Burst of Power puts Blackrock on top
Leinster Schools Senior Cup Final
Blackrock College 23
St Michael’s College 20
by Daire Walsh
On a bitterly cold day in the RDS, full-back Jack Power was the hero for Blackrock College, as his 64th-minute try helped the Williamstown side secure the Leinster Schools Senior Cup crown for an incredible 67th time at the expense of last year’s victors, St Michael’s College, in a thrilling encounter.
This was Blackrock’s first Senior Cup triumph since 2009, and head coach Peter Smyth reserved special praise for the character and resolve his side showed throughout the year.
“At 16-7 I thought we were comfortable. Obviously, I think they could have scored 16 unanswered points, and looked at one stage like they had done enough, but the lads have had great resolve all year. They’ve been coming back all year, and it’s a great reward at the end to get the try,” Smyth said.
Michael’s quest to record back-to-back titles was given a boost early on when a converted try from captain Ross Molony offered a sharp response to inside centre Gary Ringrose’s opening penalty, but the inspirational No. 13 proved his worth as the half wore on, and he followed a second successful penalty with a seven-point salvo 18 minutes in, before out-half Peter Quirke moved Rock into a nine-point advantage with a majestic drop goal.
Michael’s were now in a position where they had to chase the game, but they did manage to reduce the deficit to two (16-14) by the midway point when dynamic No. 15 Cian Kelleher eased over the line on 27 minutes for a try that was converted by out-half Ross Byrne.
The provided the Ailesbury Road outfit with some much-needed momentum upon the resumption, but even though a brace of place kicks from the reliable Byrne looked like they would be enough to help them retain their title, a late push from ‘Rock proved decisive, as Power pounced to finish in the left-corner with six minutes remaining. When Ringrose beautifully split posts from a pressurised touchline conversion, it was clear Blackrock were not going to be denied.
Despite being well ahead in the roll of honour list for the Senior Cup, Smyth feels that it has been much harder to win the competition in the professional era, and this, in his view, makes yesterday’s victory sweeter.
“Since the game went professional in 1995, they’ve been a lot harder to win, a lot of those 67 were won in the 30s, 40s and 50s. To win one now is obviously a very difficult thing to do, so we’re delighted,” Smyth added.
Scorers For Blackrock College: Tries: J Power, G Ringrose. Cons: G Ringrose 2. Pens: G Ringrose 2. DG: P Quirke.
Scorers For St Michael’s College: Tries: R Molony, C Kelleher. Cons: R Byrne 2. Pens: R Byrne 2.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: J Power; Z O’Hagan, G Ringrose, S Lawton, S Coughlan; P Quirke, C Rock; J Loughman, T Cooke, O Jager; D O’Connor, G Fenn; R Tyrell, D Fortune, N Timoney.
Replacements: L O’Dea for O’Hagan (10), J Dwan for Fortune (34), D Fitzpatrick for Tyrell (57), S Kearns for O’Dea (58).
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: C Kelleher; M O’Hare, A Leavy, M Gilsenan, D Green; R Byrne, N McCarthy; H Redmond, R Allen, D Coulsen; R Molony, J Ryan; C Cregan, A Penny, J Murphy.
Replacements: M O’Keefe for Leavy (20), G Duffy for O’Hare (67), M Deegan for Murphy (67).
Referee: S Gallagher (LRR).