Leinster Schools Rugby Final
Blackrock 23-20 St Michaels FT
Blackrock College scored a late try to beat St Michaels in the 2013 Leinster Senior Cup Rugby Final.
Gary Ringrose was the star performer for Blackrock College after scoring his side first Try then kicking three penalties and two conversions. But Jack Power will go down as the hero because of his Try with five minutes to play to give ‘Rock a one lead.
Ross Byrne was brilliant for St Michael’s but they just fell short of retaining there title after looking in control for most of the second half.
Blackrock College have now won 67 Senior Cup titles.
Carlsberg don’t do SCT campaigns but if they did….. #67 #cantknocktherock
— BlackrockCollege RFC (@BCRFC) March 18, 2013
More to follow
Live Commentary
5:40pm (Rugby) Stunning victory for Blackrock, great kicking performance by Gary Ringrose. Blackrock 23-20 St Michaels.
5:37pm (Rugby) Penalty for Blackrock, Ringrose just misses.
5:35pm (Rugby) Stunning conversion by Gary Ringrose, its now Blackrock by 3pts.
5:33pm (Rugby) TRY for Blackrock by Jack Power and they now lead by 1pt
5:31pm (Rugby) Blackrock are deep inside the St Michaels 22.
5:27pm (Rugby) Just over ten minutes to play and St Michaels lead Blackrock by 4pts.
5:15pm (Rugby) Ross Byrne extends the St Michaels lead to 4pts
5:12pm (Rugby) Its all St Micheals at the moment, they are now on the attack.
5:08pm (Rugby) Blackrock on the attack inside the St Michaels half.
5:06pm (Rugby) Ross Byrne kicks another penalty, he looks like a star in the making. Blackrock 16-17 St Michaels.
5:05pm (Rugby) Penalty for St Michaels.
5:02pm (Rugby) St Michaels on the attack inside the Blackrock 22.
4:56pm (Rugby) Second half is underway.
4:39pm (Rugby) Blackrock lead St Michaels by 2pts half time.
4:33pm (Rugby) Kelleher TRY and Byrne conversion for St Michaels.
4:29pm (Rugby) Ross Byrne misses a penalty for St Michaels.
4:27pm (Rugby) St Michael’s narrowly miss out on a TRY.
4:24pm (Rugby) Drop Goal by Quirke, Blackrock lead 16-7
4:20pm (Rugby) TRY for Blackrock and Ringrose gets the conversion.
4:16pm (Rugby) Gary Ringrose with a penalty for Blackrock
4:08pm (Rugby) Try for St Michael’s by Ross Maloney, the conversion is kicked by Ross Byrne. Blackrock 3-7 St Michaels
Preview
The Powerade Leinster Senior Schools Cup final will see sister schools Blackrock College face St. Michael’s College for only the second time ever on Bank Holiday Monday, 18th March in the RDS. Kickoff 4pm
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Form
Blackrock are rated as 8/15 favourites by the bookies although this is unlikely to faze their rivals who undoubtedly will have no problems going into the showpiece of schools rugby as underdogs.
Both teams have had negotiate serious challenges en route to the final with Blackrocks semi-final heroics against Roscrea warranting considerable mention.
Roscrea, having previously beating pre-tournament favourites Terenure, will undoubtedly still harbour regrets having led Blackrock for the majority of the semi-final.
In the other semi-final St. Michael’s dispatched a strong Newbridge side 21-17, scoring arguably the try of the tournament after seven minutes when winger Mikey O’Hare touched down in the right corner following some skilful offloads from forwards and backs alike.
The ability to keep the ball alive and vary the point of attack should certainly pose problems for Blackrock.
St. Michael’s could be out to capitalise on a third final appearance in four years, a remarkable level of consistency for a school that wouldn’t have always been rated at the very top of the rugby power rankings. While Blackrock have always been a dominant force.
Players to Watch:
St Michaels: Ross Molony who captains the side along with prop Denis Coulson, halves Nick McCarthy and Ross Byrne, centre Adam Leavy, full-backs Cian Kelleher & Mark O’Keefe were all part of last years Cup final squad.
Blackrock: Scrum-half Charlie Rock along with goal kicker Gary Ringrose are the two players they will be depending on
Verdict:
St. Michael’s look to have strength and depth to overcome their close rivals and win their second senior cup in a row.
