Dramatic win for Newbridge sets up Hosie Cup Final against Cill Dara
Newbridge RFC have set up a Hosie Cup Final showdown with neighbours Cill Dara after a dramatic win away to Clondalkin.
After the original fixture was abandoned due to floodlight failure with Newbridge leading 21–10, the rearranged Hosie Cup semi-final delivered a thrilling spectacle that had everything: fast starts, fierce comebacks, and a dramatic finish, before Newbridge held on to book their place in the final against local rivals Cill Dara.
Newbridge burst out of the blocks with real intent. Riain Murphy opened the scoring after finishing well out wide, and Donal Cashman landed the tricky conversion. The visitors quickly doubled their advantage when debutant Shane O’Loughlin raced clear down the blindside to score a well-worked try.
Moments later, a blocked kick was gathered by Zack Meehan, who crossed for Newbridge’s third try. Cashman hit the target for a third time to make it 21–0 after a blistering opening ten minutes. Newbridge continued to dominate, and their fourth try came from Cameron English after sustained pressure, Cashman maintaining his perfect record from the tee.
Clondalkin finally responded with a converted try to narrow the gap, but a second try from Meehan left the half-time score at 33–7, with Newbridge seemingly out of sight.
But the second half told a very different story. Clondalkin touched down early and soon added another to close the gap to 33–19. Newbridge then lost Connall Sharkey to the sin bin and the home side capitalised, running in two more tries to close the deficit to just two points at 33–31.
With momentum slipping away, Newbridge showed real grit and worked their way into the Clondalkin 22 where Jack Moore powered over for a crucial score. Cashman converted to give some breathing room at 40–31.
Clondalkin hit back once more in the dying minutes to make it 40–36, but Newbridge were able to cling on for a dramatic and hard-fought victory.
The result sends Newbridge into the Hosie Cup Final, where they will face Cill Dara over the Christmas period, a local derby that promises to be a cracking contest.
Darragh Whyte; Riain Murphy, Stephen Cooke, John O’Brien, Zack Meehan; Donal Cashman, Shane O’Loughlin; Dave Morgan, Will Jennings, Brendan Commane; Jack Moore, Cameron English; Mark Bennett, Chris Leech, Shane Treacy.
Connall Sharkey, Cillian Beirne, Adam Bingham, Stephen McElligott, Callum Reynolds Sourke, Fergal Doyle.
