Blackrock turn on power in demolition of St Mary’s
Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup semi-final
Blackrock College 42
St Mary’s College 15
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Blackrock College produced a stunning performance at Donnybrook yesterday to book their place in the Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup decider.
With wingers Liam McMahon and Harry Donnelly scoring two tries apiece in the opening half, Blackrock took control. It took ‘Rock just six minutes to break the deadlock, as a scrum paved the way for McMahon to cross over in the corner.
Though Madigan couldn’t add the bonuses to this score, ‘Rock increased their lead with a James Tarrant three-pointer. Mary’s eventually opened their account through a Sean Bourke penalty, but courtesy of three tries in 13 minutes, ‘Rock placed the outcome beyond doubt.
Liam Turner’s looped pass off a scrum released Donnelly for a breathtaking touchdown, and he added to his tally with a breakaway effort on the left-flank. There was enough time for McMahon to claim his second on the stroke of half-time, providing the 68-time champions (runners-up in last year’s final) with a seemingly unassailable 27-3 cushion.
Madigan’s inch-perfect drop-goal helped ‘Rock to overcome St Gerard’s, Bray, in the last-eight, and he opened his account from 25-metre penalty after the restart. It was turning into a damage limitation exercise for Mary’s, who last appeared in a senior final 10 years ago.
While ‘Rock didn’t attack the game with the same level ferocity in the second half, they still registered their fifth try of the proceedings, with Thomas Clarkson applying the finishing touches.
Mary’s refused to give up and winger Hugo Conway set-up replacement Joe Nolan for a try on the right-hand side, before securing a five-pointer of his own.
Yet, ‘Rock had the final say on 68 minutes, when Gavin Jones completed another intricate move to the left of the posts.
They can now prepare for a March 18 showdown against either defending champions Belvedere College and St Michael’s College, who face off in the same venue this afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Scorers for Blackrock College: H Donnelly, L McMahon 2 tries each, T Clarkson, G Jones try each, J Tarrant pen, 2 cons, S Madigan pen.
Scorers for St Mary’s College: J Nolan, H Conway try each, S Bourke pen, R Shields con.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: S Madigan; L McMahon, L Turner, T Maher, H Donnelly; J Tarrant, L O’Reilly; D Mescal, S Molony, T Clarkson, S O’Brien, J Stapleton, J Dixon, M McGagh, E Brennan.
Replacements: C Duffy for Mescal, J Loscher for Brennan, G Jones for Maher (all 48), R Madigan for Tarrant (52), R Barron for McMahon, L Mion for Molony (both 53), H O’Malley for Clarkson, D Foley for O’Brien (both 55).
ST MARY’S COLLEGE: R Shields; H Conway, B McDonnell, T MacMahon, E Carey; S Bourke, A McEvoy; S O’Reilly, G O’Brien, C McElearney, S Heeran, I Wickham, O Byrne, H McSweeney, N Hurley.
Replacements: M McEvoy for McDonnell (38), J Nolan for Byrne (45), E Franklin for McEvoy (52), E Massey for O’Reilly, P Masterson for Bourke (both 53), C Walsh for O’Brien, E Byrne for Wickham (both 66), E Power for McElearney (67).
Referee: D Blake (LRR).