Belvedere shaded a cracking contest at Donnybrook yesterday to earn themselves a place in the final of the Leinster Schools Junior Cup. Twice winners in the 1990s, they were pressed all the way by a gallant Clongowes side who despite trailing throughout stuck to their game plan with some attractive back play.
But the Belvedere pack, with second row Harry Lacey outstanding, closed them down repeatedly and won some vital turnovers particularly in the line-outs where Clongowes struggled. And it was to cost them when they failed to take advantage of two throw-ins inside the Belvedere 22.
The victors had been forced to start without scrumhalf Brian O'Neill, but his replacement Brian Moran was to prove very influential when finding some crucial touches under pressure. Nothing went right for Clongowes early on and they fell behind for the first time on eight minutes when outhalf Robert Hedigan and centre Marcus McAllister combined to send left wing David Keane over.
Hedigan converted but Clongowes responded positively and got their just rewards on the quarter hour when wing forward Darren O'Reilly - from a quick tap penalty in the Belvedere 22 - made a diagonal run over the line. Belvedere registered their next score on 27 minutes when full back Kevin Barden kicked ahead before off-loading to Keane to cross.
But spurred on by O'Reilly and Simon Moriarity up front, Clongowes again had their opponents under pressure and struck a crucial blow before half-time when left wing Richard Connolly made the touchdown to leave it 12-10 to Belvedere at the break.
Clongowes had the chance to take a precious lead 10 minutes after the restart but full back Robert Kearney was just marginally wide with his kick.
Belvedere introduced prop Howard Mahon two minutes later and not long after they managed to get out of their own half. And with eight minutes to go they put some distance between themselves and their opponents when number eight, Brian Kennedy made the line after an initial burst by Moran.
BELVEDERE COLLEGE: K Barden; M McCarthy, M Mc Allister, C Hayes, D Keane; R Hedigan, B Moran; G Brennan, R Carson, E Weigel, H Lacey, M Walsh, R Fitzgerald, R Mc Donald, B Kennedy. Replacement: H Mahon for Weigel 42 mins
CLONGOWES WOOD COLLEGE: R Kearney; L Ronan, M Cronin, J O'Toole, R Connolly; D O'Connor, M Soraghan; B Collins, A Tobin, P O'Leary, B Coyle, S Moriarty, D Fagan, D O' Reilly, P O' Meara.
Referee: M Gillick (A.R.L.B)
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