Gonzaga College 20 Newbridge College 15
A 65th-minute try by James O’Dwyer, crucially converted by Daragh O’Dwyer, moved Gonzaga into the Leinster Schools Senior Cup quarter-finals at Energia Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Gonzaga were quick to make the right moves initially, slipping between kicking and running to release Zach Mulligan up the left. The scramble defence from Newbridge was inaccurate, offering Daragh O’Dwyer a penalty to put ‘Zaga in front in the 10th minute.
Michael Kenny was central to Newbridge’s first opportunity from a potent maul. The backs flew on to passes from depth and Kenny almost made his second touch a decisive one. A five-metre tap penalty was preferred to the lineout, but it came back to haunt them when Gonzaga stood firm.
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It was a different story at the other end where James O’Dwyer orchestrated an attack in which Jamie Shiel and Mulligan ate up ground. It resulted in the binning of Daniel Cox and a five-metre penalty that was recycled before Patrick Masterson finished with his ease for Daragh O’Dwyer to make it a 10-point game in the 22nd minute.
Newbridge needed to make a statement. And soon.
It came when Ben O’Connor blew through the fringe of a ruck and the forwards took over for Lee Fitzpatrick to claim a try, converted by O’Connor to leave the score at 10-7 to Gonzaga at the interval.
Newbridge carried that momentum into the second half and their forwards drove well enough in the 40th minute for hooker Fitzpatrick to convince referee Sam Holt that downward pressure had been applied to give his side a 12-10 lead.
Charlie Kennedy then poached a penalty for Gonzaga on the floor for Daragh O’Dywer to recover the lead in the 46th minute.
The pendulum swung back in Newbridge’s favour when fullback Billy Cross put up a high ball for his chasers. Hooker John Brophy was binned for obstruction and O’Connor landed the penalty for a 15-13 lead in the 49th minute.
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The ball in play time was on the rise as passers and runners hunted for space, Daragh O’Dwyer’s optimistic drop goal attempt falling short.
And it all came down to hand-to-hand combat in the left corner, scrumhalf James O’Dwyer crashing over and outhalf Daragh O’Dwyer landing a touchline conversion.
It meant Newbridge had to score a try, but they couldn’t create one.
GONZAGA: P Coleman; E O’Donovan, P Masterson, B Colbert, Z Mulligan; D O’Dwyer (capt), J O’Dwyer; J Sheil, J Brophy, M O’Herlihy, M Wall, R Crowe, J Mulligan, B Salto-Galdon, C Kennedy.
NEWBRIDGE: B Cross; P Waters, A Craig, J Flanagan, L Kelly; M Kenny, B O’Connor; C O’Loughlin, L Fitzpatrick, O Brannigan, C Hanly, D Cox (capt), B Donagh, J Fardy, M Murphy.
Replacements: T Martin for Craig (43 mins); R Harrington for O’Loughlin (52); S O’Loughlin for Brannigan (65).
Referee: S Holt (Leinster).
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