Clongowes end champions’ reign

RUGBY LEINSTER SCHOOLS’ JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINALS: Clongowes Wood College 10 Blackrock College 8 A TRY from centre James Lappin in first-half stoppage time proved decisive at Donnybrook yesterday, as Clongowes Wood dethroned reigning champions Blackrock College in a gripping encounter.

Clongowes started with great intent, as Tim Burke and William Grealy made surges towards the Blackrock line, and they took the lead five minutes in courtesy of a close-range penalty from outhalf Jonathan Glynn. Blackrock opened their account on 17 minutes with a try from number eight (and captain) Roghan McMahon. Centre Mark McCallion’s conversion hit the post.

Clongowes finished the half in much the same way they started it as centre James Lappin burst through for a try beneath the posts. Glynn converted for a 10-5 half-time lead.

Blackrock stepped up their game after the restart and they cut into the Clongowes cushion with a 47th-minute penalty from McCallion. This really should have been the catalyst to push on for victory, but they were repeatedly frustrated by the five-time champions, and though McCallion had the chance to win it with a penalty from half-way deep into injury-time, his effort ulitmately came up short.

CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE : C Murray; C Mulcahy, J Lappin, D Mongey, M McDermott; J Glynn, R Osborne; D O’Leary, J Molony, C Carroll, T Burke, D O’Mahony, W Connors, H McDermott, W Grealy. Replacement: J Sullivan for Grealy (52 mins).

BLACKROCK COLLEGE : J Fennelly; C Delaney, M McCallion, R Egan Barron, A Dunne; C Dean, J McGowan; M Reidy, H Kean, G O’Meara, D Mullane, P West, A Cassidy, J Mion, R McMahon. Replacements: N Wilson for Mullane (47), M O’Brien for Egan Barron (56 mins), H Egleston for Mion (63 mins), M O’Callaghan for Fennelly (67 mins).

Referee : J Carvill (Leinster Rugby).