Newman inspires Newbridge comeback
Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-final
Newbridge College 14
Clongowes Wood College 12
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
Lucas Berti Newman grab a brace of tries at Donnybrook yesterday to give Newbridge College an outstanding comeback victory over Kildare rivals Clongowes Wood College in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-final.
The early signs had been ominous for the league champions, who leaked an opening minute score to Clongowes hooker Leo Dowling. Indeed, their Clane counterparts subsequently established a 12-0 cushion courtesy of Inigo Cruise O’Brien’s unconverted effort.
However, Newbridge finally opened their account on the stroke of half-time – Newman rounding off an extended attacking move.
Despite this speed bump, Clongowes looked set to reach the final-four. That was until Newman intercepted Hugh Wilkinson’s 53rd-minute pass to touch down and Mark Young supplied the extras to guide Newbridge over the line.
Scorers for Newbridge College: L Berti Newman 2 tries, M Young 2 cons.
Scorers for Clongowes Wood College: L Dowling, I Cruise O’Brien try each, C McNamee con.
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: S McNulty; S Noone, E O’Regan, J Kiely, C Kedde; C McNamee, H MacGoey; F Macari, L Dowling, T O’Donnell; J Ruddy, D O’Brien; L Burke, I Cruise O’Brien, H Wilkinson.
Replacements: JJ Rehill, J Wyse, J Mangan, J Dunne, A Kelly, T Hennebry, J McNamee, H Coveney.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: M Young; D Grant, C Corcoran, L Berti Newman, H Farrell; R Dillon, T Brophy; P Stapleton, T Waters, H Rigney; D Downing, C Chanders; R Byrne, S Fitzgibbon, K Kelly.
Replacements: F Mahon, P Fata, C McCormack, R Healy, D McMullan, T Bohan, J Collins, P Gaire.
Referee: B MacNiece (LRR).