Blackrock's persistence pays off

Schools Leinster Junior CupBlackrock 17 St Michael's College 14 There was a wave of elation, mixed with despair, at Donnybrook yesterday as Blackrock College waited until the seventh minute of injury-time to take the lead in an absorbing Leinster Schools' Junior Cup quarter-final.

As the clock at the Old Wesley end ticked to a conclusion the St Michael's support began to celebrate what would have been a famous victory but scrumhalf Conor Crowley ruined the party when he burrowed over for a try.

The build-up to the match-winning score was enthralling. With five minutes remaining the score was 14-7 to St Michael's. After a succession of attacks, Blackrock outhalf Ian Madigan decided to kick for goal. With the line in sight, it seemed like the wrong decision. In fact, it showed Blackrock had no interest in a draw. Madigan kicked the penalty to make it a four-point game.

St Michael's attempted to strangle the life out of them thereafter but referee John Carvil continually penalised them for killing the ball at the breakdown. The succession of penalties brought Blackrock back into the scoring zone. After three separate rumbles from prop Kyle Cahill and an attacking scrum, Crowley got over. Madigan added the extras.

Up until the hectic finish, St Michael's appeared to have their sister school's number. Ian Leonard barged over for their first try in the 10th minute, which Conal McMahon converted. At this stage they weren't being punished for competing at the oppositions rucks.

A minute before the break they grabbed a second try when winger Patrick Brophy showed his capabilities. Rory Pratt moved the ball blindside from a scrum inside their own half and after beating the first tackle Brophy's pace saw him glide 60 yards to the left corner. McMahon kicked a great conversion.

St Michael's looked unstoppable but Madigan was yet to stamp his imprint on the match. In the 39th minute he took a quick tap, caught the defence napping, and cantered 30 yards to the posts. He landed the conversion and brought his tally to 12 points with the late penalty that sparked the remarkable comeback.

With Clongowes and St Michael's now discarded, Blackrock look on course for a second title in as many years. They await the winners of tomorrow's match between CBC Monkstown and Belvedere College in the last four.

Scoring sequence: 10 mins: Leonard try, 0-5; McMahon conv, 0-7; 29 mins: Brophy try, 0-12; McMahon conv, 0-14; 39 mins: Madigan try, 5-12; Madigan conv, 7-12; 55 mins: Madigan pen, 10-14; 67 mins: Crowley try, 15-14; Madigan conv, 17-14.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: D Sherry; R Johnson, S Rogers, J Ronan, D Fitzpatrick; I Madigan, C Crowley; J Leyden, M O'Brien, K Cahill; D Hillery, C Byrne; R Quigley, R Smith, P McCormack. Replacements: R Ronayne for Byrne (half-time); D Tunney for Leyden; C McCarthy for Hillery (both 24 mins); L Carroll for Quigley (61 mins).

ST MICHAEL'S COLLEGE: M O'Malley; N Reid, K Mason, C Cleary, P Brophy; C McMahon, R Pratt; P Mallon, A Pollard, I Leonard; S Tallon; S Mahoney, A Byrne, J Daniels, R Reilly.

Referee: J Carvil (ARLB).