JUNIOR CUP FINAL ENDS IN STALEMATE
St Michael’s College and Blackrock College will meet again next Wednesday at Donnybrook Stadium in a Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup Final replay after they couldn’t be separated at the first time of asking.
Blackrock were aiming to secure their fifth consecutive Junior Cup title yesterday having won the Cup last year, overcoming St Michael’s College (8-3).
The holders were impressive in how they disptached Belvedere College in their semi-final win two weeks ago, coming out 25-14 winners.
Despite this, ‘Rock went into yesterday’s final as the underdog against a much-fancied Michael’s side.
Things looked to be going to script when Michael’s took the lead from what was their first extended spell of possession in ‘Rock territory.
After left wing Zach Harrison beat a man out wide, Michael’s were on the front foot.
Boyle received the ball close to the Blackrock uprights and powered over the line.
Chris Cosgrave, Michael’s talismanic centre, knocked over a straightforward conversion to make it 7-0.
Despite their strong start, Michael’s couldn’t push on as ‘Rock looked to exert their influence on the game.
Midway through the first half it looked as though ‘Rock were about to draw level, but Michael’s scrum-half Jeffrey Woods managed to clear the danger.
This became a theme of the encounter – just when one team got their attack going, it was cancelled out by superb defending from the opposition.
This was the case just before half-time when ‘Rock winger John Campbell scrambled across the field to cover in defence, preventing Michael’s from extending their lead.
Significantly this meant that the defending champions kept the margin within one score at the break.
Once the contest restarted ‘Rock looked the more determined side.
They failed to drive over on a number of occasions on the Michael’s line, before the ball was spread wide to the left through Ben Brownlee and Shane Murray, allowing Michael Lowey to touch down in the corner.
Adam Dixon’s touchline conversion just about crept over the bar. The game was level and ‘Rock were looking the most likely to push on.
However, it was Michael’s who ultimately dominated possession and territory as the game entered the final stages.
They applied serious pressure inside the ‘Rock 22.
Cosgrave attempted a drop-goal from close range with 10 minutes to play, but it was blocked down.
As the seconds ticked down clear-cut opportunities Michael’s continued to test the ‘Rock defence, but there was to be no way through.
The two sides will meet again next Wednesday, 29th March, at Donnybrook Stadium (KO 3pm).
St Michael’s College 7 Blackrock College 7
At Donnybrook – ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE 7 (J Boyle try, C Cosgrave con) Blackrock College (M Lowey try, A Dixon con)
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: Eddie Kelly; Simon O’Kelly, Chris Cosgrave, Tim Gilsenan, Zach Harrison; Niall Carroll, Jeffrey Woods; Lee Barron, Conor Booth, James Power; Stephen Woods, Jack Guinane; Oscar Hurley, William Hickey (captain), Jack Boyle.
Replacements: Senan O’Shea for O’Kelly 55 mins; Hugo McWade for Harrison 60 mins.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: Shane Murray; John Campbell, Sam Small, Ben Brownlee, Michael Lowey; Adam Dixon, Matthew Cullen; Ben Melly Murphy, Charlie O’Carroll, Scott Barron; Mark Morrissey, Hugo O’Malley (captain); Adam Simpson, James Culante, Liam Heylin.
Replacements: Matthew Wood for Simpson 11 mins; Paddy McGowan for Brownlee 48 mins; Jack Byrne for Morrissey 51 mins; Harry Cullen for Barron 57 mins; David Molony for O’Malley 60 mins.
Referee: Brian MacNeice, Leinster Branch