LEINSTER SCHOOLS' JUNIOR CUP: Gonzaga College: S Hanratty; D Ruane, T Toomey, P Arnold, J Comiskey; M Boland, S Mitton; B Hannon, K Eustace, R Upton, S Hodgins, J Gethings, T O'Dea, JO'Donnell, A Brennan. Replacements: W Hennessy for for Mitton 40 minutes, J Montgomery for Comiskey 40 mins, D Rice for O Connell 40 mins, S Murphy for Arnold 45 mins, J Halpenny for Hannon 53 mins, R Maguire for O'Dea 53 mins, D Carter for Upton 53 mins
A one-sided affair at Donnybrook yesterday saw Gonzaga through to the last four after chalking up five tries. The game was effectively over after 36 minutes as back-to-back tries saw Gonzaga 31 points up without reply.
The High School had put in some good hits throughout with their number eight Cillian Suiter having a good game. But with the Gonzaga backs looking sharp "off the shoulder", this was going to be hard going for The High School.
That two tries came from turnovers may rankle with The High School but in reality there was little they could do to stem the tide. With full back Shane Hanratty influential, Gonzaga were soon in their stride and were handed a penalty on two minutes.
Outhalf Micheal Boland was unable to convert but his side did not have to wait long for their opening score when Boland initiated a move from left to right which ended with centre Thomas Toomey crossing in the corner.
The High School were on the rack once more on 13 minutes with Boland again the creator. He spread the ball out to John Comiskey and Hanratty showed exceptional hands to take the ball over the line. The High School then attempted to move the ball themselves from just inside their own half but with Graham Kinlan missing his intended target, Toomey intercepted to race clear for a try under the posts. Boland's conversion left it 17-0 at half-time.
It was to get worse for The High School when a defensive clearance from behind the try line was charged down by Simon Mitton on 34 minutes. Again Boland found the range as he did with their next score two minutes later when wing forward Tomás O'Dea scored.
The High School did manage a consolation score in the dying seconds when replacement Brendan Phelan went over for the score.
Scoring Sequence: 7 mins: Toomey try 5-0, 13 mins: Hanratty try 10-0, 18 mins: Toomey try, Boland con 17-0, half-time; 34 mins: Mitton try, Boland con 24-0; 36 mins: O'Dea try, Boland con 31-0; 60 mins: Phelan try 31-5.
THE HIGH SCHOOL: B Duffy; P O'Shea, N McDarby, A Lui, D Flower; G Kinlan, J Somerville; E Long, R Traynor, S Lane, P Earls, C Condren, K Cabina, J Anglim, C Suiter. Replacements: R Forsythe for Condren 35 mins, B Phelan for Lane 45 mins, M Judge for O'Shea 57 mins, S Marconie for Cabina 57 mins, A Loane for Anglim 57 mins.
Referee: K Dexter (ARLB).
Gonzaga College ... 31
The High School ... 5
