Blackrock to tackle Saints in quarters
DAIRE WALSH – 06 FEBRUARY 2014 02:30 PM
A RE-MATCH of the 2013 Leinster Schools Senior Cup final is now imminent, after reigning champions Blackrock College were paired with St Michael’s College in the quarter-final draw at Old Wesley RFC on Tuesday.
After a shaky start to their much-delayed opening-round tie against CBC Monkstown at Donnybrook, a 13th-minute David O’Connor try and five points from dependable out-half Sean Kearns gave Peter Smyth’s charges a commanding early cushion, and although Monkstown finally opened their account through a 19th-minute Ben Mahon penalty, further five-pointers from captain Nick Timoney (pictured) and Cian O’Dwyer ensured ‘Rock took an insurmountable 24-3 lead into the second period.
The Jack McGrath-led CBC battled commendably upon the resumption, but a second O’Connor try on 48 minutes eased the holders towards a comprehensive 28-point triumph (31-3).
Their opponents at the last-eight stage, 2012 winners St Michael’s, had earlier overcome the determined challenge of Terenure College with four points to spare (17-13) at Templeville Road.
With the help of a five-point haul from Matthew Gilsenan, the Ailesbury Road boys had developed an early 10-3 lead, but their relentless counterparts – who included Tim Schmidt, son of Ireland coach Joe, in their side – managed to restore parity with a converted effort by full-back Matthew Byrne.
But a superbly-executed try by the impressive Max Deegan proved the difference between the two teams, and although Jack Ward registered his second penalty of the encounter, Terenure were narrowly ousted in the end.
Amid a host of replays, St Andrew’s College took on Castleknock College in Cill Dara, six days after their 15-15 tussle in the same venue. Castleknock’s Geoff Brookes was once again on song from the boot, but a try from Johnny Guy helped Andrew’s to prevail with a 13-9 success.
Elsewhere, in Lakelands Park, a 30th-minute Mick Fitzgerald five-pointer ensured that St Mary’s College emerged victorious from a low-scoring showdown with St Gerard’s Bray (7-3), and will now face the highly-rated Newbridge College in the next round.