Michael Moloney - Blackrock JCT 2018 Proof #2

gpfoto 2

gpfoto 3

gpfoto 4

gpfoto 5

gpfoto 6

gpfoto 7

gpfoto 8

gpfoto 9

gpfoto 10

gpfoto 11

gpfoto 12

gpfoto 13

gpfoto 14

gpfoto 15

gpfoto 16

gpfoto 17

gpfoto 18

gpfoto 19

gpfoto 20

gpfoto 21

gpfoto 22

gpfoto 23

gpfoto 24

gpfoto 25

gpfoto 26

gpfoto 27

gpfoto 28

gpfoto 29

gpfoto 30

gpfoto 31

gpfoto 32

gpfoto 33

gpfoto 34

gpfoto 35

gpfoto 36

gpfoto 37

gpfoto 38

gpfoto 39

PREVIEW: BANK OF IRELAND LEINSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP 1ST ROUND February 2, 2018

St Michael’s College celebrate their victory in the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup Final replay.

There was a collective intake of breath when Leinster coach Stuart Lancaster and Ireland flanker Dan Leavy drew St Michael’s and Blackrock out of the hat at the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup first round draw before Christmas.

Last year, St Michael’s were portrayed as near-certain winners long before the start of the competition with what was described as their best ever Junior team.

Eventually, they delivered their fourth title, to add to those of 1991, 2002 and 2012, finding redemption in doing to Blackrock what had been done to them the year before.

The fact it took a replay to separate the school reflected the inspiration Blackrock took from having their dominance challenged. It took a vintage St Michael’s to derail ‘Rock from what would have been their fifth title in a row, their 51st in all, as Leinster Schools wing Chris Cosgrave decorated the game with his brilliance.

gpfoto 40

This year, ‘Rock are raging favourites for any number of reasons from their formidable pack of forwards, led by prop Scott Barron, to their smooth three-quarters. However, they were overturned by St Michael’s in a friendly – captain Stephen Woods is back in the second row – and this is reason enough for Blackrock to tread carefully at Donnybrook on Sunday.

The next day, the rocketing rise of Temple Carrig will be tested by Clongowes Wood at Donnybrook.

The Greystones school appeared, almost out of thin air, to capture the Bank of Ireland Fr Godfrey Cup last year, playing a wonderful brand of free-flowing rugby.

It was no ‘one-year wonder’ as they were heading into the Junior League Division 1A final this year until a Roscrea surge saw them fall achingly short (32-29) in the semi-final.

Clongowes come into the competition under the radar and they will be fancied to progress from the most interesting tie of the round, although a surprise could be on the cards.

On the same day, Leinster Junior League winners Castleknock College should be humming for a repeat of their semi-final match-up with Gonzaga in which there were 10 points between them. ‘Knock have two strong centres in Fionn Gibbons and Sean Casey that ‘Zaga will have to plan for.

On Tuesday, St Mary’s will be eager to repair the damage done from defeat to the same opponents

in the first round last year. Newbridge will look to maintain their current high standing against the Rathmines crew.

On Wednesday, it is difficult to look any further than Belvedere when they come up against Catholic University School at Donnybrook, the former fancied to make a mark this year.

However, CUS are excited about a squad that has been competitive with the very best in what is reputed to be their strongest Junior side for many years.

On Thursday, there is a double-header in Donnybrook where League finalists Roscrea are in with a shout of knocking off Terenure.

Before that, Fr Godfrey Cup qualifiers Kilkenny, with Joshua Akanji-Murphy impressing at lock, will have to be at their best to unseat CBC Monkstown.

On the same day, the first round will be completed out in Greystones RFC when the other Fr Godfrey qualifiers Wesley will go blow-for-blow with St Gerard’s in what could be a close one.

Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup 1st Round fixtures: Sunday, 4th February St Michael’s College v Blackrock College, Donnybrook 3pm Monday, 5th February Clongowes Wood College v Temple Carrig, Donnybr Gonzaga College v Castleknock College, Clontarf FC Tuesday, 6th February Newbridge College v St Mary’s College, Donnybrook Wednesday, 7th February Catholic University School v Belvedere College, Donnybrook 3pm Thursday, 8th February CBC Monkstown v Kilkenny College, Donnybrook Wesley College v St Gerard’s School, Greystones RFC Cistercian College, Roscrea v Terenure College, Donnybrook

BLACKROCK ADVANCE IN JUNIOR CUP AS HOLDERS ST MICHAEL’S BOW OUT February 5, 2018

Blackrock moved into the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-finals at Donnybrook on Sunday with a victory over St Michael’s College in a repeat of last year’s final.

St Michael’s made most of the early running with captain Stephen Woods leading the way, fly-half Hugo McWade fizzing passes and centres Sam Berman and Conor Gannon looking for openings.

The first serious dent in the defence came from ‘Rock centre Tom Henderson’s fend and speed around the outside. It was on the edges that ‘Rock looked to have superior speed and right-wing Harry Whelan was at the heart of an impressive move that ended with a penalty.

Captain James Culhane opted for the corner and a powerful maul went close before centre Ben Brownlee carried straight and left wing Jude O’Reilly had the wheels to go over on the left for 5-0 after 13 minutes.

St Michael’s enjoyed plenty of possession without the same game breakers to cause havoc.

At least, that is what it looked like until Gannon sprung forward and sweet handling put wing Callum O’Reilly in position to score but for the final pass

going to ground.

Blackrock had an edge at the breakdown where flanker James Culhane and number eight Sean Dempsey were vigilant.

Their wing Whelan was making metres every time he touched the ball, his latest intrusion paving the way for lock Rory McGuire to add the second try for Michael Moloney to convert in the 27th minute.

It was soon treble trouble for St Michael’s, prop David Walsh’s quick hands the key to wing O’Reilly’s second try just on half-time.

It didn’t take captain James Culhane long to stretch the lead off the back of O’Reilly’s burst through the middle, Moloney converting for 24-0 in the 34th minute. O’Reilly was back to complete his hat-trick with another fine attack down the left.

There was time for captain Woods to strike for a try converted by Gannon late on.

At Donnybrook – Blackrock College 36 (J O’Reilly 3 tries; R McGuire, J Culhane, T Quinn try each; M Moloney 3 cons); St Michael’s College 12 (C O’Reilly, S Woods try each; C Gannon con).

Blackrock: Cormac O’Brien; Harry Whelan, Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Jude O’Reilly; Michael Moloney, Thomas Quinn; David Walsh, Milo Byrnes, Scott Barron, Naoise Golden, Rory McGuire, Alex Simpson, James Culhane (capt), Sean Dempsey.

Replacements: Max Patterson for Byrnes 38 mins; Niall Brophy for McGuire 52 mins; Cian Moloney for Quinn, Dylan Stafford for Moloney, Michael Nealon for Brownlee all 53 mins; Aaron Lysaght-Walsh for Walsh, Sam Loscher for Barron both 57 mins; Jamie McMahon for Simpson 58 mins.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE POWER PAST ST GERARD’S IN ACTION-PACKED SECOND HALF February 27, 2018

True to form, St Michael’s kept to the game plan and hit back with everything they had to go close at the posts. They went to the maul and their driving game only for ‘Rock centre Ben Brownlee to rip the ball away.

The St Michael’s three-quarters bided their time and moved the ball sweetly for Callum O’Reilly to dot down in the 48th minute.

Loose head Walsh was the link man again in putting scrum-half Thomas Quinn in for the sixth try, Moloney converting.

St Gerard’s School started the Bank of Ireland Junior Schools Cup quarter-final brightly against Blackrock College by using the ball well and chopping down Blackrock’s big carriers.

Their lock Matthew Whelan took the ball at the lineout and centre Callan O’Reilly’s footwork nearly worked the magic inside the 22. It was an impressive opening move brought to an end by ‘Rock prop Scott Barron’s alert reaction on the floor.

gpfoto 41

The Bray school kept the pressure on, flanker Freddi Happonen and number eight Oliver Newsome driving the ball up. When a penalty came their way, they turned down three for a shot at five points. It couldn’t have worked out better as Happonen was able to make it to the line from a lineout for 5-0 in the 14th minute.

It didn’t last too long, centre Ben Brownlee’s offload setting Tom Henderson away for 40 metres.

At Donnybrook – Blackrock College 33 (S Barron, H Whelan, M Byrnes, B Brownlee, C Moloney try each; M Moloney 3 cons; D Stafford con); St Gerard’s School 10 (F Happonen, T O’Connor try each).

Blackrock College: Cormac O’Brien; Harry Whelan, Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Jude O’Reilly; Michael Moloney, Thomas Quinn; David Walsh, Milo Byrnes, Scott Barron, Naoise Golden, Rory McGuire, Niall Brophy, James Culhane (capt), Sean Dempsey.

Replacements: Sam Loscher for Walsh 41 mins; Max Patterson for Byrnes 50 mins; Dylan Stafford for Moloney, Alex Dinn for Culhane both 56 mins.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE THROUGH TO THE JUNIOR CUP FINAL March 15, 2018 The follow-up support was there quickly and tight-head Barron came hard on the angle for a well-executed try, out-half Michael Moloney converting for 7-5 in the 17th minute.

It was back-and-forth from there as St Gerard’s held the ball well without threatening the same level of danger. When scrum-half Thomas Quinn put ‘Rock in behind, Barron and lock Naoise Golden combined to go close just before half-time.

The Williamstown school meant business on the restart, keeping the ball well through Barron and Brownlee for Henderson to put right wing Harry Whelan over on the right in the 32nd minute.

They showed the full range of their attack when prop David Walsh delayed his pass for hooker Milo Byrnes to make it two tries in three minutes for Moloney to convert.

St Gerard’s needed encouragement and they got it from Newsome’s bullocking run up the middle. They were clean in their carries and ruck work until Henderson’s tackle forced a knock-on by flanker Ciaran Kavanagh.

When their consistent pressure did not reap any reward, Blackrock broke down the left for wing Jude O’Reilly to send Brownlee through for their fourth try, Moloney converting for 26-5 in the 50th minute.

St Gerard’s hard work paid off when Happonen came hard off the back of a maul and lock Thomas O’Connor twisted to the line.

There was still time for replacement Cian Moloney to seal Blackrock’s victory, Dylan Stafford kicking the conversion.

gpfoto 42

Blackrock College will face St Mary’s College in the Leinster Schools Junior Cup decider after they defeated Castleknock College in a compelling semi-final encounter at Donnybrook today.

Tries in each half by Jude O’Reilly and David Walsh placed Blackrock in the driving seat before Castleknock claimed a consolation score through replacement Oisin Tierney during the closing stages.

‘Rock will now face St Mary’s in an intriguing showpiece at Donnybrook next Wednesday afternoon when they will be aiming to land a 51st title at this grade.

After St Michael’s brought their quest for a fifth consecutive junior title to an end just under 12 months ago, ‘Rock appeared hell-bent on a return to the table. They dethroned the Ailesbury Road outfit in the opening round, before subsequently defeating St Gerard’s school, Bray in the last-eight.

Though they were viewed as rank outsiders in advance of this contest, Castleknock had impressed en route to their penulti-

mate round encounter. A 20-0 success over Gonzaga College was followed by a clinical quarter-final display against CBC Monkstown, when back-row Luke Callinan contributed a brace of tries in a 23-point triumph (30-7).

Nevertheless, it was ‘Rock who dominated the ball in the opening stages of the play. Michael Moloney’s crossfield kick in the fourth-minute was intended for winger Michael Nealon, but opposition full-back Oran Farrell was on hand to divert it into touch.

Castleknock subsequently developed an attacking overlap on the left flank, where Shane Duggan was picked out in space. However, ‘Rock dug deep to secure a penalty, which acted as a launchpad for a deadlock-breaking score.

A neat off-load on the left-hand side by centre Tom Henderson released O’Reilly, who sprinted over the whitewash after exploiting a gap inside the ‘Knock ’22’. Moloney comfortably added the bonuses, giving the Williamstown school a seven-point lead on the stroke of 10 minutes.

While it was anticipated that ‘Rock would push on at this point, O’Reily’s knock-on from the resulting restart offered up a 22-metre attacking scrum to their opponents. Excellent work by ‘Knock’s physically-imposing pack led to a brace of close-range penalties, though the angle was too tight for a kick at goal.

As a result, Farrell opted to kick for touch. With the try-line now in sight, the pressure on the ‘Rock rearguard was gradually increasing. Yet, thanks in no small part to lock Rory McGuire, they eventually turned over possession.

Castleknock persisted with their challenge, however, as Eoin Leen, Sean Casey and skipper Fionn Gibbons all broke into the ‘Rock attack. Indeed, despite being on the back-foot towards the end of the opening period, they were frustrating their south Dublin counterparts with resolute defensive work.

‘Rock ultimately increased their advantage on the stroke of

half-time, a routine Moloney penalty provided them with a 10-0 buffer. They looked set to create further daylight between the teams on the resumption when Moloney opted for the corner rather than a kick at goal.

Given they had secured a number of Castleknock’s line-outs prior to the interval, there was enough evidence to suggest that a second try was on the cards. However, ‘Knock once again wrestled back possession and kept ‘Rock at bay until the end of the third quarter.

It was at this point that lock Senan Forker was sent to the sin-bin for an indiscretion inside his own 22-metre line. With a numerical advantage at their disposal, ‘Rock prop David Walsh applied the finishing touches to a powerful line-out maul.

Moloney’s bonus strike was short of the target, but with all of 15 points now separated the sides, Blackrock were on course for a sixth successive junior final appearance. Castleknock were then presented with an ideal opportunity to open their account in the 49th-minute.

Although Farrell’s 35-metre effort was firmly struck, it rebounded off the post and into the grateful arms of Walsh. It is 16 years since Castleknock contested the final at this level – a narrow reversal to St Michael’s denied them a ninth crown on that occasion.

Their patience was eventually rewarded four minutes from time with a well-worked try at the end of an extended attacking spell.

After scrum-half Conor Duggan spread the ball towards the right-flank, Tierney touched down via a neat pass by Farrell.

The latter’s touchline conversion was wide of the mark and Blackrock held firm in defence to progress with 10 points to spare.

At Donnybrook – Blackrock College 15 (Jude O’Reilly, David Walsh try each; Michael Moloney penalty, conversion); Castleknock College 5 (Oisin Tierney try) Blackrock College: Cormac O’Brien; Michael Nealon, Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Jude O’Reilly; Michael Moloney, Thomas Quinn; David Walsh, Milo Byrnes, Scott Barron, Naoise Golden, Rory McGuire, Alex Simpson, James Culhane (captain), Sean Dempsey.

Replacements: Harry Whelan for O’Reilly, 17 mins; Cian Moloney for Quinn, Niall Brophy for Dempsey, both 51 mins; Sam Loscher for Walsh, 54 mins; Max Patterson for Byrnes, Dylan Stafford for M Moloney, both 55 mins.

Castleknock College: Oran Farrell; Eoin Leen, Fionn Gibbons (captain), Sean Casey, Shane Duggan; Alex Watson, Conor Duggan; John Ozoani, Greg Spillane, Michael Levesley, Donnchadh Lahert, Senan Forker, Alec Birnie, Gavin Murphy-O’Kane, Luke Callinan.

Replacements: Ben Bislin for Ozoani, Oisin Tierney for Leen, both 46 mins; Luke Brady for Birnie, 58 mins.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE WIN THE BANK OF IRELAND JUNIOR CUP March 21, 2018

Blackrock College emerged victorious from a Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Schools Junior Cup final of swinging fortunes at Donnybrook, newly christened as Energia Park, on Wednesday.

The Williamstown school set the tone from the kick-off, their lock Rory McGuire bounding forward through arm tackles for 30 metres.

Left wing Michael Nealon twice threatened down the touchline where he was met by St Mary’s College scrum-half Seanán Devereux the first time and centre Rob Nolan the second.

The adrenalin was up and McGuire was yellow carded for a high tackle to allow St Mary’s an access point at the lineout.

That man Nolan came on a hard line where Ben Brownlee was waiting to dislodge the ball.

It was Nolan with the tackle on number eight Sean Dempsey and into hooker Milo Byrnes, the latter leaving the field on the advice of touch judge Susan Carty.

St Mary’s looked like Ireland in disguise as they probed from an attacking lineout, centre Barra O’Loughlin making the biggest dent ahead of captain Adam Mulvihill’s dive to the line for fullback Max Svejdar to convert for 7-0 in the 11th minute.

This was just the tonic they needed to fuel their confidence, moving the ball sweetly until McGuire and prop Scott Barron countered at the ruck.

The counter ruck came in handy again on foot of Brownlee’s thunderous tackle on O’Loughlin.

This was all the invitation ‘Rock needed, wing Harry Whelan testing out Svejdar’s tackle technique, the ball brought back to the left for centre Tom Henderson to squeeze in at the posts, outhalf Michael Moloney converting in the 19th minute.

This did not turn the tide as St Mary’s returned to attack, preferring the hard driving of their forwards to the men further out.

Their patience was a virtue until McGuire got in amongst them to cause a turnover.

St Mary’s switched it up by spreading the play wide where ‘Rock lock Naoise Golden eventually got in on the ball for a penalty turnover.

Blackrock had a clear advantage in speed on the outside and Nealon had to be shunted into touch by Ross Moore.

The weight of pressure was starting to tell, St Mary’s brave defence keeping McGuire and prop Scott Barron held up off the floor before Brownlee just about got downward pressure for Moloney to make it 14-7 at the break.

Blackrock were a different proposition when they came back out, mixing power and pace to draw a penalty for Moloney to make it 17-7 in the 33rd minute.

Left wing Nealon went close to their third from a kick ahead, Svejdar covering quickly to win the footrace.

The character of St Mary’s came to the fore. They refused to break, playing their best rugby of the competition in adversity to drive the ball and move it cleanly.

All the while, Blackrock soaked up the carriers until St Mary’s lock Daniel Leane spun out of a tackle for a hard-earned try, converted by Svejdar in the 45th minute.

The Rathmines school continued to play a lot of ball in their own half in an understandable tactic.

gpfoto 43

They just couldn’t find the right exit door and replacement hooker Max Patterson was the tail gunner of a ‘Rock maul that made it all the way for Moloney to convert in the 56th minute and secure the Cup. At Donnybrook – Blackrock College 24 (T Henderson, B Brownlee, M Patterson try each; M Moloney pen, 3 cons); St Mary’s College 14 (A Mulvihill, D Leane try; A Svejdar 2 cons).

Blackrock College: Cormac O’Brien; Michael Nealon, Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Michael Nealon; Michael Moloney, Thomas Quinn; David Walsh, Milo Byrnes, Scott Barron, Naoise Golden, Rory McGuire, Alex Simpson, James Culhane (capt), Sean Dempsey.

Replacements: Max Patterson for Byrnes 7 mins; Sam Loscher for Walsh 38 mins; Cian Moloney for Simpson 51 mins; Dylan Stafford for M Moloney 56 mins.

Blackrock’s clinical edge the difference as they reign supreme at Junior Cup level again

Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Max Patterson all crossed for Blackrock as they beat St Mary’s in this year’s decider.

Blackrock College 24 St Mary’s College 14 Ryan Bailey reports from Donnybrook NORMAL SERVICE RESUMES, as Blackrock College — the dominant force of Leinster schools rugby — ensured last year’s slip-up was only a brief lull in their remarkable run of supremacy at Junior Cup level.

A 51st title, and sixth in eight years, is a telling statistic in itself but the class of 2018 stamped their own authority on this competition, culminating in a hugely impressive three-

gpfoto 44

try display.

Although trailing to an early St Mary’s try, the end result rarely looked in doubt as Blackrock moved through the gears after a slow start to cross three times and wrap up a title they hope the school’s senior team will augment at the RDS this Friday.

Not to do St Mary’s a disservice, as they played their part in a hugely entertaining, free-flowing contest, but once Blackrock flexed their muscle they always had too much, both up front and in a backline led by Tom Henderson and Ben Brownlee.

Both centres crossed in the first half to establish a 14-7 lead for the blue and whites, and while Mary’s — appearing in this final for the first time since 1997 — showed huge resolve to bring it back to a three-point game with 10 minutes remaining, Blackrock struck through Max Patterson in this near corner for the insurance score.

There were big performances across the board, most notably out-half Michael Moloney, who was faultless from the tee, and the tireless back row unit of Alex Simpson, captain James Culhane and number eight Sean Dempsey.

With a relentless work-rate in defence, Blackrock’s attacking edge proved the difference and even allowing for the loss of Milo Byrnes and then David Walsh to injury, they were clinical and composed.

That said, Mary’s started the brighter and Blackrock second row Rory McGuire paid for his over eagerness after a bulldozing run as he was sent to the bin for a reckless high hit.

With the numerical advantage, Mary’s were unable to penetrate the Blackrock rearguard but, ironically, were then rewarded for a sustained period of pressure in the phase after McGuire had returned to the field.

Tom Henderson crashed over for Blackrock’s first try

The forwards got through mountains of work around the fringes and having inched their way across the face of the line, centre Barra O’Loughlin stretched Blackrock’s defence for captain Adam Mulvihill to find the gap and burrow over.

With their tails up, Mary’s continued to probe but while they chose to keep it tight and use the power of their forwards to hammer away, Blackrock had the distinct advantage of a superb and slick backline, who showed their clinical edge throughout.

Henderson was the man to level proceedings on the 18 minute mark after latching onto a flat pass from scrumhalf Thomas Quinn to crash over at the foot of the post from close range, with Moloney converting.

Blackrock were beginning to move through the gears, with their engine room getting through trojan work both on the ball and on the ground. Dempsey was particularly energetic and dynamic at the back of the scrum.

McGuire darted for the line but was held up by an admirably resilient Mary’s defensive line and then Scott Barron thought he had got over the whitewash with a pick-and-go, but again referee Cillian Hogan said there was no clear grounding.

However, from the resulting five metre scrum, the pressure told. Blackrock moved it right and struck off the set-piece through Brownlee, who showed strength and dexterity to ground under pressure from several blue shirts.

Moloney is unerringly accurate from the tee and his conversion, followed by an early second-half penalty, stretched Blackrock’s lead to 10 points, but their momentum stalled after a lengthy stoppage in play for treatment to loosehead prop Walsh.

On the restart, Mary’s made five changes and replacement out-half Euan Feeney’s crisp distribution and willingness to take the ball to the line got his side moving again, with Daniel Leane finishing off a period of sustained and controlled territory.

Blackrock celebrate their win.

It briefly gave Mary’s hope, but any thoughts of a comeback were soon extinguished when Blackrock secured a much-deserved victory after a powerful rolling maul.

Big carries from Dempsey and Scott Barron in midfield

had Mary’s on the back foot and when they were pinged at the breakdown, Moloney kicked to within five metres of the line, allowing Patterson drive over.

Blackrock reign supreme again, now the question is if they can make it a double down the road.

Blackrock scorers: Tries: Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Max Patterson Penalties: Michael Moloney [1 from 1] Conversions: Michael Moloney [3 from 3] St Mary’s scorers: Tries: Adam Mulvihill, Daniel Leane Conversions: Max Svejdar [2 from 2] BLACKROCK COLLEGE: 15. Cormac O’Brien, 14. Harry Whelan, 13. Tom Henderson, 12. Ben Brownlee, 11.

Michael Nealon, 10. Michael Moloney, 9. Thomas Quinn; 1. David Walsh, 2. Milo Byrnes, 3. Scott Barron, 4. Naoise Golden, 5. Rory McGuire, 6. Alex Simpson, 7. James Culhane (captain), 8. Sean Dempsey.

Replacements: 16. Max Patterson, 17. Aaron Lysaght Walsh, 18. Sam Loscher, 19. Alex Dinn, 20. Niall Brophy, 21. Cian Moloney, 22. Dylan Stafford, 23. Conor Bleakley.

Blackrock power wins out against St Mary’s

Max Patterson’s try clinches Junior Cup title for Blackrock Wed, Mar 21, 2018,

St Mary’s Barra O’Loughlin is tackled by Ben Brownlee of Blackrock.

Blackrock College 24 St Mary’s College 14 Replacement Max Patterson plunged over for Blackrock’s clinching try in the Leinster Junior Cup final at Donnybrook, newly christened as Energia Park, this afternoon.

The size differential between the sides was significant and St Mary’s had to find a way around it. They were given an early leg-up when Rory McGuire was binned for a high tackle in the third minute.

Ironically, St Mary’s struggled to take advantage of the extra man, only making a decisive move just after the return of McGuire.

There was real patience in how they kept going to their forwards for vital inches, centre Barra O’Loughlin making the difference before captain Adam Mulvihill grounded the ball for fullback Max Svedjar to convert in the 11th minute.

But Mary’s lacked the clinical edge to put Blackrock in a real hole and the power points of ‘Rock’s pack began to show up, McGuire, prop Scott Barronand captain James Culhane part of a move upfield.

They had the wheels on the outside where wings Michael Nealon and Harry Whelan both threatened. It came down to the speed of centre Tom Hendersonto make the difference, striking from 10 metres at the posts for outhalf Michael Moloney to tie it up in the 19th minute.

Centre Ben Brownlee then made a vital breakthrough from sustained pressure for Moloney to make it 14-7 at the break.

When ‘Rock moved three further clear from Moloney’s penalty, the signs were ominous.

But, St Mary’s were refreshed by their replacements and their character came to the fore. They refused to break, playing their best rugby of the competition in adversity to drive the ball and move it cleanly.

Lock Daniel Leane hit it up and spun away from a tackle to find the line for Svedjar to convert in the 45th minute.

From there, it all came down to ‘Rock’s composure from a maul with Patterson there to ground the ball, Moloney making a miraculous conversion out of the shadow of the stand.

Scorers Blackrock Tries: T Henderson, B Brownlee, M Patterson try each.

Con: M Moloney 3. Pen: M Moloney St Mary’s Tries: A Mulvihill, D Leane. Con: A Svedjar 2 Blackrock: C O’Brien; M Nealon, T Henderson, B Brown-

lee, M Nealon; M Moloney, T Quinn; D Walsh, M Byrnes, S Barron, N Golden, R McGuire, A Simpson, J Culhane (capt), S Dempsey. Replacements: M Patterson for Byrnes (7 mins); S Loscher for Walsh (38 mins); C Moloney for Simpson (51 mins); D Stafford for M Moloney (56 mins).

St Mary’s: M Svedjar; R Moore, R Nolan, B O’Loughlin, S Czerniek; D Gilbourne, S Devereux; C Dillon, M Black, A Mulvihill (capt), D Leane, H Massey, W Sparrow, J Kennedy, A Sloan. Replacements: A Gibbons for Dillon, M Gallagher for Massey, G O’Moore for Sparrow (all 33 mins); E Feeney for Gilbourne (36 mins).

Referee: C Hogan (Leinster Branch).

04/02/2018 05/02/2018 05/02/2018 06/02/2018 07/02/2018 08/02/2018 08/02/2018 08/02/2018 26/02/2018 27/02/2018 06/03/2018 07/03/2018 13/03/2018 15/03/2018 21/03/2018

St Michael’s College 12-36 Clongowes College 18-12 Gonzaga College 0-20 Newbridge College 12-20 CUS 7-31 C.B.C. Monkstown 20-19 Wesley College 16-25 Cistercian College Roscrea 5-44 Belvedere College 24-7 Blackrock College 33-10 Castleknock College 30-7 Terenure College 0-10 Belvedere College 7-10 Blackrock College 15-5 Blackrock College v

Blackrock College Temple Carrig School Castleknock College St Mary’s College Belvedere College Kilkenny College St Gerard’s School Terenure College Clongowes Wood St Gerard’s School C.B.C. Monkstown St Mary’s College St Mary’s College Castleknock Col St Mary’s College

gpfoto 45

BLACKROCK COLLEGE JCT 2018

Cormac O’Brien, Harry Whelan, Tom Henderson, Ben Brownlee, Michael Nealon, Max Patterson, Thomas Quinn, David Walsh, Michael Moloney, Milo Byrnes, Scott Barron, Naoise Golden, Rory McGuire, Alex Simpson, James Culhane (captain), Sean Dempsey, Aaron Lysaght Walsh, Sam Loscher, Alex Dinn, Niall Brophy, Cian Moloney, Dylan Stafford, Conor Bleakley.

gpfoto my photos, your story gerry@gpfoto.ie +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved