LEINSTER SCHOOLS’ SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL REPLAY
Heartbreak for Newbridge
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE……………………………………………. 19
CISTERCIAN COLLEGE ROSCREA……………………………… 20
By DAIRE WALSH
There was heartbreak for Newbridge College at Donnybrook yesterday, when they were agonisingly denied a place in the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup decider at the end of a tension-filled semi-final replay with the Tipperary-based Cistercian College Roscrea.
The sides could not be separated after 70 gruelling minutes of rugby last Wednesday, and despite conceding three first-half tries, Newbridge’s spirit and never-say-attitude was evident throughout the contest. When they reflect back on the season’s action (which includes their league final success over the same opposition), the squad will have a lot of positives to look back on, but it is Roscrea who will now face Belvedere College in the March 17 showpiece.
Newbridge suffered a major set-back inside the opening minute when injury forced right-wing David Murphy into an early withdrawal. With Ruairi Cleary making an unexpectedly early appearance in the back-three, it took the league champions time to adjust. Roscrea subsequently took the lead courtesy of Tim Foley’s seventh-minute penalty, before Newbridge settled with their opening try of the contest just three minutes later. Following a quick break from defence, hooker Conor Johnson was on hand to break through under pressure to the right of the posts.
Colm Doyle’s bonus kick was off-target, though, and despite holding a slender advantage, Dave Brew’s charges found themselves on the back-foot for much of the opening-quarter. Indeed, persistence eventually paid off for Roscrea, as Mattie Keane combined brilliantly with back-row partner Simon Meagher for a magnificent 19th minute try.
Foley’s second effort at the posts was successful, as Roscrea were beginning to play with the intensity that was evident in their shock quarter-final triumph over Blackrock College. No 8 Dan Trayers also supplied the finishing touches to a pushover five-pointer, and just shy of the half-hour mark, Alan Tynan’s lay-off enabled Daniel Keane to cross the whitewash on the left-wing.
This extended Roscrea’s lead to all of 15 points. However, excellent Newbridge captain Jimmy O’Brien had other ideas, and thanks to his seven-point salvo three minutes before the interval, the south Kildare school had reduced the deficit to a manageable 20-12.
Newbridge looked set for a timely-boost on 53 minutes, when flanker Robert Buckley attempted to pick out the raiding Cleary on the right-flank.
The Newbridge replacement ultimately committed a knock-on at the vital moment, but the two-time winners displayed remarkable character to cut Roscrea’s lead to the bare minimum on the hour mark.
At the end of prolonged move inside the opposition ‘22’, Jake Howlett sniped through underneath the posts, and courtesy of a routine conversion by his midfield partner O’Brien, a nail-biting finale lay in store.
Unfortunately for Newbridge, it was Roscrea who dominated possession and held out for victory.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: Mark Delaney; David Murphy, Jake Howlett, Jimmy O’Brien, Colm Stapleton; Tim Murphy, Colm Doyle; Jordan Duggan, Conor Johnson, David Breen; Austin Mahony, Brian Larkin; Tom O’Neill, Robert Buckley, Patrick Ryan. Replacements: Ruairi Cleary for D Murphy (1), Mike Joyce for Mahony (44), Robert Culliton for Buckley (67).
CISTERCIAN COLLEGE ROSCREA: Tim Carroll; Daniel Keane, Rob Wharton, Tim Foley, Joe Murphy; Alan Tynan, Keith Kavanagh; Liam Walsh, Eoghan Maher, Dylan Murphy; Fineen Wycherley, Aaron Browne; Simon Meagher, Mattie Keane, Dan Trayers. Replacements: Kyle Cahir for Browne (half-time), Brian Diffley for M Keane (55), Peter Gavin for Meagher (63), Sean Kilgallen for Wharton (65), Philip O’Shea for J Murphy (69).
Referee: Gary Conway (Leinster Branch).