Simon Walsh CCR SCT16 proof#2

Cistercian College Roscrea SCT

Leinster Schools Senior Cup 2016

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BELVEDERE COLLEGE CROWNED SENIOR SCHOOLS CHAMPIONS 2016 Brilliant Belvedere delivered on the promise they made from last year’s losing final to win their eleventh Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup final 31-7 in the sunshine at The RDS on Sunday against reigning champions Cistercian College Roscrea.There was a frantic beginning exemplified by a three-man honest-to-toughness collision in pursuit of Roscrea scrum-half Keith Kavanagh’s launched ball into the air.A turnover penalty to Belvedere was sent to the corner from where they moved the ball left where they almost cracked open a try.They did pinch another penalty and the peel away from it to put prop Dan McCaffrey on the front-foot. They kept the ball well for full-back Hugh O’Sullivan to pounce at the posts.

Conor Jennings converted for 7-0 in the fourth minute.

This was a blow reflected in Conor Kelly’s restart going out on the full. To their credit, Roscrea didn’t take long to recover as their forwards got into a groove, led by captain Simon Meagher.When the moment was right they moved it left for Tynan and full-back Conor Kelly to cut back inside and go close. They did have a penalty as compensation, going straight to touch where flanker Jack Canning claimed the ball and Michael Milne came on the charge. The ball was knocked on there and from the next lineout-into-maul as Roscrea were a touch over-eager.They had position and they were clever in how they came forward, making it all the way to the line only to be held up by brave Belvo’ defence.From the scrum, Meagher picked, but Kavanagh obstructed scrum-half Paraic Cagney to concede a needless penalty.Then, Belvedere flanker Max Kearney broke upfield brilliantly to put them back within striking distance.

It was flanker Canning who claimed a crucial poach penalty.The pressure valve was not released. Tynan just about coped with Peter Maher in the middle.But, the recycles came hard and fast for Kearney to cleverly reach for the butt of the post for Jennings to make it a 14-point game in the 18th minute. Belvedere plotted further gains from a scrum in the middle. They came calling at lightning speed for wing James McKeown to exchange passes with O’Sullivan, the return correctly judged forward by referee Dermot Blake. Roscrea were cramped for space. Tynan’s dummy and kick to touch was long.However, Belvedere countered sweetly to force a penalty at the breakdown. Jennings pulled it left in the 25th minute.Prop Milne was making ground when David Hawkshaw ripped the ball away. This was

met with stout defence at the end of which Kavanagh was forced to withdraw with an injury. There was definite danger in how Roscrea found the front-foot and kept it with Meagher and centre Sam Hastings to the fore. They just didn’t take the same care with the ball.

Roscrea needed to make something happen and their chances received another blow when flanker Brian Diffley did not come out for the second-half.It quickly got worse when Kelly was blocked down and the ball was transferred into the hands of McKeown who fended off Joe Murphy and resisted Canning’s tackle to make it 19-0 in the 37th minute. It took the vigilance of wing Daniel Keane to stop another raid and the Roscrea defence stood up to claim a penalty for position.

Belvedere were just superb in contact, going after the ball to force a spill from Fineen Wycherley and number eight Tom de Jongh stooped to conquer at the breakdown. The fourth try arrived after Dylan Murphy was whistled for a high tackle.This gave Belvedere another fine attacking position and the ball was moved out to left wing Peter Maher, who had the strength to take two tacklers over in the corner for 24-0 in the 46th minute.The game was gone away from Roscrea. They had to make a stand. And they did.Flanker Canning, a nephew of Galway hurler Joe, tore down the right and was the man in the van of a maul that could not get the traction it was seeking.The holders threw caution to the wind as replacement Evan Browne made an impact and Tynan’s offload to Murphy was knocked forward.

Belvedere’s defence remained steadfast and would not countenance the concession of a try.The willingness of Fineen Wycherley to fight on in the face of adversity was striking.The maul finally moved menacingly, Wycherley once again pounding the fringes for Roscrea to be held up over the line for the second time.Belvo’ had the freedom of expression to move the ball from deep off a scrum for O’Sullivan to make the telling contribution, accelerating away, drawing the last defender for McKeown to wheel around behind the sticks for Jennings’ conversion. Roscrea still had enough about them to construct a convincing attack in which they hammered around the fringes until replacement Jack Culligan squeezed over for Tynan to convert.

- BELVEDERE COLLEGE 31 (J McKeown 2 tries; H O’Sullivan, M Kearney, P Maher try each; C Jennings 3 cons); CISTERCIAN COLLEGE ROSCREA 7 (J Culligan try; A Tynan con).

Roscrea: Conor Kelly; Daniel Keane, Philip O’Shea, Sam Hastings, Joe Murphy; Alan Tynan, Keith Kava-

nagh; Michael Milne, Eoghan Maher, Dylan Murphy, Fineen Wycherely, Aaron Browne, Brian Diffley, Jack Canning, Simon Meagher (capt). Replacements: Finbarr Crowley for Kavanagh 26 mins; Jack Culligan for Diffley ht; Ben Hyland for Hastings 46 mins; Ryan Lomas for Milne, Evan Browne for Kelly both 52 mins; Cathal Walsh for Canning 58 mins; Aaron Murphy for A Browne, Darragh Treacy for Murphy both 60 mins.

Cistercian College Roscrea 24 Clongowes Wood College 18 ROSCREA COLLEGE BOOKED their place in the Leinster senior schools cup final with a dramatic six-point victory over Clongowes Wood College.

Brian Diffley’s try 10 minutes from the end means the defending champions can look to claim their second Leinster senior schools cup title on 13 March.

Clongowes opened the scoring after four minutes, Benjamin O’Shea slotting over a penalty after Roscrea’s Alan Tynan was penalised for not releasing following Clongowes pressure.The Kildare men had the better of the opening period, where defences won out, with Clongowes defensive line holding strong to keep out Roscrea’s first real territory gain.

Within sixty seconds Clongowes had turned defence into attack. An intelligent hidden lay off by David Jeffares, allowing Daniel Sheehan to move into space.

While Roscrea held up the first attacks on their line, full back Michael Silvester found the gap to land the game’s opening try.Benjamin O’Shea converted to give Clongowes a 10-0 lead in the 20th minuteThe try triggered the Roscrea forwards into action and resulted in a prolonged spell of pressure which saw Clongowes holding out for five minutes with last ditch tackles.Tighthead prop Dylan Murphy finally broke the Clongowes resistance, the Offaly men pressing hard in the maul from their lineout and deservedly touching down. CC Roscrea celebrate their opening try of the Benjamin O’Shea added three points to Clongowes

leads two minutes before the break with a calm penalty to leave Clongowes leading 13-5 at the interval.The Kildare side had the better of the possession in the opening stages after the restart, though found the Roscrea defence hard to break down.Cistercian executed an impressive turn over on 45 minutes with Clongowes just a metre short of the line.And the defending champions came right back into the game after a brilliant sprinting surge from hooker Eoghan Maher saw him make 30 metres. Maher kept the move alive finding Daniel Keane on the 22 and within a couple of phases Jack Canning went over for a try, Conor Kelly converted to leave the deficit at one point, 13-12.

Then Clongowes seized the first piece of space behind Roscrea’s rearguard with Alan Tynan’s covering tackle on Michael Silvester saving Roscrea.However Clongowes spread the ball quickly with Fiachra Lynch’s fast feet enabling him to bounce off a tackle to land a strong right handed try and place his team ahead, 18-12. for a try Five minutes later, Roscrea were right back in contention with Michael Milne crashing over after Roscrea had kept the ball in the forwards from their lineout.There was just the minimum between the teams and then the defending champions took the lead for the first time 10 minutes from the end.A clearly rattled Clongowes were placed on the back foot following Alan Tynan’s inch perfect kick into the corner.Roscrea’s pressure in the maul paid off as Brian Diffley landed the try with Kelly’s conversion giving Roscrea a 24 – 18 point lead.There was one final attempt at the try line from Clongowes, but the defending champions held firm to secure a passage to the final for a shot at their second Leinster Senior schools title. Star Man: Alan Tynan (Roscrea) Fly-half Tynan was a very cool customer in the Roscrea midfield, especially as his side trailed for the majority of the game.Tynan’s kicks to touch are a formidable weapon in Roscrea’s armour, while his super tackle on Benajmin O’Shea in the second half, prevented what would have been a key Clongowes try. CC Roscrea’s Alan Tynan is tackled by Thomas Monaghan of Cistercian College scorers:

Tries: Dylan Murphy, Jack Canning, Michael Milne, Brian Diffley.

Conversions: Conor Kelly (2) Belvedere College 31 Roscrea 7 BELVEDERE COLLEGE HAVE clinched their 11th Leinster Schools Senior Cup after beating Cistercian College Roscrea in perfect conditions at the RDS this afternoon.It was Belvedere who took the lead with less than five minutes on the clock, when full-back Hugh O’Sullivan squirmed his way through the Roscrea defence to touch down under the posts.Credit must go to prop Daniel McCaffrey who made some good territory in the build-up.

Conor Jennings converted to give the Dublin school an early 7-0 lead.Roscrea responded well and nearly went over themselves but for some last ditch defending by Belvo. However, poor handling and several knock-ons scuppered a couple of chances for Roscrea to score in the first-half.More good play from Belvedere’s forwards saw them get the second try of the game. This time it was flanker Max Kearney who dived to the base of the posts to provide another early setback for the Offaly men.Another Jennings conversion saw Belvo lead by 14 points, with control of the game in their sights.

The passing from the Great Denmark Street school was sharp and crisp and after a superb breakaway, they nearly got their third try of the game. Peter Maher’s quick thinking by chipping and catching the ball after a lovely offload, sent James McKeown through.However, Maher’s pass was deemed to be forward by the TMO, denying the final a try it deserved.Shortly after, Conor Jennings missed a kickable penalty which kept Roscrea very much in the game at half-time with the score at 14-0.The interval didn’t hamper Belvedere’s momentum though. More free-flowing attacking rugby followed at the start of the second-half with McKeown grounding in the corner.Shrugging off two Roscrea defenders with his pace and power, the winger magnificently grounded

the ball in the corner. The conversion was missed but Belvedere had a comfortable 19-0 lead.Roscrea lacked any sort of penetration and never really looked like getting back in the game.The Dublin school showed a much higher standard of attacking potency and fluidity in their play and they were soon in for a fourth try after another superb finish, this time from Peter Maher. Belvedere’s Jennings missed another conversion but it didn’t matter as Belvo had two hands on the trophy with an insurmountable 24-point lead.It looked as if the game was petering out but there was still enough time for James McKeown to score his second try of the game after an excellent break from O’Sullivan.

There was a late try for Roscrea as Jack Culligan bundled the ball over but it was little consolation for the Offaly men.It is the first time the Dublin school have won the famous trophy since 2008, and in doing so have avenged last year’s final defeat to Roscrea.

Roscrea scorers:Tries: Jack Culligan Conversion: Alan Tynan

Cistercian College Roscrea: 15.Conor Kelly, 14.Daniel Keane, 13.Philip O’Shea, 12.Sam Hastings, 11.Joe Murphy, 10.Alan Tynan, 1. Michael Milne, 2.Eoghan Maher, 3.Dylan Murphy,4. Fineen Wycherley, 5.Aaron Browne, 6. Brian Diffley, 7.Jack Canning, 8.Simon Meagher (Captain).

Replacements: 16.Jack Culligan, 17. Ryan Lomas, 18.Darragh Treacy, 19.Aaron Murphy, 20.Cathal Walsh, 21.Finbarr Crowley, 22.Ben Hyland, 23.

Evan Browne.

Holders Roscrea dominate Gonzaga to book Leinster SCT semi spotThe Offaly side ran four tries in Donnybrook this afternoon. Rory Gaffney tries to bring down Gonzaga’s Harry O’Grady.

Cistercian College Roscrea 27 Gonzaga College 17 HOLDERS CISTERCIAN COLLEGE Roscrea set up a Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi-final with

Clongowes Wood after a dominating 27-17 victory over Gonzaga College.

Roscrea dominated the game throughout, opening the scoring after four minutes in a sizzling early contest through Alan Tynan’s penalty from underneath the posts, Dylan Murphy having been fouled in Roscrea’s first attack.

Gonzaga didn’t sit back and were level on the scoreboard two minutes later, out-half Micheál O’Kennedy slotting a penalty between the posts.

Three minutes later, Gonzaga were in for the game’s first try, crossing the pitch from left to right, Adam Browne delivering a sweet sidestep to land the opening try.O’Kennedy added the conversion, after a lengthy break due to Roscrea out-half Rory Gaffney receiving treatment on the pitch and being unable to continue.The enforced switch of Alan Tynan to out-half for Roscrea paid dividends for the Offaly men, Tynan central to a number of their plays.The scores were level again on 23 minutes, the result of a penalty try converted by Tynan, Roscrea having loitered on the Gonzaga line.Roscrea were in control, a strong last-ditch tackle by Gonzaga’s Thomas Costello preventing a 31st-minute try via Jack Canning after Brian Diffley’s cute lay-off.Roscrea led 15-10 at half-time with a richly deserved try a minute before the break, prop Michael Milne bursting over the line after further pressure.They picked up right from where they left off after the restart, Gonzaga failing to make any gains into the opposition territory.Second-half substitute Jack Culligan grabbed Roscrea’s first try of the second period three minutes after making his introduction, lunging his long frame over the Gonzaga line.Conor Kelly added the conversion to give the Offaly college a 12-point lead, having switched their kicker after Tynan had missed a first-half penalty and conversion.The Ross continued to dominate in every area of the pitch, Gonzaga failing to contest the lineout in any purposeful manner.Roscrea finally added to their tally on 62 minutes, Joe Murphy going into the corner after Gonzaga were stretched, Tynan providing the lay-off for Murphy’s try.This came just after Murphy and captain Simon Meagher were both held up on the line in two separate plays as Roscrea searched for that third try.Gonzaga scrum-half Rob Kelly sprinted from halfway for a breakaway try with four minutes left, but it couldn’t paper over the dominance of Roscrea’s display.Scorers for Roscrea: Tries: Milne, Penalty Try, Culligan, Murphy; Conversions: Tynan, Kelly; Penalty: Tynan.Scorers

for Gonzaga: Tries: Browne, Kelly; Conversions: O’Kennedy, James; Penalty: O’Kennedy CC Roscrea: Alan Tynan , Daniel Keane, Philip O’Shea (Ben Hyland 43), Sam Hastings, Joe Murphy, Rory Gaffney (Conor Kelly 14), Keith Kavanagh (Darragh Treacy 67), Michael Mine (Finbarr Crowley 67), Eoghan Maher (Cathal Walsh 67), Dylan Murphy, Fineen Wycherley, Aaron Murphy, Brian Diffley, Jack Canning (Jack Culligan 43), Simon Meagher Replacements not used: Ryan Lomas, Aaron Brown.

Referee: Gary Glennon Three-try Roscrea get their Leinster Schools defence off to a winning start Holders were comfortable 22-6 winners against Kilkenny College.

Roscrea won their first Leinster SCT in 2015 (file photo).

Cistercian College Roscrea 22-6 Kilkenny College DEFENDING CHAMPIONS CISTERCIAN College Roscrea breezed into the quarter-finals of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup.Tries from Michael Milne, Dylan Murphy and Finian Wycherely helped the holders to a comfortable 22-6 win against Kilkenny College in Portarlington.They will go into the hat for Friday’s draw where they will be joined by last year’s beaten finalists Belvedere College, who were easy winners against Newbridge in their own opener today.It was Kilkenny who took an early 6-3 lead before Milne’s try, converted by Alan Tynan, sent Roscrea in at break 10-6 up.A solid set piece at the scrum set up Murphy to score Roscrea’s second try and give them some breathing space, and they killed off any hopes of a Kilkenny revival at the death when Wycherely touched down.

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Cistercian College Roscrea Conor Kelly, Daniel Keane, Philip O’Shea , Ben Hyland, Sam Hastings, Joe Murphy, Alan Tynan, Keith Kavanagh, Michael Milne, Eoghan Maher, Dylan Murphy, Fineen Wycherley, Aaron Murphy, Aaron Browne, Brian Diffley, Jack Canning, Jack Culligan, Simon Meagher, Ryan Lomas, Darragh Treacy, Cathal Walsh, Finbarr Crowley, Evan Browne. gpfoto my photos, your story gpfoto@ymail.com +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved