TERENURE EDGE OUT NEWBRIDGE IN JUNIOR CUP THIS TIME
LEINSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP FIRST ROUND
TERENURE COLLEGE 24
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE 17
By Daire Walsh
There was disappointment for Newbridge College at Energia Park on Wednesday afternoon as they fell to a seven-point defeat against Terenure College in the opening round of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup.
Jonathan Fardy, Ruairi Harrington and Luke Kelly all crossed over for ‘Bridge during an entertaining clash, but it wasn’t enough to halt the progress of Terenure.
When these schools met in the Junior Cup three years ago, a stoppage-time try from Tadhg Brophy secured Newbridge a spot in the competition’s decider on a scoreline of 24-19.
Their 2020 showpiece encounter with Blackrock College never took place in the end because of the Covid-19 pandemic and while the title was shared between them and the south Dubliners, ‘Bridge won the cup outright with a win over ‘Rock in the delayed 2021 final.
Although Terenure have struggled to make an impact at senior level in recent years, they have generally featured at the business end of junior schools rugby. Winners of the competition in 2010 for the 10th time, ‘Nure also lost out narrowly to Blackrock in the 2015 decider.
They looked set to cross the whitewash with just under two minutes gone on the clock, only for strong Newbridge defence to hold them out. The Metropolitan outfit were relentless in their pursuit of scores, however, and Leo Zelman eventually dotted down following a series of drives towards the line.
Full-back Geoff O’Sullivan was on hand to supply the extras, leaving ‘ Bridge seven points in arrears inside the opening 10 minutes of the action. It was proving to be a difficult start to the contest for the Kildare side and there was to be a further set-back just shy of the first-quarter mark.
After he charged down an attempted clearance, ‘Nure lock Max Carter raced after the ball to cross over in simple fashion. Even though O’Sullivan was off-target with his latest kick at goal, it was ‘Nure who were dictating the terms of the play and Newbridge needed a break to allow them to settle into their stride.
The loss of outside centre Peter Murphy to injury was another blow, but ‘Bridge finally opened their account in the closing stages of the opening period. Having opted for a quick tap inside the opposition ’22’, the ball was worked into the hands of openside flanker Fardy for a much-needed five-pointer.
Despite Harry Mahon falling short off the resulting conversion, Newbridge appeared to be well in contention at just seven points adrift. Yet ‘Nure had a final opportunity prior to the interval and Zelman ultimately latched onto an overthrow off a ‘Bridge line-out to crash over for his second try of the game.
O’Sullivan couldn’t find the range from a touchline strike, but Newbridge were nevertheless left with a 12-point deficit and faced an uphill battle on the restart as a result.
However, they were by no means out of contention and gave themselves a fighting chance in the 39th-minute. After surviving an early third-quarter surge, ‘Bridge secured a penalty close to the ‘Nure whitewash.
The decision was once again taken to tap the ball and dynamic front-row Harrington burst over for a try was supplemented by an expertly-taken Mahon bonus kick.
Now just five points behind and with more than 20 minutes to play, ‘Bridge suddenly sensed the game was there for the taking. Their momentum seemed to have been broken when ‘Nure captain Ethan Balamash got over for a try off a sweeping move, but it was ruled out for a forward pass in an earlier part of the attack to ensure Newbridge remained very much alive.
Terenure maintained an active threat though and effectively placed the outcome beyond doubt with a superb converted finish from back-row Senan Gavin on 55 minutes.
Credit must go to this Newbridge for fighting to the end and whilst it was a mere consolation in the grand scheme of things, Kelly’s try at the end of an extended attacking move ensured they finished the tie in commendable style.
TERENURE COLLEGE: Geoff O’Sullivan; Jack Cooney, Niall Fallon, Alvaro Swords, Ethan Balamash; Gareth Morgan, Cathal Martin; Pearse Kelly, Leo Zelman, Daniel McKenna; Ray Meade, Max Carter; Senan Gavin, Michael Smyth, Josh Mooney.
Replacements: Harry Nolan, Max Ryan, Rory O’Brien, Luke Durkin, Ollie O’Leary, Zach Grady, Hugh Byrne, Conor Quinn.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: Tom Martin; Johnny Martin, Peter Murphy, Brian McCarthy, Luke Kelly; Adam Kennedy, Harry Mahon; Jamie Bohan, Ruairi Harrington, Colin Hathaway; Ronan Treacy, Daniel Collins; Simon Connolly, Jonathan Fardy, Oscar Booth.
Replacements: Andrew Kelly, Cillian Kennedy, Sean Judson, Niall Fitzgerald, Fionnan Galvin, Thomas Forde, Conor O’Mongain, Michael Kenny.
Referee: Jason Teahan (Leinster Rugby Referees).