NO ONE could have been blamed for leaving this Leinster junior cup quarter final at Donnybrook yesterday by half time. There had been few chances created and none taken. But the second half saw a complete transformation in the quality of play and quantity of opportunities.
Clongowes Wood made the running in the first half. Yet left winger Niall Morgan could not kick any of his three penalties in the first, sixth and 18th minutes. An ambitious dropped goal attempt from his team mate Stephen McGee was the only other notable effort in the first 30 minutes.
Gonzaga came out a new and improved outfit in the second half, with half time replacement Michael Fanning causing problems on the left wing. But it was the right touchline that Gonzaga made the breakthrough. Outstanding number eight Conor Gahan and Conor Fearon combined to send out half Gavin Hillery on a scything 15 metre run to the line for an unconverted try.
And there seemed a reasonable chance of Gonzaga holding out until the 51st minute, when Clongowes strongest running back David Clavin put the finishing touch to a backline movement. Morgan's conversion struck the left upright.
But, he found the target six minutes later when inspirational number eight David Hickey went over near the posts.
It looked like curtains from Gonzaga. However, Fanning forced a line out five metres from the Clongowes line. A cleverly planned throw in saw flanker Darragh O'Dea take a tap down and speed in from the front of the line out.
Centre Alan Butterly's well struck conversion slipped wide. Seconds later Clemgowes centre Clavin took advantage of a cruel bounce to go over for his second try. Morgan converted.
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