St Mary's College RFC Yearbook 2020-21

UNDER 20s RUGBY REVIEW
At U20s level the beginning of the season
can often be season defining with the
qualifiers and new players and trying to get
the team to bed in together. With a new
coaching ticket on board with Brian
McGovern (Head Coach), Eddie Devitt
(Backs Coach) and Peter Smyth (Assistant
Coach), we returned to training in the
middle of July which got all the lads brought
into the season objectives.
The qualifiers system was changed last
minute and unfortunately in our two
qualifiers we came up just short. Straight
after we lost the qualifier our objective was
to go unbeaten in Prem 2.
With trips to Galway and Athlone we
managed to do that and in our last game
against Dublin University we managed to
win the league.
The team was captained by Sean Bourke
who led by example both on and off the
pitch. Luke Mannion was a standout player
who scored five try’s in one game, a regular
nominee for man of the match. George
Hassett was also a standout, he played on
both prop and hooker during the season and
even scored try’s. Loris Nikolov who
returned from long term injury and played
great during the season. We discovered
Michael McEvoy can not only play centre but
also wing and was a persistent performer
throughout the season. Craig Walshe who
also returned from injury in the latter part of
the season.
As well as playing for 20s a special mention
should go to those the kitted out for the
U20’s captain Sean Bourke receiving the cup
from our own Niall Rynne
junior teams in the club which was needed
during the season. Matthew Kennedy,
Darragh Gibson, Craig Walshe, Michael
McEvoy, Niall McDonnell, Donal McAuilffe,
Michael Connell and all the others.
As we now turn to look towards next season,
we will have the same coaching and
management teams as this season. All these
players have great futures ahead of them at
20s, firsts and junior rugby.
Vincent Murray
The victorious U20’s squad that won the league.
27