FOLLOWING on the heels of Ireland's whimpering demise, there was a glimpse of a brighter future for Irish rugby at Donnybrook yesterday as a star-laden Blackrock College Under-20 team captured the J P Fanagan League final
A smattering of former schools' internationals formed the core of this practically-invincible side. Faced with this proposition, St Mary's fought tirelessly, and at times, knocked Blackrock out of their stride. But they never really looked like winning.
Out-half David Kelly's accurate goalkicking ensured St Mary's were only 14-9 adrift at the break. David Johnson had profited from out-half Emmett Farrell's quick thinking to go over for Blackrock's try.
And the longer the game went on, the more easily Blackrock floated away from their pursuers, with second-half tries from David Quinlan and the outstanding Farrell, who ended proceedings with 24 points. That total included a mixed bag of four penalties, a drop goal, two conversions, and of course, his 50th-minute try.
Ten minutes from the end, Quinlan ripped through an overburdened Mary's defence, before centre Jason Verdon slipped in for a much-deserved St Mary's consolation try.
