Richard Karlsen, a charismatic and confident young man, leads a privileged life on
Dublin's
Southside. A former rugby player for his exclusive
fee-paying school's Senior Cup team, he and his friends are enjoying their last summer before university. He develops feelings for Lara Hogan, the girlfriend of Conor Harris, an old teammate. Richard gradually wins her affections, souring his relationship with Conor. The two attend a party in a wealthy suburb with Conor arriving unannounced later. Richard becomes envious of Lara's ongoing platonic friendship with Conor. After briefly stepping outside he is then barred from re-joining the festivities while Lara and Conor remain inside. Richard continues drinking and begins to argue with Lara when she leaves the party. Conor, after confronting some gatecrashers, is angered by Richard's behaviour and hits him. Two mutual friends, Cian and Stephen, step in to defend Richard and punch Conor to the ground. As he lies there, Richard delivers a powerful kick to Conor's head. Richard, Lara, Cian and Stephen leave and observe Conor attempting to stagger back towards the party. The next morning, Richard is shocked to learn that Conor was later found dead. He meets up with Cian and Stephen and the three agree to keep the incident a secret, with only Lara being aware of their involvement. Lara reassures Richard that she lied to
Garda investigators to protect him, telling them that they left the party before the brawl broke out. Richard attends a Garda station and gives a false statement to this effect. He tells the truth to his
manic depressive father, Peter, who is distraught and tells him to stay alone at the family's beach house. While there, Richard suffers a
breakdown. A few days later, Peter has ascertained through contacts that the Garda investigation is focusing on the gatecrashers, and that there are no separate inquiries or suspects. Richard and his rugby team meet to say goodbye to Conor. Afterwards, he goes drinking with friends and sleeps with a girl who also attended the party. At Conor's funeral mass, Richard is overcome with guilt after an emotional speech from Conor's heartbroken mother, who is incredulous at the lack of witnesses to the attack. He privately tells Lara that he plans to confess the crime and then suggests eloping with her, but does neither. Some weeks later he is seen beginning his university studies. ==Cast==