Sport

St Michael's step closer to elusive goal

LEINSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL: St Michael’s 16 Clongowes Wood 3: LOSING FINALISTS in all of the last five years, St…

Wed Mar 14 2012 - 00:00

LEINSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL: St Michael's 16 Clongowes Wood 3:LOSING FINALISTS in all of the last five years, St Michael's will go into the Leinster Junior Cup final as hot favourites following this impressive semi-final victory over Clongowes Wood at Donnybrook yesterday.

They had to recover from a slow start though. Clongowes outhalf Jonathan Glynn nailed a shot from a penalty awarded for hands in the ruck in the 10th minute.

This lead was wiped out when St Michael’s went through their phase play to draw a penalty which flanker Barry Fitzpatrick kicked from left of the uprights.

St Michael’s captain James Ryan started to go forward and centre Max Deegan astutely followed in his slipstream. Hooker Gavin Barrett’s offloading was also a factor in prop Rory Mulvihill plunging over for an 8-3 lead in the 27th minute.

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Just before the break, St Michael’s right wing Jack Kelly was sent off for a mistimed hit on Clongowes fullback Conor Murray, appearing to lift and turn the player in the tackle.

The boys in blue were five points up, but one man down.

Centre Oisín O’Meara’s strength in the poach position forced a penalty, converted by Fitzpatrick with a little help from the crossbar.

Prop Ronan Kelleher was the architect of the knockout punch, holding the ball long enough to confuse the Clongowes Wood defence until openside Gavin Croke came in on the angle, powering to the line for a 16-3 lead at the three-quarter point.

SCORERS:St Michael's: G Croke, R Mulvihill try each; B Fitzpatrick 2 pens. Clongowes Wood: J Glynn pen.

ST MICHAEL'S:M O'Shea; J Kelly, O O'Meara, M Deegan, A Brennan; R Cosgrave, D Duggan; R Mulvihill, G Barrett, R Kelleher, E O'Nuallain, J Browne, B Fitzpatrick, G Croke, J Ryan (capt).

CLONGOWES WOOD:C Murray; D Mongey, L Behan, J Lappin, M McDermott; J Glynn, R Osborne; D O'Leary, J Moloney (capt), C Carroll, T Bourke, D O'Mahony, W Grealy, H McDermott, W Connors. Replacements: J Sullivan for M McDermott (61 mins); S O'Carroll for Bourke (69).

Referee: E Kenny (Leinster Branch).

Next Up . . .

In the second semi-final, Newbridge College will take on Terenure College in Donnybrook tomorrow (kick-off – 3pm). The final, also scheduled for Donnybrook, is fixed for Sunday, March 25th.