St Michael’s power into final
Leinster Schools Junior Cup semi-final
St Michael’s College 38
Newbridge College 10
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
An outstanding final quarter showing proved decisive at Donnybrook yesterday, as St Michael’s College booked their place in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup decider with a 28-point success over Newbridge College.
After an early Chris Cosgrave penalty was supplemented by a converted from number eight Jack Boyle, Michael’s developed an early 10-point advantage. However, Newbridge had impressed in earlier victories against St Mary’s College and Wesley College, and flanker Conor McGroary subsequently crossed over to reduce the Kildare school’s deficit to 10-5 in time for the interval.
The powerful Boyle claimed a second try for Michael’s after the restart, but when Sam Cahill responded with a five-pointer of his own to keep Newbridge within touching distance.
However, Michael’s dominated the closing stages, and additional tries by Niall Carroll, Eddie Kelly and Cosgrave emphatically booked their spot in the final – where they will face the winners of today’s clash between Blackrock College and Belvedere College.
Scorers for St Michael’s College: C Cosgrave try, pen, 5 cons, J Boyle 2 tries, N Carroll, E Kelly try each.
Scorers for Newbridge College: C McGroary, S Cahill try each.
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: E Kelly, S O’Kelly, C Cosgrave, T Gilsenan, Z Harrison; N Carroll, J Woods; L Barron, C Booth, J Power; S Woods, J Guinane; O Hurley, W Hickey, J Boyle.
Replacements: C Baird for Barron (55).
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: D Conroy; J Gaire, M Kiely, J Shanahan, DS Fetherston; S Cahill, C King; C Hart, C Ennis, P Leavy; M Dennis, P O’Flaherty; C McGroary, D Lawlor, J O’Connell.
Replacements: J Sargent for Hart (38), HJ Byrne for Dennis, T Browne for Fetherston (55).
Referee: A Cole (LRR).