Barron’s hat-trick keeps Rock on a roll
Rugby
Leinster Schools Junior Cup
Blackrock College 15
Gonzaga College 8
Daire Walsh
A hat-trick of tries from Scott Barron helped Blackrock College to survive a stern challenge from Gonzaga College in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-final at Donnybrook yesterday.
The 50-times champions broke the deadlock through tighthead prop Barron at the end of an early lineout maul, but thanks to a successful James Breslin three-pointer after 20 minutes of the opening period, Gonzaga were just two points in arrears (5-3) at the midway point.
Gonzaga sensed that the game was now there for the taking, and opting to run a 38th-minute penalty, No 8 Hugo Fitzgerald powered over the Rock whitewash.
Blackrock’s quest for a fifth consecutive title was now facing serious scrutiny, but tries by Barron in the 41st and 58th minutes ensured they march to the final four.
Scorers for Blackrock College: S Barron 3 tries.
Scorers for Gonzaga College: H Fitzgerald try, J Breslin pen.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: S Murray; J Campbell, S Small, A Dixon, M Lowey; M Moloney, M Cullen; BM Murphy, C O’Carroll, S Barron; M Wood, H O’Malley; A Simpson, J Culhane, L Heylin.
Replacements: M Morrissey for Wood (32), S Lowe for Lowey (47).
GONZAGA COLLEGE: M Barlow; D Crowe, A Henry, B Barron, S Wilson; J Breslin, P Kinney; L Hammond, S Sherry, R Shaw; J McNulty, C Carson; CD Ryan, T Cullen, H Fitzgerald.
Referee: S Holt (LRR).