The explosive potential of the tie was never quite realised as yesterday's Leinster Schools' Senior Cup match better resembled a damp firecracker, occasionally fizzling without igniting. The weight of expectation was partially responsible, these schools having contested the last two finals.
The intense pressure must have been another factor, manifest in the number of handling errors and turnovers from both sides. Yet it was a compelling contest, full of honest endeavour and cameos of sparkling rugby.
Quite why the climax arrived a full 10 minutes after the scheduled 70, is known only to referee Alan Lewis: Terenure and any neutrals present were grateful for the extension. The anguish on the faces of the Terenure players was understandable. For long periods of this match they dominated territorially and in terms of possession but could not breach their opponents' defence.
That may be attributed to excellent defence on most occasions but there were also a couple of chances that went abegging. Gareth English struck a post with a first half penalty and centre Mark Carroll failed to notice Feidhlim Higgins outside him for what would have been a certain try. Instead, the talented Terenure centre was stopped inches from the line by the combined tackle of Philip Tracey and Justin Meagher.
Clongowes would point to one glorious opportunity, in itself the best moment of the match, when captain and prop Henry Bourke was put away on his own 10 metre line. Stepping outside one and inside two he raced 55 metres before been grounded centimetres from the line by a marvellous cover tackle from Terenure fullback Graham Crawford.
Not a prop's traditional party piece, but Bourke is a maverick, having played in the centre during last year's cup triumph and then leading Ireland against Australia in the Schools' international from hooker. His effort would not go unrewarded. From a five-metre scrum, David Lennon drove, quick ruck ball ensued and centre John Smyth forced his way over on the short side.
That provided Clongowes with an 11-0 lead on 60 minutes and the match appeared decided. To their credit Terenure produced arguably their finest passage of rugby, encamping in the Clongowes 22 and recycling ball through six and seven rucks. In this respect none worked harder or to greater effect than prop Tony Byrne, second rows Richard Gernon and Anthony Kelly, flanker Paddy Smyth or hooker Brian Blaney.
Gernon's try on 69 minutes after Terenure had won seven rucks in succession was a deserved reward. English missed the conversion but that appeared to matter little at the time. Clongowes supporters aged visibly over the next 11 minutes but valiant defence ensured victory. Despite being outplayed for the opening 20 minutes the Kildare school led 6-0 at the interval through a penalty from Richard O'ConnorNash and a neat drop goal from Justin Meagher in injury time.
A difficult hurdle cleared, but for Clongowes the respite will be short-lived as the winner of Blackrock College and St Michael's College awaits them in two matches time. For Terenure there was only the harsh realisation that character and application sometimes just aren't enough.
Scoring sequence: 13 mins: O'Connor-Nash penalty, 30; 36: Meagher drop goal, 6-0; 60: J Smyth try, 11-0; 69: Gernon try, 11-5.
Clongowes Wood: P Tracey; M Brides, D Clavin, J Smyth, J Meagher; R O'Connor-Nash, O Brady; C Hussey, M Kelly, H Bourke (capt); D Hickey, J Collins; A Proctor, D Lennon, W Wallace. Replacements: D Redmond for Hickey (67 mins); M Keane for Smyth (74 mins).
Terenure: G Crawford; F Higgins, M Carroll, D Dunlop, S King; G English, R Sparks; T Byrne, B Blaney, L Keating; R Gernon, A Kelly; P Smyth, M Coffey, T Carter (capt). Replacement: J Keogh for Keating (45 mins).
Referee: A Lewis (Leinster).
