Tallaght/Guiness 14
Tries: Tomas Coleman, Paul Callaghan
Conversion: Fiachra Bray 2

BGF Ravens 40

John Madden Cup
Iveagh Grounds
12/09/2026

The Tallaght’s senior men’s team has partnered up with Guinness R.F.C for the season. Both teams were struggling with player numbers so they’ve merged for this season to ensure both clubs could continue to offer senior rugby to their players. In their first game since the merger Tallaght/Guinness took on the the BGF Ravens in the John Madden Cup in the Iveagh Grounds.

The Ravens scored a converted try after a couple of minutes to take a 7-0 lead. An excellent kick from Daryl Maxwell put Tallaght/Guinness in good field position and flanker Tomas Coleman scored a try from close range and Fiachra Bray kicked a fine conversion to make it seven points a piece.

The Ravens hit back with two converted tries to make it 21-7. But after some strong carries from the like of Sean Judd and Aaron Smith, Paul Callaghan powered over for a try and Fiachra Bray converted again to make it 21-14. But the Ravens scored another converted try to make it 28-14 at half-time.

The Ravens opened the scoring in the second half to make it 35-14. After that things slowed down in terms of scoring as both sides struggled with the warm weather so early in the season. Eventually the Ravens scored one more try and the touchline conversion was missed which left the final score 40-14 to them.

Co-Head coach Ciaran Rudd was proud of the team’s performance in their first game together. “We’ve only had a couple of traning sessions together and some lads still don’t know each other’s names. So in the circumstances we were pleased with the effort, even if we have a lot of things to work on before we take on Carlow in the league in two weeks time.”