Final Score
Fairfield 5 - AIC 6

Continuing the trend from last fall, we had to play in rainy and unfavorable conditions. Still, the boys came into the regular season rejuvenated and reinvigorated. We're excited to change our image from country club chaches and show the league that we are here to compete and play rugby at a high standard.

We dominated territory and possession the entire game. Our kick chase, led by Eamonn O'Reilly '27 and Gavin O'Hara '25 smothered the fire power in AIC's backline all game. Joining their mates on defense were freshmen Cian O'Callaghan '28 and Luke Rinklin '28 as both of them led the launch in the backline. O'Callaghan uses his canon of a left foot to gain territory on penalties, and Rinklin chased the ball on kicks like a junkyard dog, and carried like a raging bull.

While we gave AIC a lot of territory because of high tackle penalties – it took us a while to adjust to the new tackle height law – we held firm on defense and didn't let their prolific attack across the try line. Down a player on a yellow card for repeated high tackle penalties, AIC only managed a goal kick before Chris Giunta '25 crossed the try line on a quick-tap penalty.

The game remained 5-3 Fairfield until the 80th minute, when another high tackle penalty in front of our goal post led to an easy penalty goal at the death, seeing AIC win 6-5. Man of the Match awards go to Gavin O'Hara '25 and Cian O'Callaghan '28 for their maximum efforts on carries, kick chase, and defense!

The B-side match was single-handedly dominated and controlled by Ian Thomson '27 with his game management and kicking. Jack Garrity '26 and Brendan Coutts '27, both starting the day as A-side run-ons, put in quality shifts with hard carries and rabid defense.

The C-side period saw a lot of our first-year players get a chance to strut their stuff. Charlie Raymond '28 showed his potential in the set piece and as a ball carrier, while Nate Crawford '28 commanded the team from scrumhalf with Myles Horkan '28 managing the game from flyhalf.

All in all, despite the loss, it is a promising start to the 2024 fall campaign that saw minor injuries, the need for small tweaks, and a strong platform built on strong defense for us to move forward.

Match Report submitted by Austin Ryan, Director of Rugby/Head Coach, Men's Rugby