Madigan hits 21 points for ‘Rock
Blackrock College 46
Castleknock College 20
Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup first round
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
An incredible haul of 21 points by full-back Stephen Madigan helped Blackrock College to defeat Castleknock College in yesterday’s Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup first round at Donnybrook.
It took the 68-time champions just three minutes to open the scoring, as a driving maul was finished off by No 8 Michael McGagh.
Castleknock narrowed the gap with a routine Cian Egenton penalty, before the excellent Madigan crossed over in the 12th-minute after a neat Ross Barron pass.
Scrum-half Barron also set-up Sean O’Brien for a subsequent touchdown, but after Max Mellett charged over in stoppage-time, Castleknock had cut the Blackrock lead to seven points (17-10).
Conor Neville’s 42nd-minute converted try for Castleknock raised the possibility of an upset.
Penalties from Madigan and Egenton ensured the sides were on level terms with 20 minutes remaining.
However, Blackrock stepped up a gear in that final-quarter, and impressive tries from Madigan, Sean Molony (two) and McGagh safely secured their spot in the last-eight.
Scorers for Blackrock College: S Madigan 2 tries, pen, 4 cons, S Molony, M McGagh 2 tries each, S O’Brien try.
Scorers for Castleknock College: M Mellett, C Neville try each, C Egenton 2 pens, 2 cons.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: S Madigan; R Madigan, L Turner, T Maher, H Donnelly; J Tarrant, R Barron; D Mescal, S Molony, T Clarkson; S O’Brien, J Stapleton; J Burke, J Dixon, M McGagh.
Replacements: L Mion, H O’Malley, J Kirby, D Foley, J Loscher, L O’Reilly, G Jones, D Fitzgibbon.
CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE: B Culliton; D Turley, M Gerhardt, J McGaley, L McMenamin; C Egenton, C Neville; S Picard, E Chester, S Callinan; M Mellett, C O’Flynn; C McCarrick, A Corcoran, C Clancy.
Replacements: S Quinn, M Holton, E Keogh, D Waldron, F Stanley, R O’Farrell, A Malone, J Roche.
Referee: T Townend (LRR).