Martin try saves Clongowes’ blushes
Leinster Schools Senior Cup
Clongowes Wood College 31
St Fintan’s HS, Sutton 29
Daire Walsh
Matthew Martin came to the rescue of Clongowes Wood College at Donnybrook yesterday, as St Fintan’s HS, Sutton were narrowly denied a shock victory in the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup.
Fintan’s were playing in this competition for the very first time, but, following tries from Darragh Kelly, Conor Mahon and Simon Feeney, they sensationally developed a 17-3 interval advantage.
The Clane school responded after the restart with a Jack Gilheany try and, though a fourth Fintan’s try arrived through prop Jack Aungier, powerful finishes by skipper Sean McCrohan and Thomas Monaghan edged Clongowes into the ascendancy.
Fintan’s again raised the possibility of an upset when James McCourt grounded underneath the posts, but a successful Ben O’Shea conversion – in the aftermath of Martin’s 69th-minute touchdown – moved the Kildare outfit back into pole position.
Fintan’s had a chance to snatch it at the death, but when Frankie O’Dea’s place-kick dropped just short, Clongowes breathed a massive sigh of relief.
Scorers for Clongowes Wood College: J Gilheany, S McCrohan, T Monaghan, M Martin try each, B O’Shea pen, 4 cons.
Scorers for St Fintan’s HS, Sutton: D Kelly, C Mahon, S Feeney, J Aungier, J McCourt try each, F O’Dea 2 cons.
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: J Gilheany; R Lemess, T O’Brien, B O’Shea, J Maher; T Monaghan, C Daly; D Slattery, D Sheehan, R Hannon; P Celebi, D Beggs; A Ryan, S Ojejinmi, S McCrohan.
Replacements: B Sheehan, G Cheung, J Timmins, C Doyle, M Martin, C Gallen, J Carroll, C Kennelly.
ST FINTAN’S HS, SUTTON: N Henderson; G Bodor, D Kelly, F O’Dea, D Achimugu; J McCourt, S Cribbin; A Naser, C Mahon, J Aungier; H Harrison, C Stokes; S Feeney, C Hynes, D Adamson.
Replacements: K Hickey, M Fitzpatrick, S Donohue, J Brewer, J Usher, C Moore, J Waldron, D Callan.
Referee: A Cole (LRR).