Bish claim Connacht U-14 Schools rugby title in clinical style

St Josephs 22Roscommon CBS 5

The Bish have been crowned U-14 Connacht Rugby Schools champions after a comprehensive victory over Roscommon CBS in the final in Ballyhaunis, thanks in no small part to a a brace of tries from Seán Kilmartin and Ewan Heapes.

The Bish came in to the game as very strong favourites, having defeated a much-fancied Jes team 27-17 in the semi-final, while Roscommon CBS entered their first Connacht final at this level with a narrow win over St Gerald’s Castlebar in the other semi-final.

The Bish, led by captain Jordan Fogarty, got off to a quick start, as Ewan Heapes sidestepped two players and sprinted in for a try within the opening minutes. Seán Kilmartin’s pace posed problems throughout for the Roscommon lads, and when a looping pass from Max Payton reached him on the halfway line he ran it in for the second try of the day to leave the Bish 10-0 ahead at half-time.

CBS threatened a revival in the early minutes of the second-half when their pack drove over for a try, but the Bish pack regrouped and props Ronan Corless and Jonny Joyce tightened the scrum for Conor O’Regan, Aodhfinn Broderick and Jordan Fogarty to carry into contact and work the ball up the pitch.

Brian O’Malley got quick ball to Robert Hennessey inside the CBS 22, and he used the dummy run of Marcus Burke to pass to Max Payton. Spotting space on the wing to attack, Payton drew the tackle before releasing Kilmartin who ran in his second of the day, and a great kick from Heapes to convert left the gap at 17-5.

Heapes completed his hat-trick late in the game when quick hands from Dara Folan and Darren Dooley released Heapes, and he handed off two tackles to touch down in the corner to seal the win.

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