Newbridge RFC progress from all Kildare clash in Hosie Cup final repeat

Newbridge welcomed local rivals Cill Dara to Rosetown for the opening round of the Hosie Cup, in a repeat of last season’s all Kildare final. Newbridge came out on top on that occasion and repeated the feat with an impressive second-half performance to secure a 38-17 victory and a place in the next round.

Conditions were near perfect as Newbridge started brightly, taking an early 5-0 lead. Out-half Tim Murphy put a perfectly weighted grubber kick in behind the Cill Dara defence, which was collected by debutant Caleb Aiulu, who finished well out wide for the opening try.

Cill Dara responded well and began to dominate possession. After a sustained spell of pressure, the visitors moved the ball wide to Adam Meehan, who crossed to level the game at 5-5.

The sides spent much of the next 20 minutes sizing each other up before a well-worked Cill Dara midfield move released full-back Paddy McGrath, who broke through to score under the posts and give the visitors a 12-5 advantage.

Newbridge began to get their hands on more possession as half-time approached and found their response. Murphy was again heavily involved, releasing the impressive Aiulu, who beat his man before touching down close to the posts for his second try on his debut. Murphy converted to level matters at 12-12.

A Murphy penalty on the stroke of half-time edged Newbridge ahead, 15-12, at the break.

The home side carried that momentum into the second half, with another Murphy penalty extending the advantage to 18-12.

Then came the spell that put Newbridge firmly in control. Max McLoughlin powered over from close range for his first try before adding a superb second. James Kennedy found McLoughlin in space out wide and, despite still having plenty to do, he showed great pace to sprint home from 20 metres and put daylight between the sides at 30-12.

Cill Dara continued to battle and were rewarded with a try in the corner to reduce the deficit to 30-17, but Newbridge quickly regained control. Another Murphy penalty pushed the score out to 33-17 as time began to run out.

Newbridge saved one of their best moments for last. A brilliant pass from Donal Cashman released Riain Murphy around halfway, and the centre finished superbly to round off an excellent second-half display and seal a convincing 38-17 victory.

It was a strong start to the competitive season for Newbridge, with debutant Caleb Aiulu marking his first appearance with two tries, Max McLoughlin also crossing twice and Tim Murphy influential throughout from out-half.

Newbridge now advance to face Naas in the next round of the Hosie Cup, with a place in the final at stake.

Newbridge: 1. Scott O'Keeffe, 2. William Jennings, 3. Brendan Commane, 4. Mark Bennett, 5. Cameron English, 6. Patrick Corbett, 7. Chris Leech, 8. Max McLoughlin, 9. Nathan McDonald, 10. Tim Murphy, 11. James Kennedy, 12. Caleb Aiulu, 13. Riain Murphy, 14. Gavin Houlihan, 15. Eimhin Conroy, 16. David Morgan, 17. Jack Barry, 18. Scott McMullan, 19. Joss Hulin, 20. Donal Cashman, 21. Zack Meehan, 22. Ola McCulloch.

Cill Dara: 1. DJ Brannock, 2. Aaron Kane, 3. Conor McCormack, 4. Stephen Walsh, 5. Christopher Walsh, 6. Ross Dooley, 7. Colin Moloney, 8. Chris Cousins, 9. Andrew Peter McDermott, 10. Sean Behan, 11. Callum Dooley, 12. Rory Conway, 13. Adam Meehan, 14. Tom Byrne, 15. Paddy McGrath, 16. James Dempsey, 17. —, 18. Fionn Moore, 19. Jamie Lenehan, 20. Robert Mather, 21. Tadhg Doyle, 22. Mark Talbot.