Leinster Schools Junior Cup: Newbridge College seal repeat of final that never took place
Newbridge College will face Blackrock College in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup final following their convincing triumph over Castleknock College at Energia Park this afternoon.
After being denied a chance to face each other in the 2020 decider due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a mouthwatering showpiece lies in wait between these two sides.
Newbridge stormed out the blocks in this contest, registering unanswered tries courtesy of Patrick Taylor (two) and Dara Cosgrave to firmly establish their title credentials. While Castleknock fired back through Max Lavelle’s try off a line-out move, flanker Ruairí Munnelly subsequently dotted down to give the Kildare school a 24-7 interval buffer.
Newbridge continued to attack at will on the resumption with Cosgrave and Ciarán Mangan crossing over either side of a converted effort by Castleknock prop John Cadogan. Replacement centre Paddy Martin and Mangan added further tries for Dave Brew’s impressive outfit, before the elusive Cosgrave completed his hat-trick with an assured finish in the final minute of play.
P Taylor 2 tries, 4 cons, D Cosgrave 3 tries, C Mangan 2 tries, R Munnelly, P Martin try each.
M Lavelle, J Cadogan try each, B Egerton 2 cons.
T Lawlor; D Cosgrave, C Mangan, C Murphy, A Magee; P Taylor, D Connolly; T Kelly, J Walsh, B Bohan; C Hanly, J Dennis; J Montgomery, R Munnelly, P Forde.
M Wilson, J Redmond, S O’Loughlin, R Murphy, J O’Neill, C Barry, P Martin, R Kenny.
C Dowd; H Mathews, B Egenton, P Gildea, D McCarthy; L Dillon, C Ward; R Niland, M Lavelle, J Cadogan; C Duffy, B Foley; M Kennedy, A Malone, C Lennon.
E Shanahan, C Barrett, S Bridson, S Fitzpatrick, S Donohue, T Powderly, C Keane, P O’Donnell.