Newbridge come good after the break

LEINSTER SCHOOLS' JUNIOR CUP:Newbridge College 15 Cistercian College Roscrea 10

WHILE PAST pupil Fionn Carr is enjoying a great season in the Connacht colours, the present Newbridge outfit looked in serious trouble when they failed to score in the opening half at Togher yesterday.

At half-time in Portlaoise, Roscrea were comfortably in front. A penalty converted by Philip O’Dwyer gave them the lead after 10 minutes but five minutes later the same player missed a similar kick and it was to prove costly.

It did not seem to matter at the time as in the 26th minute Maurice Fitzgerald went over for a fine try and when O’Dwyer converted, the Tipperary college were 10 points ahead and remained there until the second minute of the second half when Newbridge player Robert Mullen converted a penalty.

Roscrea came under severe pressure and it was no surprise when Richard Snell went over for a try but when Mullen missed the conversion Roscrea clung to a two- point lead.

Newbridge scented victory and after sustained pressure replacement player Killian Dempsey became the hero, going over for a second try in the 62nd minute and this time Mullen made no mistake with the conversion and Newbridge maintained their advantage until the final whistle.

On a perfect day on an ideal surface both teams contributed to a most entertaining contest.

SCORERS:Newbridge – R Mullen, pen, con; R Snell, K Dempsey tries; Roscrea – P Dwyer pen, con; M Fitzgerald try NEWBRIDGE: B O'Donnell; K Callan , R Snel, J Hogan, B Scully; C Grant, R Dalton; J Doyle, R Mullen , B Dardis, P O'Neill, D Duke, C Grant, J Coughlin-Murray, E Murphy. Replacements: G Burns for Callan; K Dempsey for Grant.

ROSCREA:R Skelly; O Heffernan, S Cody, L Moran, A McGrath; F O'Regan, R Mooney; S O'Brien, J Ryan, M Mellotte, M Fitzgerald, J Ryan, T Higgins, C Brennan, P O'Dwyer. Replacements: E Quirke for O'Regan; O O'Connell for Brennan.