Belvo survive lightning Newbridge start
Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup quarter-final
Belvedere College 31
Newbridge College 7
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Belvedere College overcame a shaky opening at Donnybrook to comfortably progress into the semi-final of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.
Back-to-back winners of the competition in 2016 and 2017, the north Dubliners saw off the initially stubborn challenge of Newbridge College.
Their Kildare counterparts enjoyed the best possible start as winger Donal Conroy intercepted a loose pass to race over for a second-minute try.
This was supplemented by a Jack Doyle conversion, before Belvo responded in assertive fashion. Hooker Andrew Synnott was on hand to finish off an incisive lineout maul and Justin Leonard added the extras to bring last year’s finalists back on level terms.
Newbridge had an ideal opportunity to restored their advantage, but Doyle’s 30 place-kick drifted past the target. They were made to pay on 23 minutes when Belvo pounced for their second try.
Following a series of drives inside the Newbridge 22, Alekseiy Soroka grounded against the base of the posts. The dynamic No 8 (brother of former Connacht prop Ivan Soroka) was a powerful presence throughout.
He also played an instrumental role in the build up to Patrick Lysaght’s converted five-pointer, which moved Belvo 14 points in front (21-7) on the stroke of half-time.
Despite working off limited possession, Belvo remained in control and increased their cushion courtesy of Leonard’s 54th-minute penalty.
The fly-half was impeccable off the kicking tee and, after replacement Conor Kelly grabbed their fourth try during the closing stages, he eased Belvedere over the line with a routine bonus strike.
Scorers for Belvedere College: A Synnott, A Soroka, P Lysaght, C Kelly try each, J Leonard pen, 4 cons.
Scorers for Newbridge College: D Conroy try, J Doyle con.
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: R Dwyer; D O’Grady, M Grogan, J Meagher, C Rogers; J Leonard, P Lysaght; H Flood, A Synnott, C Cagney; J Jones, C Yalloway; E Rutledge, A Coleman, A Soroka.
Replacements: C Kelly for Jones, J MacNiece for Lysaght (both 47), D Hawkshaw for MacNiece (49), M Galinski for Synnott, J Sargent for Flood (both 53), J O’Sullivan for Cagney, G Murray for Yalloway (both 61), H Murray for Grogan (64).
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: S Cahill; D Conroy, M Kiely, T Sheedy, D Higgins; J Hannon, J Doyle; R Scully, G McNelis, L Rigney; D Mangan, O Halpin; J Nolan, C McGroary, M Cleary.
Replacements: J Shanahan for Cahill (21-26), D Lawlor for McGroary (44), C Stopes for McNelis (49), Shanahan for Cahill, D O’Sullivan for Sheedy (both 53), Cahill for Conroy (56), P Leavy for Scully, P O’Flaherty for Nolan (both 59), C King for Doyle, M Moynihan for Halpin (both 64).
Referee: C Roche (LRR).