Ryan's solo flight gives Gonzaga wings

Gonzaga College 7 Kilkenny College 3This contest played at the NUIM grounds yesterday saw Gonzaga come out on top with Dominic Ryan's first-half try ultimately settling this contest.

The windy conditions made life exceptionally difficult for the respective kickers and as such the game was played for the most part up front. Indeed not much of the ball was seen after the break with both teams adopting a rucking game.

Gonzaga were handed the first scoring chance of the game on six minutes but centre William McEvoy missed the target

The Kilkenny pack then made their first charge up field to hand their captain and outhalf Craig Ronaldson a kicking chance on 10 minutes. Although unsuccessful then, Ronaldson soon had another chance after centre Pádraig Mahon had made a determined burst through the middle. And from just inside the 22, Ronaldson's left-footed kick sailed between the posts.

Gonzaga adopted an open game but rarely got past their own half due to the diligence of the Kilkenny pack who got in hit after hit.

But having thwarted a Gonzaga break courtesy of a fine Andrew Yates tackle at half way, the Kilkenny defence was finally unhinged on 34 minutes. Wing forward Ryan, having taken a return pass from Ferdia Doherty, ran from half way to go in and under the Kilkenny posts.

William McEvoy converted to leave it 7-3 at the break. Gonzaga were dealt a blow before half time when wing forward, David Doyle went over on his ankle and did not play any further part in the game.

It was a hard slog after that with the only clear chance coming with seven minutes left when Seán T Meagher came within inches of the Kilkenny line.

GONZAGA COLLEGE: F Doherty, D McEvoy, N Cullen, W McEvoy, N Hanratty, K Tuite, J Cooney, K Larchet, N Rutledge, C Farrell, J Whelan, R Kenny, D Ryan, D Boyle, D Kane. Replacements: K Ryan for Cullen, S Meagher for Rutledge, Rutledge for Doyle, G Fitzgerald for Farrell.

KILKENNY COLLEGE: M Stack, S Brennan, S Yates, P Mahon, W Deverell, C Ronaldson, R O'Driscoll, M Boyd, I Stanley, H Stanley, J Hanbidge, N Condell, A Yates, G Dunne, N Beirne. Replacements: D Ruddock for S Brennan, G Dunne for Condell, C Harvey for I Stanley.

Referee: P Dennehy (ARLB).