Super Sunday
It was the end of a long day in Togher but still the crowds thronged the venue for the Hosie Cup presentation to Athy Photo: Alf Harvey
PORTLAOISE RFC was a busy place on Sunday as hundreds of players and spectators descended on the grounds at Togher. They from clubs all over Kildare and Laois for the finals of the North Midlands Area cups.
In was a very demanding schedule, Portlaoise managed to facilitate four finals on the one day – no mean achievement. In addition to that they hosted the presentation of the Devan Toner Perpetual Trophy for outstanding services to the North Midlands to Naas RFC’s Tom Ashe.
Unfortunately for the host club they were not to contest any of the finals. That said, they won many plaudits for the way in which the day was organised, for the condition of their pitches and the welcome given to all and sundry.
It was quite a day for Athy RFC who contested three of the finals and came away with three wins.
Their first title came when they just edged out Naas in the U/18 final with a 12pm kick off. They had led into the second half but Naas responded and went in front. And just when the title looked like heading to Fournaughts Athy struck for a late, late score to finish on top.
An hour later the blue and white stripped team were celebrating again after the ladies got the better of Naas again, this time in the Anne Fitzpatrick Cup final. Naas got the better start in this game but Athy responded positively and raced back into the game and win on a 41-19 scoreline.
Naas were back in action at 2pm when they faced up to Cill Dara in the Lalor Cup final. This was a cracking game with fortunes ebbing and flowing. Cill Dara drew first blood and held that lead approaching by Nass struck with a converted try to edge ahead.
They increased their advantage from a penalty soon after the restart. But they were hit by a converted try as Cill Dara retook the lead. But now it was time for Naas to reacted and retake the lead with a converted try. And in the end were a tad fortunate to hang on for victory.
The last and main game of the day – the Hosie Cup final – kicked off at 3pm and it turned into something of a rout. While Athy and Clondalkin looked evenly matched early on, but as the game wore on Athy totally dominated and ran out 57-17 winners.
