St Mary’s College reached the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup semi finals on Thursday, despite a gallant effort by Newbridge College, winning 12-0.
By Ned Quigley, Irish Schools Rugby Correspondent
St Mary’s, who will face Terenure College in the semi finals, put in an immense effort in defence as they managed to keep Newbridge scoreless, in a brutishly physical game at a rain soaked Energia Park.
It was clear from the beginning that Newbridge had no intention of playing in their own half, given the weather, repeatedly exiting with box kicks.
St Mary’s targeted the wings of Newbridge early on with good hands from Josh Kelly, putting Nicholas Sheehan away down the wing. Sheehan chipped the ball over the top but Newbridge centre Brian McCarthy managed to track back and clear their lines. St Mary’s secured the uncontested lineout and attempted to drive before quick hands from the backs looked like a good chance for a try but the ball was knocked on into touch and Newbridge cleared their lines.
An unfortunate injury to Newbridge centre Tom Martin resulted in an early substitution bringing on Conor Ó Mongáin, and he was quickly on defensive duty after a lovely snipe by Jack Fogarty gave St Mary’s the attacking opportunity they needed. Fogarty threw a lovely offload to Kenny who trucked it up the middle leaving St Mary’s on the 5-metre line. Fogarty looked to move the ball quickly but Newbridge winger Achille Crosato read the play perfectly and intercepted.
However a penalty for a no arms tackle gave St Mary’s the opportunity they needed to mount an attack, but a knock in in the line out gave Newbridge relief once again.
Newbridge were relying on scrumhalf Max Rainbow’s kicking game to relieve pressue, and he continued to test the St Mary’s backfield with a series of kicks, but they managed to deal with them despite the conditions.
St Marys made another break down the edge with wing Christopher Maguire who attempted another chip, but Newbridge fullback Johnny Martin just about edged the footrace. However the St Mary’s forwards continuously battered away at the Newbridge defence, sucking them in before centre Conor Cantwell found some space. A brilliant draw and give put Sheehan over for the first try of the game after 18 minutes, Neary adding the extras for a 7-0 lead.
The wet conditions made the ball feel more like a bar of soap as there was more than a few knock ons but St Mary’s benefited more with their short passes. A scrum in their own 22 gave them a chance to exit, Mary’s attempted to run it but they were bombarded by the Newbridge forwards who earned a jackal penalty for their efforts.
Newbridge went to the corner and won the lineout, but it was stolen in the maul by flanker Eoghan Brady, who made a break down the touchline. Mary’s looked for quick ball to but a knock on halted their promising attack, a real example of the challenging conditions.
A Crossfield kick from Newbridge out half Michael Kenny was gathered by Achille Crosato who managed to dance through two Mary’s players before being taken down but a well timesd counter ruck from St Mary’s earned them the ball back.
A high kick from Johnny Martin caused chos, giving Newbridge a perfect platform to launch an attack, however St Mary’s refused to give up an inch, a monstrous defensive effort with huge hits coming in from Paul Neary, Conor Cantwell and David Kenny, forcing Newbridge to eventually knocked the ball on.
Another handling error gave St Mary’s a scrum in the 22 they tried to force their way over the try line but Newbridge’s defence prevailed, managing to secure the ball, but it was pulled back for the advantage. The penalty just skewed wide though, leaving things at 7-0 at half time.
The second half began with a bit of kick tennis as the heavens opened yet further over Donnybrook. Newbridge were struggling to mount an attack despite out half Michael Kenny’s best efforts, the wet ball continuing to hinder progress. A good kick to touch from Johnny Martin off a mark pinned St Mary’s back but the St Mary’s maul was working well and they drove Newbridge back before a big carry from Cantwell led to a penalty.
St Marys continued to test the Newbridge defence with big carries from captain Andrew McGauran and Thomas Quigley, but the Newbridge defence stood strong. A brilliant snipe from Jack Fogarty then put St Mary’s in a brilliant position but Newbridge forced a knock on, refusing to give into the Mary’s onslaught.
However St Mary’s line speed was relentless, and it forced another knock on. This time St Mary’s made no mistake of utilising the advantage to move the ball out to Sheehan who turned on the afterburners to score their second try of the game. The conversion went narrowly wide, leading St Mary’s 12-0 up with 8 minutes to play.
Newbridge still refused to give up as they made their way towards the try line but an outstanding poach by hooker Joe Chrystal put an end to Newbridge’s hopes. They tried to go again but the Mary’s pack refused to give up an inch, as they booked a place in the semi final against their most fierce rivals Terenure!
Full Time: St Mary’s College 12-0 Newbridge College
St Mary’s College: Josh Kelly; Christopher Maguire, Conor Cantwell, Daniel Tourish, Nicolas Sheehan; Paul Neary, Jack Fogarty; Thomas Quigley, Joseph Christle, David Kenny, Eoin Farrell, James Whitty, Eoghan Brady, Andrew McGauran, Sean Thornton.
Replacements: Max Egan for Whitty, Robert Flaherty for Thornton, Rory Noonan for Brady, William Kelly for Kelly.
Newbridge College: Johnny Martin; Achille Crosato, Brian McCarthy, Tom Martin, Luke Kelly; Michael Kenny, Max Rainbow; Ruairi Harrington, Brion Donagh, Jamie Bohan, Daniel Collins, Jack Garvey, Cillian O’Donovan, Jonathan Fardy, Saul Brewster.
Replacements: Conor O’Mongain for T Martin, Harry Mahon for Rainbow, Ryan Conroy for Collins, Donal Larkin for Crosato, A Crosato for McCarthy, Paddy White for Harrington, Eoghan Hearne for Donagh, Culainn Dunleavy for Bohan.
Referee: J MacNeice.
