McCallion makes difference

Blackrock College 3 Belvedere College 0: IT WAS a not a day for running rugby at Donnybrook but both teams managed to keep spectators enthralled, with Mark McCallion's fourth-minute penalty proving the difference between the teams.

The two defences excelled and much of the game was played in the middle third, where both teams put in some big tackles.

Blackrock came close to another score but Belvedere managed to retrieve possession after Blackrock’s secondrow Niall Wilson had made a good charge through the middle.

Belvedere continued to take the hits after that, courtesy of some terrific defending from the pack.

On one of their rare visits into the Blackrock half, Conor Jennings embarked on a good run from outside the 22 only for fullback James Fennelly to pull off a crunching tackle.

The north Dublin outfit continued to apply the pressure with Fionn Dillon-Kelly stopped just short of the posts.

A penalty resulted but Belvedere winger Jordan Mulvaney pulled his attempt wide of the posts.

In the final action of the half Mulvaney attempted to drive for the line but again the Blackrock defence held firm.

The second half took on a similar pattern with Belvedere’s Edward Meade and then Blackrock’s Hugo Kean held up just short of the line.

Belvedere battled gamely until the final whistle, but were met by some stern resistance from Blackrock.

BELVEDERE COLLEGE:S Long; D Boylan, A O'Brien, N Groome, J Mulvaney; C Jennings, G O'Kelly; M Sweeney, A Hynes, E Meade, S Smyth; A McClean, C McCaffrey; D McCaffrey, F Dillon-Kelly. Replacements: I O'Domhnaill for S Smyth (40 mins), P Wade for O'Kelly (58 mins).

BLACKROCK COLLEGE:J Fennelly; M O'Callaghan, M McCallion, M O'Brien, C Delaney; C Dean, J McGowan; M Reidy, H Kean, G O'Meara, D Mullane, N Wilson, A Cassidy, P West, R McMahon. Replacements: F O'Reilly for McCallion (40 mins), R Egan-Barron for O'Callaghan (38 mins), H Egleston for Cassidy (59 mins).

Referee:N Correll (Leinster)