Kirwan State High School ran out 18-16 victors over St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon in the final of the Aaron Payne Cup on Thursday night at 1300SMILES Stadium.
Despite finishing the game with only 12 players on the field, Kirwan head coach Todd Wilson said he was happy with his side’s defensive effort in the second half.
“We just hung on enough defensively to get the job done,” Wilson said.
“As far as resilience goes, we were full of it.
“St Brendan’s threw everything at us and we just hung in there.”
Kirwan High captain Brad Schneider credited the team’s work ethic and early morning training sessions for the win.
“With the tough training we have had, getting up at 4:30 in the morning, it’s so surreal to be able to get through it again.
“We have just worked so hard for it. I couldn’t be more thankful”.
Cowboys legend and life member Aaron Payne said that while it’s sad it’s the last time the final will be played at 1300SMILES Stadium, he is excited to see what it will look like in the future.
“It’s sad it has to end, but it will be bigger and better at the new stadium,” Payne said.
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