It's a pity more weren't present to witness a hugely entertaining afternoon's rugby. Carlow mustered a healthy travelling support for their journey to Dublin, offering great vocal encouragement to a team that deserved the acclamation. Spectators were treated to a lively, open game from which both sides emerged with credit.
Carlow's lofty position in the AIB League Division One table is no fluke and on yesterday's evidence they may last the course better than some might have anticipated. They were unfortunate to be dispatched from Stradbrook without at least a point to console them on the journey home: with just two minutes remaining they led their hosts 25-24, having produced a wonderful 10 minutes of rugby.
The high point was right-wing Mark Buckley's try, an amalgam of some superb driving from the pack, a brilliant break from outhalf Billy Murphy and Buckley's quicksilver glide to the line. Murphy's touchline conversion into the wind was beautifully judged and suddenly Carlow were tantalised by the winning post.
Blackrock though demonstrated character and resilience and, to be fair, capitalised on several Carlow errors as the closing minutes unfolded. There seemed little danger when Conor Kilroy dropped deep from a ruck. His drop-goal attempt was fully 45 metres and even wind assisted seemed a mite ambitious. However, he struck the ball beautifully and it sailed between the uprights with plenty to spare.
Blackrock had nudged ahead 27-25 and as Carlow tried to force the issue, the inevitable turnover allowed Declan O'Brien to send second-row John Fitzgerald plunging over in the corner. It was the home side's fourth try of the match and they therefore earned a bonus point. It would have been particularly galling for Carlow to watch Kilroy's touchline conversion bisect the posts. It meant the visitors lost out on a bonus point of their own.
Blackrock's left wing enjoyed a flawless afternoon with the boot in a fine performance. Scrumhalf Ben Willis was lively, reading the game well while centre Gary Browne was the game's most potent performer. Up front a pack missing a couple of regular foot soldiers battled gamely and the sum of their parts overshadowed stand-out contributions from individuals.
It was Blackrock's superior cutting edge behind the scrum that ultimately proved decisive. Carlow in contrast decided to employ captain, Andy Melville - ostensibly a number eight - in the centre. He was well marshalled for most of the match by David Quinlan. Murphy had a fine game at outhalf as did his half-back partner Richard Jones. Up front former 'Rock boy Pat Holden had a fine game.
The Carlow pack excelled technically, especially in the lineout and their simple pick-and-drive philosophy and ability to make serious yardage with a controlled maul was impressive. Carlow led 18-17 at the interval through tries from Ian Dwyer and Larry Hannon. Centre Matt Waterhouse kicked two penalties, Murphy the conversion to Hannon's try.
Blackrock's response was a fine individual try by Browne, another from Quinlan while Kilroy kicked both conversions and a penalty. The home side was first to strike after the interval when Willis wriggled over under the posts - Kilroy converted - before Buckley's effort on 57 minutes. Both teams enjoyed passages of ascendancy before Kilroy and Fitzgerald's late double act ensured it wouldn't be a bad day at Blackrock.
Scoring sequence: 10 mins: Browne try, Kilroy conversion, 7-0; 12 mins: Waterhouse penalty, 7-3; 17 mins: Waterhouse penalty, 7-6; 20 mins: Dwyer try, 7-11; 26 mins: Quinlan try, Kilroy conversion, 14-11; 36 mins: Kilroy penalty, 17-11; 42 mins: L Hannon try, Murphy conversion, 17-18. Half-time: 17-18 . 53 mins: Willis try, Kilroy conversion, 24-18; 68 mins: Buckley try, Murphy conversion, 24-25; 78 mins: Kilroy drop goal 27-25; 82 mins: Fitzgerald try, Kilroy conversion, 34-25.
BLACKROCK COLLEGE: M Price; A O'Neill, G Browne, D Quinlan, C Kilroy; J Corry, B Willis; A McSweeney, G McEvoy, S Tanner; T Hogan, J Fitzgerald; D O'Brien, G McCarthy, R Woods. Replacements: J Ferris for O'Neill 54 mins; D McGettigan for McCarthy 57 mins ; R Rogers for Woods 69 mins.
CARLOW: M Spiller; M Buckley, M Waterhouse, A Melville, I Dwyer; B Murphy, R Jones; P Brennan, C Gee, L Hannon; P Holden, W Whitten; D Cox, A Melville (capt), D Hyland. Replacements: L O'Byrne for Hyland 24 mins; J Hannon for Gee 51 mins; R Burns for Waterhouse 62 mins; K Corrigan for L Hannon 75 mins.
Yellow cards: D O'Brien (Blackrock) 18-28 mins; M Waterhouse (Carlow) 35-45 mins; T Hogan (Blackrock) 41-51 mins.
Referee: L Mayne (Munster).
