Templeville Road was the beating heart of Dublin rugby on Saturday as St. Mary’s College powered their way into the Energia All-Ireland League Division 1A Final with a huge 20-13 victory over local rivals Terenure College.

In front of a packed crowd that swelled into the thousands and carried all the noise, passion, and colour of a Schools Senior Cup final, Mary’s delivered when it mattered most. The atmosphere was electric from the first whistle, with families, past pupils, students, players, and supporters creating a true sea of blue.

This was more than just a semi-final. This was a local derby with everything on the line, and Mary’s rose to the occasion.

Captain fantastic Conor Dean led from the front, crossing for a crucial try, while Daniel Leane and Richie Bergin also touched down in a fiercely contested battle. Mick O’Gara added the vital extras, including the late penalty that sealed the win and sent Templeville Road into celebration mode. It was a deserved 20-13 victory for Mark McHugh’s men, who showed exactly why they topped the regular season table and why they possess the league’s best defensive record this season.

But the day was about far more than the rugby.

St. Mary’s put on a fantastic occasion for the entire family, turning the semi-final into a full club celebration. Ice cream trucks, food vendors, face painting, and a festival atmosphere made Templeville Road the place to be for supporters of all ages. Under-18s in Mary’s jerseys were welcomed free of charge, helping ensure the next generation of supporters were right at the centre of the occasion.

One of the standout moments came at half-time when the recently crowned St Mary’s Senior Cup winners presented the Leinster Schools Senior Cup trophy to the crowd. The roar from the stands said it all. It was a powerful reminder of what this club and school represent  - tradition, excellence, and a deep sense of community from youth rugby right through to the senior game.

The support from the Mary’s faithful was simply outstanding. From the sidelines to the clubhouse, the energy never dipped. Every tackle was cheered, every turnover celebrated, and every score lifted by a crowd that believed this was their day.

There was heartbreak in this same stage last season, but this year there was no denying them.

Now, the reward is massive.

St. Mary’s are Aviva Stadium-bound for next Sunday’s All-Ireland League Final, where they will face reigning champions Clontarf in a Dublin derby showdown for the title. It will be Mary’s first final appearance since their last triumph in 2012, and the club now has the chance to write another famous chapter in its proud history.

One more game. One more step.

The road to the Aviva runs through Templeville, and right now, all of St. Mary’s is marching together.

Doug Leddin (2007)