ANY thoughts of a Newbridge College cup double were clinically put to the sword yesterday at Donnybrook as St Mary's College dismantled the Kildare school in this Leinster Schools' Junior Cup semi final.
Early in the match St Mary's unveiled the pace of their three quarter line. It all started in midfield where hooker Brian Moran won a scrum against the head. Number eight Shane Jennings took the ball on, and before Newbridge had time to reorganise their defence, a quick ruck ball enabled outside half Paul Madden to miss out his inside centre for Kieran Lewis to receive the ball in space. He showed electrifying speed in making the line. Gareth Murphy, who kicked a penalty in the fifth minute, converted from the touchline.
Almost immediately Jennings bludgeoned his way to the line directly from a five metre scrum. Mushy was wide with the conversion. St Mary's were 15-0 up.
Second row Carl Daly's two handed line out take was driven on by the pack. Madden skipped to loose again, and he obliged with another outside break before looping a pass out to left wing James Norton who scorched a path to the line. Murphy's failed conversion attempt left St Mary's 20-0 in front at the break.
Early into the second half captain Madden's intuitive support play was rewarded with a try.
Although Newbridge always played second fiddle to St Mary's, their pack had strength, and were instrumental in their tries. Flanker Adrian Keatley claimed a 47th minute, forward powered touchdown, and hooker Hugh Garrett was rewarded for the collective work of his front row when he tunnelled over.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)