Tenacious Terenure advance to the final

THE RATING of warm favourites weighed heavily on Belvedere in the semi-final of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup at Lansdowne Road yesterday.

And it was a burden that Belvedere failed to discharge as they perished before the challenge presented by Terenure, who won by nine points to six and will now meet the winners of today's other semi-final between Clongowes and Blackrock College in the final.

Belvedere went into this match with very concrete hope of not alone reaching the final for the first time since 1992, but of capturing the trophy this season after a 25-year gap. But faced by opponents who displayed all the tenacity and resolution that is so characteristic of Terenure teams, Belvedere could not produce the performance to meet the needs of the occasion and there is no doubt at all that the better side on the day prevailed.

They never allowed Belvedere to get a lead. Terenure took an early lead, held it until the 27th minute. They regained the lead before half time and never subsequently surrendered it.

It was a very worthy contest if not one marked by immense quality as is often the case at the penultimate stage of this competition. It was not until the closing stages as they trailed by three points that Belvedere began to attack the Terenure defence by running at it, But Terenure did not wilt and held on to reach the decider, a stage they most recently reached in 1993 when they last captured the trophy.

While it was outside half John English who emerged as Terenure's scoring hero he kicked three penalty goals - Terenure owe an immense debt to a fine and unified pack of forwards whose play in the loose, ruck and maul was so effective and guaranteed the side enjoyed a territorial advantage.

They had in English and his half back partner Barry Healy - two players who revealed the necessary level of perception and served the cause admirably and a back line who defended with purpose.

As is reflected in the fact that neither side scored a try, the tackling by both sides was very effective, but it was Belvedere who made more basic errors, Terenure, in contrast, invariably took the right option. The Terenure back row trio of Dan Parkinson - replaced in the 47th minute by Bernard Broderick - Jamie Jenkinson and Tom Carrer offered a tight defensive screen and did not allow Belvedere to break them down and create the gaps. There was a level of nervous anxiety about Belvedere that was in contrast to the control and composure Terenure revealed.

From the outset Terenure's approach was a clear indication that they were not in any way inhibited by an inferiority complex and they started in positive vein and never let in their endeavours.

They did not score a try and basically did not look like doing so, but they remained faithful to an approach that paid the ultimate dividend. They took the lead after 13 minutes when English kicked the first of his three penalty goals from over 30 yards. Belvedere equalised in the 27th minute when full back Donal Martin kicked a penalty from in front of the posts but English put Terenure in front again two minutes later and they deserved their 6-3 interval lead.

Paddy Ball won some very good line out possession for Belvedere, flanker Ciaran Leyden was tireless in his endeavours, but Terenure contained Belvedere's attempts to make ground with the maul, were better in the rucks and quicker to the loose ball. They also did not allow Belvedere's talented outside half Andrew Dunne any latitude, but a kick from him in the closing stages of the first period almost opened the Terenure defence but the ball went over the deadball line as two Belvedere backs chased in pursuit. It was the nearest Belvedere came to getting, a try.

Terenure continued to have the better of matters territorially and when Belvedere did get in to their half, the tenure was not of long duration. English kicked his third penalty nine minutes after the break and Terenure retained, a six points advantage until 12 minutes from the end. Martin kicked an excellent 46-yard penalty in the 58th minute having missed one just previously

That left just three points in it and the stage was set for a grand assault from Belvedere. They established one fine attacking position and Shane Moore was inches wide with a dropped goal attempt. But Terenure held firm and the tackles went in with bravery and effect when Belvedere tried to break them down with the running game in the closing exciting, stages.