Is there any mistakes?

It was predicted to be a memorable occasion for players and supporters. The events of that epic day would have an effect on the individual team members involved. Their journey to this challenge was just as important as the outcome. The sharp, rigorous and purposeful training sessions continued over mid-term and the tension build up was riveting. Preparation was demanding and unforgiving. Diligence and persistence were not lacking and the team’s optimism was contagious. The pre-game anticipation and excitement was a rollercoaster for all concerned. We could not avoid thinking of the unexpected and the coping skills required to survive and overcome a loss? Have we and more importantly our team prepared for this come down? This event is key to our school calendar, compelling for pupils as they learn more from losing than winning.

The night before the match tradition was adhered to with the ‘send off’ ceremony. The ritual observed was very boisterous rather than a grand ceremony, it being a boys boarding school. However, all was under control overseen by the dutiful Mr Kelly. It was executed with military precision. Adrenalin was still running high when all 500 boys headed to the dorms.

On Wednesday 27 February we awoke to the excitement and enthusiasm radiating from the second floor. We were cautiously confident of the fate that lay ahead. The morning was like a whirlwind of routine tasks such as classes, music lessons, quick meals in the refectory and turning out to the fleet of buses in our purple and white attire. The unseasonal weather of bright sunshine wrapped around us that day with much higher temperatures than normal for late February. Without delay, we were on our way. It is on these days that I am so proud to be a pupil of the school involved in ‘rugby a game for hooligans played by gentlemen’. It was like the surge of patriotic emotion at a ‘Six Nations game’.

My account of the performance in Donnybrook Stadium is passionate and compelling as I, like fellow pupils, being emotionally connected. It was the meeting of the County Kildare rivals Newbridge and Clongowes and without appearing too arrogant, we would have earned the favourite position from past performances. A defeat was never under consideration.

The start was a dream for Clongowes with a score on the board within 52 seconds by Hugh Wilkinson which was converted in style by Charlie McNamee. What appeared to be simplistic put us on the front foot and showed our ability to tackle whatever came our way. Technique excelled in the 11th minute when Inigo Cruise O'Brien’s possession added another score to the board but the conversion was wide. We had a higher percentage of the possession in the 1st half and put in a resilient performance. Our boys were in overdrive and they were our heroes. It was difficult to single out the more striking among the players.

It was a game of two halves. We just could not get it together. Newbridge was alive and pushed hard until our boys were in their half. I felt panicky at the thought that an upset today would leave us coping with an earlier than expected exit, tough to deal with at any time but when the defeat is earlier, the pain is more extreme. However, defiant our team played on. Both teams were matching each other but Newbridge posed problems and edged ahead. It was a hectic finish but reality did not sink in until the final whistle and Clongowes were stunned. It was a tragedy as Clongowes were the better team.

The reality is that this has illustrated to me that there is a fine line between winning and losing in such competitive school sports - the most coveted Junior Rugby Cup. The morale was that our team learned that the better team did not win on the day. It seems that these experiences of loss harden our spirits and resolve to make us more accepting of our disappointments. The team could have been discouraged with the experience but their goal was to focus on the next game with optimism. They assessed their performance so as to improve but did not to dwell on the mistakes of the past. What was the point of beating yourself up over mistakes and chipping away at your confidence? This would only lessen your ability to perform to your full potential and ability. The panel fought on and within 2 weeks had brushed themselves down to deliver a win on home ground. Proof of the strong characters that make up this team and their supportive training coaches behind the scenes. Chats in the dorms among the defeated players include their aspirations for Senior Team positions in the years ahead. The coaching team and other staff are also alert to and supportive of all players emotional wellbeing. All proof that sport helps to form positive character development.

The concentration, efforts, practice and dedication to succeed in sports will help me and others to succeed in other areas of life and will help to shape our characters in the future. Losing the game was an enormous blow to their confidence and a shock to us supporters but there are no mistakes in life - only lessons. How we as a group of pupils handle this disappointment and disasters in other aspects of life will also help define us as people. Roll on next Rugby Season!