McGowan rows in with 23 points as Blackrock go on scoring spree
Blackrock College 53
Castleknock College 8
Leinster Schools Senior Cup
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
James McGowan claimed 23 points at Donnybrook as Blackrock College hammered Castleknock College in the opening round of the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup.
‘Rock created an early six-point cushion thanks to a brace of penalties from full-back McGowan, before Castleknock opening their account with a 15th-minute Marc Boucher penalty.
However, a ‘Rock try from captain Caelan Sweetman-Doris, opened the floodgates and with John Fairley and Conor Kelly also crossing over they led 27-3 at the break. A seven-point salvo arrived from the excellent McGowan three minutes after the re-start, and ‘Rock proceeded to open up a 45-point gap with further touchdowns from centre Gavin Mullin and replacement Emmet Burns.
Full-back Cathal Lacey claimed a consolation try for Castleknock following an earlier score for opposition winger Patrick Patterson. Rock face last year’s finalists, Belvedere in the quarter-finals.
Scorers for Blackrock College: J McGowan try, 2 pens, 6 cons, C Settman-Doris, J Fairley, C Kelly, G Mullin, E Burns, P Patterson try each.
Scorers for Castleknock College: C Lacey try, M Boucher pen.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: J McGowan; P Patterson, G Mullin, L Turner, C Kelly; C Dean, L Gaffney; R Mouatt, S McLoughlin, C Connolly; C O’Flaherty, C Ryan; R Dunne, J Fairley, C Sweetman-Doris.
Replacements: H Egleston, E Burns, G Coyne, J Gardiner, H Bourke, P Cullen, A Alonso, F Power.
CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: C Lacey; R Hobson, N Eastmond, S Gibbons, M Boucher; P Murtagh, L Salmon; J Keleghan, M Corcoran, G Murray; J Horgan, C Stinson; C Birmingham, A Corcoran, C Clancy.
Replacements: J Gibney, A Doyle, C Keogh, D Treacy, D McNally, J Connolly, C Egenton, J McGaley.
Referee: P Haycock (LRR).