Michael’s set up semi-final date with Belvedere
Leinster Schools Senior Cup
St Michael’s College 22
Clongowes Wood College 13
Daire Walsh
St Michael’s College will face defending champions Belvedere College in the Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final following this accomplished victory over Clongowes at Donnybrook yesterday.
Ryan Baird, Lee Barron and Dan O’Donovan all crossed for the Ailesbury Road outfit, as they saw off their Clane counterparts.
Clongowes opened the scoring with an early place-kick from centre Ben O’Shea.
2012 winners Michael’s hit back – brilliant combination play between O’Donovan and Baird produced a try for Baird in the 10th-minute. Ryan missed the conversion.
O’Donovan again provided the spadework for Barron’s subsequent touchdown. Ryan supplied the extras, but courtesy of another three-pointer by the reliable O’Shea, Clongowes were just six points in arrears at the break (12-6).
O’Donovan’s converted try two minutes after the restart was followed by a Ryan penalty. Clongowes No 8 Matthew Martin dotted down inside the final quarter to offer Brett Igoe’s side a glimmer of hope but Michael’s stood firm.
Scorers for St Michael’s College: R Baird, L Barron, D O’Donovan try each, D Ryan pen, 2 cons.
Scorers for Clongowes Wood College: M Martin try, B O’Shea 2 pens, con.
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: C Cosgrave; M O’Brien, D Ryan, J Barron, A Smith; D Moran, R Gilsenan; J Boyle, L Barron, C Hennessy, M Healy, R Baird, J Booth, S Penny, D O’Donovan.
Replacements: F Finlay for Hennessy (42), J Fish for Healy (66), D McCarthy for Gilsenan (69).
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: C Gallen; J Maher, J Carroll, B O’Shea, C Kennelly; D Wilkinson, C Daly; C Duff, B Sheehan, R McMahon, D Beggs, T Coghlan, A Ryan, J Durkan, M Martin.
Replacements: R O’Kane for Duff (22), G Dowling for Beggs (51), M Dowling for Wilkinson (63), S Donovan for Gallen, C Dowling for Sheehan (both 66), M Colivet for Coghlan (69).
Referee: N Correll (LRR).