RUGBY: LEINSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP QUARTER-FINAL
Collins strikes late as Newbridge College cause major upset
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE……………………….20
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE……………………..18
By Daire Walsh
MICHAEL Collins came up trumps for Newbridge College at Energia Park last Wednesday to send holders St Michael’s College crashing out of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup.
Having produced a sterling effort over the course of the contest, Newbridge stood on the brink of a last-eight exit when Jules Fenelon slotted a Michael’s penalty between the posts on the hour mark. There was a final surge left in the south Kildare side, however, as Collins displayed nerves of steel to split the uprights off a stoppage-time place-kick.
As a consequence of knocking out the defending champions, Newbridge will now face Terenure College in a forthcoming semi-final. After suffering a heavy reversal to Blackrock in the penultimate rounds just under 12 months ago, the class of 2020 will be hell-bent on bridging an eight-year gap to their last appearance in a junior decider.
Newbridge entered this tie on the back of a hard-earned 15-12 victory over St Gerard’s, Bray in the first round. Their Ailesbury Road opponents were also forced to dig deep for an opening phase success at the expense of Dublin rivals Belvedere College (18-12).
Michael’s were, understandably, favourites to prevail and broke the deadlock on eight minutes through Fenelon’s routine penalty. Yet, Newbridge’s response to this early set-back was emphatic.
On the stroke of 10 minutes, full-back Tadhg Brophy broke powerfully into the Michael’s ’22’ before releasing Harry Farrell for a clinical finish on the right-flank. Andrew Carroll’s bonus strike dropped short of the target, but Newbridge had nevertheless served notice of their potential.
They continued to dominate possession moving into the second-quarter with their impressive ball retention skills keeping Michael’s on the back-foot for an extended spell. The Metropolitan outfit held firm in defence, though, and subsequently regained the lead off a powerful counter attack.
Towering fly-half Mark Canniffe carried with purpose into the opposition half and off-loaded to the raiding Andrew Cosgrave for an unconverted try. Though Michael’s were expected to push on from this point, it was Newbridge who ended the opening period on top of possession.
They may have remained three points in arrears at the break (8-5), but there was considerable cause for optimism amongst the Common faithful when the action resumed. The temporary dismissal of Michael’s lock Michael O’Reilly in the 39th-minute presented Newbridge with extra momentum in attack and their second try of the game eventually arrived inside the final-quarter.
Outside centre Farrell was at the heart of all that was good about Newbridge’s play in the Donnybrook venue. Having initially set the wheels in motion for their latest venture forward on 48 minutes, he crossed over in spectacular style to the left of the Michael’s posts.
Carroll added the extras in consummate fashion, handing Newbridge a four-point cushion with the finishing line in sight. Although the second half had taken its time to catch flight, it proved a frantic and intense conclusion to the proceedings.
A resilient Michael’s edged themselves within inches of the line and while the Newbridge rearguard dug deep to hold them up, hooker Matthew Furlong broke their resistance by touching down off an ensuing maul move.
Newbridge simply refused to give into their big-time rivals and flanker Ronan McGroary rounded off another enterprising attack with a superb five-pointer in the left-corner. Faced with the prospect of a shock defeat, Michael’s got themselves back on track courtesy of Fenelon’s second penalty of the afternoon.
However, despite only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes, Collins helped Newbridge to claim a major scalp.
NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE: Tadhg Brophy; Adam Larkin-Smithers, Harry Farrell, John Collins, Andrew Carroll; Paddy Taylor, Ciaran Mangan; Shane Davitt, John Sheedy, Daniel Walsh; Ruairi Munnelly, Shane Treacy; Stephen Menton, Ronan McGroary, Ruairi Byrne.
Replacements: Samuel Watson for Munnelly (42), Mark Masterson for Carroll (50), Patrick Forde for Treacy, Michael Collins for Mangan (both 55).
ST MICHAEL’S COLLEGE: Matthew Green-Delany; David Ryan, Jules Fenelon, Andrew Cosgrave, Paddy Wood; Mark Canniffe, James Sherwin; Tom Stewart, Matthew Furlong, Riain Coogan; Daire Lydon, Michael O’Reilly; Jim White, Rory Brown, Billy O’Donohue.
Replacements: Larry Kirkham for Canniffe (35), Sam Corrigan for White, John Maguire for O’Reilly (both 50).
Referee: Tom Colton (Leinster Rugby Referees).