2016 McCormick Cup Consolation Champions

Mike Thorne

Oct 23, 2016

2 min read

One of these days it will be a pleasant and warm McCormick Cup day. Unfortunately, the 2016 McCormick Cup day was not destined to be that day. A cold front that brought heavy rains on Thursday and Friday also provided strong gusts of wind on Cup Saturday. The Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club Senior Men's team finished off their 2016 campaign with one of their most complete performance of the year. To poorly quote Obi-Wan Kenobi "this wasn't the championship we were looking for" however it was the match that showed how dominant of a team we really are.

One of the downfalls to the 2016 season was the lack of defensive organization which resulted in an average of 31 points scored against us this season. The low point was a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Oakville Crusaders, being outscored 45-17. The coaching staff led by Fabian went back to basics and the team, led by captain Brandon Black responded with decisive win against the Balmy Beach Club in the final week of the season.

Rugby is a cruel mistress and while a lesser team could have folded after a first round playoff loss, our men didn't. In fact, the Markham Irish Canadian Rugby Club Senior Men team played some of their best rugby with wins over Peterborough, Ajax and Stoney Creek in the Finals. The Irish outscored their opposition in those three weeks 141 - 19 to claim the McCormick Cup Consolation Championship.

A club is made up of many players, volunteers, alumni, sponsors, parents, administrators and coaches. On behalf of the Senior Men's program, I would like to thank everyone who helped and supported our journey this year. While the playing season is over, we still have a number of events before the end of 2016. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Awards banquet and volunteering for the CFL Grey Cup festivities later in November.

SPECIAL THANKS TO CHRIS SCOTT FOR THE AMAZING PHOTOS THIS SEASON... TRUE CLUBSMAN AND NOT TOO SHABBY OF A RUGGER