Kingston shines for Blackrock

Blackrock College 22 Clontarf 19:BLACKROCK COLLEGE lifted the McCorry Cup thanks to an exceptional performance from Brian Kingston, with the outhalf kicking superbly in yesterday's final at Donnybrook.

Three first-half penalties from Kingston, a try from captain Alan McGinty, with the scrumhalf putting in an excellent display, in the 31st minute which Kingston converted gave Blackrock a commanding 16-5 lead at the break despite an early try from Clontarf’s Matthew D’Arcy.

Clontarf got back into the game with their second try of the game courtesy of captain Patrick Davis in the 56th minute, substitute outhalf Peter Synott converting to cut the deficit to four points. The momentum swung in Clontarf’s direction but Kingston stepped up to the mark again with another long-range penalty before watching his drop goal, from just outside the 10 metre line, sail between the posts giving Blackrock a 10-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.

Clontarf continued to pressure Blackrock and got their just reward with a try from substitute Rowan Considine before Synott’s conversion made for a tense final few minutes but Blackrock held out.

Earlier in the day UCD overcame St Mary’s by 27-5 to lift the Purcell Cup thanks to four tries, two from Josh Morton and one apiece from James Finegan and Neil Foley, with Daniel Bramwell of St Mary’s going over in the first half.

BLACKROCK COLLEGE: N Kilcullen; R Hoey, K Curran, N O’Keeffe, A Philpott; B Kingston, A McGinty (capt); D Lewis, S Lambe, S Gould; R Ivers, K O’Riordan; R Hartnett, R Liddy, B Kelly. Replacements: J Murphy for Liddy (41 min), J O’Beirne for Hartnett (50 min), D Scott Lennon for Philpott (78 mins), A Lyons for Lewis (52 min).

Scorers: B Kingston (4 pen,1 drop goal, 1 con), A McGinty (try 31 min).

CLONTARF: B Woods; C Donohoe, P Davis (capt), C OShea, P Mahon, M D’Arcy, R ODriscoll; J OLeary Redmond, C O’Flynn, K Donoghue, E Browne, M Kearney, K Moran, A D’Arcy, C OBrien. Replacements: H Nolan for O’Driscoll (34 min), P Synnott for Moran (44 min), E Cremin for A D’Arcy (44 mins), R Considine for M D’Arcy (53 min).

Scorers: M D’Arcy (try 15 min), P Davis (try 56 min), R Considine (try 74 min) P Synott (2 con).

Referee: Peter Dennehy (ARLB).