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Gonzaga College SJ SCT 2017

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The class of 2017: A preview of this year’s Leinster Schools Senior Cup

This year’s competition gets underway on Sunday. after lifting the trophy last year. IN NO OTHER sport does a breeding ground quite like the Schools Senior Cup exist. The competition’s swelling levels of professionalism and quality is reflected in the heightened substance given to it by the four provinces, players and schools. Tomorrow afternoon, the Leinster Schools Senior Cup gets under way with last year’s winners Belvedere College beginning their defence against St Andrew’s College at Donnybrook. It marks the beginning of the show-piece event of the schools season and a three-month period of non-stop action across all four provinces as the next generation of stars are given a platform to exhibit their ability and make a name for themselves. Just as importantly, however, is the competition’s facility to provide young players with a rich, and indeed raw, rugby education. Belvedere will be the team to beat but as with the start of any new campaign, each and every side go into this week with fresh optimism and a belief that this could be their year. Twelve months ago, it was the year of black and white. After the heartbreak of 2015, Belvo claimed their 11th senior crown with an emphatic 31-7 victory over Roscrea at the RDS and they’ll be heavily-tipped to be there again come St Patrick’s Day. Their first assignment comes in the form of a school enjoying a resurgence in recent years. St Andrew’s have threatened to shake up the established order in recent years and will be hoping for another strong campaign this time around. The Booterstown school punched above their weight in 2014 and were the competition’s surprise package as they progressed to the semi-finals but have been unable to reach those dizzy heights since having fallen at the first hurdle 12 months ago. Ian Dumbleton’s side will go into tomorrow’s opening game as underdogs but they gave St Michael’s a run for their money at this stage in 2016 and will be out to cause an early upset. St Andrew’s winger Peter Sullivan is one Captain Harry McCarthy has represented Leinster at schools level and explosive winger Peter Sullivan, who has also featured for Leinster U19s, is one to keep an eye on. Fourteen of last year’s squad are still involved but while there is a sprinkling of prodigious talent across the side, the holders should prove too strong for their south Dublin opponents. Belvo may be the defending champions but many people will be backing Blackrock College, the competition’s protagonists with a record 68 titles, to come back strongly after two disappointing years. Peter Smyth’s charges were dumped out after an epic tussle with Belvo last time out and they begin their quest for a first Senior Cup crown in three years against The King’s Hospital on Monday afternoon. Indeed, all eight first round ties are down for decision this week. On Tuesday, St Fintan’s High School make their debut at this level against eight-time winners Clongowes Wood in what will be a hugely significant occasion for the competition. Rugby has only been played at St Fintan’s since 2001 and their remarkable rise to the Leinster Senior Cup under the guidance of coach Robert Forbes promises to be one of the stories of this year’s edition. A lot of their squad play club rugby for the adjourning Suttonians RFC and Frankie O’Dea, Conor Moore, Aziz Naser, Declan Adamson and captain Sean Cribbin have all been capped at Leinster underage level. The fixture also marks the beginning of eir Sports’ coverage of both

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the Senior and Junior Cups. In addition to Tuesday’s game, the broadcaster will televise the four second-round games, the semi-finals and then the final. In the Junior Cup, meanwhile, eir will show the semi-finals and final live. The extensive media coverage given to all four provinces underlines the significance and prestige of the competitions and as primary sponsor of the Leinster Senior Cup, Bank of Ireland are proud to be associated with schools rugby. “We realise that to get these players to professional team level there is a broad underage base of participation built around the twin pillars of schools and club rugby,” Ian Murray, Sponsorship manager at Bank of Ireland, told The42. “We see the power of schools rugby and its importance in the development of both young people and the game itself and that is why Bank of Ireland is proud to be associated with this prestigious competition.” One of the ties of the round comes on Wednesday when St Mary’s College, the five-time winners, face Newbridge College at Donnybrook. The Rathmines school exited at the first round stage last year and will be determined to progress further this time around with former Leinster and Munster winger Johne Murphy now part of their coaching team. By virtue of their qualification for the Vinnie Murray Cup final, CBC Monkstown and Kilkenny College take their spots in the first round and they’ll hope their competitive outings in recent weeks will give them a fighting chance. Both have been handed difficult first round games with Kilkenny facing Terenure College in one of two ties down for decision on Thursday. The former won the last of their 10 titles in 2003 and have always had enough about them to cause problems for the competition’s powerhouses. John Coffey, who has enlisted the help of Harrison Brewer and Leinster academy prop Oisin Heffernan, has a number of Leinster players at his disposal, including Sam Dardis (brother of Billy), Harry O’Neill, Rory McGrath, Adam La Grue and Mark Fabian. Thursday’s other game sees St Michael’s College go head-to-head with St Gerard’s. The Ballsbridge school have emerged as a real force in recent years and they have another hugely talented squad this year with Alex Deegan and David Ryan — brothers of Leinster academy players Max and James — set to play key roles. Cistercian College Roscrea were beaten finalists last year having lifted the trophy for the first time in their history in 2015 and they must be considered front-runners again this time. They’ll be hoping for a safe passage through to the next round when they face CBC at Castle Avenue on Friday. In another fascinating match-up, Gonzaga and Castlenock College meet at Donnybrook in the final tie of the round.

Resolute Gonzaga hold firm to keep Castleknock at bay in absorbing Schools Cup tie The north Dublin school dominated much of the game but were unable to claw back a half-time deficit. Out-half Michael O’Kennedy kicked two conversions for Gonzaga. Gonzaga College 14 Castleknock College 10 – Ryan Bailey reports from Donnybrook IT MAY NOT have been the highest quality match of the week, but Gonzaga and Castleknock served up an absorbing Leinster Senior Schools Cup contest which had everyone in attendance on the edge of their seat until the final whistle. In the end, Gonzaga held their nerve and withstood an almighty Castleknock onslaught to edge a game which ebbed and flowed right until the last kick to book their place in the second round. A brace of first-half tries from Sean Galvin proved the difference at a rain-soaked Donnybrook but Castleknock will lament a series of missed chances as their promising campaign ended at the first hurdle. The eight-time winners dominated for large periods, and were camped inside the Gonzaga half for all of the second half, but were unable to make that territory count. Having trailed 14-3 at the break, Darragh McNally gave his side hope with a little over 10 minutes remaining but Gonzaga, incredibly and heroically, kept the door shut to spark jubilant celebrations at full time. In arguably the worst conditions of the week, it was understandable that both sides took a while to settle into the contest and the opening exchanges were incredibly scrappy. Castleknock probably shaded the first quarter and that was reflected on the scoreboard when Cian Egenton dissected the posts with a penalty after nine minutes. Gonzaga supporter Their lead didn’t last long, however. From the restart, Gonzaga stole possession and from there hit the front. A period of patient build-up was rewarded when winger Galvin crashed over the line after collecting James Kenny’s pop pass. Gonzaga extended their advantage eight minutes later but it came against the run of play. Having applied all the pressure down one end, Castleknock were made to pay as they were caught short at the back and exposed when Gonzaga hacked through and the bounce of the ball favoured Galvin. Moments earlier, the eight-time winners thought they had made the breakthrough of their own. A powerful scrum set the platform and flanker McNally peeled off the back and put the head down. He was initially stopped metres from the line but, illegally,

forced his way over before referee Brian Montayne correctly cut the celebrations in the stands short for a double movement. It was to prove a defining moment in the game. Just as they had done after Egenton’s penalty, Gonzaga swiftly turned defence into attack and their lead had suddenly extended to 14-3 with the impressive Michael O’Kennedy adding the extras to O’Donnell’s score. That’s how it stayed until the break with Gonzaga content to keep their shape and prove difficult to break down. Led by captain Conor Gleeson, the Ranelagh school were superb in defence but were finally unlocked on the hour mark. With Ian O’Grady in the sin bin, Castleknock bided their time and eventually found a way through with McNally applying the finish under the posts. Replacement out-half Donncha Ryan struck the conversion sweetly to set-up a grandstand finish. Castleknock threw absolutely everything at the wall of green shirts but time was against them and it was Gonzaga who prevailed to take their place in the draw for the quarter-finals. Gonzaga scorers: Tries: Sean Galvin [2] Penalties: Conversions: Michael O’Kennedy [2 from 2] Castleknock scorers: Tries: Darragh McNally Penalties: Cian Egenton [1 from 1] Conversions: Donncha Ryan [1 from 1] GONZAGA COLLEGE: 15. David Lynch, 14. Sean Galvin, 13. Hugh Twomey, 12. Brian O’Donnell, 11. Elliot Allen, 10. Michael O’Kennedy, 9. James Kenny; 1. Michael Gleeson, 2. Conor Gleeson (captain), 3. Simon Clear, 4. Eoin Buggy, 5. Caoilim Fassbender, 6. Ian O’Grady, 7. Mark Keegan, 8. Robbie Kidney. Replacements not used: 16. Mikey Holly, 17. Matt Meagher, 18. Frank McHugh, 19. Eoin Barron, 20. James Veale, 21. Charlie Goulding, 22. Danny Inglis, 23. Jack Connolly.

Seventh heaven! Gonzaga produce remarkable performance to dump Roscrea out The Ranelagh school will face Blackrock College in the semi-finals. Hug was the outstanding performer for Gonzaga. Cistercian College Roscrea 24 Gonzaga College 41 – Ryan Bailey reports from Donnybrook

THIS COMPETITION NEVER ceases to amaze, as once again on a perfect afternoon at Donnybrook, we were treated to an enthralling game of rugby which brilliantly encapsulated everything good about schools rugby. In a week of thrilling quarter-final drama in the Leinster Senior Schools Cup, Cistercian College Roscrea and Gonzaga College delivered the tie of the round as they exchanged blows before the latter surged clear with a barely believable second-half display. It’s a pity there had to be a loser but, in the end, Roscrea — the 2015 champions and last year’s beaten finalists — had no answer to the Ranelagh school’s explosive running game which saw them score seven tries; each one as good as the next. ‘We’re going to win the Cup, and nobody’s going to believe us,’ the group of ex-pupils in green sang on the far side as the clock struck red. After this performance, you’d nearly believe them. Declan Fassbender’s men came flying out of the traps, scoring twice in the opening six minutes, and although Roscrea hit back to lead by two points at the break, there was no denying Gonzaga. Their reward for today’s victory is a semi-final clash with 68time winners Blackrock College while holders Belvedere will face Clongowes Wood in the other last four tie. Before Roscrea could even settle into the occasion, they had gathered under their own posts twice inside the early exchanges. Michael O’Kennedy’s penalty launched ‘Zaga deep into opposition territory and it was from that platform which they struck. Roscrea briefly kept them at bay but the pressure eventually told as Eoin Buggy drove his way over from close range for the first of his brace. O’Kennedy was unable to convert from this near touchline but, four minutes later, his looping pass left sent Hugh Twomey through for fullback David Lynch to race home and extend the Gonzaga lead. Twomey was a live wire on the left wing throughout and posed problems for the Roscrea defence every time he got ball in hand, before he was forced off through injury on the hour mark. Roscrea came storming back and did damage of their own from a powerful rolling maul after Conor Kelly brilliantly found the corner with a penalty from hand. After inching towards the whitewash, it was left to lock Neal Moylett to fall over the line. Not to be deterred, Gonzaga went down the other end and hit back almost instantly — and it was that man Buggy again as he started and finished a sweeping move to give his side a 10-point buffer. It was, literally, end-to-end at this stage as both sides took every opportunity to throw it wide and Roscrea swung the momentum back in their favour shortly before the half hour mark through centre Philip O’Shea. Kelly’s conversion made it a three-point game and when Michael Milne dotted down for a try made and scored by the pack, Roscrea suddenly found themselves in the lead for the

first time. Pieter Swanepoel’s charges took that lead into the break but if the first period belonged to Roscrea by way of the scoreboard, the second was all Gonzaga. James Kenny latched onto a lose Roscrea line out and Gonzaga quickly sent it wide, where O’Kennedy’s pass off his wrong side had the black and white shirts scrambling. With numbers out wide, ‘Zaga executed to perfection with the space opening up for Sean Galvin to go over in the corner. The angle was too tight for O’Kennedy to slot over the conversion but he made it easy for himself not long after. Running from deep this time, Lynch picked a brilliant line to cut through the Roscrea defence and O’Kennedy showed great energy to stay on his shoulder and run it under the posts for the try of the afternoon and Gonzaga’s fifth. He added the extras.

Kenny got in on the act to add his side’s sixth score after he had initially broken through the line with some nimble footwork. When O’Kennedy struck his conversion from the touchline sweetly and it dropped over the bar, you knew it was Gonzaga’s day. Roscrea did look for an avenue back into the game and were given faint hope after Tadhg Bird’s brilliant run resulted in prop Ryan Lomas reducing the deficit; but there was no coming back this time as Gonzaga emphatically finished through Eoin Barr to seal a memorable day for the school. Roscrea scorers: Tries: Neal Moylett, Philip O’Shea, Michael Milne, Ryan Lomas. Penalties: Tadhg Bird [0 from 1] Conversions: Tadhg Bird [2 from 4] Gonzaga scorers: Tries: Eoin Buggy [2], David Lynch, Sean Galvin, Michael O’Kennedy, James Kenny, Eoin Barr. Penalties: Conversions: Michael O’Kennedy [3 from 7]

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Gonzaga College: SCT 2017 Elliot Allen, Eoin Barr, Eoin Barron, Jack Barry, Seán Barry, Hugo Boggan, Eoin Buggy, Daniel Carson, Simon Clear, Andrew Coman, Jack Connolly, Dermot English, Caoilim Fassbender, Seán Galvin, Marcus Gill, Conor Gleeson, Hugh Gleeson, Michael Gleeson, Henry Godson, Charlie Goulding, Henry Higgins, Mikey Holly, Daniel Inglis, Mark Keegan, Hugh Kelly Bowen, James Kenny, Robbie Kidney, Oscar Looby, David Lynch, Calum McCarthy, Frank McHugh, Matt Meagher, Daniel Moriarty, Declan Murphy, Max Neville, Brian O’Donnell, Ian O’Grady, Fergus Oisin, Micheál O’Kennedy, Patrick O’Loughlin, Killian Quigley, Jack Tackaberry, Hugh Twomey, Liam Tyrrell, Joe Vagge, James Veale, Sam Victory. gpfoto

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