Wesley kick off new year with Blackrock win
AIL 1B – Old Wesley 27 Blackrock 21
Old Wesley opened 2026 with a proper Donnybrook arm-wrestle, holding off a spirited Blackrock College RFC to win 27–21. It wasn’t pretty for long stretches, but it was hugely effective: Wesley struck early, absorbed sustained pressure, and then showed real nerve when the game tightened late on, with Tom Larke’s boot and a stubborn defensive finish sealing a massive five-point start to the year.
Wesley set the tone early, playing with ambition from first phase and looking to stretch Blackrock across the pitch. That intent paid off when sustained pressure forced an offside advantage. From there, Tom Larke pulled the strings beautifully, linking with Charlie Meagher before slipping Ethan Black through to score the opening try. The conversion drifted wide, but Wesley were 5–0 up and firmly on the front foot.
Blackrock responded with patience and accuracy. After several probing carries and a strong contribution from Ciaran Mangan in the backfield, the visitors finally broke through when Harry Waters finished well, and Tim Corkery added the conversion to edge Blackrock into a 7–5 lead.
The home side didn’t panic. Instead, they doubled down on territory and set-piece pressure. A yellow card for Blackrock hooker Richie Allen during a sustained spell near the line swung momentum Wesley’s way, and they capitalised. After multiple phases close to the posts, Jamie Clark powered over from close range, with Larke converting to restore a 12–7 advantage.
Wesley finished the half strongly. More pressure, more penalties, and repeated visits to the Blackrock five-metre line eventually told. After being held up and forced to reset, Wesley stayed composed and went again, with Clark crashing over for his second try just before the break. Larke’s conversion sent Wesley in at half-time with a deserved 17–7 lead.
Blackrock came out with renewed intent after the restart and struck quickly. A kick-chase and breakdown pressure unsettled Wesley, and Derry Maloney finished in the corner, Corkery converting to narrow the gap to 17–14 and set up a tense second half.
Wesley steadied themselves through strong carries from the pack and smart game management. Despite a disruption when Adam Watchorn was forced off after coming on, the home side regained control. A sharp attacking move saw Paidi Farrell punch through before releasing inside, and Jules Fenelon finished clinically in the corner to extend Wesley’s lead to 24–14, the conversion just missing.
Blackrock refused to go away. They leaned heavily on their maul once more and were rewarded when Richie Allen crossed from close range, Corkery again accurate from the tee to cut the deficit to 24–21 with time still left on the clock.
In the closing stages, Wesley’s composure proved decisive. A crucial penalty allowed Larke to extend the lead to 27–21, and from there Wesley managed the final minutes expertly, clearing their lines, forcing Blackrock to play from deep, and standing firm defensively until the final whistle. It was a hard-earned, character-filled win that underlined Wesley’s credentials at the top end of Division 1B.
Photos to follow
Scorers: Tries: Ethan Black, Jamie Clark 2, Jules Fenelon; Cons: Tom Larke 2; Pen: Tom Larke
Team: Tom Larke; Paidi Farrell, Ethan Black, Eoin Deegan, Jules Fenelon; Niall Carroll, Evan Kenny; Jamie Clark, Kieran O’Shea (capt), Ben Popplewell, Mahon Ronan, Billy Corrigan, Luke O’Connor, Charlie Meagher, Pat McBarron. Replacements: Stephen Smyth, Adam Watchorn, Dan Campbell, Cathal Kelly, Stephen Hendy, Kristian Jensen.