Junior Cup first round
Late surge just not enough
BLACKROCK COLLEGE……………………………………………. 23
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE……………………………… 15
BY DAIRE WALSH
They produced a strong second-half showing at Donnybrook on Friday afternoon, but Clongowes Wood College ultimately came up short against defending champions Blackrock College in the opening round of the Leinster Schools’ Junior Cup.
Blackrock are seeking to secure their third consecutive junior title in 2015, and although Clongowes won the competition as recently as 2008 (with a majestic 36-0 victory over St Michael’s College), this was arguably the toughest draw that the Clane school could have received.
Yet, they did dethrone Terenure College when they were defending their title back in 2011, and with inside centre Ben O’Shea leading the way, they made a bright start to the proceedings against the current holders at the Dublin 4 venue.
However, Rock brought a 23-3 cushion into the interval.
As a result, Clongowes were presented with a daunting task upon the resumption, but in the form of lock Daniel Beggs’ 34th minute try, they were offered a major lifeline.
Beggs was on hand to supply the finishing touches from a drive by the Clongowes pack, and with O’Shea adding two points in comprehensive style, they had narrowed the gap to 13 points.
Injuries to the ‘Rock half-back pairing of Louis O’Reilly and Caputo (in the 40th and 43rd minutes respectively) also aided the Clongowes cause and as the half developed, they were the more adventurous of the two teams.
‘Rock were happy to protect their lead, though, and despite the best efforts of Matthew Martin and skipper Liam El Sabai, clear-cut try-scoring opportunities were coming at a premium.
Clongowes continued fighting right until the very end, however, and their late five-pointer courtesy of replacement David O’Connor was a just reward for their exploits on the day.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Niall Brady; Adam Thompson, Liam Turner, Robert Hally-Doody, David Colgan; Joey Caputo, Louis O’Reilly; Giuseppe Coyne, Sean Molony, Thomas Clarkson; Ted Godson-Treacy, Jack Stapleton; James Burke, Michael McGagh, Liam McMahon. Replacements: Harry Donnolly for O’Reilly (40), James Tarrant for Caputo (43), Rory Gallagher for Clarkson (50), Mark Grogan for Godson-Treacy (52), Tom Maher for Brady (58), Gavin Jones for Hally-Doody (63).
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: Connell Kennelly; Adam Mullan, John Durkan, Ben O’Shea, Alex Langan; Jack Reilly, Conrad Daly; Daragh Slattery, Bobby Sheehan, John Timmins; Daniel Beggs, Thomas Farrington; Liam El Sabai, Sean Ojejinmi, Matthew Martin. Replacements: Jesse Onyejekwe for Langan (40), Michael Colivet for Mullan (50), Sean Donovan for Reilly, Charles Gallen for Daly (both 54), David O’Connor for Sheehan (58).
REFEREE: Dudley Philips (Leinster Rugby Referees).