Blackrock transformed in second half comeback

Blackrock College - 22 Clongowes Wood - 12: The Blackrock College juniors emulated the performance of their seniors by staging a convincing comeback win in the Section C first round tie at Donnybrook yesterday.

The pre-match information indicated that this was a talented Blackrock outfit matched against a less than vintage Clongowes Wood side. This certainly wasn't the case in a blistering first half that was all about aggressive tackling and knocking the opposition back from the point of contact. In this regard, Clongowes number eight Trevor Conneely, prop Conor Spelman and centre Michael Sheehy were the focal points of the Clongowes defence. In fact, their aggressive hits helped turn over possession and a frustrated Blackrock were inclined to give away needless penalties.

Clongowes' scrumhalf Barry Mahon was coolness personified in his despatch of three first half penalties in the sixth, 24th and 30th minutes for a 9-0 lead at the break.

Unfortunately, Blackrock had been hit early on by an injury to Niall Morris. He was concussed and treated on the spot. The game was delayed for 10 minutes as a stretcher was brought onfield, purely as a precautionary measure. The left wing suffered concussion, but had recovered quite well by the time he left the pitch.

The second half saw a transformation in the Blackrock players. The key was their handling. Where before promising moves broke down due to handling errors, the ball began to stick. In the space of six minutes they accumulated 17 unanswered points in the manner of possible champions.

Outhalf Ian Madigan kicked a 49th minute penalty and plunged over under the posts following a direct surge from his inside centre James Ronan. That was quickly followed by an exemplary piece of footwork by captain Shane Rogers whose inside-to-outside break unhinged the Clongowes defence. Madigan converted both tries.

As is their way, Clongowes took it on the chin and struck back for Mahon's fourth penalty in the 51st minute. It was still game on. Blackrock needed more space between themselves and their opponents and right wing Robert Johnson, showing good speed, gave them what they needed with a 68th minute try.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: D Sherry; R Johnson, S Rogers (capt), J Ronan, N Morris; I Madigan, C Crowley; D Tunney, M O'Brien, K Cahill, J Leydon, C Byrne, R Ronayne, R Smith, P McCormack. Replacement: D Fitzpatrick for Morris (11 mins).

CLONGOWES: D Kearney; R Newman, M Sheehy, B O'Keeffe, G Williams; T Fletcher, B Mahon; N Mullen, T Burns, C Spelman, J Carlos, G White, K Cunningham, T Joyce (capt), T Conneely. Replacement: H McMahon for Spelman (51 mins).

Referee: P Haycock (Leinster Branch).