Powerful Michael’s storm to third title
Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup final
St Michael’s College 28
Gonzaga College 5
Daire Walsh
RDS Arena
St Michael’s College head coach Emmet MacMahon admitted his relief after his side’s emphatic Leinster Schools’ Senior Cup triumph over Gonzaga College at the RDS yesterday.
Courtesy of tries from Jack Boyle (two), Lee Barron and vice-captain Rob Gilsenan, the Ailesbury Road outfit added to their previous final successes in 2007 and 2012.
They suffered a crushing defeat to Belvedere College in the semi-final of last year’s competition – having led 19-3 with just 10 minutes remaining – a result that spurned them onto greater heights in 2019.
“Over the moon. What a cup run, really. I think there’s just utter relief down in the changing room. Those lads have been through a lot, all of them. Whether they lost a Junior Cup final or they were involved last year,” the UCD second-row remarked.
“The lads were on a mission all year just to set things right. Just so proud of them. Every one of them.”
Outsiders Gonzaga in their first senior final, had a nightmare start when Michael’s loosehead prop Boyle touched down on seven minutes.
Thanks in no small part to a powerful set-piece, Michael’s continued to place the ‘Zaga defence under immense pressure.
Following another extended attacking spell, the excellent Boyle claimed his second try off a close-range drive. ‘Zaga cut the interval deficit to nine (14-5) with a stoppage-time score by lock Jack Coolican, before suffering a set-back on the resumption.
Henry Godson – hat-trick hero in their semi-final win over Clongowes Wood – was forced off with an injury and Michael’s immediately established a foothold deep inside the opposition half.
Hooker Barron eventually grabbed his second try in as many games, leaving Gonzaga with too much ground to cover inside the final quarter.
They pushed hard for a consolation try, only for Michael’s to have the final say with a breakaway Gilsenan effort on the hour. Chris Cosgrave increased his seasonal haul to 47 points with a fourth conversion, easing the south Dubliners towards a convincing triumph.
Because the school were Junior Cup champions just two years ago, Michael’s will be favourites to retain their crown in 2020. Some of their more influential performers will need to be replaced, but MacMahon is confident they can add to their three senior titles.
“If you look at our sixth year players, they’re some of the best players to ever go through our school. Andrew Smith at full-back, our captain Mark Hernan. Rob Gilsenan, John Fish. The spine of the team there are our sixth years. I thought they were incredible all year.
“That’s going to be the challenge now. To make sure we keep the lads as hungry as they were this year. I don’t think there’s any issue with it. They’re a very driven group.”
Scorers for St Michael’s College: J Boyle 2 tries, L Barron, R Gilsenan try, C Cosgrave 4 cons.
Scorers for Gonzaga College: J Coolican try.
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: B Victory for Barron (53), J Power for Finlay (56), R Van Den Asker for Kelly (63), C Booth for Woods (67), J Boland for Boyle, J Woods for Gilsenan, H McWade for O’Kelly, L Fehily for Fish (all 68).
GONZAGA COLLEGE: C Hennessy; F Ó hOisín, F O’Grady, K Morgan, B Barron; H Colbert, J Connolly; H Godson, H Fitzgerald, R Shaw; L Tyrell, J Coolican; C Kirby O Briain, T Cullen, J Barry.
Replacements: L Hammond for Godson (36), A Henry for Kirby O Briain (47), S Grimley for Shaw, M Colgan for Colbert, JJ Walsh for Ó hOisín (all 67), G Kenny for Fitzgerald, O Rogers for Coolican, S Wilson for Barron (all 68).
Referee: B MacNiece (LRR).