BLACKROCK CLAIM BEAUCHAMPS JUNIOR CUP TITLE
This was a somewhat historic occasion for the competition, as it was the first time that the decider was played in the South Dublin County Council-owned venue, which is best known as the home ground of Shamrock Rovers.
Thanks to their 41-3 semi-final demolition of Terenure College, ‘Rock were firm favourites to retain their crown, but the performances of the Great Denmark Street school en route to the final showed that they were not to be dismissed lightly.
Yet, they found themselves on the retreat for much of the opening quarter, as ‘Rock aimed to inflict some early damage on their north Dublin rivals.
Stuart Wheeler’s charges were coping effectively with the pressure being applied by the holders, but strong work from the ‘Rock pack forced them into the concession of a penalty ten minutes in. Out-half Peter O’Reilly was wide of the mark from a distance of 35 metres, but this only offered brief respite to the Belvo rearguard.
A prolonged 14th minute move on the right-flank ended with scrum-half Patrick Patterson breaking over for the first try of the contest, and thanks to a superb bonus kick by O’Reilly, ‘Rock opened up a seven-point cushion.
It always seemed like only a matter of time before Blackrock broke the deadlock, and as the half wore on, a second try appeared inevitable for the Williamstown outfit. Heroic defensive work ensured that Belvedere remained within touching distance, however, and as the interval approached, they started to pose serious questions for the southsiders.
Left-wing Dylan Corrigan Forbes looked set to cross over for Belvo three minutes into stoppage-time, but he was forced into touch just as he was prepared to pounce. There was some solace for the pacey No 11, though, as his split the posts from a long-range place-kick at the very end of the half to reduce his school’s deficit to four points (7-3).
This set-up an intriguing second period, and when ‘Rock full-back James Moriarty departed the scenes through injury just four minutes after the restart, the pendulum was beginning to swing in Belvo’s direction. However, the lively Roche made an instant impact in Moriarty’s place, as he touched down at the end of an incisive passage into enemy territory just two minutes after his introduction.
O’Reilly’s conversion was sealed with relative ease, ensuring that ‘Rock were once again in the driving seat. They were calm and composed as the game entered its fourth-quarter, and always seemed in control of their own destiny.
The 53rd minute sin-binning of prop Alan Francis did unsettle them, though, and persistent play inside the ‘Rock half in stoppage time eventually paid dividends for ‘Belvo, who finally breached the opposition line courtesy of David Hawkshaw.
Two point also followed from substitute David Lacey, but in spite of their best endeavours, Belvo came up just short in the end, as Roche’s second-half try effectively steered Blackrock towards their 48th Junior Cup success.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE SCORERS: P. Patterson (1 try), T. Roche (1 try), P. O’Reilly (2 conversions)
BELVEDERE COLLEGE SCORERS: D. Hawkshaw (1 try), D. Lacey (1 conversion), D. Corrigan Forbes (1 penalty).
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: James Moriarty; John Gallagher, Liam Turner, Reece Plumtree, Ross Deegan; Peter O’Reilly, Patrick Patterson; Alan Francis, Stephen McLoughlin, Andrew Savage; Charlie Ryan, Carl Delaney; Cian Reilly, Johnny Fairley, Andrew Murphy.
Replacements: Tom Roche for Moriarty (34), Matthew Carroll for Delaney (47), Alex Noble for Reilly (55), James McShane for Noble (61), Matthew Campbell for Ryan (61).
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: Rory Clarke; Mark Donnelly, Cian Walsh, Patrick Smith, Dylan Corrigan Forbes; David Hawkshaw, Hugh O’Sullivan; Sam Osborne, Grellan Murray, Jake Robinson; Darragh Ring, Darragh McKenna; Ruadhan Byron, Conor Byrne, Max Kearney.
Replacements: Jack Doorly for McKenna (47), Andre Grennel for Murray (52), David Lacey for Corrigan Forbes (53), Peter Maher for Walsh (58), Oran O’Brien for Doorly (64).
Referee: Dermot Blake (Leinster Rugby Referees).