Barron winner edges out Belvo
Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final
St Michael’s College 16
Belvedere College 15
Daire Walsh
Donnybrook
St Michael’s College edged past Belvedere College at Donnybrook yesterday to reach their first Leinster Schools Senior Cup decider since 2013.
Lee Barron got over for the crucial score on 59 minutes to avenge their one-point defeat to the same opposition in last year’s semi-final.
On the 15-minute mark, Belvo had broken the deadlock courtesy of a clinical Andrew Synnott five-pointer. They doubled their advantage when replacement wing Dylan O’Grady touched down.
Although the signs were ominous for Michael’s, Chris Cosgrave converted penalties either side of the interval to leave them just four points adrift (10-6). Indeed, following Jack Guinane’s superb offload, the reliable outside centre raced over the whitewash in fine style. Their lead proved short-lived, though, with Belvo striking back through tighthead prop Conor Cagney.
However, in the final quarter Barron pounced at the end of a relentless attack for their second try of an absorbing contest, St Michael’s held firm to book a March 17 final date with rivals Gonzaga College.
Scorers for St Michael’s College: C Cosgrave try, 2 pens, L Barron try.
Scorers for Belvedere College: A Synnott, D O’Grady, C Cagney try each.
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: A Smith; E Kelly, C Cosgrave, S O’Kelly, M O’Brien; N Carroll, R Gilsenan; J Boyle, L Barron, F Finlay; S Woods, J Fish; J Guinane, M Hernan, W Hickey.
Replacements: J Power for Finlay (30), R Van Den Akker for O’Brien (50).
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: R Dwyer; S Murphy, C Mulvaney, J Meagher, M Grogan; J Leonard, P Lysaght; H Flood, A Synnott, C Cagney; J Jones, C Yalloway; E Rutledge, A Coleman, A Soroka.
Replacements: D O’Grady for Dwyer (19), C Rogers for Murphy (43), C Kelly for Yalloway (47), M Galinski for Flood (50), G Murray for Jones, B Jennings for Rutledge (both 60), D Hawkshaw for Lysaght (64).
Referee: N Correll (LRR).