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Caputo holds his nerve to clinch glory for Blackrock

Blackrock Col 15 Terenure Col 13 (Leinster Schools Jnr Cup Final) dramatic weekend in Irish rugby that this Leinster Junior Cup final should come down to a last-minute penalty.

It came from the composed boot of Joey Caputo in a game that swung one way then the other on a warm sunny afternoon at Donnybrook.

The late intervention of the son of Leinster’s scrum coach, Marco, did not look necessary early on.

Blackrock dominated the ball through their No 8 Liam McMahon and two-try flanker Michael McGagh, who powered over from close range in the 15th minute to give them a 5-0 lead.

Terenure were feeding off scraps and it took a mesmerising try for them to move on terms, their flanker Luke Grady muddying up a ruck and keeping the ball alive.

A sublime line from flanker Patrick Heneghan took them in behind and the ball was swiftly moved through the hands of out-half Dominic Henry-Hayes and centre Adam La Grue for wing Luke Murnaghan to scoot to the corner, making it all square in the 25th minute.

After the break, La Grue’s penalty came back off an upright only for ‘Rock to go off their feet at the next ruck.

La Grue was not as generous the second time, kicking Terenure into an 8-5 lead in the 36th minute.

Then, Terenure lock Rory McGrath’s immaculate lineout grab was turned into five points by prop Levi Vaughan’s try at the end of a maul in the 38th minute.

It was a long way back from 13-5 but Blackrock kept calm and kept the pressure on.

Full-back Niall Brady was held up over the line by La Grue and Caputo was felled five metres out. McGagh was inches away with No 8 Conor Shenton underneath the flanker.

Hooker Sean Molony looked to have knocked on over the line but eventually, McGagh planted the try. Caputo added the conversion to reduce the margin to one midway through the half.

It would take one more score to decide it either way.

The relentless march of Blackrock eventually forced a penalty, which Caputo put away with typical Australian cool.

Terenure - S Dardis; L Murnaghan, A La Grue, J Walsh (R Innes 59), J Nolan; D Henry-Hayes, M O’Shea; B Vaughan, B Bruce (M Hasegawa 52), L Vaughan, C Somerville (capt), R McGrath, P Heneghan (J Boland 52), L Grady, C Shenton.

Last-gasp Thompson turns it around for Blackrock

Blackrock College 13 Belvedere College 8 This all came down to one last drive for glory.

When all other options had been taken, it was their backs who made light of the heightened pressure to deliver under stress as the clock turned red.

Captain Liam Turner was the key to drawing in defenders, the centre slicing an angle before the release came for right wing Adam Thompson to make the whitewash in one final thrust.

The conversion from out-half Joey Caputo – son of Leinster scrum coach Marco – was caressed through the posts as referee Dermot Blake signalled the end of a thrilling contest.

The Belvedere crew had no cause for regret. They had given their all. It looked as though it would be enough for so long.

Although the Williamstown school began fluently to carve out a sixth minute penalty for Caputo, they were driven onto the back foot.

Belvedere were building on carrying from lock Luke McDermott, prop James Gleeson and No 8 Ruadhan Byron against a defence led by backrows Michael McGagh and Liam McMahon.

Blackrock captain Liam Turner’s burst from deep and a splintering maul put ‘Rock back where they wanted to be. They just couldn’t hold onto the ball.

A towering garryowen from Belvo out-half David Hawkshaw had scrum-half Louis O’Reilly scrambling to do well to reclaim the ball.

However, the forwards came as a package and the turnover allowed Belvedere scrum-half Ted Walsh to kick ahead for wing Sam Barry to dot down to make it 5-3 in the 27th minute.

It stayed that way to the break and beyond as defences were just about able to hold out.

Eventually, Turner’s counter was stopped by centre David Sanfey’s alert take-down.

The pressure told when referee Dermot Blake noticed an indiscretion for Caputo to make it 6-5 in the 50th minute.

This meant the responsibility lay with Belvedere to react and they did so with impressive ball retention to earn a penalty, posted by full-back David Lacey in the 56th minute.

It all came down to the last play, Thompson putting Blackrock into the final where they will meet the winners of tomorrow’s semi-final between Terenure and Roscrea.

Junior Cup Final Preview: Blackrock v Terenure

The Big Two made it to the final two. But they had to overcome significant semi-final obstacles to get there.

Where the Blackrock seniors came up short in their quest for a hattrick of titles, the juniors have made it this far, by taking out Belvedere, the school they defeated in the 2013 (17-10) and 2014 (14-10) finals The very same Belvedere stood between ‘Rock and a final place.

Indeed, it looked like the northsiders would have their day this year as they held onto a two-point lead going into the endgame.

Blackrock saved their best to last as their captain Liam Turner - their only survivor from last year’s final - did what he has done in all three rounds.

He drew defenders to him, making room for others and it was wing Adam Thompson who had the wheels to take the ball home for fly-half Joey Caputo to complete their 13-8 victory.

The willingness to hang tough has been a hallmark of this side with Turner their undisguised jewel outside the composed playmaking of Joey Caputo, the son of Leinster scrum coach Marco.

There is a lot to like about their forward eight. They have had to knuckle down against fierce competition from Clongowes Wood, Gon-

zaga and Belvedere to make them battle-hardened.

Back rowers Michael McGagh and Liam McMahon are difference makers with enough footballing ability about them to keep defences on their toes.

There is a lot to like about their front row where hooker Sean Molony and props Giuseppe Coyne and Thomas Clarkson are equally effective with and without the ball.

Last year, Terenure lost out to Blackrock in the semi-final on a scoreline of 41-3, one that must still live in the minds of those involved that day.

The difference between the two schools this time is that ‘Nure return a fine spine with starters in number eight Conor Shenton, second row Conor Somerville, their captain, and centre Adam La Grue.

They also have considerable experience from last year’s replacements in flanker Patrick Heneghan and lock Rory McGrath and a real X-Factor back in Sam Dardis, the younger brother to Ireland U20 Billy.

When Roscrea’s gargantuan pack of forwards applied pressure in the semi-final, Terenure’s dedication to the chop tackle was remarkably accurate with Shenton and Heneghan leading the way. They never took a backward step or flinched in the face of really heavy artillery.

Half-backs Matthew O’Shea and Dominic Henry-Hayes are well capable of releasing a speedy set of backs with La Grue scoring in all three rounds for a tally of four tries against three from Dardis.

The fact that both schools have come through the hard way means they will be spot-on for the occasion. ‘Nure have the more experience allround, but Turner has the experience of having been there and having won it.

The individual match-up between two skilled operators Turner and La Grue will be worth the admission price alone with Dardis lurking as the boy most likely to steal the show.

Blackrock College v Terenure College in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup Final, in association with Beauchamps Solicitors, takes place in Donnybrook Stadium this Sunday at 4.15pm. Tickets will be available on the gate only - €10 for adults, €5 for school children.

PATHS TO THE FINAL BLACKROCK: beat Clongowes Wood 23-15 in the first round; beat Gonzaga 21-12 in the quarter-final; beat Belvedere 13-8 in the semi-final: TERENURE: beat The King’s Hospital 43-19 in the first round; beat Castleknock 10-6 in the quarter-final; beat Roscrea 15-10 in the semi-final.

Blackrock Book Junior Cup Final Spot A last gaps try from right wing Adam Thompson pushed Blackrock through to the Bank of Ireland Leinster Junior Cup final in a real thriller at Donnybrook on Sunday.

It all began with a bewildering series of recycles from Blackrock which was met with a steel curtain, centre Cailean Mulvaney leading the way in defence.

Something had to give. A penalty came and out-half Joey Caputo moved ‘Rock in front in the sixth minute.

Belvedere had not been able to get their hands on the ball. When they did, left wing Sam Barry came charging forward and lock Luke McDermott had a nice pop on the short-side.

Then, a wonder kick by full-back David Lacey put Belvo’ in prime location. ‘Rock openside Michal McGagh just about recovered a stray ball to the tail of their lineout. The battle for territory was balancing out as Belvedere won two penalties on the halfway line. A really clever lineout move almost worked for them and McDermott wasn’t far away either. Belvedere were coming in waves, prop James Gleeson breaking the line and full-back Lacey ducking inside to go close. They just needed to stay composed up against a resolute Blackrock defence well-marshalled by McGagh and captain Liam Turner. Indeed, Turner’s burst from deep and a splintering maul put ‘Rock back where they wanted to be. They just couldn’t hold onto the ball. A high-rising garryowen form Belvo’ out-half David Hawkshaw had scrum-half Louis O’Reilly scrambling to do well to reclaim the ball. However, the forwards came as a package and the turnover allowed Belvedere scrum-half Ted Walsh to kick ahead for wing Barry to pick up a tricky ball and dot down for 5-3 in the 27th minute. This came as an immediate injection of confidence, lock McDermott taking off for a cracking gain of 30 metres. Prop Johnny Bell’s good hands forced a penalty for not rolling away, but ‘Rock’s Michael McGagh stole the ball at the front of the lineout. Belvo’s were not done yet, Barry came at a rate of knots down the left flank. Centre Mulvaney just couldn’t control his offload off the floor to leave them with a two-point edge at half-time. The northsiders started as they had finished out. Hawkshaw took the ball on at pace and got back in position to have a drop at goal to no avail. This couldn’t continue for ‘Rock. They found encouragement from tighthead Thomas Clarkson’s bulldozing run and loose-head Giuseppe Coyne almost got away on the right touchline.

The Williamstown school had to find a way of getting back to their phase game. They got access to front foot ball through Coyne and number eight Liam McMahon. This came as a sharp reminder of the dangers they posed in what was turning into a titanic struggle for ascendancy. Caputo’s sound distribution put Thompson into space for real headway. Clarkson, Turner, hooker Sean Molony and McMahon all made the gain line to stretch Belvedere before the tenacious Walsh stepped in to grab a loose ball. Turner was corralled by David Sanfey as ‘Rock came thundering on to eventually earn a penalty, coolly dispatched by Caputo in the 50th minute. Lacey’s intelligent fielding of a clearance from outside the 22’ gave Belvedere territory and they moved the ball surely with hooker Luan McGrath, McDermott and prop Gleeson making an impact. The ‘Rock defence was aggressive.

But, they did concede a shot at goal to Lacey which the full-back

drilled from 25 metres in the 56th minute. A treble substitution was designed to lift the tempo for ‘Rock and Belvo number eight Ruadhan Byron had to be vigilant to deal with a tricky grubber as the tension spiked. Blackrock went to their maul. It drew a penalty. They went to the lineout again and the maul again. The backs were on hand. Turner attracted defenders and wing Thompson made the line.

Caputo kicked the conversion. Time was up.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 13 BELVEDERE COLLEGE 8 At Donnybrook - BLACKROCK COLLEGE 13 (A Thompson try; J Caputo 2 pens, con); BELVEDERE COLLEGE 8 (S Barry try; D Lacey pen).

Blackrock Advance To Junior Cup Semi-Finals Liam Turner’s Blackrock were given a sharp reminder of the difficulties in winning the Junior Cup when they were tested to the limit

by Gonzaga at Donnybrook on Thursday. The atmosphere was set

by Gonzaga’s vocal following and they started physically by driving a scrum and choking for a turnover. Blackrock knew they would get nothing easy and their captain Turner was quick to spot this. He glided around the outside shoulder and picked a beautiful inside pass for wing Adam Thompson to be hauled down close to the line. Gonzaga number eight Ian O’Grady did remarkably well to spoil a maul that looked odds-on to end in a try. The release was temporary. Props Giuseppe Coyne and Thomas Clarkson put the foot down and openside Michael McGagh finished the job for fly-half Joey Caputo’s conversion to make it 7-0 in the 11th minute. ‘Zaga fly-half Eoin Barr nearly put wing Daniel Inglis through a hole, the ball bouncing away for hooker Sean Molony to take ‘Rock forward again. It didn’t last long. The impressive combination between half-backs Robert Moran and Barr paid dividends when the former collected the latter’s up-and-under and Moran sent wing Inglis careering into the 22. O’Grady also made a dent with the points to show for it. The ruthlessness of ‘Rock showed when they travelled up field for McGagh to pound out the final few metres for Caputo to turn it into a 14-point game in the 25th minute.

Will o’ the wisp Moran was a dandy at the base of scrum and ruck.

His variety of kicks and dinks were a joy to witness, not to forget entirely effective. On resumption, Moran and Barr continued their excellent tactical kicking, turning ‘Rock constantly until number eight Liam McMahon broke form deep. His intelligent chip was gathered by the supporting Turner for a third converted try in the 38th minute.

Fly-half Barr’s low kick in behind forced Blackrock to cough up a 5-metre scrum. The forwards had their say, O’Grady coming up short, before Moran and centre Brian O’Donnell sent full-back Andrew Coman scurrying over for Barr to make it 21-7 in the 45th minute ‘Rock replacement Mark Grogan shot through a lineout for front-foot ball and prop Coyne showed slick hands to create an opening closed by a knock-on. Gonzaga were unyielding and their tenacity paid off when the Williamstown school was penalised for crossing. Hooker Eoin Barron went for the corner. Flanker Robert Kidney took in the lineout. The maul was pulled down. They went to the corner again.

Barr had a pop from the one-out channel. Prop Matt Meagher made it to the line for a try Barr couldn’t quite convert to leave it 21-12 in the 54th minute. Gonzaga came again with another kick to the corner from Barron and a maul which was moving well until a knock-on hurt

them. They were coming in waves as ‘Rock were forced onto the backfoot, their defence holding rigid all the way to the end.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 21 GONZAGA COLLEGE 12 At Donnybrook - BLACKROCK COLLEGE (M McGagh 2 tries; L Turner try; J Caputo 3 cons); GONZAGA COLLEGE (A Coman, M Meagher try each; E Barr con) Blackrock Come Out On Top In Clongowes Clash A fast start and a stiff finish was enough for Blackrock to hold out Clongowes Wood in a thrilling Leinster Junior Cup first round tie at Donnybrook on Friday. This was always going to be a matter of who could assert themselves early. Clongowes centre Ben O’Shea scattered bodies in front of him from two charges that marked him out as one to watch. From the second, he shot them in front in the fifth minute.

They looked to be away again until ‘Rock centre Liam Turner made a captain’s crunching tackle. Giuseppe Coyne’s offload as the prop went to floor got ‘Rock going forward before a side entry killed their momentum. There appeared to be very little on when the ball was moved right by out-half Joey Caputo. Then, right wing Adam Thompson sizzled around the outside and fed Turner for a superb try. Caputo’s conversion made it 7-3 in the 12th minute.

Mistakes were punishable by big gains. An overthrown lineout cost Clongowes ground and, eventually, a penalty slotted by Caputo in the 17th minute. The electric Turner cut inside and connected with fullback Niall Brady, who put wing David Colgan one-on-one with Adam Mullan. The latter was up to the task. In the heel of the hunt for a try, Caputo added another three to take Blackrock ten clear in the 24th minute. Soon, ‘Rock prop Coyne was rampaging through the middle and Turner was just about hauled down by full-back Connell Kennelly.

They were content to clock up the threes as Caputo nailed his third for side-entry into a ruck in the 27th minute. The holders were in full flow. Number eight Lam McMahon took the space on offer and his speculative pass was almost turned into a five-pointer by scrum-half Louis O’Reilly. The interplay was taking them forward with prop Coyne a real gem on the ball and Turner’s slick pass put openside Michael McGagh in and Caputo added the extras for 23-3 at the break.

The Purple and Whites had the measure of Blackrock in close. It was when the game moved beyond there that they struggled. They had to score next. Their impressive second row Daniel Beggs was the man for the job as he brushed off two to splash down at the posts for O’Shea’s conversion to narrow it to 23-10 in the 35th minute. The physicality of the Clongowes forwards was starting to take hold with flankers Liam El Sabai and Sean Ojejinmi, number eight Matthew Martin and Beggs making inroads. Blackrock were unfortunate to lose both half-backs Caputo and O’Reilly to injury within the space of two minutes and they were on the verge of leaking when hooker Sean Molony ripped the ball away from Beggs. The territory belonged to the Clane school; the lead to Blackrock and they had the look of a side that was happy enough to defend their way to the finish line as the minutes moved on.

Clongowes stayed on point. They didn’t tire of driving the ball up and replacement David O’Connor squeezed through a gap for nothing more than a consolation.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 23 CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE 15

Niall Brady Adam Thompson Liam Turner Capt.

Robert Hally-Doody Tom Maher Joey Caputo Louis O’Reilly Guiseppe Coyne Sean Molony Thomas Clarkson Ted Godson-Treacy

Jack Stapleton James Burke

Michael McGagh Liam McMahon Hugh Kelly Harry Angulo Daniel Foley Mark Grogan Josh Slevin James Tarrant Harry Donnelly David Colgan Rory Gallagher

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