Blackrock hit ground running in Cup opener
Blackrock College 41
The King’s Hospital 3
Leinster Senior Cup first round
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Blackrock College sent out a signal intent at Donnybrook yesterday when they comfortably defeated King’s Hospital in the first round of the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup.
‘Rock are chasing their 69th title at this grade, and they hit the ground running with tries from full-back John Gallagher and scrum-half Patrick Patterson inside the opening five minutes.
The Williamstown school extended their advantage when centre Tom Roche crossed the whitewash under intense pressure, and even though King’s Hospital finally opened their account with a 21st-minute penalty by Edward Mahood, lock Andrew Murphy squeezed over to give ‘Rock a 24-3 lead at the break.
Blackrock skipper Cian Reilly added to his side’s advantage eight minutes from time. Winger David Heavey also got his name on the scoresheet, before Reilly completed the rout for the Blackrock with his second try on the stroke of full-time.
Scorers for Blackrock College: C Reilly 2 tries, J Gallagher, P Patterson, T Roche, A Murphy, D Heavey try each, J Moriarty 3 cons.
Scorers for The King’s Hospital: E Mahood pen.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: J Gallagher; T Maher, T Roche, G Jones, D Heavey; J Moriarty, P Patterson; G Coyne, S McLoughlin, J Byrne; A Murphy, C Ryan; J Farley, A Francis, C Reilly.
Replacements: J McShane, C Delaney, T Clarkson, J Burke, M McGagh, R Fahy, P O’Reilly, M Phelan.
THE KING’S HOSPITAL: I West; C Howley, R Hackett, E Mahood, C Wokocha; F O’Loughlin, S Le Roux; S Goodburn, F Campbell, N Sibanda; R Edgehill, Z Bursey; S Wrafter, O Evbodaghe, D Boles.
Replacements: A Bennett, A Irwin, K Smith, L Corr, D Carroll, H Mahood, P O’Boy, L Gilmartin.
Referee: J Fitzgerald (LRR).