Holders Blackrock survive Bray fightback
Leinster Schools Senior Cup First Round
Blackrock College 25
Presentation College Bray 19
Daire Walsh
Energia Park
Defending champions Blackrock College withstood a second-half scare from Presentation College Bray at Energia Park yesterday to advance into the last eight of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.
Despite finding themselves 18 points in front at one stage, Justin Vanstone’s holders were made to sweat by their north Wicklow counterparts in a frantic final quarter.
Just five minutes had gone on the clock when the 69-time champions opened their account. Profiting from excellent approach work by skipper Sean O’Brien, winger Niall Comerford raced over for a deadlock-breaking score.
Their second try then arrived on the first-quarter mark – Gavin Jones releasing centre partner Sam Small for a superb five-pointer.
Out-half David Fitzgibbon added the extras and also split the posts with a 26th-minute penalty to give ‘Rock a commanding 15-0 interval cushion.
When Fitzgibbon increased the gap between the sides with an additional place-kick on the resumption, the Williamstown outfit looked set to cruise towards an inevitable victory. Yet, with Mick O’Gara (cousin of Johnny Sexton and Dublin footballer Eoghan O’Gara) leading their charge, Pres Bray’s challenge suddenly kicked into life.
Tighthead prop Darren Magee drove over the whitewash for a 48th-minute converted try, before Samuel O’Dowd’s superb finish on the left flank dramatically reduced the deficit to six points (18-12).
Although ‘Rock effectively settled the outcome through Scott Barron’s powerful try, Ben Murphy – son of Ireland kicking and skills coach, Richie – touched down in stoppage-time to ensure Pres Bray emerged with their heads held high.
Scorers for Blackrock College: N Comerford, S Small, S Barron try each, D Fitzgibbon 2 pens, 2 cons.
Scorers for Presentation College Bray: D Magee, S O’Dowd, B Murphy try each, M O’Gara 2 cons.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: C Rolland; N Comerford, S Small, G Jones, B White; D Fitzgibbon, M Cullen; A Rowan, S Dunne, L Mion; M Morrissey, J McCarthy; S O’Brien, J Loscher, E Brennan.
Replacements: S Barron for Dunne (40), M Flynn for Brennan (48), J Kenny for Small (52), C McAleer for O’Brien, E Downey for Rowan, J Kirby for Mion (all 68).
PRESENTATION COLLEGE BRAY: S O’Dowd; J Pyper, P Ford, M O’Gara, J Mortell; S Corry, B Murphy; J Mulhern, D Maloneu, D Magee; S Kearney, R McDonald; S Graham, C McNulty, C Lawless.
Replacements: C Eddy for Corry (8-11), J Treacy for Kearney (8), E Houlden for Mortell (52).
Referee: H O’Reilly (LRR).