Supplementing Niall Smyth’s third consecutive brace in this year’s competition, Michael Walsh and Mark Walsh also grabbed tries as ‘Rock convincingly made amends for their final reversal to first-time winners Gonzaga College 12 months ago.

Starting with six of the players that featured in that showpiece defeat to Gonzaga, ‘Rock broke the deadlock in this game with just under four minutes on the clock. Following an excellent catch by Donnacha McGuire off Jack Pollard’s line-out delivery, tighthead prop Smyth drove powerfully over the opposition whitewash for an unconverted try.

This was an early set-back for a Michael’s side that recorded an impressive 32-0 victory against reigning champions Gonzaga at the semi-final stage in 2024 and they suffered a further blow when blindside flanker Joe Elliot was withdrawn through injury in the 15th-minute.

‘Rock’s Derry Moloney was also forced off moments after making a big break up the right-wing, but this coincided with a successful Conor O’Shaughnessy penalty to leave the Williamstown side eight points in front on 25 minutes.

The pressure on the Michael’s defence was becoming relentless and it came as little surprise when back-row Michael Walsh applied the finishing touches for ‘Rock’s second try just shy of the half-hour mark.

Now playing with extreme confidence, ‘Rock further enhanced their title prospects before the first half drew to a close. A late inclusion in their starting line-up, Michael’s right-wing Daniel Ryan was sent to the sin-bin in the 33rd minute for a deliberate knock-on as Charlie Molony attempted to pick out Brian O’Flaherty inside the ‘22’.

‘Rock immediately took advantage of their temporary numerical supremacy as Smyth burst over the line for his second try of the afternoon. While O’Shaughnessy was off-target from the ensuing bonus kick, ‘Rock ultimately brought a commanding 20-0 cushion into the break.

Requiring a strong start to the second period to give themselves a fighting chance of forging a dramatic comeback, Michael’s instead conceded a fourth try when ‘Rock inside centre Mark Walsh chased down his own block off an attempted kick into enemy territory and proceeded to cross over in ruthless style.

Although he couldn’t add the extras to this five-pointer, O’Shaughnessy emphatically split the uprights off a 47th minute penalty to leave ‘Rock 28 points clear moving into the final-quarter.

The final outcome was effectively beyond doubt as a result, but credit must go to Michael’s for the way they continued to battle until the very end of the contest.

Following much persistence, the Ailesbury Road outfit finally opened their account when second row David Walsh touched down at the end of a ‘tap and go’ move with 13 minutes remaining.

Replacement scrum-half Chris O’Connor also put Ryan through for a Michael’s try on the stroke of full-time, but this did little to dampen the spirits of the jubilant Blackrock College players, coaches and supporters.

Scorers for Blackrock College: Tries – N Smyth (2), Michael Walsh, Mark Walsh. Pens – C O’Shaughnessy (2). Cons – C O’Shaughnessy.

Scorers for St Michael’s College: Tries – D Walsh, D Ryan. Cons – E Black.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C Molony; D Moloney, C Woodcock, Mark Walsh, B O’Flaherty; C O’Shaughnessy, A Lindner; P Moore, J Pollard, N Smyth; T Butler, D McGuire; Michael Walsh, J O’Neill, J Angulo.

Replacements: J O’Sullivan for Moloney (25), L Coffey for Lindner, G Wall for Michael Walsh (both 47), P Clancy for O’Shaughnessy, B Walsh for Butler (both 59), L Magee for Moore (65).

ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: D Lucey; D Ryan, E Black, C McConnell, P Wood; J Quigley, J Sherwin; B O’Donohoe, D Maguire, R Coogan; D Walsh, F McKenna; J Elliot, R Brown, S Corrigan.

Replacements: M Berman for Elliot (15), B Conry for Quigley, E McLaughlin for O’Donohoe (both 47), C O’Connor for Sherwin (57).

Referee: S Holt (LRR).