11:00am
A thrilling and high-quality trial match unfolded in Clongowes Wood on Friday morning, as Leinster U18 Clubs overcame their Schools counterparts in a 53–24 encounter played in ever-changing conditions. Sun, wind, and rain all played their part, but it was the quality on display that truly defined the occasion.
As the clouds eventually parted, one player shone above all others—Rocco Quigley —who delivered a remarkable individual performance, crossing the whitewash six times over the course of the game.
His clinical finishing was the standout headline, but it was built firmly on the collective effort of a Clubs squad sharpened by an intensive three-day camp.
The team was expertly captained by outside centre Alan Marnell, who led from the front with composure, physicality, and clarity in both attack and defence. In the pack, Aidan Tamming was a dominant force, controlling the lineout and anchoring a powerful scrum that consistently put the Schools side under pressure.
The match began at a frantic pace. Leinster Clubs struck first through Rocco Quigley, who finished off a sweeping move involving out-half Scott O’Shea and centre Byron O’Hara to give his side an early 5–0 lead.
Leinster Schools responded impressively, moving the ball fluently through hands and phases to edge ahead 7–5 after a well-worked try.
However, the Clubs side quickly regrouped and began to assert themselves. The breakdown became a fiercely contested battleground, with both teams showing real intent and physicality.
With the wind at their backs in the second period, Clubs elevated their performance. Their backline began to click, with Scott O’Shea pulling the strings superbly.
Fullback Leon Regan produced one of the moments of the match, slicing through the defensive line, regathering under pressure, and stepping inside the final defender to score under the posts.
Up front, the platform was exceptional. Back rowers Cillian James and Brandon Nolan were relentless in both tackle and ruck, while Ollie Quinn added further stability and work rate.
Scrum-half Conor Martin ensured quick, accurate distribution, keeping momentum high and the Schools defence under constant strain.
Rocco Quigley added further gloss to the scoreboard with a rapid-fire hat-trick, capitalising on the space and tempo generated by the team.
As the game entered its final stages, the Clubs side continued to play expansive, attacking rugby.
Substitute Michael Redmond made a significant impact, showing great pace and determination to score in the corner, adding a brace to cap off a lively performance.
In the end, the 53–24 scoreline reflected a dominant second-half display from Leinster Clubs, though Leinster Schools contributed fully to an entertaining and competitive contest.
This fixture provided a valuable platform for all players to showcase their abilities, with intensity, skill, and cohesion evident throughout—a highly encouraging outing following the three-day camp.
