First of all, a hearty ‘thank you’ to all those past pupils who responded to the potted history-of-St. Gerard’s-rugby article and to all of you who turned out in your hundreds to support us in our cup semi-final match V Roscrea. It was heart-warming to see students from our first Leaving Cert class (1977) right up to those of 2010 joining with our present cohort to support the cup representatives of 2011, in Donnybrook, on that day. One try separated us from a first St. Patrick’s Day appearance in the cup final.
We have put the disappointment of that day behind us by now and we are more determined than ever to show the Leinster rugby world what we are capable of. At 3pm on Wed next (March 30) at Donnybrook we renew acquaintance with Cistercian College, Roscrea – this time in the league final. We are at present the league champions and have been for two years and hope to return with the cup to Thornhill Road on Wed evening. It will not be easy, but, with the support of the school, students, staff, parents and past-pupils, the team will be striving might and main to achieve an incredible 3-in-a-row. So, please turn out, if you possibly can, on another auspicious day for St. Gerard’s rugby.
Three of our players, Steve, Jack and Conor will be going for their third Leinster League medal in a competition which has been won by eleven schools since its inception in 1994. Castleknock, King’s Hospital, Roscrea and St. Gerard’s have each won this competition twice. So, whoever wins on Wed, will emulate Gonzaga in winning it for a third time, but if St. Gerard’s win, they will be the only team to emulate Gonzaga’s feat of 3-in-a-row.
For the record, the past winners are:
1994 Castleknock College
1995 Cistercian College
1996 Newbridge College
1997 King’s Hospital
1998 St. Michael’s College
1999 St. Andrew’s College
2000 Wesley College
2001 Castleknock College
2002 Cistercian College
2003 Templeogue College
2004 King’s Hospital
2005 Gonzaga College
2006 Gonzaga College
2007 Gonzaga College
2008 C.B.C. Monkstown
2009 St. Gerard’s
2010 St. Gerard’s
2011
So, turn out one and all and support the old Alma Mater on what, no matter what happens, will be another red-letter day in the history of St. Gerard’s.
In the words of Phil Coulter’s St. Gerard’s School song:-
“In defeat or victory
We’ll be the best that we can be
St. Gerard’s, St. Gerard’s we’re faithful, strong and true
Our shining Alma Mater
We’ll remember you.”