Clongowes advance to senior semi
Clongowes Wood 26
Belvedere College 14
Full-back Alan Hughes was in sparkling form at Donnybrook last Sunday afternoon, as Clongowes Wood College overcame the stern challenge of Belvedere College to book their place in the semi-final of the Beauchamps Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup.
Having survived an early Belvo onslaught, Clongowes were able to gradually progress up the field, and they ultimately opened the scoring with six minutes gone on the clock at the Old Wesley End.
A superb move across the Belvo line, involving most of the Clongowes back-division, was finished off on the left-hand side by Hughes, who was also on hand to provide the bonuses to his own score. The excellent No 15 subsequently added an 11th minute penalty to his personal tally to give the north Kildare boys an early ten-point advantage, but just three minutes later, the Belvedere was sparked into life by a powerful five-pointer from hooker Jack Hutchinson.
It wasn’t long until a second try arrived for the eight-time winners, as a strong maul deep inside the Belvo ‘22’ ended with flanker Joshua Pim dotting over to the right of posts. Clongowes brought an 18-7 cushion into the second period.
Clongowes edged even further in front when Hughes split the posts from 25-metres.
A determined Belvo forced their way back into the reckoning when captain Ciaran Clifford crossed the whitewash for a score that was converted with ease by Jennings, but the result was effectively placed beyond any doubt with a final Clongowes score on the 50-minute mark.
Neat approach play from Rowan Osborne opened up the space for pacey winger Cian O’Donoghue to dive over for an unconverted try on the left-flank, and although Belvedere battled admirably during the final-quarter, they were unable to rein in Noel McNamara’s charges.
– Daire Walsh