Fears of a lop-sided semi-final between two schools of starkly contrasting traditions in the Leinster Senior Cup appeared to be reinforced by Clongowes' brilliant opening half-hour at Lansdowne Road yesterday. Ultimately though, it turned into something of a thriller which reflected just as creditably on a Kilkenny side that have broken new ground this season.
Although their tries were founded on their lineout drives, all three were the reward for some daring rugby and a willingness to gamble on the possibility of tries than the probability of three-pointers from kickable positions.
This, too, was typical of the game as the reluctance to put boot to ball had to be admired. Hence, all the potent and elusive runners had a field day on the wider open spaces of headquarters, none more so than the pacey, swerving Clongowes full back Philip Treacy. Much of the time Treacy was benefiting from the spadework of inside centre David Clavin, who himself made some imposing surges and to the most telling effect of anybody, given he scored two tries.
Russell Armstrong led Kilkenny from the front with a magnificent match, and there won't be many better duels this season than his with Clavin. Winger Rory Deverell augmented some runs of his own with some big defensive plays and full back Geoffrey Deane also made a couple of searing intrusions.
No less than his nimble counterpart Matt Britton, the Kilkenny outhalf Greg Jacob was again forever keen to explore the options in front of him or move the ball on to Armstrong.
Another factor was the effectiveness of the loose forwards in procuring quick loose ball, with the Kilkenny openside Niall Ryan being particularly adept at getting to the shoulder of the team-mate tackled in possession. Number eight Adrian Copeland and blindside Kevin Stanley really grew into the match as well, and probably contributed more than anyone to Kilkenny's impressive comeback from a 19-5 deficit.
On top of their creative work, the Clongowes' back row had an effective destructive streak, too, and from Kilkenny scrums especially, openside Mark Rooney was a particularly disruptive presence, while Aidan Proctor had another influential game.
Of course, the Clongowes rucking bore all the hallmarks of the purple and white style, driving low and in unison to ensure a steady stream of loose ball, just as Vinny Murray would have had it. Noel Murray and Rob Taylor have taken up the mantle impressively and the stitched black diamonds on their left sleeves are both a tribute to the sadly missed Murray, and a symbol of their intent.
Kilkenny, though, struck first, Jacob finding an excellent touch after Clongowes' backs pushed up offside for the pack to drive Philip Ryan over for the first of his two tries. That said, it seemed to have the effect of going up to the schoolyard bully, tapping him on the ankles and making a run for it.
Rooney's intercept, albeit an unspotted knock-on, of a Kilkenny back-row move started the momentum and from lineout ball Clavin drifted across field before Treacy steamed onto his short pass with a lovely line, accelerating outside the covering defence and offloading in the tackle for the supporting John Smyth to score.
Treacy was soon making inroads again and then the full back ran back a defensive kick with gusto. A couple of quick rucks stretched the defence and the ball was shifted along the line for Clavin to quicken through a gap and - crucially as it turned out - round the posts from wide out, Stephen McGee adding the points.
Armstrong briefly threatened a surprise riposte with a clever and daring tap-and-go but was hauled down inches short, before Treacy and Clavin were unleashed on them again. Another intercept by Rooney put Kilkenny on the back foot for Clavin to take Britton's long flat pass and flash through again under the posts, McGee converting.
But Kilkenny are nothing if not durable, and their strong scrumhalf Richard Jones brought them to life with a muscular break, added to by prominent loosehead Gary Roe. Opting for a close-in lineout on half-time, the big drive off Philip Ryan was held up but Armstrong and Colin Peavoy took popped balls from Jones in turn for the latter to score.
Armstrong's conversion ensured there was only a score in it throughout a fluctuating second half which gradually and absorbingly came to life. Less than 10 minutes from time Kilkenny again opted for a close-in lineout, Ryan exhorting his troops as they drove him over once more.
Armstrong was unlucky to see the difficult conversion blown off course, and he was later helped off with his arm in a sling. After a near four-minute injury stoppage, Proctor stole a vital turnover ball and Smyth daringly counter-attacked from inside his own 22 as Clongowes ultimately saw out time in Kilkenny territory.
Scoring sequence: 5 mins: P Ryan try, 0-5; 11 mins: Smyth try, 5-5; 16 mins: Clavin try, McGee con, 12-5; 30 mins: Clavin try, McGee con, 19-5; 35 mins: Peavoy try, Armstrong con, 19-12; 62 mins: P Ryan try, 19-17.
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: P Treacy; S McGee, R Jenkinson, D Clavin, J Smyth; M Britton, C Matthews; D McKeown, M Kelly, J Moran, M Egan, D Lynch, R O'Toole, A Proctor, M Rooney. Replacements: D Hickey for Egan (60 mins), D Fagan for O'Toole (65 mins), S Dunne for Moran (65 mins).
KILKENNY COLLEGE: G Deane; R Deverell, C Peavoy, R Armstrong (capt), K Masterson; G Jacob, R Jones; G Roe, D James, B Thompson, J Kidd, P Ryan, K Stanley, A Copeland, N Ryan. Replacements: G Greene for Jones (half-time), H Deacon for N Ryan (47 mins), S Holland for Masterson (50 mins), G Hemmingway for Thompson (55 mins), J Harvey for Armstrong (65 mins).
Referee: D Courtney (Leinster).
