U14 Boys Schoolboys Cup – Round 1
Portarlington U14s made the trip to Monkstown for Round 1 of the U14 Schoolboys Cup on a wet and damp morning, conditions that tested both their skill and stamina. Despite the weather, the mood was positive and focused as the team, led onto the pitch by captain Charlie Merriman, prepared for what was always going to be a tough contest against strong opposition.
The game kicked off on time, with Portarlington immediately asserting themselves. Collecting the opening ball cleanly, they advanced with purpose and intent, carrying strongly into Monkstown territory. The opening minutes saw both teams feel each other out, contesting at the breakdowns and in the early set pieces. Portarlington’s organisation and physicality soon paid dividends, and after five minutes it was Tom Coen who broke the deadlock. Picking his line brilliantly, he powered through contact in his trademark fashion to crash over for the opening try. Bradley Cooper stepped up confidently to slot the conversion, giving Port a deserved 7–0 lead.
From the restart, Monkstown showed their quality. Capitalising on a loose ball at a Port ruck, they moved the ball quickly to create an overlap on the wing and crossed for their first try, reducing the score to 7–5. This seemed to lift the home side, who began to increase the tempo and applied more pressure. Port’s defence was forced back inside their 22, and from an offside penalty Monkstown struck again, running in their second try to take a 10–7 lead.
Portarlington responded exactly as a team should. A Monkstown knock-on at halfway gave Port a scrum, which was well secured. From the back, Tom Coen picked and went, shrugging off four tackles before sprinting down the wing to score his second try of the match. The score swung back in Port’s favour at 12–10, rewarding their work rate.
As the first half drew to a close, Monkstown intercepted a Port lineout and executed a textbook ruck and backline move, finishing strongly just before the halftime whistle. This left Monkstown narrowly ahead at the break, 15–12, despite Portarlington’s huge defensive effort and physical commitment.
The second half began with both sides fully committed, competing at rucks and lineouts to gain possession. Port secured ball well and delivered fast, clean ball to the backs, with runners attacking the line hard and asking real questions of the Monkstown defence. However, an intercepted backline pass gave Monkstown a clear run to the line, extending their lead to 22–12.
Once again, Portarlington showed tremendous character. Refusing to drop their heads, they struck back when Tom Coen, now linking into the backline, powered through defenders to complete his hat-trick. Bradley Cooper added the conversion, narrowing the gap to 22–19 and keeping the contest finely balanced.
With bodies tiring on both sides, Monkstown found space out wide and crossed for another try to make it 27–19. The pressure continued, and constant Monkstown attacks kept Port pinned deep inside their own 22. Eventually, Monkstown were rewarded for their persistence with another try, pushing the score out to 32–19.
What followed was a superb display of rugby and pride from Portarlington. With just five minutes remaining, they dug deep, working through clever rucks and sharp passing to force Monkstown back to their own five-metre line. Awarded a high-tackle penalty, Port kept the pressure on, and Tom Coen once again delivered, collecting an offload from the ruck and driving over for his fourth try of an outstanding individual performance. Cooper’s conversion brought the score to 32–26 and set up a tense finish.
Portarlington threw everything at Monkstown in the closing moments, but despite doing so much right, the breakthrough wouldn’t come. Monkstown held firm to bring an end to a gripping, contest. While the scoreboard read a six-point defeat, it truly does not show the effort, courage, and commitment shown by the Portarlington boys throughout the game, from first whistle to last. They fought well to deliver , but it was just not their day today.

Man of the Match:
Tom Coen – an exceptional performance, showing sheer grit, power, and determination throughout, finishing with four superb tries.

Outstanding Performances:
Luca Hynes, Jack McDonald, Bradley Cooper, Finn Costello, Dan Carroll, Sam Petriw, Ciarian Moore, Tadgh O’Connor, Mark Finlay, Sam Lyons

Great Supporting Play:
Harry Robinson, Charlie Merriman (C), Michael McCallum, Sean Fitzpatrick, Michael Owens, Oisin Geoghegan, Sean Kiernan, Arran Dunne, Jack Turley, Thoma McGrath

Team:
Jack McDonnell, Ciarain Moore, Harry Robinson, Finn Costello, Luca Hynes, Charlie Merriman (C), Michael McCallum, Tom Coen, Tadgh O’Connor, Sean Fitzpatrick, Mark Finlay, Bradley Cooper, Michael Owens, Oisin Geoghegan, Sean Kiernan, Sam Petriw, Sam Lyons, Arran Dunne, Dan Carroll, Jack Turley, Thoma McGrath